Mindful Visualization of the Buddha and the Pure Land
A Mindfulness Practice Taught by Sakyamuni Buddha
Mindful Visualization of the Buddha and the Pure Land is the 8th of the sixteen visualization techniques directly extolled by Sakyamuni Buddha to Queen Vaidehi, the queen of the city of Rajagrha, some 2,500 years ago in response to her yearning for a place to be reborn that is free of afflictions and sufferings.
Queen Vaidehi requested the Buddha to teach her how to visualize such a place where she may hear no evil words, see no evil beings, and be reborn there. Among all the Buddha-lands that were revealed, the Queen chose to reborn in the Western Pure Land or the Land of Ultimate Bliss. This preaching, known as the Visualization Sutra, was then passed on to all of us sentient beings in this world.
What’s better than learning to practice mindfulness directly from our teacher, the Buddha? Let’s dive into the words of the Buddha for the Visualization of the Buddha and the Pure Land.
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi,
“When you have seen these things, next you should visualize the Buddha of Immeasurable Life. And why is that? Because each Buddha-Tathagata, as the body of the Dharmadhatu, pervades the mind of all sentient beings. This is why when your mind perceives the Buddha, it is your mind that possess the thirty-two prominent features and the eighty secondary attributes.
This mind that creates the Buddha is the mind that is the Buddha, and the wisdom of the Buddhas — true, universal, and ocean-like — arises from this mind. This is why you should single-mindedly fix your thoughts and contemplatively examine that Buddha, that Tathagata, that Arhat, that Supremely Awakened One.
“To perceive the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, you must first imagine Amitabha’s form, and whether your eyes are open or closed, you should see this precious form — the color of the golden sands of the Jambu river — seated upon that flower throne. Once that Buddha’s figure is seen sitting there, your mind’s eye will be opened, and you will clearly see the Land of Ultimate Bliss adorned with the seven kinds of jewels; you will see the jeweled ground, the jeweled lakes, and the paths lined with jeweled trees; you will see the heavenly jeweled canopies completely covering the trees and the jeweled nets completely filling the sky; you will see these things as clearly and distinctly as you might see the palm of your hand.
“Once this has been seen, you should again form the visualization of a large lotus flower and place it on the Buddha’s left. This lotus flower should be exactly like the one described before. Then form the visualization of another large lotus flower and place it on the Buddha’s right. Next visualize an image of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara seated on the left flower throne, sending forth golden rays of light exactly as described before. Then visualize an image of Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta seated on the right flower throne.
“When this visualization has been completed, the figures of the Buddha and the two Bodhisattvas all send forth exquisite rays of light, and these golden rays illuminate the jeweled trees. At the foot of each of the trees there are also three lotus flowers, and atop these lotus flowers sit the figures of the Buddha and the two Bodhisattvas so that the land is completely filled with such images.
“When this visualization has been completed, you, the practitioner, will hear the flowing waters, the rays of light, the jeweled trees, the ducks, geese and so forth which proclaim the exquisite Dharma teachings; and whether you are in meditation or not, you will always hear these exquisite teachings. Even after you rise from meditation, keep in mind and do not forget what you have heard, then confirm it with the Sutras. If it does not agree with the Sutras, it is called an illusory perception, but if it does accord, it is called the attainment of the general perception of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the perception of the Buddha and the Pure Land which is called the Eighth Visualization.
Those who perform this visualization eliminate the evil karma of an immeasurable number of eons of births and deaths, and in this very life attain the Buddha-Remembrance Samadhi. Performing this visualization is called the right visualization; if one performs another visualization, that is called an incorrect visualization.”
Consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come across and practice this method, as one will then achieve non-retrogression (no falling back to lower realms) to ultimately attain the Highest Perfect Enlightenment. If anyone is interested in learning the entire sixteen visualization, one may read the full sutra text of the Visualization Sutra.
Set aside time everyday to practice it. Immerse your mind in this visualization and practice the cultivation of a pure mind with Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land.
[ Previous: Lotus Seat | Next: Body of Amitabha Buddha ]
Resources:
Visualization Sutra — Full sutra text
Five Pure Land Sutras
Amitabha Mindful Chanting Music Collection
