Amitabha/Amitayus Buddha

 

 

A disciple of Dorje Chang Buddha, Amitabha Buddha (O’mi-tuo Fo) is the Buddha of the West, representing discriminating wisdom. Amitabha is one of the Five Transcendent Buddhas and the leader of Esoteric Buddhism. He is also the leader of the Pure Land Sect, but that is but a small part of his duties. Pure Land Buddhism, a major form of Buddhist practice in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, teaches that through devotion to Amitabha, one will be reborn in the Pure Land or the Western Paradise or Land of Bliss (Sukhavati) in which full enlightenment is guaranteed. Amitabha is often seen with His two attendant Bodhisattvas: Avalokitesvara, representing engaged compassion, and Mahasthamaprapta, representing wisdom. Avalokitesvara means “Regarder of the Cries of the World,” while Mahasthamaprapta means “The One Who Has Attained Great Strength.”

 

 

Amitàyus (Changshou Fo), the Buddha of Infinite Life or the Long-Life Buddha, is a manifestation of Amitabha Buddha. When Amitabha  became the leader of Esoteric Buddhism, it was very hard for living beings to become enlightened. They would practice, but die at an early age. Amitabha then manifested himself as light and went in the ten directions to invite all the Buddha lights to merge with his own body. Suddenly, after he combined with all the Buddhas, his body became a coral color and he was transformed into the Long-life Buddha, Amitàyus.

The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra

The Sutra of Visualization of the Buddha of Infinite Life (Amitayurdhyana Sutra)

The Sutra of the Buddha of Eternal Life (Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra)

The Smaller Pure Land Sutra (Sukhavativyuha Sutra)