Great Faith, Great Wisdom: Practice and Awakening in the Pure Land Sutras of Mahayana Buddhism - Paperback

Great Faith, Great Wisdom: Practice and Awakening in the Pure Land Sutras of Mahayana Buddhism - Paperback

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Great Faith, Great Wisdom: Practice and Awakening in the Pure Land Sutras of Mahayana Buddhism - Paperback

Great Faith, Great Wisdom: Practice and Awakening in the Pure Land Sutras of Mahayana Buddhism - Paperback

$21.95
Sale price  $21.95 Regular price 

by Ratnaguna (Author), Sraddhapa (Translator)

The three Pure Land Sutras are a body of Mahayana scriptures that for centuries have played an important part in the spiritual life of East Asian Buddhists. These texts describe Sukhavati, the archetypal land of bliss presided over by Amitabha or Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Eternal Life. Ratnaguna explores the practices that enable the practitioner to be reborn in this ideal world, and outlines how this can be understood in both a literal and metaphoric sense. So 'rebirth in Sukhavati' can take place in this very life, and dwelling there can be understood as a description of the Enlightened Mind. He also explores faith-imagination as the faculty that perceives reality.

These Buddhist texts--both ancient and perennial--put forward a path of faith and grace, as well as effort and practice. Using a practical and imaginative approach, Ratnaguna explores the main themes, and the meditations outlined by the Buddha. This book will appeal to both practicing Buddhists--whether from the East Asian Pure Land traditions or not--and anyone interested in Buddhism from a practical point of view.

Includes new translations of the three Pure Land sutras by Sraddhapa.

Ratnaguna is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order and has been practicing Buddhism for 35 years. He is a director of Breathworks in Manchester--a social enterprise organization that helps people who live with chronic pain and other long-term health conditions.

Sraddhapa is also a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He studied Scandinavian languages and translation at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, and is currently studying for an MPhil in Sanskrit. He lives and works in Norway and teaches at the Oslo Buddhist Centre.

Back Jacket


An inspiring and practical commentary on three sutras at the center of East Asian Buddhist faith.

The three Pure Land Sutras are a body of Mahayana scriptures that for centuries have played an important part in the spiritual life of East Asian Buddhists. These texts describe Sukhavati, the archetypal land of bliss presided over by Amitabha or Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Eternal Life. Ratnaguna explores the practices that enable the practitioner to be reborn in this ideal world, and outlines how this can be understood in both a literal and metaphoric sense. So rebirth in Sukhavati can take place in this very life, and dwelling there can be understood as a description of the Enlightened Mind. He also explores faith-imagination as the faculty that perceives reality.

These Buddhist texts - both ancient and perennial--put forward a path of faith and grace, as well as effort and practice. Using a practical and imaginative approach, Ratnaguna explores their main themes and the 16 meditations outlined by the Buddha. This book will appeal to both practicing Buddhists--whether from the East Asian Pure Land traditions or not--and anyone interested in Buddhism from a practical point of view.

Includes new translations of the three Pure Land sutras by Sraddhapa.

Author Biography

Ratnaguna is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order and has been practicing Buddhism for 35 years. He was a founder of the Manchester Buddhist Centre. He now lives in Salford, where he is a director of Breathworks - a social enterprise organization that helps people who live with chronic pain and other long-term health conditions. He also teaches at the Manchester Buddhist Centre and leads seminars and workshops at other Buddhist centers in the UK and abroad. He is the author of The Art of Reflection, published by Windhorse Publications.

Sraddhapa is also a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He studied Scandinavian languages and translation at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, and is currently studying for an MPhil in Sanskrit. He lives and works in Norway and teaches at the Oslo Buddhist Centre.
Number of Pages: 392
Dimensions: 0.9 x 9.1 x 6.1 IN
Publication Date: June 21, 2016

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