Material: bronze casting. (The bottom can hold holy objects)

Size: Height 8 cm

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha (Tibetan: བསངས་པའི་སངས་རྒྱས།, transliterated as "Sangba Sangjie") is regarded as the main deity of the Western Pure Land, representing infinite light (infinite light) and infinite life (infinite life), symbolizing compassion, wisdom and pure Buddha nature. Its meaning and origin have many similarities with the belief in Amitabha Buddha in Chinese Buddhism, but Tibetan Buddhism has its own uniqueness in practice methods, rituals and cultural expressions. The following is an overview of the meaning and origin of Amitabha Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism:

### **I. The meaning of Amitabha Buddha**

1. **Infinite Light and Infinite Life**:

- The Sanskrit names of Amitabha Buddha are "Amitābha" (Infinite Light) and "Amitāyus" (Infinite Life). In Tibetan Buddhism, he is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and wisdom, guiding sentient beings to escape from reincarnation and go to the Western Pure Land of Bliss.

- "Infinite Light" symbolizes the light that illuminates ignorance and brings wisdom; "Infinite Life" represents the eternal vitality and the Buddha's compassionate vows to help sentient beings transcend life and death.

2. **Western Pure Land of Bliss**:

- Amitabha Buddha is the leader of the Western Pure Land of Bliss, which is an ideal realm without pain, full of purity and happiness. Tibetan Buddhists believe that by chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha, practicing related methods or vowing to be reborn, they can be led to the Pure Land of Bliss by Amitabha Buddha at the time of death.

- The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is considered an ideal environment for practice in Tibetan Buddhism, where sentient beings can quickly attain Buddhahood.

3. **Compassion and Salvation**:

- Amitabha is famous for his 48 great vows, especially the 18th vow, which promises salvation to sentient beings as long as they sincerely chant his name and vow to be reborn in the Pure Land. This vow is considered the ultimate expression of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism.

- In Tibetan Buddhist practice, Amitabha is often combined with Avalokitesvara (representing great compassion) and Mahasthamaprapta (representing great wisdom) to form the "Three Holy Ones of the West", symbolizing the perfect combination of compassion and wisdom.

4. **Longevity Practice**:

- In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha (especially in the form of Amitayus) is often associated with the Longevity Practice (Tibetan: ཚེ་རིང་, Tse Ring). Practicing the Amitabha method is believed to prolong life, eliminate karma, and provide more time for practice.

- The practice of Amitabha is very important in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in ceremonies for praying for health, longevity or for the salvation of the dying.

### **II. The Origin of Amitabha**

1. **Scripture Basis**:

- The belief in Amitabha originated from Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, such as the Infinite Life Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra and the Contemplation of the Infinite Life Sutra. These scriptures record that Amitabha made forty-eight great vows when he was a monk in the causal realm, and after countless kalpas of practice, he achieved the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and became Amitabha.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, these scriptures are also valued and integrated into the Tibetan doctrine and practice system.

2. **Unique Tibetan Buddhist Interpretation**:

- Tibetan Buddhism incorporates Amitabha into its extensive system of deities, viewing him as one of the Five Buddhas, belonging to the Padma family, and is associated with compassion and purification of karma.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha often appears in red, symbolizing the characteristics of the Lotus Division, and is closely related to other deities such as Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava.

- In Tantric practice, the practice of Amitabha involves visualization, chanting (such as "Om Amitabha Aisde Hum") and rituals, emphasizing the purification of body and mind through the yoga of the deity and the blessing of Amitabha.

3. **Cultural and artistic expression**:

- In the Tibetan Buddhist Thangka art, Amitabha is often depicted as a red or golden body, sitting on a lotus seat, holding a bowl or making a concentration mudra, emitting light, and often accompanied by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta.

- Tibetan Buddhist temples and practitioners often use the image or mantra of Amitabha as a symbol of liberating the souls of the dead and praying for longevity.

### **III. Practice in Tibetan Buddhism**

1. **Pure Land Method**:

- Although Tibetan Buddhism is mainly based on Tantric practice, Pure Land Method occupies an important position in it. Practitioners of Amitabha Buddha's method will focus on chanting the Buddha's name, chanting mantras, visualizing the Pure Land, or practicing "Phowa" (transfer of consciousness) to ensure that they can be reborn in the Pure Land at the time of death.

- Phowa is a special Tantric practice that aims to transfer consciousness to the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. It is a practice closely related to Amitabha Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism.

2. **Rituals and Applications**:

- The practice of Amitabha Buddha is often used in rituals to transcend the souls of the dead, pray for longevity, or purify karma. For example, in Tibetan Buddhist funeral ceremonies, scriptures or mantras related to Amitabha Buddha are recited to pray for the deceased to be reborn in the Pure Land.

- Many Tibetan Buddhists chant the mantra or name of Amitabha Buddha in their daily practice as a simple way to accumulate merit and purify karma.

### **Fourth, similarities and differences with Chinese Buddhism**

- **Similarities**: Tibetan Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism both revere Amitabha Buddha as the main deity of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, emphasize the practice of chanting Buddha and vowing to be reborn, and are based on classics such as the Amitabha Sutra.

- **Differences**:

- Tibetan Buddhism incorporates Amitabha Buddha into the Tantric system, emphasizing the practice of visualization, mantras and rituals, while the Pure Land School of Chinese Buddhism pays more attention to the simplicity of chanting Buddha.

- The practice of Amitabha Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism is closely combined with Tantric practices such as the longevity method and the Phowa method, showing a stronger ritual and mystery.

- The image of Amitabha Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism is more symbolic in artistic expression, and is often connected with the teachings of the Lotus Department and the Five Buddhas.

### **V. Conclusion**

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha is not only a symbol of compassion and wisdom, but also a savior who guides sentient beings out of the cycle of reincarnation and to the Pure Land. The origin of his belief is rooted in the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, and is endowed with unique practice methods and cultural expressions in the Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Through chanting the Buddha's name, chanting mantras, visualizing or practicing Powa, Tibetan Buddhists regard Amitabha as an important support for liberation, and his image of infinite light and infinite life is deeply integrated into the practice and art of Tibetan Buddhism.

If you have specific questions or need a more in-depth explanation of a certain aspect (such as practice details or scripture content), please let me know and I can expand further!