Who Loves Dies Well: On the Brink of Buddha's Pure Land [Paperback]

Caroline Brazier's THE OTHER BUDDHISM arrived from Amazon two days before David Brazier's WHO LOVES DIES WELL. In four days I read them both. I thought THE OTHER BUDDHISM was an excellent, psychologically-based introduction to Amida Pureland Buddhism, and I commended it highly in a review. For other reasons entirely I highly commend WHO LOVES DIES WELL.

Written from a deeply personal perspective occasioned both by repeated requests for an introduction to Amidism (Amida Pureland Buddhism) and the author's experience of the last week of his mother's life, WHO LOVES DIES WELL is an unique book. It is about Amidism, and it is about dying, and it is about love, but it is above all a testament to lives translucent to grace. As such it qualifies as inspirational literature, but its excellence lies above all in its honesty, depth of emotion, and surprising lack of easy sentimentality. I've read nothing quite like it, especially in Buddhist writing.

Amida Pureland Buddhism is a recent evolution of Jodo Buddhism, the oldest Pure Land school in Japan. As such, there are presently few Amidist sanghas in existence, and those in England and on the continent. Whether Amidism will appeal to greater numbers worldwide is unknown. But as a spirituality, Amidism may well influence Buddhists who congregate with -- say -- Quakers or Unitarians.

Of the two dozen or so books on Buddhism I've read, WHO LOVES DIES WELL comes closer than any to a true testament to infinite light and life of grace.

P.S. This book really blossoms with a second reading. For the first, you are present for the death and liberation of a noble spirit. While you encounter Pureland Buddhism through the telling of this tale you experience it more as a supporting player. On the second reading, once you've lived through this week in the life of Irene Brazier and The Buddhist House, the Pureland faith itself becomes the subject. That is when Dharmavidya David Brazier's passion for eternal life in the face of death rises from the page and you -- the reader -- become swept up in the expanse of his vision.

This is a personal and intimate account of the time leading up to and following the death of Brazier's mother. It looks back on Irene's life and reflects on the process by which life is given meaning and how this is inextricably linked to the death time. Who Loves Dies Well weaves a narrative of the events leading up to Irene's death with an exploration of Pureland Buddhist principles. It shows how this form of spirituality supported those involved - and how it can support us - in living a good life and having a good death.

The book explores the meaning of faith from a Pureland Buddhist perspective - a major Eastern Buddhist denomination little known in the West. This approach is centred on the devotee's relationship with the Buddha rather than an introspective, meditation-based search for self-perfection - a readily accessible spirituality for ordinary people. The Buddha is quoted as saying, 'those who simply have faith in me, who simply love me, are all headed for heaven.'

Brazier emphasises the support he felt from those around him, particularly those in the Amida Trust Buddhist community - inside which the events unfolded. In turn, he supports the reader to examine what is to many a difficult subject - to reflect with sensitivity on our own journey, and look for the meaning within and to consider how our own faith underpins and shapes our lives. The clear and gentle narrative, and his frank sharing regarding his own experiences portrays a sense that it's OK - to feel, to cry, to love and to die.

An excellent book - highly recommended.

When love reigns supreme in our hearts then even death can not cheat us of loving. A moving and stilling read.Share the passage of a loved one as they transcend living and move into what we call 'death'. Moving and sensitive.