The truth is usually harder to believe than the untrue — which is why we are more deluded than wise.
In the Amitābha Sūtra《阿弥陀经》, Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) declared at the end that he, ‘for all in the world spoke this [Pure Land] Dharma [Door] [净土法门] that is difficult to have faith in, which is extremely difficult! (为一切世间说此难信之法，是为甚难。)’
It is probably so difficult to believe for the person in general, and even some long-time Buddhists, because its promises seem ‘too good’ to be true (although they are indeed true). Yet, the Pure Land teachings are among the most skilful means (方便) of the Buddhas, which most safely and swiftly lead towards the full liberation (解脱) and complete enlightenment (觉悟) of one and all.
So efficient and beneficial are they, that they ‘become’ hard to believe, especially when conditioned by many karmic obscurations (业障) and delusions (愚痴). The first doubt or uncertainty (疑惑) that many have is the very existence of Pure Lands, which is the foundation of the Pure Land teachings.
Here is a simple proof on why Pure Lands have to exist…
The deepest hells (地狱) and the Pure Lands are at opposite ends of the spectrum of existence, while all other realms, of hungry ghosts (饿鬼), animals (畜生), humans (人), asuras (阿修罗) and gods (天人) are in between.
While the hells express the worst suffering at the lowest end, the Pure Lands (represented by Amitābha Buddha’s [阿弥陀佛: Āmítuófó] Western Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss [西方极乐世界] here), express ultimate bliss at the highest end.
If Avīci Hell (阿鼻地狱), with utmost and uninterrupted suffering (无间苦), can be manifested from the minds of the most evil and severely deluded, it is infinitely more possible that the Pure Land, with ultimate and immeasurable bliss, can be created from the mind of the pure and perfectly enlightened (Āmítuófó).
Just as it is natural for the seriously defiled (hell-beings) to create hells for themselves, to be trapped with much suffering, it is perfectly natural for the completely compassionate (Āmítuófó) to create Pure Lands for others, to be free from all suffering.
In fact, the Pure Lands are refuges for potential hell-beings, and even those who are already hell-beings, should they be sincerely mindful of Āmítuófó’s name (念佛) with repentant Faith (信) and Aspiration (愿) to reach his Pure Land.
The hells and the Pure Lands should be seen respectively as the most terrible and the most blissful schools for motivating us towards liberation.
Stonepeace
相关教理
Related Teachings:
为何净土一定存在
Why Pure Lands Must Exist (As Perfect Schools)
https://purelanders.com/2011/12/16/why-pure-lands-must-exist
《无间道》三部曲所错失的地狱法义？
The ‘Infernal Affairs’ Trilogy’s Missed Dharma Teachings On The Uninterrupted Hell?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2023/01/the-infernal-affairs-trilogys-missed-dharma-teachings
