Do You Pray to a Deity Like Theists Do?

Question: If I may pose to the Venerable on the topic of 'Theism and Pure Land.' How would the Venerable respond to the statement--Pure Landers practice similarly to theists: where both 'pray' to a 'deity' and hope for a post mortem 'good abode.'

Response: The Buddha said he was not a god and explained he was "awake."Buddhism is not a religion but a teaching of how to become awakened through one's own personal cultivation and hard work.

For our practice, Pure Land Buddhists who follow Chinese teachings (I can only speak for the school I am familiar with) strive to live a moral life that adheres to the Five Precepts and Ten Virtuous Conducts in everything we think, say and do, and chant (a form of meditation) the name of Amitabha Buddha. Our goal is to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land where we will be one lifetime away from becoming a Buddha. We seek to become enlightened not just for ourselves but so that we may fulfill our vow to help all beings alleviate their suffering.

Regardless of whether people are Pure Land Buddhists or something else, one's final thoughts lead one to his or her next lifetime. To create the right conditions, Pure Land Buddhists who follow the Chinese teachings work very hard to live morally and to sincerely chant "Amituofo" to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. They do not "pray" to a "god." They meditate to form a connection with Amitabha Buddha (an ordinary being who awakened) to be reborn in his Pure Land. They do not "hope" for "a post mortem good abode," they actively seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land as they are dying. .

For more on the above, please read the entry titled Is Buddhism a Religion? and search the blog for "religion."