Amitabha (Sk.) Amida (Jap.)

Amitabha (Sk.) Amida (Jap.) The Buddha of Infinite Light. As Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life. The Fourth of the Dhyani Buddhas (q.v.). The personification of Compassion. In the Pure Land sects of China and Japan, Amitabha is the intermediary between Supreme Reality and mankind, and faith in him ensures rebirth in his Paradise (Sukhavati q.v.). Esoterically, Amitabha is Higher Self, and rebirth into his paradise is the awakening of the Bodhicitta (q.v.) in the heart of man.

For Scriptures see Pure Land.