Pure Land Buddhism A Test! – The answers!

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 1. Which school of Buddhism stresses faith in Amida? - Mahayana 2. What is the religious goal of Pure Land Buddhists? – To be reborn in the Western paradise or ‘Pure Land’ 3. The higher practices of Amitabha worship first appeared in which sutra? – Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra 4. What must a Pure Land Buddhist not violate if he is reciting the Buddha’s name? – the precepts

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 5. Explain the concept of ‘Tariki’ for a Pure Land Buddhist – Another’s help to enlightenment (other – power) 6. Why do Pure Land Buddhists claim their methods are ‘especially valuable’? – Meet the needs of the greatest number of people (utilitarian) 7. In traditional Mahayana Buddhism, it is necessary to go through “52 levels of Bodhisattva practice” to attain Buddhahood. How is this different for a Pure Land Buddhist? – seeks rebirth in the Land of ultimate bliss instead

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 8. Pure Land Buddhists talk of a ‘horizontal struggle’ rather than a ‘vertical struggle’ to attain enlightenment. How does the analogy of the worm and the bamboo illustrate this? – crawl the hard way or the easy way through the bamboo 9. Religious painting can be an important aspect of different Pure Land schools. These works are known as ‘Mandalas’. Name ONE of the 3 most celebrated of these for Jodo Pure Land Buddhists – Chiko; Taima; Shokai

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 10. (i) In what century were the prototypes for these mandalas established? – 8th (ii) In what country were the prototypes for these mandalas established? - China (iii) During which dynasty were they established? – T’ang 11. Describe 2 features of what you might expect to find on these traditional mandalas – formal; geometric pictures of paradise; layout of T’ang monasteries and palaces; landscapes; aerial pavillions; diamond square shaped patterns; clouds; musical instruments; ponds with lotus flowers; jewelled trees;

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 12. Hui – Yuan established the practice of devotion to Amitabha Buddha as an independent activity, not optional. What was his school of Buddhism called? – White Lotus Society 13. Who was his disciple? – T’an - Luan 14. In 845 C.E. Pure Land Buddhism survived what better than other Buddhist schools? – anti – Buddhist persecution

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 15. Why is Pure Land Buddhism often referred to as ‘the easy path’? – To gain a place in the Sukhavati heaven, all you have to do is call on Amida Buddha’s name 16. Who advocated the teachings of Pure Land in India? – Asvagosha; Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu 17. During the Tang period, ‘Pure Land Cloisters’ were established within larger monasteries – Why - To pursue study collectively rather than independently

Pure Land Buddhism test from A3 handout sheets 18. Explain why there can be ‘countless Pure Lands’ – Because there can be countless Buddha’s 19. In what way can even the ‘Pure Lands’ be viewed as anicca? – It is a favourable location to achieve enlightenment from but nothing is permanent in Buddhism, not even the Pure Lands 20. There are two kinds of Pure Land according to the texts. Briefly explain each. - 1) The Pure Land of phenomena where heavenly beings reside (the Devas) who still expect some form of rebirth maybe in the Realm of esire or Realm of Form and 2) Amitabha’s sukhavati where you can transcend the three realms (Tibetan Wheel of Life) and escape further births and deaths

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