#sukhavati

[yoga-onion]

Heart Sutra ~ A sutra that describes “The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom" (3) 

The merits of “Prajna-paramita Hridhya Sutra” – Part 2 [Part 1]

There is also a commentary that describes as below:

‘When Xuanzang crossed over Silk Road to India, he traveled with his shadow as his companion along the way, where there were no birds to fly, no beasts to meet and no water plants to be found. During this time, Xuanzang was chanting the ‘Heart Sutra’ with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in mind. At one point, he encountered a group of evil demons and was surrounded in front and behind. He prayed to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva for help, but this had no effect and the demons did not leave. Next, believing in the power of the Heart Sutra, he recited it, and the demons fled at once. Thanks to this, Xuanzang was spared.’

It emphasises that the efficacy of the spiritual experience lies in the scripture itself and that reciting the scripture orally is an excellent manifestation of the spiritual experience. And although Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva appears in the Heart Sutra and is the embodiment of Prajna-paramita, they too is only a character in the Heart Sutra.

This commentary also states that if the Prajna-paramita Sutra is recited, it has miraculous efficacy of detoxification, curing illness and expelling disasters, as well as annihilating the sins and karma of previous lives.

Furthermore, it says that while it is beneficial to recite and memorise the Heart Sutra alone, if this sutra is copied and given to others to explain, the merit is greater and some spiritual benefit can be gained. In the "Great Storage of Scriptures", the ‘Pure Land Rebirth Mantra’ is given at the end of the translation annotation. And it is written that if the mantra ‘Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha’ at the end of the Heart Sutra is chanted together with it, this is a spiritual experience that will lead to swift rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss (Sukhavati). In other words, you can die peacefully.

These are just a few, and most commentators state through their annotations that the spiritual experiences of the Heart Sutra are extremely manifest.

般若心経 〜「智慧の完成」の精髄を述べる経典 (3)

『般若波羅蜜多心経 (梵: ﾌﾟﾗｼﾞｭﾅｰﾊﾟｰﾗﾐﾀｰ･ﾌﾘﾀﾞﾔ･ｽｰﾄﾗ) 』の功徳 〜 その2（これまで）

“玄奘三蔵がインドに渡るとき、途中は飛ぶ鳥もなく、獣に出会うこともなく、水草もないところを���分の影を伴友にして行った。その間、三蔵は観音菩薩を念じ『般若心経』を口ずさんでいた。あるとき、悪鬼どもに遭遇し、前後を囲まれてしまった。そこで彼は観音菩薩の助けを念じたが、一向に効きめがなく、悪鬼は退散しなかった。次に『般若心経』の威力を信じ口誦すると、悪鬼どもは一目散に逃げ去った。お陰で三蔵は難を免れた。“という『般若心経』の霊験を玄奘三蔵が受けたことを記している注釈書もある。

観音菩薩は『般若心経』の中に出てくる菩薩で、般若波羅蜜多の体現者ではあるが、その菩薩も所詮、『般若心経』の登場人物にすぎなく、霊験の効能は経典そのものにあり、経典を口誦することがすぐれた霊験を表すことを強調している。

この注釈書には『般若心経』を読誦するならば、解毒、治病、除災などの霊験もあり、先世の罪業も消滅する効能が見られるとも述べている。

さらに、『般若心経』を一人だけで読誦し記憶したりすることも効験があるが、この経典を写経して、それを他の人に与え、説明するならば、その功徳は多大で何らかの霊験を受けるはずだとも述べている。

その他にも、卍続蔵経（大蔵経）には、往生浄土神呪という真言を訳註の最後に示し、その真言と一緒に『般若心経』の末尾にある「ギャーテー・ギャーテー・ハーラーギャーテー・ハーラーギャーテー・ボージー・ソワカ」という真言を唱えると、速やかに極楽浄土に往生できる霊験を得ると記されている。つまり、安らかに死ねるということだ。

これらはほんの一部に過ぎず、ほとんどの注釈者たちは『般若心経』の霊験の効き目は著しく現れることを、註釈を通して述べている。

[mahayanapilgrim]

[poligraf]

« Amitāyus Buddha In His Paradise » [Unidentified Artist]

[tellingittash]

Religious Studies Term Of The Day: Sukhavati

[stochastique-blog]

false

Amitabha and Guanyin are not only the focus of devotion for practitioners of Pure Land Buddhism; they are also exemplars for the community. Just as Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, made 48 vows aimed at alleviating the suffering and aiding the spiritual progression of all sentient beings, Pure Land Buddhists are expected to make similar vows. In fact, displaying such karuna, or compassion, is one of the primary signs that a person has gained the absolute faith necessary for rebirth in Sukhavati.

Ultimately, since this world is still very far from being a Pure Land, our own efforts are not sufficient to overcome the myriad sources of suffering. Liberation requires that one be reborn in a Pure Land such as Sukhavati, which can only occur through receiving the compassion of Amitabha, who from his infinite store of merit transfers the necessary amount to an individual. Not only a great Buddha like Amitabha, but anyone with a store of good deeds can transfer that merit to benefit others.

Whether by maintaining a vegetarian diet, freeing animals, providing disaster relief or medical care, distributing Buddhist literature, or chanting for the benefit of others, the activities of Pure Land Buddhists are geared to improve the conditions of this world so that all people can attain enlightenment. Ideally, these compassionate acts will make this world a Pure Land and obviate the need for rebirth in Sukhavati.

#avalokiteshvara #thangka #thangkapainting #thangka #thangkaart #tibetanbuddhism #chenrezig #sukhavati #pureland #ommanipadmehum #bodhisattva

#불교 #手工的 #唐卡 #唐卡画 (at Nepal) https://www.instagram.com/p/Caql_MavqcJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[doppel-tournament]

ROUND 1, Part 14

[dreamerwitches]

Magical witch designs for Hepialidae (Kushu’s doppel), Sukhavati Smriti (Kagome’s doppel) and a sewing and springtime fusion

Hepialidae was one I really didnt want to do hence why shes been put off for so long… but i think she came out cool, may need a touch up but still cool. Really like Sukhavati though, she looks horrifying and i love it

[touhoutunes]

Title: 童祭 ～ Innocent Treasures (Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures)

Arrangement: 徳南 & 九宝時

Album: 闡提宗祀 ～ Offering to The Sukhavati

Circle: Demetori

Original: Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures

[eizneckam]

these kirby attack names are getting very 2hu-y

[gethoce]

Kothar-wa-Khasis, They(plural)/He, Divine Artificer. Two beings of craftsmanship become one out of love. Love for the craft. They were one of Baal Hadad's closest friends and created his palace, just like they did many other palaces before as divine architect. They also forged the weapons Ame-no-Nuboko (Izanagi's and Izanami's spear), the swords Yagarrish and Ayyamarri which were wielded by Anat.

The work they left behind after the collapse of the Old World are what inspired Marx to pursue the creation of the Clockwork Stars and Master Wings and aided Xandos in the creation of the Master Crown. They currently reside in Sukhavati, viewing all events that unfold from a neutral perspective. Long ago they gave Pidray, Tallay and Arsay advice when it came to processing their father's crimes, which lead to Arsay seeking out revenge and Tallay siding with Baal, while Pidray remained by Izanagi's side.

[rukafais]

I'm always a sucker for a grim reaper type character and Morpho Knight is no exception tbh. I gave them a different style of armor (Indian) to match with the constant references to Sukhavati in their attack names and to further distinguish them from the other knight-type characters.

[arthistoryanimalia]

Tiny #elephant alert! 🐘

Amitabha Sutra (Discourse on the Land of Bliss), China, c.1775

The Morgan Library & Museum MS W.69

“PAINTED ON A BODHI LEAF

The Buddha achieved enlightenment beneath a tree with large, spade-shaped leaves. Revered by Buddhists, these trees became known as bodhi (or "enlightenment") trees and were propagated throughout Asia. In China, artists used bodhi leaves to create paintings for albums like this one, thereby infusing their images with sacred power. Written in gold ink against a deep blue background, this Buddhist sutra, or scripture, describes the wonders of Sukhavati, or the Land of Bliss, an uncorrupted realm inhabited by enlightened beings. One such being is depicted here accompanied by a diminutive elephant. The brightly painted bodhi leaf was pasted into a section of cutout paper and framed with yellow silk brocade.”

[mahayanapilgrim]

The Four Noble Truths

Buddha taught this at his first teaching.

1 - Life is suffering

Life is suffering and will remain so as long as one refuses to recognize its true nature.

People understood that they suffered, of course, but believed this was an unavoidable aspect of living. Buddha explained that it was not but arose from the skandhas (Sanskrit for "heaps" or "aggregates") which he identified as "the five aggregates of attachment" and further as "the five aggregates of suffering".

2- The cause of suffering is craving

The second truth is samudaya, meaning "origination", and addresses the cause of suffering

The cause of suffering is the craving for permanence in an impermanent world.

Believing one is a permanent entity, one constructs a false world of illusion which, because it is not real, cannot satisfy and leads to continual pain and disappointment. Buddha defines this craving as a passionate desire for things one cannot have.

3- The end of suffering comes with an end to craving
The third truth is nirodha meaning "cessation".
In order to stop craving, one must understand what one is actually craving and recognize that the illusion of permanence cannot satisfy one's needs. The end of suffering comes with an end to craving when one realizes that what one is craving is true reality, not illusions of reality Buddha encourages an abrupt stop to the craving behavior along the lines of abandoning a bad habit

4- There is a "middle way" in navigating life

The fourth truth is marga, meaning "the path", by which Buddha means his "middle way" in navigating life. He begins by simply stating that there is a path which leads one away from craving and suffering. The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the cessation of suffering is this: It is simply the Noble Eightfold Path, namely, right view; right thought; right speech; right action; right livelihood; right effort; right concentration; right mindfulness.

[journeytothewestresearch]

Sun Wukong's Buddhist Paradise

Some of my followers may be familiar with my past article in which I described Xuanzang's historical itinerary and discussed what a more realistic Journey to the West might be like. Towards the end, after the pilgrims return to China with the scriptures and the disciples (Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing) receive their elevation in spiritual rank, I stated: “They would thereafter leave to enjoy their divine lives in the Western Paradise.” But I’ve never really liked the idea that Monkey would forever abandon his people. This is especially true since his rebellion led to heaven decimating the monkeys and burning their cave (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 2, p. 31).

I think a better ending for this historical version would be for the “Victorious Fighting Buddha” to return to the Mountain of Flower and Fruit, where he transforms it into his own Pure Land (Jingtu, 淨土). The monkeys killed in years passed would be reborn there, and everyone would receive periodic lessons on the dharma between bouts of play. It would be a paradise even grander than when the Great Sage was at the height of his power.

Here is some information about pure lands from the Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Gomez, 2004):

I love this circa 1700 Tibetan painting of Amitabha in his pure land of Sukhavati. Just imagine the Victorious Fighting Buddha sitting in Amitabha's place, and monkeys would take the place of the monks, protectors, and devas.

Sources:

Gomez, O. L. (2004). Pure Lands. In R. E. Buswell (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Buddhism (pp. 703-706) (Vols. 2). United Kingdom: Macmillan Reference, USA.

Wu, C., & Yu, A. C. (2012). The Journey to the West (Vols. 1-4). Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press.

[talonabraxas]

Amitabha “Infinite Light” Talon Abraxas

Amitabha Buddha | Amitayus

The great savior Buddha is known as Amitabha (Sanskrit: “Infinite Light”), also known as Amitayus (“Infinite Life”), Japanese Amida, and Chinese Emituo Fo in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in the so-called Pure Land sects. According to the Sukhavati-vyuha-sutras, which serve as the foundational texts for the Pure Land sects, a monk by the name of Dharmakara took several vows, the 18th of which stated that upon his attaining Buddhahood, all who had faith in him and invoked his name would be reborn in his paradise and would live there in bliss until they attained enlightenment. Dharmakara ruled as the Buddha Amitabha in the Western Paradise, also known as Sukhavati, the Pure Land, after fulfilling his vows.

In 650 CE, Amitabha’s devotion emerged in China. From there, it went to Japan, where it resulted in the establishment of the Pure Land school and the Real Pure Land school, both of which still have significant followings today. The late Heian era raig paintings of Japan depict Amitabha’s Pure Land and Amitabha descending to welcome the recently deceased in a beautiful way (897–1185).

In Tibet and Nepal, Amitabha is revered as one of the five “self-born” buddhas (dhyani-buddhas) who have existed eternally. Amitabha was never as well-known as a savior figure there as he was in East Asia. In accordance with this theory, he appeared as both the bodhisattva (“buddha-to-be”) Avalokiteshvara and the historical Buddha Gotama. His color is red, his posture is one of meditation (dhyana-mudra), his symbol is a begging bowl, his mount is a peacock, his consort is Pandara, his family is Raga, his element is water, his sacred sound is “ba” or “ah,” his skandha (element of existence) is taste, his sense organ is the tongue, and his place in the body is the mouth.

Amitabha is referred to as Amitayus, or “Infinite Life,” since he bestows a long life. While the two names are frequently used interchangeably in China and Japan, the two forms are never confused in Tibet, where Amitayus is revered in a specific rite in order to live a long life. He is shown holding the ambrosia vase from which the jewels of eternal life spill while sporting ornaments, a crown, and other accessories.

Amitabha Buddha, also known as Amitayus or Amituofo, is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism. He is considered one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, along with Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amoghasiddhi, and Vairochana. Amitabha is revered as the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life. He is believed to have created the Pure Land, a realm of perfect bliss and enlightenment, where beings can be reborn through the power of his grace and merit. This

Pure Land is known as Sukhavati or Dewachen.

The Pure Land tradition of Buddhism is particularly popular in China, Japan, and Korea, where it is known as Jodo, Jodo Shinshu, and Cheontae, respectively. Followers of the Pure Land tradition believe that by chanting Amitabha’s name, they can generate the necessary merit to be reborn in his Pure Land and attain enlightenment.

The name Amitabha means “Infinite Light,” and his image is often depicted with a halo of radiant light surrounding his head. He is also commonly depicted holding a vase, representing the nectar of immortality, and a lotus flower, symbolizing the purity of the Buddha’s teachings. Amitabha’s importance in Mahayana Buddhism is reflected in the fact that he is the focus of numerous sutras and texts, including the Amitabha Sutra and the Infinite Life Sutra. These texts describe the Pure Land in detail, including its geography, inhabitants, and the benefits of being reborn there.

In addition to his role as the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life, Amitabha is also regarded as a bodhisattva, a being who has chosen to postpone their own enlightenment in order to help others attain liberation from suffering. As such, he is often depicted surrounded by other bodhisattvas, including Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, and Mahasthamaprapta, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Overall, Amitabha Buddha is an important figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in the Pure Land tradition. His teachings and his Pure Land offer a path to liberation and enlightenment for those who seek it.

Amitabha mantra

(Om Amideva Hrih)

[kkdas]

Amitabha Buddha, The Buddha of Eternal Life

Amitabha (meaning - Infinite Light), also known as Amitayus (meaning - Infinite Life), the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati) hence is called "The Buddha of Eternal Light and Life".