Buddhist Pure Land

Pure Land Buddhism is a broad branch of Mahayana Buddhism and currently one of the most popular traditions of Buddhism in East Asia. Included sites must be significant in the development of the "Buddhist Pure Land" philisophy of creating a pure land on Earth. Sites that are only associated with the Pure Land Buddhism sect are not sufficient.

Religion and Belief

Connected Sites

Site Rationale Link
Ancient Kyoto Rokuon-ji Temple complex - "The kinkaku-ji grounds were built according to descriptions of the Western Paradise of the Buddha Amida, intending to illustrate a harmony between heaven and earth. The largest islet in the pond represents the Japanese islands. The four stones forming a straight line in the pond near the pavilion are intended to represent sailboats anchored at night, bound for the Isle of Eternal Life in Chinese mythology." - wiki
Baekje Historic Areas “The presence of so many temples and pagodas in Baekje suggests a high level of political symbolism intended to show that the capital of Baekje was the ‘land of Buddha’ and that the sovereign power was so divine that religious authority transcended the actual world.” - Nomination File
Gyeongju "With the spread of Buddhism Mt. Namsan became the earthly representation of Sumeru, the heavenly mountain of the Buddhist lands." - AB Document
Hiraizumi "Hiraizumi - Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land comprises five sites, including the sacred Mount Kinkeisan. The realm was based on the cosmology of Pure Land Buddhism, which spread to Japan in the 8th century. It represented the pure land of Buddha that people aspire to after death, as well as peace of mind in this life." - AB Document
Lushan National Park "The Donglin Temple (East Grove Temple), built by eminent monks in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, was the birthplace of the Jintu (Pure Earth) Sect of Buddhism." - AB document
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple "The realization of Buddha Land in the mundance world was a long-cherished dream in Silla, and the people of Silla believed that their kingdom was this very land. Even the name, Bulguksa, indicates the great meaning it had to the people of Silla. It literally means Temple of Buddha Land. In other words, Bulguksa is a terrestrial paradise of the land of Buddha. They represent the terrestrial and the two celestial abodes: The Pure Land of Buddhism, that is, the terrestrial of Vairocana Buddha; the paradise of Amitabha Buddha; and the World of Endurance of Sakyamuni." - AB Document

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A connection should:

  1. Not be "self evident"
  2. Link at least 3 different sites
  3. Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
  4. Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
  5. Be explained, with reference to a source