Material: Embroidery. Cloth. Brocade (Longevity Buddha)

Size: 155 X 100 cm (approximate size)

Description:

Longevity Buddha (Tibetan: Tsepame, Sanskrit: Amitāyus) is one of the important deities in Tibetan Buddhism, representing longevity, infinite life and health, and is mainly related to the merits of prolonging life, eliminating diseases, and increasing blessings and wisdom. The following is a brief description of the meaning and origin of Longevity Buddha:

**Meaning**

1. **Longevity and Health**: Longevity Buddha is the incarnation of Amitayus Buddha, symbolizing infinite vitality and wisdom, helping practitioners overcome life obstacles, diseases and bad karma, and prolonging life to facilitate the practice of Buddhism.

2. **Eliminating Obstacles**: Practicing the Longevity Buddha method is believed to purify bad karma and eliminate karmic obstacles, especially those related to health and life.

3. **Combination of compassion and wisdom**: The Buddha of Longevity represents the longevity aspect of Amitabha Buddha, combining compassion and wisdom to help sentient beings gain physical and mental well-being and then seek liberation.

4. **One of the Three Longevity Deities**: In Tibetan Buddhism, the Buddha of Longevity is often referred to as the "Three Longevity Deities" together with White Tara and Ushnishavijaya, jointly protecting the life span and blessings of practitioners.

### **Image characteristics**

- **Appearance**: The Buddha of Longevity usually has a red or orange-red body, wears a five-buddha crown, and holds a longevity vase filled with nectar, which symbolizes the nectar that grants longevity and wisdom.

- **Sitting posture**: Usually sits on a lotus seat in the vajra posture, emitting the light of compassion and blessing.

- **Mandala and practice**: The practice of the Buddha of Longevity often involves mantra offerings, visualization, chanting (such as "Om Amarani Jiwangtiye Soha"), etc., aiming to obtain blessings and longevity.

**Origin**

1. **From the Buddha of Infinite Light**: The Buddha of Longevity is one of the incarnations of the Buddha of Infinite Light (Amitabha), focusing on longevity and health. According to Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha of Infinite Light manifested different images to save sentient beings due to his original vows, and the Buddha of Longevity is one of them.

2. **The development of Tibetan Buddhism**: In Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of the Buddha of Longevity is inherited by many great monks, such as Padmasambhava, who incorporated the practice of the Buddha of Longevity into the tantric practice and became one of the important protectors and deities.

3. **Classical Basis**: The practice and image of the Buddha of Longevity are mainly derived from the Amitabha Sutra and tantric scriptures, especially in the "Treasure" tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, where many practices of the Buddha of Longevity were discovered and passed down by treasure masters.

**Practice and Application**

- **Rituals and Dharma Assembly**: Tibetan Buddhists often hold initiations or fire offerings to the Buddha of Longevity on specific festivals or when there is a personal health crisis, praying for longevity and health.

- **Daily Practice**: Believers pray for blessings by chanting the mantra of the Buddha of Longevity, visualizing its image, or offering a thangka of the Buddha of Longevity.

- **Cultural Influence**: The image of the Buddha of Longevity appears widely in Tibetan Buddhist art, such as thangkas, Buddha statues, etc., often as amulets or objects of worship.

**Summary**

The Buddha of Longevity is the manifestation of the Buddha of Infinite Light in Tibetan Buddhism, focusing on granting longevity, health and wisdom, helping practitioners overcome obstacles and prolonging their practice time. Its origin is closely related to the original vow of Amitabha Buddha and the Tibetan Tantric tradition. By practicing the method of the Buddha of Longevity, believers can purify their karma, increase their blessings, and move towards the path of liberation.

Buddha of Longevity (embroidered cloth version)