Great Faith, Great Wisdom: Practice and awakening in the Pure Land sutras of Mahayana Buddhism (eBook)
The three Pure Land Sutras are a body of Mayahana scriptures that for centuries have played an important part in the spiritual life of East Asian Buddhists. These texts describe Sukhavati, the archetypal ‘land of bliss’ presided over by Amitabha or Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Eternal Life.
These Buddhist texts put forward a path of faith and grace, as well as effort and practice. Using a practical and imaginative approach, Ratnaguna explores the main themes of the sutras, which are expressed through myth and magical imagery. This book will appeal to both practising Buddhists – whether from the East Asian Pure Land traditions or not – and anyone interested in Buddhism from a practical point of view.
In this video, Ratnaghosha explains why he’s been inspired by Great Faith, Great Wisdom.
£10.99
The three Pure Land Sutras are a body of Mayahana scriptures that for centuries have played an important part in the spiritual life of East Asian Buddhists. These texts describe Sukhavati, the archetypal ‘land of bliss’ presided over by Amitabha or Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Eternal Life.
These Buddhist texts put forward a path of faith and grace, as well as effort and practice. Using a practical and imaginative approach, Ratnaguna explores the main themes of the sutras, which are expressed through myth and magical imagery. This book will appeal to both practising Buddhists – whether from the East Asian Pure Land traditions or not – and anyone interested in Buddhism from a practical point of view.
In this video, Ratnaghosha explains why he’s been inspired by Great Faith, Great Wisdom.
Endorsements
Ratnaguna beautifully explores these ancient texts, bringing out their significance for us today. Great Faith, Great Wisdom is a ground breaking work and it will appeal not only to Buddhists, particularly Mahayana Buddhists, but also to artists, poets, archetypal psychologists and historians of art. - Urgyen Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community
In locating these sutras as an aid to developing the imaginative faculty, Ratnaguna shows how their rich imagery evokes expansive mind-states which take us beyond the personal story into the greater realms of spiritual truth. - Caroline Brazier, author The Other Buddhism: Amida Comes West
Unshackled by the binding orthodoxy often found in East Asian Buddhism, the European authors of Great Faith, Great Wisdom offer perspectives that are refreshingly insightful and novel. By stressing the value of “imagination” over “understanding”, the book shows why Pure Land Buddhism has been a dominant stream of Mahayana Buddhism for two millennia. Readers will be fascinated by dimensions and sensibilities beyond the usual doctrines and meditations that the West has come to associate with Buddhism. - Kenneth Kenshin Tanaka Professor, Musashino University, Tokyo President, International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies, author of The Dawn of Chinese Pure Land Doctrine
Great Faith, Great Wisdom offers a lively translation and thoughtful, readable commentary, inviting a rethinking of the role of imagination in Buddhism. It is a welcome contribution. - David L. McMahan, Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, author of Empty Vision: Metaphor and Visionary Imagery in Mahayana Buddhism
Talks and Links
Explore the book and its story.
Read an in-depth review in the Western Buddhist Review.
Access an interview with Ratnaguna on Great Faith, Great Wisdom, filmed by Clear Vision.
Listen to Opening the Mind's Eye, Ratnaguna's talk from the Cambridge Buddhist Centre on 24 May 2016
Watch Ratnaguna discuss life, Buddhist practice and Great Faith, Great Wisdom at the London Buddhist Centre on 9 May 2016.
Listen to The Pure Land and Imagination by Ratnaguna
Listen to Pure Land Buddhism and the Supra-Personal Force by Ratnaguna
Listen to The Sangha in the Pure Land Sutras by Ratnaguna
Go on a virtual (audio) retreat with Ratnaguna - talks and meditations on Amitabha's Pure Land
