The Blissful Pure Lands

Presented In-Person or Online –  Drala Mountain Center, May 20-26th, 2024.

The Pure Lands are an integral aspect of Tibetan Buddhism rarely taught in the West. For most of us, they represent our greatest opportunity after death. This unique program explores exoteric (sutra) and esoteric (tantra) Pure Lands, offering everything you need to know about this noble tradition. You’ll learn about the origin and development of the Pure Land schools, and their place in the modern West. Discover the many types of pure lands, how to get there, and why Amitabha’s pure land of Sukhavati is so unique. Why should you take rebirth there, and how can you better fulfill the bodhisattva vow by going there? Discover how to enter the “pure land of the present moment,” and tantric pure land practices. Learn what it’s like to be in a Pure Land, and how can you can help those left behind by going to one?

Some Topics We Will Explore Include:

• The principles of self-power vs. other-power, and the role of faith and devotion in Pure Land practice.
• The power of merit, and how the transfer of merit works with purifying karma.
• What are the causes for rebirth into a Pure Land, and how can the transfer of Amitabha’s merit bring me into his Pure Land?
• How is Sukhavati different from heaven, and Amitabha from God?
• Learn how to relate to Pure Lands non-theistically, and how to benefit from the largest form of Buddhism in the world.

Prerequisite: You may find it helpful to listen to the an introductory talk on Pure Lands that Andrew previously presented at Drala Mountain Center.

This retreat is hosted and administered by Drala Mountain Center. Because of this, we are not able to offer any Night Club member discount to this event. Any inquiries about this program should be directed to the Drala Mountain Center. frontdesk@dralamountain.org – 1-888-788-7221