Question: Someone commented that to be born in Pure Land (净土) is to leave loved ones behind. How should we see this comment?
Answer: When departing for Pure Land, there should not be any sense of abandoning anyone, as in giving up on helping and delivering any person. What relinquished are just the evil supporting conditions (恶助缘) that keep us trapped in this defiled land (秽土) here, so as to practise the Dharma more efficiently there.
We should practise mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) with profound Faith (深信) and sincere Aspiration (切愿) to reach Pure Land, encouraging family members and friends to do so too — as this is how we can meet beyond this life, with clear memories of one another, as empowered by Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) blessings.
Since death is inevitable, if we care for one another, it makes great sense to plan where to gather later, one by one naturally. Even if other family members are not interested in reaching Pure Land, with ourselves reaching it with clear memories of them, we will be able to return to this land, to guide them to Pure Land in good time.
Again, the above is the clear way to meet one another meaningfully. Without the Pure Land path, as ordinary beings (凡夫), we are simply leaving one another behind from life to life upon death. Even if reborn as next door’s neighbours, as there will no memory of past relations, how can we definitely take care of one another well?
