A Brief History

Amida Buddhism / Pure Land Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism, originated in India around the first century CE. Its foundational texts are the three Pure Land sutras: the Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Infinite Life Sutra), the Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Amitabha Sutra), and the Amitayurdhyana Sūtra (Contemplation Sutra)

These sutras describe the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha (also known as Amida), a celestial realm where beings can be reborn and attain enlightenment more easily than in our world. The Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra narrates the story of Dharmakara, a monk who, inspired by the teachings of Lokeshvararaja Buddha, made 48 vows to create a Pure Land. After fulfilling these vows, Dharmakara became Amitabha Buddha, and his Pure Land, Sukhavati, became a place where beings could be reborn by invoking his name with sincere faith .

The Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra emphasises faith and devotion as the primary means to be reborn in the Pure Land, while the Amitayurdhyana Sūtra focuses on visualisation practices to achieve the same goal .

Pure Land Buddhism was introduced to China in 147 CE by the Kushan monk Lokakṣema, who translated the earliest Pure Land sutras into Chinese . The teachings gained prominence in the 4th century CE with the establishment of Donglin Temple at Mount Lu by the monk Huiyuan. Huiyuan and his followers formed the White Lotus Society, a group dedicated to the practice of Pure Land teachings .

Several key figures contributed to the development of Pure Land Buddhism in China. Tanluan (476–542 CE) synthesised Pure Land teachings with the concept of "other-power" (tariki), emphasising reliance on Amitabha Buddha's vows rather than one's own efforts. Daochuo (562–645 CE) and Shandao (613–681 CE) further systematised Pure Land practices, particularly the recitation of Amitabha's name (nembutsu / nianfo) as the primary practice for attaining rebirth in the Pure Land. Shandao is often considered as the first patriarch of Chinese Pure Buddhism and as an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha. His commentary on the Visualisation Sutra is a major influence on Pure Land Buddhism, both in China and Japan.

Pure Land Buddhism spread from China to Korea and Japan, where it underwent significant transformations. In Korea, it was integrated into the broader Buddhist tradition, while in Japan, it developed into distinct schools with unique interpretations and practices.

Pure Land Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 8th century, but it gained substantial influence in the 10th century through the efforts of the monk Genshin (942–1017 CE). Genshin's work, Ojoyoshu (Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land), compiled various Pure Land teachings and practices, emphasising the importance of nembutsu .

The most significant development in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism occurred in the 12th century with the teachings of Hōnen (1133–1212 CE). Hōnen founded the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land School) and advocated exclusive reliance on the nembutsu for salvation. He argued that in the degenerate age of mappō, when traditional Buddhist practices were no longer effective, the simple recitation of Amitabha's name was the most accessible and effective path to enlightenment .

Shinran (1173–1263 CE), a disciple of Hōnen, further developed Pure Land teachings by founding the Jōdo Shinshū (True Pure Land School). Shinran emphasised absolute reliance on Amitabha's grace, rejecting the notion that any human effort could contribute to salvation. He taught that even the nembutsu was an expression of Amitabha's compassion, not a practice to be performed for merit

By the 13th century, Pure Land Buddhism had established itself as a major tradition in Japan, influencing both religious practice and philosophical thought. The teachings of Hōnen, Shinran and Ippen laid the foundation for the widespread practice of Pure Land Buddhism, which continues to be a significant aspect of East Asian Buddhism today. Through its emphasis on faith and devotion, Pure Land Buddhism offered a path to enlightenment accessible to all, regardless of their abilities or circumstances, ensuring its enduring appeal across cultures and centuries.