We, Too, Share in the Lotus Adornment of the Land of Bliss's Jeweled Pools

The surface of the pools in the Land of Bliss is covered with lotus flowers. These include the utpala—the blue lotus, the padma—the yellow lotus, the kumuda—the red lotus, and the pundarika—the white lotus. These are the lotuses of four colors: blue, yellow, red, and white.

The word "heavenly" in "heavenly utpala" indicates that they arise naturally and spontaneously, requiring no human planting or cultivation. When we are reborn in the Western Land of Bliss, where will the life of our Dharma-body and wisdom be born? Right here, in the Seven-Jewel Pools filled with the Waters of Eight Excellent Qualities. Understanding this passage helps us understand exactly where we will be reborn.

This is our birthplace: as the saying goes, "the nine grades of lotuses are our father and mother." Our own lotus rests upon the waters of eight excellent qualities. Once we emerge from it, we can step right onto the pool's banks. Beside the water are lecture halls, meditation chambers, palaces, and towers. The moment we step ashore, we are able to see Amitabha Buddha and listen to him teach the Dharma. The pools are covered with lotuses of four colors, rich in their variety of hues.

"Various colors" implies abundance—a profusion of hues. "Bright and flourishing" means their radiance is incredibly lush. These lotuses aren't withered; they're full of vitality. And this radiant abundance corresponds directly to how deeply we practice reciting the Buddha's name.

The Pure Land scriptures tell us that when beings from other realms—like our Saha world—sincerely bring forth faith and vows and recite the Buddha's name, a lotus marked with their name instantly springs into being in the Seven-Jewel Pools. It is there that their rebirth is nurtured. At the end of our lives, Amitabha Buddha comes holding this very lotus to welcome us.

If we practice with diligence, the lotus blooms larger and its colors grow more brilliant. But if we lose our resolve and stop reciting the Buddha's name, the lotus will slowly wither. Every single thought we have connects us to the Western Land of Bliss. In other words, we, too, share in the lotus adornment of the Land of Bliss's jeweled pools. We sentient beings actively participate in the adornment of the Pure Land's environment.

Such lotuses spread completely across the Waters of Eight Excellent Qualities—"spread" here meaning to broadly cover the surface.