[Buddha-l] Where are the Pure Lands?

[jkirk]

In some of Thich Nhat Hanh's books, and also in Buddhadasa's _Heartwood of
the Bodhi Tree_ (as I recall) they both speak of attaining the Pure Land
through right-everything on the list, plus mindfulness meditation. So you're
right--it dwells inwardly, via cultivation. 
The myths (E. Asian? Not sure of Indian) locate the Pure Land in the West
somewhere, but none say precisely where. If paintings interest you, check
out especially pp. 50-67 in _Performing the Visual : The Practice of
Buddhist Wall Painting in China and Central Asia, 618-960_, by Sarah E.
Fraser. Stanford UP, 2004. This book has lots of the various paradises of
the main Buddhas. Maitreya rules the paradise of the Future, and this is
where most East Asian Pure Landers plan to go after death, or to Amitaabha's
jeweled paradise.

Joanna 
==================================


In people's heads....
maybe

----------------------------------------
Dr David Webster
Course Leader: Religion, Philosophy & Ethics University of Gloucestershire 

01242 71 4778
e-mail: dwebster at glos.ac.uk 


University Site: http://www.glos.ac.uk

 

Course blog: http://www.r-p-e.blogspot.com  
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-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Paul Fuller
Sent: 26 March 2008 09:22
To: buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
Subject: [Buddha-l] Where are the Pure Lands?

I enjoy teaching about Pure Lands to students, I think you can cover a lot
of ground about Buddhism in discussing them. But students ask some great,
and simple questions. Like: 'where are the Pure Lands'? And where, for that
matter is earth in relation to them? I'm aware of all sorts of ways to
answer this, but I'm looking for a specific answer to do with their 'actual'
location. Any ideas?

Cheers,

Paul

-- 
Dr. Paul Fuller
University of Sydney
Department of Studies in Religion
Woolley Building
Room N424
NSW 2006
Australia
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