Pure Land Buddhism, founded by Huiyuan around the end of the Han dynasty, takes its name from the Pure Land Sutra. This school of Buddhist thought concentrates on the belief in a blissful "pure land" ruled by a reincarnation of the Amitabha Buddha. Through nianfo, or name recitation, specifically the recitation of the mantra of Amitabha, one is supposed to be able to assure a reincarnation into this heaven.
This school was especially attractive to the northern Chinese Buddhists who emphasized mysticism and scholarship. An early supporter included the Northern patriarch Tanluan who was originally a Daoist in search of the "pill of immortality" until he converted to Pure Land Buddhism.
Similar to the early Indian disputes, this school instantiated an argument over "Self power" versus "Other power" – a conflict beween whether the bliss of the western paradise had to be earned, or if anybody could receive it through nianfo.
The Pure Land school represents yet another significant aspect of Buddhism as it adapted to China and developed new philosophies and approaches to metaphysics and perhaps even the psychological desire for assured postmortem bliss.
"At that time, the World Honored One addressed Sariputra, "You should know that to the West of this realm, beyond hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Buddha lands, there is a Buddha realm named 'Blissful'. In that realm is a World Honored One whose name is 'Infinite Lifespan' and 'Infinite Light'; a Tathagata, an Arhat of perfect awakening, who completely fulfills the ten epithets of the Buddhas. There presently he resides with body and mind at rest, abides and upholds that realm, and for the sentient beings expounds and propagates the Dharma which is most deep, minute, and wondrous, causing them to attain that most excellent blessing of peaceful happiness."– from the Smaller Pure Land Sutra