Finding Our True Home: Living in the Pure Land Here and Now

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Finding Our True Home presents a new definitive translation of the Amitabha Sutra along with Thich Nhat Hanh’s first commentary on one of the most practiced forms of Buddhism in the world, the Pure Land school.

Introduced in the Buddha’s own lifetime, Pure Land practice puts us in touch with the beauty in our own world and brings us the security, solidity, and freedom we need in order to truly enjoy it. Realizing that Buddha is within us, we see that the Pure Land (paradise) is here and now, rather than in the future. Finding Our True Home will open a new Dharma door to many students of meditation.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thich Nhat Hanh is my favorite Buddhist author. I read several of his works each year, and re-read his books too. I have always been interested to better understand TNH's take on Pure Land Buddhism, because I've wondered how Zen and Pure Land work in his life. This book is a translation and commentary of the Smaller Amitabha Sutra. As always TNH has a fresh view on the sutra's, which resonate strongly with me from a Western rather Christian influenced perspective. He utilizes the idea that the kingdom of god is within, so the Pure Land is a place and understanding that we can reach or attain throughout our lives. But, by losing mindfulness the Pure Land can also be lost.

TNH's teaching always emphasize transforming suffering and un-ease, and it's possible to transform in the present moment, which takes care of the future. His presentation in all of his books regarding how to transform unskillful thoughts and actions as they arise are clear and so very helpful. Highly recommended.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep dive into the pure land sutra- meditative and repetitive, rhythmic.

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Thich Nhat Hanh. He tells us that we don't have to wait until the next existence to live in Amitabha's Pure Land. If we live in mindfulness, we can begin to live there during this life, for all is an expression of our mind.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand this explanation of Pure Land Buddhism better than others I have read. The Pure Land is an inner state of happiness + peace.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thus far among the Thich Nhat Hanh books. I appreciate how he demythologizes the Pure Land (Sukhavati, Land of Happiness), making it accessible to everyone, not just Buddhists or those who ascribe to a place far off in the West. Also, he equates the Pure Land with the Kingdom of God, showing an inclusive understanding of the Pure Land and subtle Sangha.

Having been raised in a Christian sect literalizing "heaven" and, later, having moved from that literalist view to appreciate the subtle connotations of the teaching, rather than a location of time-and-space to arrive at later - and for only a few 'saved' ones -, this book and Hanh's deliteralizing of the Land of Happiness resonated with me much.

Last, this book is an excellent study in how religion can remain vital and relevant through freeing it of how the traditions have become trapped in the wrong view of parochial dogma and literalistic readings of scriptures, with the resultant exclusivism.