THE EIGHTEENTH ASPIRATIONAL VOW of BUDDHA AMITABHA
New Paperback
THE EIGHTEENTH ASPIRATIONAL VOW of BUDDHA AMITABHA: Discovering the Correct Address of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
Written by Bhikkhu Thich Tue Hai
THE EIGHTEENTH ASPIRATIONAL VOW OF BUDDHA AMITABHA: Discovering the Correct Address of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is one of Zen Master THÍCH TUỆ HẢI’s voluminous Dharma work to be translated from Vietnamese into English. He explains in very clear terms why it is a mistake to take the Mahayana Sutras literally, how to interpret their correct meanings and to locate the exact address of the Western Pure Land. Using a thorough examination of a passage from the Amitabha Sutra, Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải shows us how to understand properly and practice well. Anyone can learn how to go through life with the living presence of Amitabha, one’s Limitless Awakening, and achieve ultimate bliss.
FOREWORD BY KHENCHEN KONCHOG GYALTSEN RINPOCHE
I am delighted to see the new book, “In Search of the Correct Address of the Western Pureland of Ultimate Bliss and Dharmakaya Amitabha,” by Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải. Buddha Amitabha and the Western Pureland are popular topics in the world of engaged Buddhism, yet I believe the author is the first among his contemporaries to discover its “correct address,” and is able to explain it through the eyes of Right Dharma. So I welcome this precious book for readers, and I have no doubt that it will bring benefit to many Dharma practitioners. Many Mahayana and Vajrayana practitioners follow the tradition of the Western Pureland of Buddha Amitabha, and they practice sincerely. Some practitioners literally believe that the Western Pureland is somewhere in the “west,” and if they say prayers and recite the Amitabha mantra single-mindedly, they will be reborn there. This gives them great comfort and can benefit many beginners, but this concept is very limited. Here, the author explains that there are actually different levels of interpretation regarding the Amitabha practice. First of all, the “west” represents a pure and peaceful state of the mind where all ten fetters or ten root causes of suffering have ceased just as the sun has set in the west. Moreover, the ultimate bliss nature of Buddha Amitabha, as carefully and beautifully explained by the author, is none other than Dharmakaya, the highest state of realization. Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải helps us understand that the Western Pureland has no physical location and no designated cardinal direction. Ultimately, the Western Pureland is within our own mind from which we can attain Buddhahood. Amitabha is all-pervasive! I pray that all readers will gain much benefit and wisdom from Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải’s new book and compelling presentation.
Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen
November 2, 2018
Escondido, California
