The Pure Land

Amitabha’s Pure Land is depicted in a way designed to attract practitioners. In the Pure Land, there is no sickness, old age or death. The sufferings and difficulties of this world do not exist at all. Those born in
Pure Land come forth there from lotus flowers, not from the woman’s womb in pain and blood and once born they are received and welcome by Amitabha and his assistants. They received immortal, transformed bodies and are beyond the danger of falling back into lesser incarnations. They are in direct presence of Amitabha Buddha and the Great Bodhisattva Kuan Yin [Avalokitesvara] and Great Bodhisattva Shih Chih [Mahasthamaprapta] who aid in their ultimate enlightenment.

Those who go to the Pure Land live there among beings of the highest virtue. Beautiful clothing and fine food are provided to them ready made. There are no extremes of heat or cold. The correct states of concentration are easy to achieve and maintain. There are no such things of greed, ignorance, anger, strife or laziness.

The Pure Land is described, metaphorically as resplendent with all manner of jewels and precious things, towers of agate, palaces of jade. There are huge trees made of various gems, covered with fruits and flowers. Giant lotuses spread their fragrance everywhere. There are pools also made of seven jewels and filled with the purest water, which adjust itself to the depth and temperature the bathers prefer. Underfoot, gold covers the ground. Flowers fall from the sky day and night and the whole sky is covered with a net made of gold, silver and pearls. The Pure Land is perfumed with beautiful scents and filled with celestial music.

Most precious of all, in the Pure Land, we are told not only the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, Amitabha and his assistants, but even the birds and the trees [as manifestation of Amitabha] are continuously expounding the Dharma, the Buddhist Teaching.