The Pure Land belief is based on ＂Three Sutras and One Treatise＂. It traces back to ancient Indian cultural traditions, and amongst the three sutras is the Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Amitabha Sutra) translated by Kumārajīva; it describes a celestial lotus pond, which is considered the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Subsequently, ＂Three Grades of Aspirants＂ is proposed in the Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Infinite Life Sutra) translated by Kang Sengkai (Saṅghavarman), which sees being born from a lotus flower as a tangible way to reach the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Lastly, the Amitayurdhyana Sutra focuses mainly on meditations and presents in intricate details the notable features of the Pure Land Trinity and the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, which breaks the ambiguity observed in the longer and shorter sutras. It also adapts the lotus throne and the iconography of Buddha on the lotus throne from the Avatamsaka belief, which gives the Pure Land belief more figurative substance. It is clearly stated in the Rebirth Treatise by Vasubandhu that the Pure Land belief has adapted certain ideologies from the Avatamsaka belief. In regards to iconography, stories in pictures of the Pure Land found in China originated from the Mohammed-Nari stele from Gandhara that depicts ＂the Ocean Worlds Ornamented by the Lotus＂, and turning the Avatamsaka's 52 stages of Bodhisattvahood into 52 icons also shows the Pure Land belief's further adaptation of the Avatamsaka belief. There was no apparent Buddha Amitabha worshipping in ancient India, nor was the iconography of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss a common practice. Therefore, the Pure Land belief is mainly based on active choices made by ancient Chinese monks and believers and shows the embodiment of subjective will. Hence, the Pure Land stories in pictures are predominantly created in China.
