Liberation by Encounter a New Perspective on Pure land Buddhism (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781957144955)

The concept of "liberation by encounter" is a fundamental teaching of Pure Land dharma as advocated by Master Shan Dao. Despite being overlooked in the Chinese Pure Land community due to historical contingencies, this book delves into the theory through four chapters: "Liberation through encountering favorable conditions", "Nine Grades of Rebirth", "interpretation of single-mindedness without distraction", and "the situation at the End-of-Life Moments". It addresses the uncertainties faced by practitioners regarding their mental state at the moment of rebirth and their ability to engage in worldly affairs due to uncertainty about their end-of-life mental state. The book also tackles contradictions within the Pure Land teachings community, stemming from varying interpretations of the four aspects mentioned and the presentation of rebirth standards. Balancing the presentation of rebirth standards is crucial to maintaining community growth without compromising the original intentions of the Buddha. Failure to address these issues can lead to anxiety and contradictions among practitioners. This book offers a comprehensive approach to resolving these challenges.