「人間淨土」除了具有社會關懷的貢獻之外，是否有所 謂的終極意義？本文希望從佛教義理和現實關懷的角度，去 反思「人間淨土」的真正本質為何？我們如何知道其實現的 可能性？其中提出許多值得探討的問題，如： 1.「人間淨土」是要徹底地改變此土的性質，使之轉變成 類似真正淨土的環境？ 2. 這種淨土，與他方淨土或佛國淨土有何異同之處？ 3. 人間本來就是「穢土」，本性充滿著五濁，穢土如何 可能變成淨土？ 4. 人間淨土的理想實際上與北俱盧洲有什麼根本上的差 別？ 5. 「唯心淨土」或「自心淨土」是一般人可以達到的境 界嗎？個人內心清淨而體驗到淨土的想法，如何造成外在的 環境與社會也自動轉變成淨土？ 6. 現行「人間淨土」的建設所能達成的目標與限制為 何？能達成什麼樣標準的淨土？

This paper attempts to make critical reflections on the ultimate character and meaning of the “Pure Land on Earth” (PLE). What is its true nature? How do we know the possibility of its finalization? Many questions and issues are to be discussed, including: the equivalence of PLE and other Buddhist pure lands, the prospect of transforming the nature of this “impure land”, the difference between the ideal PLE and the world of Uttarakuru, etc. We could also ask: how can the inner experience of “pure land in mind” be realized by ordinary people, and what mechanism to ensure that this will bring about significant impact on transforming the outer environment? Next, it is interesting to investigate the current plans or proposals for accomplishing the PLE, such as the Six Ethics of the Mind and the Fivefold Spiritual Renaissance Campaign. What will they achieve, and to what extent or according to what standard can these achievements be called “pure land”? Criticism and solutions on the above issues will be examined.