Pure Land Experience

When I first came to Guang Jue Monastery over two years ago I was delighted that the abbot, the Venerable Zheng Rong, had invited me to stay with him. I asked him if he would teach me more about Pure Land Buddhism. His answer was abrupt and I felt my nose a little out of joint when he replied: “If you want to learn about Pure Land Buddhism go and read about it in books’, upon which he retired to his room. It was not until a day or so later the Master added with a smile: “But if you want to experience Pure Land, stay for a while.”

The Venerable Zheng Rong was not discrediting the importance of study and reading. However, I have always been amazed at the very few books on his shelf in his office. He was merely making a strong point that we can become bogged down in the academia of Buddhism without ever having an experience of its sheer beauty. You can read all you like about Pure Land Buddhism but until you actively practise it you will never know its fruits.

Pure Land Buddhism is a very “active’’ Buddhism. Its foundation is based upon Faith, Vows and Practice. The faith that Pure land Buddhism talks about is a very experiential faith. It is not a blind faith. It is not a faith that the Amitabha Buddha will give us a free ticket to the Pure Land on our demise and that is all to it. No! Faith in Amitabha’s power is grounded in the experience of Pure Land in this very moment, in the Samadhi of being an integral part of all nature. The Venerable Master Hsuan Hua stated , “You must understand that the Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Saha world are not beyond this very thought.” When we begin to realize that the Pure Land is in our midst then we are able to experience the beauty and joy of life. This experience is not just a mental factor. It evolves as a product of our relationship with all sentient beings and with all of nature. It is active.

When, as Pure Land practitioners, we make vows to escape the cycle of birth and death and to rescue all sentient beings to do this we must develop the Bodhi and Compassionate mind - a mind of compassionate action in relationship with one another.

The third foundation is “practice.” To practise not only means the absorbing of our mental focus in the recitation of meditation on the name of Amitabha Buddha but also in the daily experience of being Amitabha Buddha to all beings through our thoughts, words and actions.

One morning the Master asked me if I would like to go to the village with him. We walked along the little country lane beside the monastery passing the corn and rice fields. The air was crisp in the autumn morning. As we turned to walk along the main road there in front of us was a truck whose driver was trying to start the motor. It had broken down in the middle of the road. With my limited knowledge of mechanics I guessed the driver had run out of petrol or there was a problem with the fuel line. The Master, however, stopped to offer assistance. He suggested we try to push-start the truck. Push-start a truck??!! There were only two of us and the truck was of rather large proportions. We both strained to gain momentum. The truck surged forward, spluttered then came to an abrupt halt. “No matter”, came Master Zheng Rong. “We will push you to the village.” I gasped for air! The occupants of a few cars that drove past were aghast to see a Venerable pushing a truck. Finally a large truck with laborers stopped and asked if we needed help.

We eventually arrived at the village huffing and puffing. One of the laborers remarked: “We should tell the abbot of the monastery that you are a hero, old monk. He is probably having his morning meditation”. The others laughed. “I am the abbot”, smiled Master Zheng Rong. “This IS my meditation.” The laughter suddenly stopped. With hands clasped the workmen bowed. I felt the awe of the moment. “Stop your bowing and let’s have tea together!” retorted the Master with his cheeky grin. In a little while we were all together drinking hot local tea and sharing stories. Laborers and monk; Chinese and a Westerner rubbing shoulders in camaraderie. This is Pure Land. I understood the Master’s teaching.