​Infinite light and infinite life: a journey to Amitabha buddha and Amitayus buddha

Who is Amitabha Buddha?

Amitabha Buddha, known as the king of all buddhas, is considered to be one of the self-born buddhas, as he is among one of the five Dhayani-buddhas (self-born buddhas). He is called so because it is believed he has existed from the beginning of time.

 Click here to view Amitabha Buddha Thangka

 Amitabha Buddha represents the purified wisdom. His consort is Pandaravasini, who represents the purified fire element.

In Sanskrit, the name Amitabha Buddha translates to "the infinite light" or "limitless light" due to the dazzling and bright light emitted from the body of Buddha Amitabha.

In monasteries, statues of Amitabha Buddha are placed facing the west side due to the belief that he resides in a distant Buddha land, known as Great Bliss (Sukhavati), situated to the west of our world.

Who is Amitayus Buddha?

Amitayus Buddha, known as the Buddha of infinite life, is considered to be the sambhogakaya form of Buddha Amitabha. In Mahayana Buddhism, Sambhogakaya is the body of enjoyment or bliss that is received by an advanced practitioner and celestial beings.

In Sanskrit, the name Amitayus translates to "infinite life" or "eternal life."

Amitayus Buddha is often depicted as red in color, holding a vase containing nectar of immortality. People worship him for the longevity of life or to be free from diseases and illnesses.

​Click here to view Amitayus Buddha Thangka ​

Comparison: Amitabha Buddha and Amitayus Buddha:

While both Amitabha and Amitayus share commonalities in being associated with positive attributes and aspirations in Mahayana Buddhism, their primary focus and symbolism differ. Amitabha is often linked with the Pure Land and the quest for enlightenment, while Amitayus is associated with the desire for a long and fulfilling life.

The differences are:

Amitabha Buddha:

1. Form: Amitabha Buddha is a Nirmanakaya Buddha. In Buddhism, Nirmanakaya is a real or incarnate body, which manifests in a physical form to help sentient beings.

2. Core teaching: linked to Pure Land Buddhism, it emphasizes mindfulness and commitment to reach the Pure Land of Sukhavati.

3. Symbolism: Symbolizes aspiration for enlightenment.

4. Orientation of statue: In stupas, statues of Amitabha Buddha are placed facing the west.

Amitayus Buddha:

1. Form: Amitayus Buddha is a sambhogakaya buddha.

2. Core teachings: Associated with longevity and healthy life.

3. Symbolism: symbolizes extension of life.

4. Orientation of statue: The orientation of the statue for Amitayus Buddha does not have a specific direction. They are placed according to health and longevity.

Description of the Padma family:

Amitabha Buddha is associated with one of the five families of wisdom in Vajrayana Buddhism. Out of these five families, Amitabha Buddha falls under the Padma family and is considered the head of the family. The Padma family consists of several members, including Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Green Tara, and Guru Padmasambhava.

Key features of the Padma family:

Buddha: Amitabha

Color: Red

Mudra: Meditation mudra

Symbol: Lotus

Wisdom Aspect: Discriminating wisdom

Realm: Sukhavati, the Pure Land associated with bliss and enlightenment

Emotion: Desire and attachments transformed into discriminating wisdom. Instead of clinging to desires, individuals in the Padma family learn to understand and discriminate their true nature.

Wisdom Aspect: Discriminating Wisdom-the ability to discern, comprehend, and distinguish the nature of reality.

Element: Fire-The transformative quality of fire symbolizes the wisdom that burns away ignorance.

Realm: Western direction-The Padma family is associated with the Western direction, and practitioners may visualize Amitabha's Pure Land, Sukhavati, in this direction.

Amitabha’s Buddha past:

A long time ago in another world, there lived a king called dharmakaya, who, upon the teaching of lakheshvararaja, resigned as the ruler and became a monk. He practiced Buddhism under the guidance of buddha lokeshvararaja.

Filled with compassion and aspiring to create a realm where beings could easily attain enlightenment, Dharmakara made a series of 48 vows. The primary vow was to establish a Pure Land, free from suffering and a place where sentient beings could recite his name to attain enlightenment.

Over countless eons, He accumulated merits. Upon the fulfillment of his vows and the accumulation of immeasurable merit, Dharmakara transformed into Amitabha Buddha. In this new enlightened form, Amitabha resides in his Pure Land, Sukhavati (Land of Bliss).

Description of pure land:

The pure land Amitabha created is known as Sukhavati (land of bliss). Sukhavati is a pure land, a paradise, where buddha Amitabha teaches dharma. In the land, practitioners engage in meditation and chant to Buddha Amitabha to attain enlightenment.

Sukhavati is known for being free from suffering, and sentient beings reside there with joy, peace, and enjoyment.

On the 18th vow out of 48 vows, he vowed that anyone who in his lifetime recites his name with pure devotion will be guaranteed to be reborn on the pure land Sukhavati. Those born in Sukhavati are assured enlightenment and the eventual attainment of Buddhahood.

In Buddhism, there is a belief that, at the last moment of death, Amitabha Buddha himself appears before the dying individual with immense light, blissful music, and fragrant flowers, relieving them from the pain of death and guiding them to the Pure Land of Sukhavati.

Iconography of Amitabha Buddha:

Key elements associated with the iconography of Amitabha Buddha:

Color: Amitabha Buddha is depicted with a red complexion and a serene, calm face. His red color symbolizes the infinite and limitless love and compassion associated with his enlightened nature.

Hand gesture: His hands are positioned in a Dhyana Mudra, symbolizing meditation and concentration.

Lotus: He is portrayed seated on a lotus, symbolizing purity and the potential for enlightenment within an impure world.

Ornaments: Amitabha is depicted without jewels or ornaments, adorned simply in a silk robe covering his body.

Three curved lines: Around his neck, Amitabha bears three curved lines, representing the compassion-spreading vibrations of the Buddha's voice.

Iconography of Buddha Amitayus:

Even though Amitayus is a buddha, he looks like a bodhisattva. He is depicted with jewels and ornaments all over his body.

The key elements associated with Amitayus Buddha:

Color: Amitayus Buddha is often depicted with the color red, which radiates the vibrant energy associated with long life.

Hand gesture: His hands are positioned in a Varada mudra, symbolizing the giving nature of Amitayus Buddha. It is a gesture of fulfilling wishes.

Lotus: He is portrayed seated on a lotus, symbolizing purity and the potential for enlightenment within an impure world.

Immortality vase: He is depicted holding a vase of immortality in his hands. It symbolizes the bestowing of longevity and healthy life.

Ornaments: Amitayus Buddha is portrayed with various crowns and jewels on the body. It signifies the enlightened nature of Buddha.

Amitabha Buddha mantra:

The mantra associated with Amitabha Buddha is ‘Om Ami Deva Hri.’

Om: represents the holy body, speech, and mind.

Ami: represents the buddha Amitabha.

Deva: represents divine or celestial, symbolizing the pure realm of Sukhavati.

Hrih: represents the sound of compassion. Though it is related to Avalokiteshvara, the sound represents the compassionate nature of Buddha Amitabha.

In its entirety, those who recite this mantra with unwavering devotion are certain to be free from the sufferings and obscurations that may arise in this world. Moreover, chanting this mantra guarantees rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, where one can attain enlightenment and Buddhahood.

Amitayus Buddha mantra:

The mantra associated with Amitayus Buddha is “Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih.”

Om: Represents the holy body, speech, and mind.

A: symbolizes the enlightened body of Buddha Amitayus.

Ra: Represents the speech of Amitayus Buddha.

Pa: symbolizes the wisdom of Amitayus Buddha.

Ca: Represents the activities of Amitayus Buddha.

Na: Symbolizes the compassion of Amitayus Buddha.

Dhih: shows the discriminating wisdom of Amitayus Buddha.

Amitayus Buddha is known for bestowing long and healthy life. Thus, people chant this mantra asking for longevity and a healthy and fulfilling life.