Buddhism as an Education

The path to Enlightenment



Namo Amitabha
There's a Zen saying: "Even false words are true if they lead to liberation; even true words are false if they become the object of attachment." The champions of Pure Land Buddhism have always made the case that Pure Land methods are especially valuable because they are particularly effective in meeting the needs of the greatest number of people. When we face facts, most of us have to admit that we see little realistic prospect of achieving salvation through the eons of gradual practice spoken of in the Buddhist scriptures, or the heroic efforts of the Zen masters, or the years of esoteric dedication demanded by the Esoteric Schools. Pure Land practice, on the other hand, is explicitly designed as an easy way, open to all.




Mind-Seal of the Buddhas
Patriarch Ou-i's Commentary on the
Amitabha Sutra

Translated by J.C. Cleary
Foreword, Notes and Glossary by Van Hien Study Group

This book is a translation from the Chinese of a major commentary on the Amitabha Sutra, the key text of Pure Land Buddhism. Its author is the distinguished seventeenth century T'ien-T'ai Master Ou-i, subsequently honored as the ninth Patriarch of the Pure Land school. To our knowledge, it is the first time this work has ever been rendered into a Western language.

Editor's Foreword
Pure Land in a Nutshell
Introduction to Pure Land and the Amitabha Sutra
Introduction to Ou-i Chih-hsu
Introduction to Ou-i's Commentary

Commentary on the Amitabha Sutra
Essence of the Sutra
Explanation of the Text

Afterword

Editor's Notes
Glossary


This is a summary of the tenth Stage of Bodhisattvas, called Cloud of Teaching... Whatever acts they undertake, whether through giving, or kind speech, or beneficial action, or cooperation, it is all never apart from thoughts of Buddha [Buddha Recitation], the Teaching, the Community (Sangha).
"The Ten Stages" Chapter,Avatamsaka Sutra

Sutra Translation Committee of the United States and Canada
New York - San Francisco - Niagara Falls - Toronto
1996