Is rebirth in Pure Land the final destination? A lasting home? Also, when attaining rebirth in the Pure Land, are we then enlightened? Becoming a Buddha? Or do we continue on a path in the Pure Land to enlightenment?
Birth in the Pure Land is something that occurs after death. It is the realm of enlightenment. It is not a reward nor a final destination like a heaven. Since our birth is already settled due to the Vow, we can focus on the importance of this life.
The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life explains that we are born in the Pure Land and become a Buddha due to the compassionate activity of Amida Buddha and the Primal Vow.
It does not matter if you are what we might label as a good or bad person. In fact, in the Tannisho it states: “Even a good person attains birth in the Pure Land, so it goes without saying that an evil person will.”
In his master work, the Kyogyoshinsho, Shinran states: “Reverently contemplating the true essence of the Pure Land way, I see that Amida’s directing of virtue to sentient beings has two aspects: the aspect for our going forth to the Pure Land and the aspect for our return to this world.”
When we understand the sacred story of the fulfillment of Amida’s Primal Vow, we are assured of birth in the Pure Land to become a Buddha and attain enlightenment. As a Bodhisattva tradition, this means all beings will attain liberation. \
So the aspect of return means that, as a Buddha, we have a responsibility to be a teacher. We will return to Samsara to guide beings along the nembutsu path.
It is not a literal coming back. Our loved ones don’t return as a ghost or apparition of some sort but as the working of wisdom and compassion. It can be expressed in many ways. We have all probably felt the presence of our ancestors guiding us. This is the aspect of return. \
My understanding is that the Pure Land is not actually a physical place. It is a spiritual realm established by Amida Buddha. So it is nowhere and, yet, it is everywhere.
Gassho, Rev. Todd