Honen Shonin, who lived in Japan in the twelfth century, saw that the
complexity of traditional Buddhist practices made them inaccessible to
people outside the monastic elite. Drawing on the Chinese Pure Land
tradition, he re-imagined Pure Land practice for Japan and ushered in a new
and dynamic lineage that continues in the present day. In our degenerate
age, says Honen, we cannot hope to reach enlightenment via the practices
employed by the Buddhist masters of old. For us there is only one avenue to
liberation--rebirth in the Pure Land of Amida, from whence our progress
is irreversible and our ultimate release assured. The Pure Land is a
heavenly destination made manifest through the pure vow of Amida to save
all beings, and we secure passage to this land in our next life through
pure faith in Amida at the very moment of death. And the practice of
faith in Amida is performed through Nembutsu, the continual recitation
of the mantra Namo Amida...