Amitabha

Amitabha is a central buddha in Mahayana Buddhism. Practioners revere him as the Buddha of Limitless Light and the presiding buddha of Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land. Practitioners also know him as Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Amitabha is especially important in Pure Land traditions, where devotion to him leads to rebirth in his pure land and to the attainment of awakening. According to Mahayana scripture, Amitabha began as a bodhisattva named Dharmakara. He vowed to welcome anyone who called on him in sincere faith. This origin story locates Pure Land devotion in a conscious choice: He made liberation accessible to all. Many buddhas emphasize meditative attainment, but Amitabha meets beings where they are, within their limits, instead of requiring flawless practice. Pure Land teachings hold that Amitabha freely transfers his accumulated merit from countless aeons to those who trust him.