4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Solid Introduction To Pureland Buddhism, Sep 12 2008
By Scott Foster - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sukhavati: Western Paradise: Going to Heaven As Taught by the Buddha (Paperback)
Wong Kiew Kit has managed to write a book that stays on topic (Sukhavati and how to be reborn there) while not neglecting to explain the basics of Mahayana Buddhism and of Pureland in particular. As such, it is a good stand alone introduction to Buddhism for those who want a broad but brief introduction.
Though it is the most widespread Buddhist school in East Asia, Pureland Buddhism is not very well known in the West and english books that do mention it often do so pejoratively as if it were a degenerate pseudo-Buddhism. Mr. Kit goes to great lengths to dispel these misunderstandings using both scholarship and sound reasoning. Longstanding metaphysical and ethical issues that have divided Therevadists and Mahayanists for centuries are dealt with thoughtfully and with great respect and understanding . Buddhist cosmology and epistemology are discussed and compared with findings of modern science. The concept of karmic traces are treated in great detail, dispelling the all too often made mistake of confusing karma with some sort of external punishment and reward mechanism that is imposed upon us by the universe, which it most certainly is not. There are brief, but original, explanations of basic Buddhists teachings on emptiness, non-self (anatma), rebirth andthe three bodies of the Buddha. A section on Buddhist mantras. Finally, the necessary prerequisites and practices required for rebirth in Sukhavati are discussed in detail. An english translation of the Amitabha Sutra is included along with copious commentary by the author.
Overall, I was very impressed with this work & recommend it to anyone interested in Buddhism, especially in Mahayana and Pureland.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprised, Feb 9 2008
By Thomas De Mann - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sukhavati: Western Paradise: Going to Heaven As Taught by the Buddha (Paperback)
What does a Qigong Master know about Pure Land Buddhism? I found out when I read this book. It is a MUST reading.