In Pure Land Buddhism, salvation is based on which factor?

• A. The grace of Amitabha Buddha
• B. Personal meditation alone
• C. Ritual sacrifice
• D. Desire for nirvana through intellect

Answer: (A)

In Pure Land Buddhism, salvation hinges on Amitabha Buddha’s grace and his vow to save all beings who call upon his name. Practitioners place trust in Amitabha and express it through reciting the Nembutsu, a simple vow to invoke his name. This reliance on Amitabha’s compassionate power—sometimes described as “other power” (tariki)—is what makes rebirth in the Pure Land possible, even for those who may lack strong personal meditative prowess.

Personal meditation alone, ritual sacrifice, or pursuing nirvana through intellect all emphasize the individual's own effort rather than Amitabha’s saving vow. While ethical conduct and some spiritual practices can accompany devotion, they are not the decisive factor in this tradition. The defining idea is that liberation comes through Amitabha’s grace and the devotee’s faithful invocation of his name.