B NLC REBIRTH

Samantabhadra Vows to Gain Rebirth in the Land of Bliss

By Dharma Master Huijing

In the Avatamsaka Sutra, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra makes Ten Great Vows on behalf of all beings and seeks rebirth in the Land of Bliss. Says a gatha in the sutra:

"When my life ends, may I be able to eliminate all obstacles and see Amitabha Buddha, so I may instantly be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy."

The substance of this gatha is virtually the same as that of the previous one. Samantabhadra is also a Bodhisattva of the highest level. There are three versions of the Avatamsaka Sutra – 40 chapters, 60 chapters and 80 chapters. The “Chapter on Samantabhadra’s Practices and Vows” is the final one in the Avatamsaka; it is also the sutra’s most important, quintessential chapter. It is because of this chapter that the Avatamsaka Sutra is so esteemed within Buddhism.

The focal point of the chapter is Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s Ten Great Vows, and his wish for rebirth in the Land of Bliss. Thus we speak of the “Master of the Ten Great Vows.” Samantabhadra himself aspires to rebirth in the Land of Bliss, and urges advanced Bodhisattvas of 41 different stages attending the Avatamsaka assembly to join him in doing so. This is the focal point of the Avatamsaka Sutra and

what makes it so revered.

Manjusri and Samantabhadra are Bodhisattvas of the highest order, and they both dedicate the merit they have achieved towards rebirth in the Land of Bliss. Moreover, they lead the senior Bodhisattvas of 41 stages in seeking rebirth there. Thus we see that Pure Land practice is the final destination of all Dharma schools and practitioners. If the 84,000 schools do not converge on Pure Land in the end, they

would have no ultimate harbor. Those who learn and practice this teaching but not the others, however, have no regrets, as they have already attained consummation.

Manjusri and Samantabhadra are attendants to Shakyamuni Buddha, representing respectively the Buddha’s wisdom and resolution-directed action. That they both considered the Pure Land their ultimate haven underscores the reason Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in the world to teach the Dharma. It is to guide beings and instruct practitioners to seek rebirth in the Land of Bliss.

Consider the countless streams and rivers that flow through the land and ultimately into the ocean. If they did not do so, they would have no final destination. Similarly, if Dharma practitioners did not have Amitabha’s Pure Land as their ultimate harbor, they would be unable to attain the final state of Buddhahood. That’s why Master Yinguang said, “If sentient beings of the nine realms put aside this teaching, they would have no means of achieving Buddhahood.” By resolving to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra were setting personal examples to underline the point.

(English translation by Householder Jingtu)

Pure Land Buddhism

http://www.purelandbuddhism.org/