Pure Land Buddhism suggests that the problem of suffering should not be addressed as a spiritual matter but at the level of change in the social environment. The desired social environment is the peaceful and equalitarian environment envisioned by Amida Nyorai’s vows in the Larger Sūtra and especially in the First Vow.

Used to go down to London on bash-the-fash awaydays; turn up at National Front marches and give them a toeing.

It meant ruckling his sock right down, and nobody likes a ruckly sock, but this was no time to be stopped by a ruckle.

roasted in wrath and fire, / And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore,