Those who practice according to the Holy Path (Sagely Path) believe that one purifies one’s world by purifying the mind.
Those who practice according to the Pureland Path believe that one purifies one’s mind only by being born in a purified world.
Why?
Sentient beings of the Dharma Ending Age do not have Good Roots, in other words, their ability to learn and practice is dulled, and the world they inhabit is polluted and filled with many evils.
The Candragarbha-sūtra says: “Out of a hundred million people who practice in the Dharma Ending Age, it would be difficult to find even one who would attain the Path. Only by relying on reciting the Buddha's name and being born in the Pureland can one attain liberation.” The sutra validates this claim.
Therefore, for people in the Dharma Ending Age, to not seek birth into a pure Buddha-field but instead to try to find liberation through practicing the Holy Path would truly be impossible.
Footnote:
Age of Genuine Dharma: the first five hundred years after the birth of the Buddha, in which beings arise Wisdom through hearing the Buddha’s words of Dharma, thereby gaining liberation through Wisdom (Prajna).
Age of the Appearance of the Dharma: the following one thousand years, in which beings raise wisdom through meditation (Dhyana), thereby gaining liberation through meditative concentration.
Age of the Ending of the Dharma: the following ten thousand years, in which beings must rely upon the Buddha’s guidance for birth in the Pureland, thus gaining liberation through attaining enlightenment upon birth in the Pureland.
Those who practice according to the Pureland Path believe that one purifies one’s mind only by being born in a purified world.
Why?
Sentient beings of the Dharma Ending Age do not have Good Roots, in other words, their ability to learn and practice is dulled, and the world they inhabit is polluted and filled with many evils.
The Candragarbha-sūtra says: “Out of a hundred million people who practice in the Dharma Ending Age, it would be difficult to find even one who would attain the Path. Only by relying on reciting the Buddha's name and being born in the Pureland can one attain liberation.” The sutra validates this claim.
Therefore, for people in the Dharma Ending Age, to not seek birth into a pure Buddha-field but instead to try to find liberation through practicing the Holy Path would truly be impossible.
Footnote:
Age of Genuine Dharma: the first five hundred years after the birth of the Buddha, in which beings arise Wisdom through hearing the Buddha’s words of Dharma, thereby gaining liberation through Wisdom (Prajna).
Age of the Appearance of the Dharma: the following one thousand years, in which beings raise wisdom through meditation (Dhyana), thereby gaining liberation through meditative concentration.
Age of the Ending of the Dharma: the following ten thousand years, in which beings must rely upon the Buddha’s guidance for birth in the Pureland, thus gaining liberation through attaining enlightenment upon birth in the Pureland.
Translated by Ben Le
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