Amitabha

The Origin of Amitabha and the Pursuit of the Ultimate Bliss

Long ago, in an era beyond time, there existed a king named Dharmakara in a land known as Wonderful Joy. His lineage was distinguished, with his father being the Wheel-Turning King Moon-Like and his mother the Exceptionally Beautiful One. During this era, a revered Buddha, Lokesvararaja, the 53rd Buddha after Dipankara, appeared in the world.

Upon encountering the teachings of Lokesvararaja Buddha, King Dharmakara was deeply moved. His heart swelled with joy, and his mind opened to new possibilities. The Buddha’s teachings awakened Dharmakara to the highest aspiration for enlightenment—the Bodhi mind. Deeply inspired, he renounced his royal title and became a monk, adopting the name Dharmakara Bhikshu. His newfound goal was to alleviate the suffering of all beings, and he made a series of profound vows to realize this ambition.

Dharmakara’s Desire to Relieve Suffering

From the beginning of his spiritual journey, Dharmakara felt a deep yearning to help all sentient beings transcend suffering. His aim was to guide them out of the “sea of misery” and into a state of peace and joy. This desire to alleviate suffering led him to ponder deeply on how he could best fulfill his noble vow.

Dharmakara realized that to achieve his goal, he must first create a world of supreme bliss, a Pure Land where beings could be reborn and guided to enlightenment. He also needed a simple yet profound practice that would make it easy for all beings to enter his Pure Land.

Seeking Guidance from Lokesvararaja Buddha

Dharmakara, still uncertain about how best to proceed, turned to the Buddha Lokesvararaja for guidance. He respectfully approached the Buddha, joined his palms in reverence, and humbly requested instruction. “I have awakened to the supreme Bodhi mind,” he said. “Please, World-Honored One, explain to me the pure lands of all Buddhas across the ten directions and the practices by which beings can attain rebirth in them.”

Moved by Dharmakara’s wisdom and noble aspirations, the Buddha graciously explained the practices and characteristics of 2.1 billion Buddha lands. Through the Buddha’s power and Dharmakara’s sincerity, all these lands were revealed before him. Dharmakara carefully studied these lands, weighing their merits and selecting the finest aspects.

The Selection of the Western Pure Land

After a thorough examination, Dharmakara concluded that the Western Pure Land was the most exceptional and appealing of all the realms. This land, he determined, would be the one to carry out his great vow. Moreover, he realized that the simplest practice to help beings achieve rebirth in this Pure Land was to recite the name of the Buddha—Amitabha, also known as Amituofo.

Thus, Dharmakara made a vow to establish a land of bliss where beings could easily be reborn by practicing this simple yet powerful recitation. This practice would become the cornerstone of his Pure Land, a realm of peace and joy that anyone could enter with sincere devotion.

Dharmakara’s Vows to Create the Pure Land

With great clarity and determination, Dharmakara made 48 vows in front of the Buddha, outlining the features of the Pure Land he wished to create. Each vow was designed to perfect and adorn the land, ensuring that it would be a place where all beings could attain happiness and liberation. He understood that only if his Pure Land was truly extraordinary could it attract beings and allow them to practice effectively.

Dharmakara’s vows were not mere words. They represented a tremendous commitment to a cause that would span countless eons. He was resolved to create a realm so magnificent that it would become the ultimate destination for all beings seeking to end their suffering.

The Creation of the Land of Ultimate Bliss

Dharmakara’s journey was not an easy one. To establish the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he needed to accumulate immense spiritual power and cultivate countless virtues. He embarked on this monumental task with unwavering dedication, practicing diligently over countless lifetimes.

Throughout his countless rebirths, Dharmakara practiced various forms of austerity, offering gifts to all Buddhas and cultivating good deeds without ever wavering. He was born into many different forms—sometimes as a king, sometimes as a wealthy merchant, a monk, or even a heavenly being. In each life, he continued his spiritual practice, cultivating virtues that would allow him to fulfill his great vows.

The Prophecy of Buddha Ratnagarbha

In a past era, during the Bhadrakalpa in a world called Santi-rana, Dharmakara was a wheel-turning king. At that time, the Buddha Ratnagarbha prophesied that Dharmakara would one day become a Buddha named Amitayus (Infinite Life) and would establish a Pure Land known as Sukhavati, or the Land of Bliss. This prophecy further solidified Dharmakara’s determination to fulfill his vow.

The Inconceivable Merits of Amitabha

It’s essential to recognize that Dharmakara’s achievements were not the result of short-term efforts. It took him countless eons of diligent practice to accumulate the merits that would allow him to create such an extraordinary Pure Land. These efforts were not made over one or two lifetimes, but over an immense span of time, during which he endured hardships and cultivated countless virtuous deeds.

Today, Amitabha Buddha, as Dharmakara is now known, resides in his Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. For ten eons, he has been teaching and guiding beings to liberation, helping them escape the cycle of birth and death.

Why Seek Rebirth in the Pure Land?

As practitioners of Buddhism, we are encouraged to reflect on the teachings of Amitabha and to make the decision to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. By doing so, we align ourselves with the highest spiritual goals and can escape the cycle of suffering. Why remain trapped in the illusions of birth and death when there is a path that leads directly to liberation and eternal peace?

Amitabha’s Pure Land, Sukhavati, is the ultimate destination for all beings seeking liberation. It is a realm free of suffering, where the practice of Buddha-name recitation, Amitabha’s name, becomes the gateway to enlightenment.

Conclusion: Embracing the Teachings of Amitabha

The story of Dharmakara’s transformation into Amitabha Buddha is a testament to the power of vows, determination, and pure intention. By dedicating his countless lifetimes to creating a Pure Land for all beings, Amitabha has offered a path that is accessible to everyone. Through the simple recitation of his name, anyone can be reborn in his Western Pure Land and attain the highest form of liberation.

Now, it is up to us to heed Amitabha’s call. The opportunity to seek rebirth in the Pure Land is available to all who sincerely wish for it. Let us take this precious opportunity, awaken our aspirations, and embark on the path to ultimate bliss.