Expert: Bodhicitta - 4/11/2006

Question
When someone attains Nirvana, where will his soul go to after he dies? Sukhavathi? Buddha Lands? Or a special place?

Thanks. I hope I don't trouble you too much.

Answer
Hi Lee,
There are different types of Nirvana - but that is a technical topic that maybe we should leave to one side.
Just to say that there are degrees of attainment in terms
of awakening - all of which move towards complete and total
awakening.

There are many Buddha lands. These are worlds created by the Buddha's or awakened ones to help beings. Sukhavati is
the Buddha land of Amitabha Buddha. It is said that if
beings call upon Amitabha Buddha at the time of death with
great faith and devotion that they will be reborn in Sukhavati. From Sukhavati it is possible to attain complete awakening and then enter any of the pure lands - so sukhavati is a gateway to complete awakening.

The pure land schools of Buddhism in China are based on devotion to Amitabha and the followers recite the name
of Amitabha endlessly with great devotion.

There are many types of Buddhism and many paths to awakening. There are many pure lands. These all suit
different types of beings with different connections.

It is said that if you meditate and practice you can
realise that this world is really a pure land and that there is no need to go anywhere.

Hope this helps
Bodhicitta