Amitabha

Amitābha Buddha, called Amitābha in Sanskrit, means "Infinite Light." He is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in Pure Land traditions. In East Asian Buddhism he is known as Amida Buddha, and in Chinese as Amituofo, in Japanese as Amida.

Amitābha is said to have attained awakening in the distant past and, through a series of vows, established a pure land, called Sukhāvatī or the Western Pure Land, as a realm conducive to enlightenment. The Pure Land sutras describe Sukhāvatī as a magnificent realm where beings can easily progress toward Buddhahood. The most influential statements of his vows are collected in Pure Land texts, where his commitment to assist beings who entrust themselves to him and recite his name is central.

The principal practice associated with Amitābha is the recitation of his name, known as the nianfo in Chinese or the nembutsu in Japanese. Practitioners believe that sincere faith and repetition of "Namo Amituofo" or "Namu Amida Butsu" can lead to rebirth in Sukhāvatī at death, from which progression to enlightenment is straightforward.

Iconography commonly portrays Amitābha seated on a lotus or in a tranquil meditative pose, often with two attendants, bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) and Mahāsthāmaprāpta. In East Asia he is a dominant figure in temple halls, monasteries, and art used in Pure Land practices.

Amitābha has had wide influence across Asia, shaping devotional life, liturgy, and temple architecture. His name is invoked in liturgical rites, pilgrimages, and daily prayers across Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese Pure Land communities.