Thank Buddha It’s Friday (TBIF) English Lecture: When the Mind is Pure, So is the Land

Ching Pan
June 13, 2024

On May 31, Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang Temple held a hybrid English lecture titled "Single-Minded & Undistracted: Meditation & the Pure Land" by Andrew Nguy. Andrew is currently working at the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, where he is translating the Fo Guang Dictionary of Buddhism. Nearly 40 participants from Taiwan and North America joined in-person and online to explore how meditation can purify the mind, turning every place into a Pure Land on earth.

Andrew explained the "Transformation Tableau of the Amitabha Sutra," encouraging the audience to pay attention to the details. He noted that not only is Amitabha Buddha teaching, but every tree and breeze in the Pure Land is also expounding the Noble Eightfold Path. He emphasized that every Buddha has their own Pure Land, and when the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he affirmed that everyone can become a Buddha. Since everyone is a Buddha, everyone can create their own Pure Land, making every place a Pure Land.

Quoting from the Vimalakirti Sutra: "If a bodhisattva wishes to attain a pure land, they must purify their mind; as the mind is purified, the Buddha land will be pure," Andrew stated that the Pure Land is not just a future realm for rebirth but now. Bodhisattvas should aspire to purify their minds and actively create Pure Lands in the present to benefit sentient beings. How can one purify their mind? “The Verses of the Shared Morality of the Seven Buddhas” states: "Commit no evil, perform all good deeds, and purify one's own mind—this is the teaching of all Buddhas," providing clear guidance.

Andrew pointed out that a Pure Land has three main characteristics—welcoming, inclusive, and beneficial. He cited Venerable Jue Cheng from Fo Guang Shan, who, despite safety concerns, actively promoted the "Sons of Tathagata" program in Brazil, using soccer to engage and educate children in local favelas. This effort propagated the Dharma and benefited others, exemplifying the creation of a Pure Land.

Quoting Venerable Sariputra’s question to the Buddha: "Why is the Pure Land of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas so pure, while the Saha world you teach in is so impure?" the Buddha replied, “Sentient beings cannot see the purity and magnificence of the Tathagata's Pure Land because their view is obstructed by transgressions.” Using the analogy of "one water, four views," Andrew emphasized the importance of "Sympathetic Resonance" with the Buddha, filling the mind with kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. A calm, ripple-free lake reflects the moon clearly. He also played a segment from the musical "The Vast Cloud and Immense Star" in memory of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, who said, "The Pure Land is in our hearts. When the heart is free of greed, anger, and ignorance and is full of kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, there is harmony and no conflict in human relationships." Building a Pure Land on earth is the core of Humanistic Buddhism.

Andrew emphasized that meditation aids in achieving "Sympathetic Resonance" with the Buddha, purifying the mind, and attaining single-mindedness. This complements the practice of both meditation and Pure Land cultivation.

One attendee, Jordan Dubin expressed that Andrew's analogy of a purified mind being like a calm lake reflecting the moon helped her realize that the Pure Land is not merely a distant concept or theory, but rather something practical and attainable. She found this insight immensely beneficial.