Question: Is the Pure Land real or abstract? West of here or within me?
Response: The Pure Land exists on two levels. One level is that of unawakened beings. The ultimate level—where duality no longer exists—is the state of awakened beings.
As unawakened people, we view the Pure Land as the very real land that is far to the west of us.
But on the ultimate level of understanding, the Pure Land is already within us. We ordinary beings see everything in terms of duality: good or bad, loving or hateful, east or west. Buddhas no longer see duality. They understand that we are all one and that everything outside of us is actually already within us. “Me” doesn’t exist for we are already one with everything that is. When my mind focuses solely on Amitabha, I am Amitabha. When it focuses solely on the Pure Land, I am one with the Pure Land and it is already within me.