The Pure Land ideology in Shandao tradition was, in mainland, originated from Tanluan. Shandao was apparently the figure of the greatest success in the Pure Land teachings.Thus, it is called the Pure Land school in Shandao tradition. All the scriptures written by the patriarchs in Shandao tradition were indirectly mentioned that ordinary sentient beings can be reborn in the realm of rewards due to the vow power of Amitabha Buddha. Through the scriptures written by the three Pure Land patriarchs in the Sui Tang Dynasty, the descendants can further understand the vow power of Amitabha. Therefore, This research is to investigate and discuss the Pure Land teachings in Shandao tradition during the Sui and Tang dynastyies through the historical impulses at that time, so as to analyse its major impacts to the contemporary time. This thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 is General outline, describing the motive, objective and methodology of the research with reference to scriptures. Chapter 2 is Brief introduction of teachings in Shandao tradition, describing briefly the life history of patriarchs in Shandao tradition and summarizing their ideas in the Pure Land teachings, and analyzing the features and their relationship. Chapter 3 is Statement of the teachings of patriarchs in Shandao tradition. Its content includes: assured rebirth by Amitabha-recitation with reference to the scriptures written(composed) by patriarchs Tanluan, Daochuo and Shandao in the Sui Tang Dynasty; Amitabha Buddha appears at the near end of life of the Amitabha-reciters, which are sincerely witnessed by all Buddha, as said in the sutras; quotations from the three Pure Land sutras to verify the conclusions. Chapter 4 is Characteristics of the Pure Land teachings in Shandao tradition, where the four main characteristics of the Pure Land teachings in Shandao traditions are discussed in details: Recitation of Amitabha’s name, according to his Basic Vow (the 18th); Rebirth of ordinary beings in the Pure Land’s Realm of Rewards; Rebirth assured in the present lifetime; Non-retrogression achieved in this lifetime. Chapter 5 is Conclusion. It concludes the research that all the Pure Land teachings in Shandao tradition can be summarized in a nutshell – exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s name which is my closing remark.
