Infinite Light
Infinite Light
無量光仏 (Jpn Muryoko-butsu)
The Buddha Infinite Light, another name for Amida Buddha.
Amitabha Buddha name is “infinite light” and he is the principle Buddha of Sukhavati, the Blissful Pure Land of the West. Amitabha’s body is the color of the setting sun.
Amithabha is one of the most widely venerated figures in the Buddhism of China, Korea and Japan. The main reason for this is the popularity in these countries of a form of worship and practice known as Pure Land Buddism, of which Amitabha is the focus. Followers of this system center their devotion upon Amitabha in the belief that after death they will be born in his presence in Sukhavati. This pure land is outside the suffering realms of ordinary cycling existence and all conditions there are conducive for one’s eventual attainment of enlightenment.
As is stated in the sutras upon which this devotional form of Buddhist practice is based, even the sound of the wind and the songs of the birds in Sukhavati proclaim the dharma for the benefit of those fortunate enough to be born there. Shakyamuni Buddha revealed that the pure land of Sukhavati came into existence as the result f the stainless motivation and pure practices of Amitabha when, long ago, he was known as the bodhisattava Dharmakara. This was at the time of Buddha Lokeshvararaja, in the presence of whom Dharmakara declared: When I have attained buddhahood , if those beings who are in the ten quarters, after they have heard my name, should direct their thoughts to my country and should plant their roots of merit and should bring them to maturity with their serene thoughts, and with to be born in my country—if they should not accomplish (their desire), may I not obtain the perfect knowledge.
Having made this vow on behalf of all being, Dharmakara performed the duties of a bodhisattva for many eons. So great was his accumulation of merit that wherever he was born he gave forth the pleasing fragrance of incense, was surround by riches and was able to emanate food and drink miraculously from his body.when eventually he achieves full enlightenment as Amitabha his surroundings spontaneously transformed into Sukhavati, the western paradise, a land of unimaginable radiance and beauty. It is into pure land that, after their death in this world, the faithful devotees of Amitabha are born. Seated upon lotus blossoms they receive teaching from Amitabha himself and from the countless other buddhas inhabiting this realm.
See Amida.
