淨土敎의 종지는 불교의 근본사상과 공존이 가능한 것인가

Abstract

The Self Power Faith makes itself the subject of relief, and realization of truth the relief method. The Other Power Faith makes the Absolute the subject of relief, and the belief in the Absolute the relief method. The Early Buddhism presents the principles of self-rescue through the right understanding for the world nature[essence], and Pure Land Teaching presents the rescue principles by Amitabha Buddha on the basis of Yumbul(念佛). This article purports to examine whether these two heterogeneous kinds of faith, now spreading within Buddhism, can coexist ideologically. By raising the inconsistency between these two fundamental ideologies, the conclusion reached through the diversified study on this question is as following. First, according to the early Buddhism literature, Dharma(法) is everlasting and whoever see Dharma can get a awakening. Therefore, it is admitted that another Buddha other than Shakyamuni Buddha already existed or was able to exist. Second, Great compassion is an essential virtue of the enlightened people among the Buddha accomplishments shown in the early buddhism literature. If so, it's not impossible to assume a buddha who virtually entered Nirvana by building a country and a temple to rescue[save] people after entering Nirvana. Third, the early buddha literature emphasizes that the subject and object of recognition is inseparable. Furthermore, depending on the recognition level of the recognition subject, there can exist innumerable worlds. Fourth, Yumbul(念佛) itself is Own Karma, and Karma cannot be measured. Fifth, Amitabha Buddha stays at Pure Land owing to vow trying to rescue people. As the number of people is not limited, it is suggested that the life span is unlimited. As long as unlimited(無量) doesn't mean permanence, it satisfies the principle of Pratītyasamutpāda. Sixth, the greatest meaning of Pure Land Rebirth is to create the best atmosphere necessary for achieving the Buddha Way. Then, rebirth(往生) can be understood as a process of reaching the state of no-birth(不生).