Gendered Appearances and Internalized Topographies: Indo-Tibetan Pure Lands in Comparative Contexts

Abstract

This study traces the development of the early concept of śuddhāvāsa to the different conceptualization of pure lands in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna orientations, commenting on their gendered features, imaginary topographies related to Buddhist cosmography, and contemplative means of internalization. In Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism pure lands mirror doctrinal developments in India and Tibet and function as tools for either internalized contemplative practices or internalized yogic practices. Given the complexity of the subject-matter, a cursory examination of these doctrinal elaborations—vis-à-vis some of the distinct characteristics of the pure land’s appearance—will contribute to our understanding of the diversity of exoteric and esoteric interpretations of pure lands in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.