Amitābha Buddha

Amitābha Buddha (Sanskrit: अमिताभ बुद्ध) is a major figure in Mahāyāna Buddhism. He is the principal buddha in Pure Land Buddhism, a branch of East Asian Buddhism.

Quotes about Amitābha Buddha

• “Now what do you think, Śāriputra, why is that tathāgata called ‘Amitāyus’ (Immeasurable Life)? Śāriputra, the lifespan of Tathāgata Amitāyus is immeasurable. For this reason, he is called ‘Tathāgata Amitāyus.’ Furthermore, Śāriputra, why is that tathāgata called ‘Amitābha’ (Immeasurable Light)? Śāriputra, the light of Tathāgata Amitābha shines unimpeded throughout all buddha realms. For this reason, he is called ‘Tathāgata Amitābha.’ The Bhagavān Tathāgata Amitābha fully awakened to unsurpassable, completely perfect enlightenment ten eons ago."
  • Sukhāvatī­vyūha Sūtra

• “O children of the Victorious One, the extent of an eon in this Sahā world, the buddhafield of the blessed Thus-Gone One Śākyamuni, is but a single day in Sukhāvatī, the buddhafield of the Thus-Gone One Amitāyus.
  • Subhashita Translation Group (tr.). The Chapter on the Scale of Life (ཚེའི་ཚད་ཀྱི་ལེའུ།, Toh 44-37). 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, 2023: https://read.84000.co/translation/toh44-37.html?part=acknowledgment

• “Śāriputra, any son or daughter of noble family who in the future has faith in and wholeheartedly rejoices in the extolled virtues of Amitābha, and wholeheartedly delights in that thus-gone one, will be born in that buddhafield. Those residing there will have all their wishes fulfilled and approach awakening, exactly as taught. They will see the assembly of thus-gone ones, and they will see the beings born in that buddhafield. Those who distrust, disparage, and forsake the extolled qualities of that thus-gone one will incur the karma for dwelling in the hells for five eons.
  • Dharmachakra Translation Committee (tr.). Bouquet of Flowers (Kusumasañcaya, Toh 266). 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, 2024: https://read.84000.co/translation/toh266.html?part=introduction

• Whoever writes or causes to be written this Aparimitāyur­jñāna Sūtra will be reborn in the world of Sukhāvatī, the buddha realm of the tathāgata Amitābha.
  • Peter Alan Roberts and team (tr.). The Aparimitāyurjñāna Sūtra (1) (Aparimitāyur­jñāna­sūtra, Toh 674). 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, 2024: https://read.84000.co/translation/toh674.html

• With help from Amitabha, we do not have to rely solely on ourselves to attain enlightenment as we would with other methods. In Pure Land Buddhism, we rely on the compassionate Buddhas and bodhisattvas to help us. Thus, reliance on self and on another are combined as we request by way of our mindful chanting that Amitabha Buddha, through the strength of his vows, help us to be reborn in the Pure Land as we breathe our last breath in our present body.
  • Pure Land Buddhism: Support for the Dying by the Pure Land Learning College Association

External links

• eLibrary ー Amitabha Gallery
• The Display of the Pure Land of Sukhāvatī