Comparing the Paths between Ch'an Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism

The differences between Ch'an Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism are bound to produce some confusion and misinterpretation. The following are simplified charts comparing and contrasting these paths.

	Ch'an/Zen	5 Elements Pure Land
Major Emphasis	Developing the eye of Wisdom	Abiding in the Heart of Compassion
Personal Turning Point	Raising the Great Doubt	Experiencing Serene Trust
Major Practices	T'so-Ch'an (J. Zazen), Kung-An (J. Koan) Silent Illumination (J. Shikan-taza) Hua-T'ou Walking and Chanting Practice	Sutra Reading, Recitation, Atonement & Veneration Visualization, Unified Practice Transference of Merit
Elements of Faith	Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Ancestors and Teachers	Amitabha buddha Amitabha's Vows Compassion of All Buddhas
Types of Vows	To save all sentient beings / To end delusions To master the teachings / To follow the Way To abide by the Precepts	Rebirth into the Pure Land To save all sentient beings To see Amitabha Buddha at the moment of death To abide by the Precepts
Object of Meditative Concentration	One's True Nature	Amitabha Buddha

Ch'an/Zen	5 Elements Pure Land
Refines Wisdom	Opens the Heart of Compassion
The direct realization of Emptiness and the aspiration for Enlightenment allows true Compassion to grow.	The realization of oneness with Boundless Compassion opens the Eye of Wisdom
Focuses concentration, which helps to calm the agitated mind	Calms the agitated mind, which helps one's concentration

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