Imagining Awakening
A man holding a glowing book in the dark, lit by magical-looking lights.
There is a beautiful and powerful aspect of Buddhism that also tends to be one of the quieter topics too—imagination.
When we hear the word imagination, we often think of fantasy, creativity, or even make-believe. When we think of imagination in the context of Buddhism, it feels counterintuitive to seeing ultimate reality and the truth of things. In fact, the imaginative side of Buddhism may be discounted in favor of more science-based approaches like meditation. But when we look deeply at the way the teachings have been shared through time, we see the Buddha used imagination constantly to open the heart, to shift perception, and to awaken compassion and wisdom. Amida Buddha and the Pure Land are two wonderful examples of using imagination to share the teachings.
Before we look at Amida Buddha and the Pure Land, let’s talk about how we see the power of imagination in a modern, scientistic setting. When a new drug is developed, they do double blind studies. This means neither the scientist nor the participant knows who is receiving the drug or placebo. Participants take the pill and report back on their symptoms. When this is done, we sometimes see someone report an improvement although they are taking the placebo. They imagine the pill is working. The mind is powerful enough to improve symptoms by imagining the treatment is working. We see in a modern real-world setting how powerful imagination can be. Let’s turn back to Amida Buddha and the Pure Land.
The Pure Land is described as a realm of perfect compassion and wisdom, with jeweled trees, lotus blossoms the size of cartwheels, and a ground of gold and precious stones. The air is filled with gentle, melodious sounds of the Dharma. Even the air has a magical scent! But we are told not to believe in this beautiful world as a dogma. Rather we are invited to imagine it, to hold it in our hearts, and to let it work on us. In this way the Pure Land shifts from being a fantasy world we go to after death, and becomes a symbol of transformation, or a living expression of Amida’s Vow in our everyday lives.
When we imagine the Pure Land, we are awakening something deep within ourselves: the longing to be free from suffering, to be held in compassion, and to return to our true Buddha Nature. We find the poetic imagery of the Pure Land isn’t meant to distract us from reality—it is meant to open us to a deeper reality. When we say Namo Amida Butsu, we are not just reciting words but also hearing them. We can imagine we are hearing the call of Amida from the other shore, with one hand held in reassurance and the other outstretched inviting us to join in. This moment of imagining Amida Buddha and the Pure Land becomes a doorway for us to walk through. We can step inside the transformative world of Amida Buddha.
The Buddha used stories as skillful means to help us see the world as he did upon awakening. He asks us to try a different view and to imagine a beautiful world filled with compassion and wisdom. When we do this, when we put on our Buddha glasses, we realize what we imagine is closer to seeing ultimate reality. We start to see little bits of the Pure Land all around us. We become humbled to all the compassion we receive daily. We see our foolish nature and how we are embraced. This leads to such deep gratitude. When we say Namo Amida Butsu it becomes an expression of gratitude while also being a calling to continue on the path.
Imagination in Buddhist practice is not an escape from reality. It is the opening of the heart to a deeper reality, one that has been calling to us all along. When you say Namo Amida Butsu, allow yourself to feel Amida’s presence. When you hear the words of the Larger Sutra, let the imagery speak to your heart. When you picture the Pure Land, know that you are not escaping this world—you are being shown what’s possible within it.
