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Pure Land Buddhism in an institutional sense, but historically it was most commonly described as a "dharma-gate" , referring to a method of Buddhist practice. In Japanese Buddhism, the term more commonly refers to specific institutions. In Tibetan Buddhism, prayers and practices which aim at rebirth in a Buddha-field are a popular religious orientation, especially among laypersons.
Pure Land is a tradition which is primarily focused on achieving rebirth in a Buddha's "pure land" or buddha-field , which generally speaking is a Buddha's field of influence. Some Buddha-fields are considered to be superior places to spiritually train for full Buddhahood, since a Buddha has compassionately "purified" it for this purpose and since in these realms, one can meet a Buddha face to face and study under them. Since it is much easier to attain enlightenment in one of these buddha-fields , many Mahayana Buddhists strive to be reborn in such a place.
The most common pure land today is that of Amitābha, called Sukhavati, "Land of Bliss". Mahayana Buddhists may also aspire to be reborn in other pure lands, such as the Buddhafields of Aksobhya and Medicine Guru. In Tibetan Buddhism, adherents may also aspire to other pure lands such as that of Padmasambhava. Although the Buddhas are venerated in Pure Land traditions and are seen as savior figures, the tradition clearly distinguishes itself from theistic religions, due to its roots in the classic Mahayana understanding of Buddhahood and bodhisattvas, as well as the Buddhist doctrines of emptiness and mind-only.
Pure Land oriented practices and concepts form an important component of the Mahāyāna Buddhist traditions of China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas and Inner Asian regions such as Tibet. The term "Pure Land Buddhism" is used to describe both the tradition's practice and soteriology, which may be better understood as "Pure Land traditions" or "Pure Land teachings" , as well as various separate Pure Land sects which focus exclusively on Pure land practice.