Lesson video

Hello I'm miss Ramalli and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our unit on Buddhism Beliefs.

Today we're going to explore Buddhahood and the Pure Land and my priority is to ensure that you successfully meet the learning outcome.

Okay, let's begin.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain the history and nature of the Pure Land and how it influences Buddhists today.

To guide us through today's lesson, there are four key words.

Amitabha, also known as Amida, Pure Land, Sukhavati and Buddhahood.

Amitabha is the Buddha worshipped by Pure Land Buddhists.

Pure Land is a form of Mahayana Buddhism based on a belief in Amitabha Buddha.

Sukhavati is a place of paradise where Pure Land Buddhists wish to be reborn, and the place where Amitabha Buddha resides and Buddhahood means reaching enlightenment.

Today's lesson on Buddhahood and the Pure Land takes two parts.

So we're going to begin by learning about the history and nature of Pure Land Buddhism and then we're gonna move on to consider how the belief in the Pure Land influences Buddhists.

Pure Land Buddhism is a school within the Mahayana tradition.

It is believed to have originated in India during the 2nd Century BCE, later spreading to China.

It has since spread throughout China and is now the main form of Buddhism practised in Japan.

Pure Land Buddhism follows the teaching of Amitabha Buddha and on the screen you can see an image of Amitabha Buddha.

The story of Amitabha Buddha.

Once there was a king who deeply moved by the suffering of beings in the world, renounced his throne and became a monk named Dharmakara.

Dharma made a veil to retain Buddhahood with the goal of creating a Buddha land free from all limitations and suffering.

He spent much time meditating.

He deeply contemplated various Buddha lands and recorded his insights in 48 vows.

In Mahayana scripture, it tells of him reaching enlightenment.

When he attained enlightenment, he became Amitabha Buddha.

The name Amitabha means immeasurable light.

He established his Pure Land of Sukhavati, which means land of bliss, a kingdom free from suffering.

Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land is the expression of infinite wisdom and compassion.

True or false, Amitabha Buddha established the Pure Land called Sukhavati.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Mahayana scripture tell of Amitabha Buddha achieving enlightenment, becoming a Buddha and creating his Pure Land known as Sukhavati.

Pam is a Pure Land Buddhist from Japan now living in the UK.

She explains why Pure Land buddhism became so popular in Japan.

The monk Honen, 1133 to 1212, followed by Shinran 1173-1263, boosted the popularity of Pure Land Buddhism.

They did this by simplifying the teachings and practises of traditional Buddhism making it very appealing.

Complexities including challenging meditation practises were eliminated and this made Buddhism accessible to all.

Pam explains how to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Pam tells us the way to achieve Buddhahood is to gain help from Amitabha Buddha To be reborn into the Pure Land, one must recite Amitabha's name with full trust and genuine sincerity.

Another popular teaching in Pure Land Buddhism is "If when I achieve Buddhahood, sentient beings of the 10 directions who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me wish to be reborn in my land and recite my name even 10 times should fail to be born there may I not attain perfect enlightenment." The 18th Vow of Amitabha Buddha.

How could this vow be interpreted and what does it teach about how to reach the Pure Land? Take some time to reflect or discuss the answers with your partner.

Pause the video and press play when you are ready to reflect on your answers.

Okay, welcome back.

So what did you think or what did you discuss? How could this vow be interpreted and what does it teach about how to reach the Pure Land? It teaches that anyone who sincerely entrusts themselves to Amitabha recites his name and wishes to be reborn in his Pure Land will be reborn there.

This emphasises Amitabha's vow of compassion and the power of faith and recitation for rebirth in the Pure Land.

Another popular teaching in Pure Land Buddhism is "Sentient beings who hear of the land should aspire to be born there.

Those who hear this teaching should aspire to birth in that land.

Those who have already aspired, now aspire, or in the future will aspire to be reborn in the land of Amitabha Buddha, the Sutra of Amitabha." How could this teaching be interpreted? Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well it could be interpreted to mean that if an individual hears of the Pure Land teachings, they should aspire and aim to be reborn there.

True or false? To be reborn into the Pure Land, a Buddhist must have faith in Amitabha Buddha and recite his name.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Pure Land Buddhism teaches in order to be reborn into the Pure Land, a person must have faith and trust in the infinite wisdom and compassion of Amitabha Buddha.

Pam explains her beliefs about the nature of Pure Land.

I believe that Amitabha Buddha created Sukhavati, the Pure Land, out of compassion and love for all beings.

I believe Amitabha Buddha exists in the Pure Land.

If I am reborn into the Pure Land, I will be taught by him and this will enable me to reach enlightenment and attain Buddhahood.

Lucas asks, "How will being reborn into the Pure Land help you gain Buddhahood Pam?" Pam replies, "I believe that the Pure Land is a land of bliss.

I believe that it is a land free from suffering.

It is a place where there is no distractions that people face in this world that stop them from gaining enlightenment.

My goal is to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Here the conditions will be more favourable for me to gain enlightenment and reach Buddhahood." Lucas asks, "Do all Buddhist believe this is the way to achieve Buddhahood Pam?" Pam responds, "There are different interpretations amongst Buddhists.

Somebodies Buddhists believe that rebirth into the Pure Land in itself is attaining nibbana.

Whilst others believe that being born in the Pure Land, a land of bliss with no suffering or distractions makes attaining enlightenment possible, thereby ensuring the goal of Buddhahood is met.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following best describes the Pure Land? A, a place with distractions and suffering, but Amitabha Buddha is present.

B, a place with little distraction or suffering and Amitabha Buddha is not present, or C, a place with no distractions or suffering and Amitabha Buddha is present.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said the answer is C, a place with no distractions or suffering and Amitabha Buddha is present best describes the Pure Land.

So time to complete our first practise task.

Izzy is explaining Buddhist beliefs about the Pure Land.

Izzy says one Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is a land without suffering and distractions.

Another Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is where Amitabha Buddha resides.

Izzy, however, has not made reference to a Buddhist source of authority or developed her points.

Add to Izzy's answer to develop both points and refer to a Buddhist source of authority for one of the points.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answers.

Okay, time to check your answers everybody.

So you needed to add to Izzy's answer to develop both points and refer to a Buddhist source of authority for one of the points.

Your answer might be similar to this.

One Buddhist's belief about the Pure Land is that it is a land without suffering and distractions.

In The sutra of Amitabha it states, "Sentient beings who hear of the land should aspire to be born there." Therefore, most Pure Land Buddhists will want to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Another Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is where Amitabha Buddha resides.

Most Pure Land Buddhists believe that residing in the Pure Land and being taught by Amitabha Buddha will result in enlightenment and the attaining of Buddhahood.

Fantastic, well done on all of your hard work completing the first practise task.

Time to move on to the second part of our lesson on Buddhahood and the Pure Land by learning about how belief in the Pure Land influences Buddhists.

Izzy is having trouble with her RE homework.

My teacher has asked me to explain how beliefs in the Pure Land influence Buddhists today.

But what does influence mean? Alex replies, "What you need to do is to consider how beliefs in the Pure Land might affect a Buddhist thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

This might be how Amitabha Buddha inspires or encourages Pure Land Buddhists." Pam explains how her belief in the Pure Land influences her.

She says, "I'm influenced to have faith in Amitabha Buddha.

I'm hopeful of being reborn in Sukhavati, the paradise where Amitabha lives.

I believe that to achieve a rebirth in the Pure Land, I must recite Amitabha's name with full trust and genuine sincerity.

I will also study and gain wisdom of his teachings, for example, the 18th Vow." Pam continues explaining how her beliefs influence her actions.

I practise nembutsu, contemplating and reciting Amitabha Buddha's name daily.

I recite "Namo Amitabha Buddha" over and over again.

I can do this alone or in a group.

True or false? Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha is a guaranteed way to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

A person must also have full trust and faith in Amitabha Buddha.

Pam and Niti, who is a Theravada Buddhist monk, discuss their Buddhist influences.

Pam says, "I'm influenced to put my faith in Amitabha Buddha.

I believe this will result in rebirth in the Pure Land enabling me a more attainable way to reach Buddhahood." Niti says, "I believe the only way I can achieve enlightenment is through my own thoughts and actions, not from the help of another.

This is why I am influenced to follow the Eightfold Path." What are the similarities and differences between Pam and Niti's views? Pause the video and either on your own, take some time to reflect or with your partner discuss what are the similarities differences between Pam and Niti's views.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

The beliefs in the Pure Land may influence Buddhists to have faith in Amitabha Buddha, practise nembutsu, contemplating and reciting Amitabha Buddha's name and learn Amitabha Buddha's teachings including Vow 18.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select two ways that Pure Land Buddhist may be influenced by their beliefs.

A, they may closely follow the steps of the Eightfold Path.

B, they may have faith in Amitabha Buddha or C, they may recite Amitabha Buddha's name.

Well done if you selected B and C as the correct answers.

Two ways that Pure Land Buddhists may be influenced by their beliefs is to have faith in Amitabha Buddha and recite Amitabha Buddha's name.

Time to complete our second practise task.

Explain two ways in which belief in the Pure Land influences Buddhists today.

And here's some guidance that you might like to follow when writing the answer to the question.

So first of all, give a point which would be give one influence a belief in the Pure Land would have on a Buddhist, and then develop that first point by explaining how this influence impacts the life of a Buddhist.

But the question asks for two ways.

So you need to give a second point.

So give another influence a belief in the Pure Land would have on a Buddhist and develop that by explaining how this influence impacts the life of a Buddhist.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, time to check your answers.

So you were asked to explain two ways in which belief in the Pure Land influences Buddhists today.

Your response might be similar to this.

Belief in the Pure Land can influence some Buddhists to have faith in Amitabha Buddha.

This faith gives some hope that they will be reborn into the Pure Land.

A land free from suffering and distractions where reaching enlightenment is accessible, ensuring that Buddhahood is attainable.

Belief in the Pure Land can also influence some Buddhists to practise nembutsu by contemplating and reciting Amitabha Buddha's name.

They would be influenced to practise this as it is another way of guaranteeing a rebirth into the Pure Land.

Well done on all your hard work completing the practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on Buddhahood and the Pure Land.

Here's a summary of our learning.

Pure Land Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism based on a belief in Amitabha Buddha.

Pure Land Buddhism is the most popular form of Buddhism practised in Japan.

Sukhavati is a place of paradise where Pure Land Buddhists wish to be reborn.

And the place where Amitabha Buddha resides.

Rebirth in the Pure Land is believed to make Buddhahood attainable and Pure Land Buddhists are influenced to have faith in Amitabha Buddha and are required to recite his name.

Well done all hard work in today's lesson and thank for joining me.