AMIDA BUDDHA

Amida is the Japanese word which refers to Amitabha (Infinite Light) and Amitayus (Immeasurable Life). Amida is the Buddha whose essence is dharma-body as compassionate means, characterized by form. The formless dharma-body, to awaken us to itself, manifested a form and announced a name, appearing as Dharmakara Bodhisattva according to the Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra. This bodhisattva established and fulfilled 48 Vows outlined in the same sutra to become Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life (Vow #13) and Infinite Light (Vow #12). A special characteristic unique to Amida is the Vow (Vow #18) to save foolish and evil beings. While other Buddhas help people who accumulate meritorious deeds, practice meditative activities, and perfect wisdom, Amida Buddha liberates the being of blind foolishness and karmic evil through the (Buddha's) Name of "Namu-Amida-Butsu." That is, through the virtue of Amida, who is light that is wisdom-compassion, persons of the nembutsu realize themselves to be very human and at the same time realize that Amida's immense compassion is being directed solely to them, illuminating, embracing, nurturing and eventually transforming them into the Ultimate (of Nirvana, Buddhahood, Enlightenment). Another characteristic worth mentioning is that in contrast to other Buddhist Traditions which emphasize self-power, the Shin Buddhist Tradition which reveres Shinran (1173-1262) as its sectarian founder emphasizes the "Other Power" of the Buddha Amida. In the wide range of Buddhism which recognizes individual differences and capabilities, the Shin Tradition is found at one end of the spectrum of various available paths leading to Supreme Enlightenment (which I might add is, at present, little known in the Western World). Sakyamuni, the Historic Buddha born in India, is regarded as one of the countless Buddhas in the Universe who appear to lead and share the Nembutsu Teaching of Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Infinite Light.