Great Faith, Great Wisdom: Practice and Awakening in the Pure Land Sutras of Mahayana Buddhism

The three Pure Land Sutras are a body of Mahayana scriptures that for centuries have played an important part in the spiritual life of East Asian Buddhists. These texts describe Sukhavati, the archetypal "land of bliss" presided over by Amitabha or Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Eternal Life. Ratnaguna explores the practices that enable the practitioner to be reborn in this ideal world, and outlines how this can be understood in both a literal and metaphoric sense. So ‘rebirth in Sukhavati’ can take place in this very life, and dwelling there can be understood as a description of the Enlightened Mind. He also explores faith-imagination as the faculty that perceives reality.

These Buddhist texts—both ancient and perennial—put forward a path of faith and grace, as well as effort and practice. Using a practical and imaginative approach, Ratnaguna explores the main themes, and the meditations outlined by the Buddha. This book will appeal to both practicing Buddhists—whether from the East Asian Pure Land traditions or not—and anyone interested in Buddhism from a practical point of view.

Includes new translations of the three Pure Land sutras by Sraddhapa.

Ratnaguna is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order and has been practicing Buddhism for 35 years. He is a director of Breathworks in Manchester—a social enterprise organization that helps people who live with chronic pain and other long-term health conditions.

Sraddhapa is also a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He studied Scandinavian languages and translation at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, and is currently studying for an MPhil in Sanskrit. He lives and works in Norway and teaches at the Oslo Buddhist Centre.