Shandao


Shandao was an influential writer for the Pure Land Buddhism, prominent in China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. His writings had a strong influence on later Pure Land masters including Hōnen and Shinran in Japan.
In Jōdo Shinshū, he is considered the Fifth Patriarch.

Biography

Shandao was born in what is now present Zhucheng. When he was young, he entered the priesthood and devoted himself to the study of the Infinite Life and Vimalakirti Sutras. One day, in the year 641, he visited the temple of the famous Pure Land master Daochao, who happened to be giving a lecture on the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra. This lecture ultimately inspired him to follow and then spread Pure Land Buddhism.
Shandao dwelt at Xiangji Temple in Shaanxi, which continues to honor his memory and contributions. In his lifetime, Shandao wrote five major works on Pure Land Buddhism, with his commentaries on the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra being among the most influential.

Teachings

Shandao was one of the first to propose that salvation through Amitābha could be achieved simply through his name. The practice known as the nianfo as a way of singular devotion to Amitābha Buddha was all that was needed. In one of his more famous writings, Shandao spoke at great length about how simply saying the name of Amitābha was sufficient for salvation. Centuries later, Shandao's writings would have a strong impact on Hōnen and the Pure Land Buddhist movement in Japan, particularly the Commentaries on the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra, particularly this statement: "Only repeat the name of Amitabha with all your heart. Whether walking or standing, sitting or lying, never cease the practice of it even for a moment. This is the very work which unfailingly issues in salvation, for it is in accordance with the Original Vow of that Buddha."
Prior to this, Amitābha was incorporated into wider practices such as those found in the Tiantai school as part of complex and often difficult practices. Shandao often used imagery such as the "Light and Name of Amitābha" which "embraces" all beings. Ultimately, such writings marked a change in the way Buddhists viewed salvation through Amitābha.

The Three Minds and Four Modes of Practice

Among Shandao's teachings are the Three Minds and Four Modes of Practice for Pure Land Buddhism. In the Commentaries, sincere devotion to Amitābha over the long-term leads to three minds, or states of mind:
  1. The Utterly Sincere Mind
  2. The Profound, or Deeply Believing, Mind
  3. The Mind which dedicates one's merit toward rebirth in the Pure Land.
In Hymns in Praise of Birth, Shandao taught the Four Modes of Practice that develop through devotion to Amitābha:
  1. Reverence shown to Amitābha and bodhisattvas in Sukhavati: Avalokiteśvara and Mahasthamaprapta.
  2. Wholehearted and exclusive practice of reciting Amitābha's name.
  3. Uninterrupted, as in routine, practice.
  4. Long-term practice.