As discussed, the Sakyamuni Buddha appeared in this world in order to follow and to adapt to the sentient beings’ infinite levels and personalities. To make it easier to guide and transform them, He used infinite extraordinarily skillful methods as means to teach the proper Dharma of enlightenment. Sometimes the teachings were:
– Clear, which is called Apparent Doctrine .
– Other times, the teachings are hidden with deep meanings, called Esoteric Doctrine.
– Sometimes, the teachings are of “truths” and are “complete” called Perfect Doctrine.
– Other times, the teachings are ordinary and can be understood by everyone called Common Doctrine.
– Etc.
However, regardless of whether the teachings are Apparent, Esoteric, Perfect, Common or any other, the Buddha’s teachings do not stray from the only and most important end:
To pass on the Buddha’s proper view and proper Dharma with the intention of guiding the nine realms of sentient beings to follow the path of peace and tranquillity, to end all suffering, and to attain the ultimate enlightenment. Specifically, to the Dharma Door of Pureland Buddhism, there are three essential components, including:
FAITH, VOW, and PRACTICE
A. Foremost, Pureland cultivators must know the following:
Cultivators who wish to enter and penetrate this Dharma (door) must:
- Believe the existence of the Ultimate Bliss World is real.
- Amitabha Buddha will always readily protect and rescue any sentient being who knows to take refuge with and respectfully have Faith in Him by reciting His virtuous name:
Namo Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amituofo)
B. Once Faith is established, the Pureland cultivators must develop a genuine mind and sincerely pray for liberation from this suffering Saha World in order to gain rebirth to the Ultimate Bliss World. This will then enable the cultivators to rely on the unimaginable peace and purity of that Western Pureland to practice diligently and to attain the ultimate end:
Enlighten Self, then Enlighten Others
This component is known as Vow and is the second essential necessary for Pureland cultivators.
C. After developing Vow, it is absolutely essential for Pureland cultivators to recite the Amitabha Buddha’s virtuous name, which is to Practice reciting the line:
Namo Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amituofo) Continue to practice reciting to the point when the line “Namo Amitabha Buddha”/”Namo Amituofo” and the cultivators’ minds are in harmony and become one (i.e. single-mindedness recitation). Doing so will establish an unfathomable deep connection with the Amitabha Buddha as He will rescue and deliver them (to the Pureland upon death). This component is known as Practice and is the last of the three absolute essentials for those cultivating the Pureland path.
The three essentials of Faith, Vow, and Practice must follow and accord with one another much like a shadow is to a body or a leg to a three-legged table as all three are equally important. These three components are absolutely essential and cannot be missing from those cultivating Pureland Buddhism.
