Many Pure Lands

  During our study group session tonight, we explored the notion that many people have very different and distinct ideas of what a 'pure land' on earth really is and really looks like. Just as there are many views on what happens to a person after death, so there are just as many perceptions on what are the most conducive conditions to be freed from suffering. This is surprising to me, in the sense that most of the images I have about pure land relate to the Buddhist iconography of ancient China.
   I begin to wonder at times if perhaps the pure land that is described in Buddhist sutras is more like a mental state which can allow for many kinds of impressions and ideas to simultaneously exist, accommodating conflicting or diverse views rather than trying to make everything conform to one model or view. I suppose that it would have to be this way, since the heaven of pure land would need to be spacious enough to accommodate people of many views and perceptions. In our own Buddhist organization, I get a sense that working with diverse perspectives is a truly ideal place to know about our minds: how we function in the world and deal with diversity of perspectives, rather than only sticking with people with whom we agree or have similar tastes and personalities. 
    Spiritual communities in general tend to be held together by a common view, yet they allow participants a safe and nurturing space to explore differences and conflicts. In this case, perhaps it's as one of the participants had put it in the study group today, to abide in the principle, "agree to disagree". When I don't demand that others agree with me, or that I agree with others 100%, I give myself space to be curious and accommodate conflicts rather than reject them or see them as bad. This is much more interesting than a monolithic community where there is only one voice or one space.