PureLand-Japan

(http://www.purifymind.com/PureLand.htm)
Pureland Buddhism was introduced to China by monks, An Shih Kao and Lokakvema around 150 C.E. An independent sect was established by Honen Shonin in Japan. The independent sect was known as Jodo Shu. The dominate form of Buddhism in Japan is Pureland Buddhism. The main teaching is "nirvana is no longer practical nor possible to attain in our present day." Devotion to Amida, gives you karma, which allows you to go to the "Pureland". The "Pureland" is a heaven or paradise. Pureland Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

(http://buddhism.about.com/od/thetriyaka/ig/Five-Dhyani-Buddhas/Amitabha-Buddha.htm)
Recitation- Namu Amida Butus means homage to the Buddha of Boundless Compassion and Wisdom. The Central practice of Pureland Buddhism is recitation. Recitation includes immense concentration which allows us to rid ourselves of material goods and attachments. Recitation allows for body, speach and thought, the karmas, to be purified.

Visualization- The visualization practice is mainly centered around the Amitabha Buddha. "Devotion to Amitabha is at the center of Pure Land Buddhism." Amitabha symbolizes mercy and wisdom and represents gentleness and purity.

Pureland Rituals- Based upon the Buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu's concept of the Five Gates of Mindfulness: Praise and Veneration.  Visualization.  Sutra Recitation.  Making the Vow for Rebirth.  Dedicating Merit.

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http://viewonbuddhism.org/time-line.html, http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/buddhism.html =====

4th Century: Master Vasubandhu; known for his teachings on mind-only (Cittamatrin) and worship of Amitabha, desire for rebirth in the Pure Land, leading to the development of the later Pure Land schools. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">13th Century Japan: Founding of Jodo (Pure Land) school in Japan by Honen (1133-1212). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Founding of Zen sub-schools: Master Dogen (1200-1235) founds the Soto-shu (Chinese Ts'ao-tung) school. Master Eisai (1141-1251) founds the Rinzai-shu (Chinese Lin-Ch'I) school. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">100 AD: the Pure Land sutra is composed

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Geography
=== http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=japan+pureland+buddhism+sites&sll=35.00653,135.784256&sspn=0.001074,0.002425&ie=UTF8&radius=0.08&split=1&filter=0&rq=1&ev=p&hq=japan+pureland+buddhism+sites&hnear=&ll=35.00653,135.784256&spn=0.001074,0.002425&t=h&z=19 ===

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<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Monastic Practice
This picture is the Chionin Temple in Kyoto, Japan. It is very significant because it is located where Honen, a teacher of Pureland Buddhism, fasted to his death.

This image is of Amitabha Buddha. The Amitabha Buddha is what the practice of Pureland Buddhism is centered around.



This link maps out daily and yearly rituals of a Pureland Buddhist. <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">http://www.buddhistgateway.com/library/rituals/

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lay Practice
media type="youtube" key="P25IU9vRHPo" width="425" height="350" This is a video of monks praying in the Chiono Temple in Kyoto, Japan, where Honsen fasted to death.

This is a image of a Pureland Buddhist monk collecting food. A daily ritual essiantial for survival.

Buddhist monks praying in temple. Traditional in their orange robe and shaved head.

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Scriptures and Poetry
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/ami/index.htm The story of Amitabha is displayed in this book.

http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/Vasubandhu.html This article contains The Five Mindfullness Teachings of Vasubandhu which behold the Pureland Rituals.

media type="custom" key="7257263" This book discuss the presence of Pureland Buddhism in current day Japan.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">(http://buddhism-profiles.wikispaces.com/file/view/ArtofBuddhism1.pdf)
"Dharmachakra mudra:teaching. In this mudra,the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">righthand is raised,the lefthand is lowered,palms are <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">forward,and the thumb and forefingers touch.This <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">gesture is intended to recall the teachings of the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Buddha,particularly his firstsermon in Deer Park.The <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">wheel shape created by the thumb and forefinger rep- <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">resents the wheel of dharma,a symbol of the Buddha’s teachings."

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">" Dhyana mudra :meditation .In this mudra of medita- <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">tion ,the hands are positioned palms up, rightover left, in <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">the lap.One of the elements of the Eight fold Path, meditations <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> is the practice of relaxed concentration." <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> "Bhumisparsha mudra:calling the earth to witness. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">In this gesture,the righthand is draped over the front

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">of the rightleg,palm facing the leg,and the lefthand,
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">palm up,is positioned atwaistlevel.This mudra refers <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">to the eventof Siddhartha’s enlightenment.When he <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">attained enlightenment,Siddhartha called on the earth <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">to be his witness by touching the ground with his right <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">hand.For an example of this mudra,see seated Buddha <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">(page 23).The second panel of four scenes from the life <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">of the Buddha (page 20) also depicts the Buddha hold- <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ing his righthand in another version of this mudra."

**<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Pilgrimage Sites **
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Himeji Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle complex located in Himeji, Japan. A great site to visit. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">

Thirty three sacred Buddhist sites to visit in Japan. All sites encompass Pureland Buddhist rituals.


 * ~ No. ||~ Temple ||~ Location ||
 * 1 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Saidai-ji (Kannon-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Okayama, Okayama] ||
 * 2 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Yokei-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Oku, Okayama] ||
 * 3 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Shōraku-ji (Senjū-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Bizen, Okayama] ||
 * special || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Tanjō-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Kume District, Okayama] ||
 * 4 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Kiyama-ji (Kanji-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Maniwa, Okayama] ||
 * 5 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Henshō-ji (Hōkai-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Okayama, Okayama] ||
 * 6 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Rendai-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Kurashiki, Okayama] ||
 * 7 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Entsū-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Kurashiki, Okayama] ||
 * 8 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Enkō-ji (Myō-ō-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Fukuyama, Hiroshima] ||
 * 9 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Jōdo-ji (Daijōritsu-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Onomichi, Hiroshima] ||
 * special || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Saigoku-ji (Sōji-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Onomichi, Hiroshima] ||
 * 10 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Senkō-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Onomichi, Hiroshima] ||
 * 11 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Kōjō-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Onomichi, Hiroshima] ||
 * 12 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Buttsū-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Mihara, Hiroshima] ||
 * 13 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Mitaki-dera (Mitaki-Kannon)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Hiroshima] ||
 * 14 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Suishō-ji (Daishō-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Miyajima, Hiroshima] ||
 * special || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Hannya-ji (Yōmei-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Hirao, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 15 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Kanyō-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Shunan, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 16 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Tōshun-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 17 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Ryūzō-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 18 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Sōrin-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Ube, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 19 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Kōzan-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 20 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Daishō-in] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Hagi, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 21 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Kannon-in] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Hagi, Yamaguchi] ||
 * 22 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Tada-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Hamada, Shimane] ||
 * 23 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Kando-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Izumo, Shimane] ||
 * 24 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Zenjō-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Unnan, Shimane] ||
 * 25 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Gakuen-ji (Ichijō-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Izumo, Shimane] ||
 * 26 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Ichihata-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Izumo, Shimane] ||
 * 27 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Unju-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Yasugi, Shimane] ||
 * 28 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Kiyomizu-dera (Yasugi)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Yasugi, Shimane] ||
 * 29 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Daisen-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Daisen, Tottori] ||
 * 30 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Hase-dera] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Kurayoshi, Tottori] ||
 * 31 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Sanbutsu-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Misasa, Tottori] ||
 * special || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Ninma-ji] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Tottori, Tottori] ||
 * 32 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Jigen-ji (Kannon-in)] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Tottori, Tottori] ||
 * 33 || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #cc2200; text-decoration: none;">[|Daiun-in] || <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">[|Tottori, Tottori] ||

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<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">(http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1486)
1. "My discomfort with much of the Japanese Buddhism I have encountered is that in dealing with __pratitya samutpada__ or emptiness or Buddha-nature, it accentuates its formlessness. I do not mean here to dispute the fact that dependent origination as such is formless and can, for that reason, assume any form. Also, I fully realize that no one questions that every instance of __pratitya samutpada__ has an absolutely particular form and that close attention to this particularity is characteristic of Buddhism. What disturbs me is that attending only to these two points leads typically to the view that the Buddha-nature or Emptiness is "beyond good and evil". It leads also to the disparagement of conceptual thinking. It leads to prizing wisdom above compassion, despite the acknowledgment of the importance of the latter. It leads broadly to an emphasis on what is always true at every historical point, and therefore to a depreciation of the importance of historical analysis." This is from a Christian view of Pureland Buddhism. John Cobb Jr. the author is deeming Pureland Buddhism as formlessness. Being able to look at Pureland Buddhism in the eyes of a follower of another religion, in this case Christianity, is essiantial. It allows you to critique the practices and religions in another religion's "shoes".

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2. <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">(http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/05/28/a-refutation-of-japanese-pure-land-buddhism/) ===== <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Personal reaction from ones blog in regards to Pureland Buddhism after reading <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px initial initial; color: #0066cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Jokei and Buddhist Devotion in Early Medieval Japan] by James L. Ford the blogger finally relizes the critics towards Pureland Buddhism. This is essiantial to understanding the religion because through critical texts you are able to view the flaws of Pureland Buddhism presented and either agree or disagree with the opinons put forth of Honen.


 * 1) <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[According to Jokei,] Honen abandoned all traditional Buddhist practices other than verbal recitation of the nembutsu.
 * 2) <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Honen rejected the importance of karmic causality and moral behavior in pursuit of birth in the Pure Land.
 * 3) <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Honen false appropriated and misinterpreted Shan-tao with respect to nembutsu practice.
 * 4) <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Honen’s teachings had negative social and political implications.

== <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Personal Reactions Before doing this project I didnt fully understand all the different sects of Buddhism. I found it very interesting to learn about Pureland Buddhism specifically because of the practice in Japan and China and how prevalent the sect was. I was alarmed by the large number of Pureland followers there are in Japan and how strict in practice they are. Studying Pureland Buddhism really opened my eyes up to all the Buddhist sects out there.==