September 27, 2007 Feelings of worth can flourish
only in an atmosphere
where individual differences are appreciated,
mistakes are tolerated,
communication is open,
and rules are flexible
—the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.
~ Virginia Satir
September 26, 2007 Question: In Chinese Buddhism the concept of repentance and repentance ceremonies seem to be very important. Are there any specifically Pure Land approaches to repentance?
Response: There is a beautifully moving repentance verse in Buddhism:
All evil actions committed by me since time immemorial,
stemming from greed, anger, and ignorance,
arising from body, speech, and mind,
I deeply repent having committed.
Personally, I find that saying this verse and prostrating along with my practice of chanting "Amituofo" to be deeply moving.
Also, talk to those you have hurt. After saying the verse, tell them how deeply you regret the harm you have done. Ask all those you harmed to please not obstruct you on your path to rebirth in the Pure Land, and Buddhahood. Explain that seeking revenge for past harm will only bring future retaliation, which is of no benefit to them. Ask them to please allow you to practice so you can dedicate the merits to them and to all those who suffer. And assure them that upon attaining that rebirth you will come back to help them also end suffering and attain happiness.
September 25, 2007 
When we create goodness, we amass good fortune. What does good fortune look like? It can manifest as a safe living environment, satisfactory resources, or a good education. It can be a loving family and caring friends. If we live prudently and do not foolishly drain our good fortune, we will conserve it for when we need it most—at the end of our lives.How might we reduce our good fortune? By taking more than we need and by not using all that we have taken.
Why do we need to conserve it for the end of our lives? Our last moments lead to our next lifetime. To die without pain or suffering, to be clear minded and aware of what is happening is very rare. To be with loved ones and friends who encourage and support us, and to die in an environment where our final wishes are honored is also very rare. To die peacefully enables us to have the thoughts that will lead to a good rebirth.
Whether our wish is to go to heaven or the Pure Land, a peaceful death in which our mind is clear and at ease is essential. And to have all the right conditions to bring this about, we need that good fortune.
Not knowing how much we have or when we will die, conserving our good fortune and not squandering it is our best hope for having it when we really need it.
September 24, 2007 Because we are only accepting of pleasure in our lives,
an immense amount of fear is created
as we spend our lives dodging pain.
~ Author Unknown
September 23, 2007 
In the Pure Land, we will be born inside our lotus flower, a pure conception. This is different from a fetus spending nine months in the womb. When one enters the womb, one is not pure. One’s thoughts are not pure. Neither is the living environment. The womb is surrounded by the large and small intestines, by feces and urine. Therefore, the environment is not pure.
It is different when one is born in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. The lotus flower is pure. In addition, one is born through transformation. As soon as one is born, the body is tall and the appearance is magnificent. There are no young or old people there. Everybody has the same appearance. It is a world of equality. Therefore, the mind is at peace.
People in this world have different appearances and do not have an impartial mind. One who has good fortune or good looks can easily become arrogant. One who has no good fortune or is unattractive often suffers from a sense of inferiority. These are common social phenomena.
In the Western Pure Land, everyone has the same appearance, the same physical conditions, the same living environment, and the same learning. Everyone is equal in everything there. Therefore, one will not have afflictions such as arrogance or a sense of inferiority.
Although one still has the seeds of afflictions and residual habits, there are no conditions that will cause these afflictions and residual habits to arise. This is why the Western Pure Land is incomparably wondrous and why it is praised by all Buddhas. These inconceivable conditions are because of the powers of the original vows and the merit of innumerable kalpas of cultivation of Amitabha Buddha.
~ Based on Ven. Master Chin Kung's 2003 lecture series on the Amitabha Sutra