Visions of Sukhāvatī

Shan-tao's Commentary on the Kuan wu-liang-shou-Fo ching

By Julian F. Pas

Subjects: Asian Literature
Series: SUNY series in Buddhist Studies
Paperback : 9780791425206, 452 pages, August 1995
Hardcover : 9780791425190, 452 pages, August 1995

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Table of contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part 1

1. The Emergence of Pure Land Buddhism

2. The Kuan wu-liang-shou-Fo ching and the Early Development of the Amita Cult

3. Biography of an Eminent Monk: Ch'an Master Shan-tao (613-681)

4. Shan-tao's Writings

Part 2

5. The Human Situation Versus Amita and His Land of Purity

6. The First Gate: Meditation

7. The Second Gate: Nonmeditative Action

8. Recitation of the Name of Amita

9. Rebirth in Sukhavati

Part 3

10. Shan-tao's Significance

Conclusion

Abbreviations
Notes
Glossary
Chinese Glossary
Select Bibliography
Index

One of the masters of Pure Land Buddhism shows how to have a vision of the Land Sukhavati and its Lord by using the sutra as a manual of visualization.

Description

The Pure Land movement focuses on the worship of one particular Buddha, Amitabha or Amitayus who created a paradise named Sukhavati, Land of Extreme Bliss. The scriptures of this school promise rebirth in that Land to the devotees of that Buddha. It was considered to be an "easy way" to gain salvation in contrast with the "arduous path" of self-sacrifice recommended in original Buddhism.

T'ang monk Shan-tao was instrumental in the propagation and popularity of this devotional school. He was an ascetic and serious meditator who followed the techniques of visualization explained in the Sutra on Visualizing Buddha Amita, and his commentary on this text was later considered to be his most outstanding work. Western authors, however, misrepresent Shan-tao because they follow the lead of Japanese Jodo Shinshu masters who deemphasized meditative practices. With the hope that old stereotypes will be dropped, this book lets the Chinese texts speak for themselves.

Julian Pas specializes in Chinese Religious Tradition at the University of Saskatchewan, and is formerly the editor of the Journal of Chinese Religions.