:: Phowa Retreat 2009 - Q & A

By His Eminence 4th Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche & HIs Holiness 7th Phakchok Rinpoche

from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, PO Box 1200, Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Excerpts held on Thursday June 4 2009 at Rangjung Yeshe Buddhist Society Penang, Midlands Centre

from December 2 to 6 2009, at the Copthorne Hotel, Tanjung Bunga, Penang, His Eminence will be teaching for the first time in a large public setting in Malaysia the special Phowa practice. Phowa in Tibetan or Transference of Consciousness Upon Death is one of the most renowned skillful method employed by Buddhist practitioners to be reborn in Amitabha's Western Pure Land of Great Bliss.

Concise introduction in simple question & answer format

Q. Does Amitabha Buddha's Western Pure Land of Great Bliss really exist?

A. Yes, according to Mahayana Buddhism's Pure Land Sutra, Amitabha Buddha's pure land or Buddhafield exists in the westerly direction.  By the power of one of the most astonishing and unique vows borne from infinite great compassion of Amitabha while still a Bodhisattva or a Buddha-in-training, that if he becomes enlightened he must actualize the ability to emanate a pure land that any sentient being who has great faith, devotion to Amitabha Buddha, and compassion to sentient beings can be reborn there without regressing back into cyclic existence.  At the secret level, Amitabha Buddha's pure land is actually the pure essence of our mind and hence intrinsic to each and every sentient being.  If we can accept this key point then it would make sense that as our mind becomes purer, we will begin to perceive directly that all is divine and perfect.