Amitabha: Buddha of Infinite Light, Life?

Amitabha Buddha: Infinite Life and Light: History, Dharani, Sutras, Sadhana, and Sukhavati

(Buddha Weekly) Aug. 7, 2024: Why is the magnetizing or attracting power of Cosmic Buddha Amitabha and the Lotus family so alluring? Why is Amitabha so popular in the various lineages and schools of Mahayana Buddhism? Why is Amitabha's Western Pureland Sukhavati called the "Happy Realm," and how easy is it to attain rebirth in this paradise? Why is Amitabha called both "Infinite Light" and "Infinite Life"?

[Is it because it's a fantasy that does not require effort and spiritual exertion to calm and purify the mind only to develop faith and devotion, which are much easier? In the dichotomy of hariki and jiriki, most humans prefer an "other" power rather than "self" power as a means of salvation/liberation.]

CONTENTS

• 00:00-02:57 Introduction and why is Amitabha so popular in Mahayana Buddhism?
• 02:57-05:41 Magnetizing power, charisma, and the power of Amitabha’s Lotus family
• 05:41-08:17 Amitabha’s 48 vows and the story of Bodhisattva Dharmakara (from sutra)
• 08:17-09:15 Shakyamuni Buddha explains Sukhavati Pureland of Ultimate Bliss
• 09:15-11:11 Amitabha’s name literally means “Infinite Light” and why
• 11:11-13:32 Amitabha’s appearance and symbolism
• 13:32-15:21 Padma Lotus family: Pandara, Avalokiteshvara, Hayagriva, Kurukulla Tara
• 15:21-18:55 Sukhavati Pureland: Land of Ultimate Bliss described by Shakyamuni Buddha
• 18:55-21:27 Dharani practice of Amitabha Buddha and magnetizing
• 21:27-22:21 Three shorter mantras as a daily practice
• 22:37-23:57 Amitabha’s sadhana practices and visualizing Amitabha Buddha
• 23:57-31:00 Recitation of Amitabha sadhana in full

Let's answer these questions and more in this in-depth presentation that ends with his dharani, mantras, and unique sadhana called Brief Amitabha Sleeping Practice by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö to help connect directly to this compassionate and powerful Buddha of the 48 vows.

Let's look at the story of these 48 vows later in the presentation plus the story of Amitabha as Bodhisattva Dharmakara from the sutra.

FOR A FULL FEATURE ON BUDDHA WEEKLY including the shorter sutra and dharani in English, Sanskrit, and Chinese, see: buddhaweekly.com/?p=24862.

Amitabha is the magnetic "savior" Buddha. He helps with his charismatic bliss and joy and wisdom for discernment to overcome the poisons of attachment and desire.

It is our clinging attachment to things -- objects, money, ownership, and ego -- that causes suffering in samsara (the cycle of rebirth). With discernment wisdom, the wisdom of Amitabha's Lotus family, we overcome our obsessive clinging to things and ego.

His practice is the magnetizing power of the buddhas signified by his body made of red glowing light like a beautiful glowing sunset. Red is the color of magnetizing, the color of fire and the setting sun of the west, all of which are symbols of Amitabha.

Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche explained in a teaching on Red Amitabha's Lotus family: “The manifestations of the wisdom of discernment are the deities of the lotus family of magnetizing. The magnetizing deities (devas) have the power to bring circumstances under control.”

Magnetizing power is the power of charisma, attraction, cooperation, compassion, and loving-kindness. Amitabha's magnetizing power attracts auspicious circumstances, knowledge, good fortune, helpful people, students, business, and prosperity — as long as we are motivated by the cause for enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Khenpo Namdro explains: Magnetizing of Amitabha's Lotus family is “that which brings within one’s power all that appears and all that exists. It goes by such a name because if you make this prayer fervently, you will be able to magnetize or bring within your power the phenomena of the entire universe.”

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