The Sanskrit word Amitabha means "infinite light" or "immeasurable light." It is made up of the words amita meaning "infinite" and ābhā meaning "light.
In Buddhism, Amitabha is a Bodhisattva who rules over a pure land in the west of the universe. He is also known as Amida Buddha in Japanese. The Chinese pronunciation for Amitabha is "阿弥陀佛"
Amitabha is often depicted seated, wearing a monk's robe, with his hair in hundreds of curls and a cranial bulge at the top.The name Amitayus is also used for the Sambhogakaya aspect of Amitabha, which is associated with longevity. In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitayus is one of the three deities of long life.
Amitabha is associated with the Diamond Realm (vajradhatu), whereas Amitayus is associated with the Womb Realm (garbhakosadhatu).
What does Om Ah Hum Hrih mean?Therefore, by reciting “Om Ah Hum," you receive the blessings of all Buddhas. “Hrih” is the core seed syllable of the Three Root magnetizing deities of the Lotus Family and represents the natural radiance of the wisdom of discernment.
Om Ami Deva Hrih” is the heart mantra of Amitabha Buddha, a Sutra mantra taught by Buddha.
The mantra “Om Ami Deva Hrih” is said to have many benefits, including:Liberation from deluded thoughts
The mantra is said to help free the practitioner from thoughts and beliefs that are not serving them.
Protection
The mantra is said to provide protection from evil spirits, heavenly gods, and 25 great Bodhisattvas. It is also said to protect the practitioner from accidents, fire, floods, and weapons.
Rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land
The mantra is said to help the practitioner be reborn in Amitabha's Pure Land, ending the cycle of birth and death.
Clarity of goals
The mantra is said to help the practitioner clear mental clutter and gain clarity on their life goals.
Purification of the six worlds
The mantra is said to purify the six worlds: the deva realm, asura realm, human, animal, hungry ghost, and hell realms.
Empowerment of the six perfections
The mantra is said to empower the six perfections, which are the perfection of generosity, the perfection of ethics, the perfection of patience, the perfection of joyful effort, the perfection of concentration, and the perfection of Wisdom.
Vajrayana BuddhismAmitabha is also known in Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, India, and other regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced.
In the Highest Yogatantra of Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha is considered one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, also known as the Five Tathagatas together with Akshobhya, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, and Vairocana.
Amitabha is associated with the western direction and the skandha of saṃjna, the aggregate of perception, or distinguishing, and the deep awareness of individuality.In Tibetan Buddhism, there exist a number of famous prayers for taking rebirth in Sukhāvatī (Dewachen).
One of these was written by Je Tsongkhapa on the request of Manjushri. Amitabha is primarily invoked in Tibet during the phowa practices, or invoked as Amitayus—especially in practices relating to longevity and preventing an untimely death.
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