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What is Pure Land Buddhism? A look at how East Asian Buddhists chant and strive for buddhahood

  • Written by Charles B. Jones, Associate Professor of Religion and Culture and Religion and Culture Area Director, Association of Theological Schools
What is Pure Land Buddhism? A look at how East Asian Buddhists chant and strive for buddhahoodMonks pray at Nanshan Temple in Sanya, Hainan Province of China.Chen Wenwu/VCG via Getty Images

Many people in the West interpret Buddhism as a path of meditation leading to enlightenment.

What many may not know is that this interpretation differs vastly from its practice in East Asia.

I have spent many years observing Buddhist temples in Taiwan...

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