What is the Pure land Buddhism?
In contrast to Shodo Buddhism, where enlightenment is achieved through the practitioner’s own efforts, Pure Land Buddhism teaches salvation by Amida Buddha: anyone who believes in Amida’s Vow will be reborn in the Pure Land and become a buddha. Śākyamuni’s teaching about Amida’s Vow was accurately disseminated by seven priests in India, China, and Japan. First, two renowned priests from India, Nagarjuna (ca. 150–250) and Vasubandhu (ca. 320–400), systematized the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism. Later, Buddhism spread to China, where the great priests T’an–luan (476–542), Tao–ch’o (562–645), and Shan–tao expanded the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism and clarified the nature of Amida’s salvation. No independent sect of Pure Land Buddhism was established in China. In Japan, the Tendai master Genshin (942–1017) sparked an explosive spread of the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism through his book Ojo yoshu (Essentials of Rebirth), which also had great impact on Chinese Buddhism. Later, Honen
