民間净土 - Faith and Devotion: Buddhism in Popular Practice
The widespread knowledge of Zen/Chan (禪) philosophies has contributed much to the common impression in the West that Buddhism is more meditative and philosophical than ritual and religious. However, most adherents of Buddhism place emphasis on its devotional elements, which shine through in the teachings of its most popular Pure Land sect (净土宗). These devotional leanings are even more pronounced where Buddhism meets Chinese folk religion, and reflects how it is practiced by many of its followers, both in the past and today.設我得佛，十方眾生，發菩提心，修諸功德，至心發願，欲生我國。臨壽終時，假令不與大眾圍遶現其人前者，不取正覺。
（出於《無量壽經》）
Say I [Amitābha] attain Buddhahood. Supposing that then, the sentient beings of the ten directions, who have aspired to enlightenment,… at the end of their lives do not see me appear before them with the multitude [of saints], may I not achieve perfect enlightenment.
(from the Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra)
Here are three examples of documents that aided the practice of Buddhism in its most devotional and popular forms. Each of these works depicts popular figures in Buddhism: Amitābha (阿彌陀佛), the Buddha of Infinite Light, and Avalokiteśvara (觀音菩薩), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. It is believed that by relying on the grace of supernatural beings such as these, one can expedite the path to enlightenment.
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