Very interesting piece and observations. I remember reaching similar conclusions about classical 'escape from samsara' Buddhism at an early age, and feeling a sense of revulsion at the implications. I would only add that the Occidental Correspondence to the 'Pure Land' isn't 'Heaven' so much as Purgatory, while the 'transfer of merits' seem analogous to prayers and 'indulgence' donations for the benefit of the dead in Purgatory. In both cases, we have a place of temporary abode and the goal is reaching escape from the cares of the world and impurity of self.
To the average Chinese person living hand-to-mouth, spending a thousand years in ‘the Pure Land’ seems like heaven, but theologically, I get your point. The key difference being: you aren’t dead in ‘the Pure land’ and you will likely be reborn back on Earth if you fail to attain enlightenment. So, rather different in the long run.
Yes indeed. Although I should note that reincarnation is also part of Apostolic doctrine, reincarnation for everyone exactly once; for the general judgement and for those that survive, in the life of the world to come...
Some mystical visions of Purgatory included the idea of multiple 'levels' or perhaps 'worlds' that required progression in purity and merit that could be likened to a cycle of rebirth on the path to enlightenment, and some visionaries insist that that is possible to be hindered in progress by adversarial attacks, and even to 'fall back down the ladder'. The key difference is that in the Occident, this world is a one time go/no-go testing station, there is no re-do.
Very interesting piece and observations. I remember reaching similar conclusions about classical 'escape from samsara' Buddhism at an early age, and feeling a sense of revulsion at the implications. I would only add that the Occidental Correspondence to the 'Pure Land' isn't 'Heaven' so much as Purgatory, while the 'transfer of merits' seem analogous to prayers and 'indulgence' donations for the benefit of the dead in Purgatory. In both cases, we have a place of temporary abode and the goal is reaching escape from the cares of the world and impurity of self.
To the average Chinese person living hand-to-mouth, spending a thousand years in ‘the Pure Land’ seems like heaven, but theologically, I get your point. The key difference being: you aren’t dead in ‘the Pure land’ and you will likely be reborn back on Earth if you fail to attain enlightenment. So, rather different in the long run.
Yes indeed. Although I should note that reincarnation is also part of Apostolic doctrine, reincarnation for everyone exactly once; for the general judgement and for those that survive, in the life of the world to come...
Some mystical visions of Purgatory included the idea of multiple 'levels' or perhaps 'worlds' that required progression in purity and merit that could be likened to a cycle of rebirth on the path to enlightenment, and some visionaries insist that that is possible to be hindered in progress by adversarial attacks, and even to 'fall back down the ladder'. The key difference is that in the Occident, this world is a one time go/no-go testing station, there is no re-do.