Tanluan’s Commentary on the Treatise on Rebirth in the Pure Land by Vasubhandhu
The "Commentary on the Treatise on Rebirth in the Pure Land" by Tanluan is an important text in Pure Land Buddhism, providing an in-depth analysis of Vasubandhu's "Treatise on Rebirth in the Pure Land." Tanluan's commentary draws upon Nagarjuna's "Chapter on the Easy Path" to elucidate Vasubandhu's teachings, integrating the perspectives of both Madhyamaka and Yogacara schools of Indian Buddhism.
Vasubandhu's original treatise, also known as the "Gatha of Aspiration to Rebirth," consists of 96 lines followed by an explication in 10 chapters. It emphasizes the practice of Amitabha-recitation and the aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land. The treatise outlines the Five Paths of Invocation, which guide practitioners in their spiritual journey.
Tanluan's commentary highlights the vows of Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattva Vasubandhu's sincere aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land. It serves as a foundational text for the Pure Land School, promoting the understanding and transmission of Pure Land teachings in China. Tanluan's work is praised for its deep insight into the Buddha's mind and its eloquent explication of Pure Land principles.
