A friend remarked that he was feeling angry during the day, but when he arrived at the temple in the evening, where we were having our Pureland class (https://moonpointer.com/new/2009/06/understanding-amituofo-via-the-amitabha-sutra), his anger seemed to have mysteriously dissipated. Replacing the trouble in mind was not just the absence of frustration but peace of mind instead. He wondered how it happened. I could not say I know for sure, but suggested that it was probably due to the calm and serene atmosphere of the temple – due to his drastic change of environment. I added that since it is so true that the environment we are in readily affects our state of mind, this is a good reminder for us on the great value of aspiring birth in a world with the best possible environment – Pureland.
Just as we visit a temple to learn the Dharma, while appreciative of its conducive environment for learning, we too should see Pureland as the most conducive place for learning the best (pure Dharma) from the best teachers (Buddhas and Bodhisattvas). If even unenlightened human constructions conceived by the human mind can create spiritually pleasing temples as sanctuaries, how much more wonderful a Pureland is – a true refuge created and maintained by the perfect compassion and wisdom of a fully enlightened Buddha (Amituofo)! Good temples are really attempted simulations of Purelands, also designed to reduce stimulation of defilements!
Most earnest Buddhists look forward to having time off from mundane work and miscellaneous matters to attend Dharma classes and retreats at our favourite temple. What we really wish for is to be able to learn and practise the Dharma full-time, without the need to be bothered by mundane routines of life. In this sense, deep down, as long as unenlightened, all true Buddhists do aspire to be reborn in Pureland – even if one might not have enough faith in Pureland, even if one does not call the ideal destination of birth ‘Pureland’ – because Amituofo’s Pureland is definitely the ultimate Dharma school cum retreat centre, as designed by Dharmakara (who became Amituofo) after reviewing 210 billion Purelands of other Buddhas (according to the Infinite Life Sutra, via a vision given by Lokeshvaraja Buddha)!
Amituofo’s Pureland is simply the best of the best, with all the above Purelands’ advantages combined; thus the absolute creme de la creme! Dharmakara was so determined to create the ultimate Pureland that he vowed (in Vow #17) that all Buddhas will praise him upon its completion. Indeed, recognised by all Buddhas for his tremendous dedication and its outcome, all of them (including our original teacher Shakyamuni Buddha) make it a point to recommend beings of their worlds to aspire to be born in his Pureland – because it is truly too excellent to miss. Once there, there would be no mundane duties to trouble us to no end, where our ‘work’ would be nothing but mastery of the Dharma! With such focus, enlightenment is guaranteed!
Where would be a good site/link to explain the difference between Buddhism and Taoism and also that a Buddhist temple worshipping many Buddhas & Bodhisattvas is still a Buddhist temple, not a Taoist one though a Taoist temple may also worship the Buddhist Bodhisattvas to a non Buddhist?
I dunno any weblink for that, but here’s a go at explaining…
Buddhism aims to transcend the cycle of life and death, while Taoism aims to attain immortality in the heavens – which the Buddha said is impossible – because positive karma that propels one to a heavenly rebirth is limited, thus limiting heavenly lifespans.
Buddhist temples do not worship gods, since they are unenlightened; they worship only enlightened Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. Some Taoist temples worship Bodhisattvas too; but usually while perceiving them to be merely gods, which is a misunderstanding, because Bodhisattvas (who might at times manifest as gods) have much greater compassion and wisdom than gods – since they are on the brink of Buddhahood. Buddhas are teachers of humans and gods because they have perfect compassion and wisdom.