WHERE IS THE LAND OF “SUKHAVATI”? (“SUKHĀVATĪ”?)

Abstract

The common people may know the Pure Land(Sukhāvatī) that it is a heaven which is full of much happiness. On the other hand, Sukhāvatī isn’t in the list of names of 6 heavens in Tripitaka in Theravāda Buddhism. In early period, the name of “Sukhāvatī” appeared in Mahāyāna Sūtra during the 7th Buddhist Era. This land is in the west which is very far from our earth in infinity. “Sukhāvatī” is the origin together with the view point about many Buddhas until it became Sukhāvatī School at later time. The disciples prayed to Amitābha Buddha, because they wished to be born in Sukhāvatī which is their highest aim. At present, the teaching of the Pure Land is the most popular and well-known one in Japan and China.