Amitayus

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Amitayus is considered the samboghakaya form of Amitabha.  In Tibetan, he is called  Tse-pameh. The scripture describing him is The Shorter [or, Lesser] Sukhavati Text (Skt. Sukhavati-viyuha) and in it we are given the key to understanding the true nature of deities in Buddhism.

Tse.pag.med (pron. Tse-pa-meh or cheh-pah-meh) is depicted holding a flask of amrita, the nectar of immortality which confers longevity.  Often an ashok [anti-suffering] tree grows from the vase looking something like a heap of raspberries or a cluster of grapes.

Short Practice,  prayer for a person's continued life

Hri Du Sum Sang Gye Kun Gyi Ngo Wo Nyi
(Hri essence of the buddhas of the three times)

Dro Nam Ma Lu Drol Way Dep Pon Chok
Sublime guide who frees all beings

Or Gen Pema Rig Dzin Tse Pak Me
Orgyen Pema Rigdzin Tse.pa.me

Dak Gi Lu Ngak Yid Sum Jin Lob La
Bless my body speech and mind

Chi Me Tse Yi Ngo Drup Tsal Du Sol
Bestow the power of immortal life

OM,  GURU AYU SIDDHI, HUNG, HRI.
AMARANI  JIVANTAYE, SWAHA    (100 x)

Ge Wa Di Yi Nyur Du Dag
By this virtuous practice

Tse Pag Me Gon Drub Jur Ne
May I quickly attain the realisation of Amitayus

Dro Wa Chio Chang Ma Lu Pa
Accomplishing this, may I liberate all
Sentient beings without exception

De Yi Sa Lo Go Par Shog
Into that same realisation.

Scriptural Basis

Thus have I heard: 

Once the Buddha was dwelling in the Anathapindada Garden of Jetavana in the country of Shravasti together with a large company of Bhikshus of twelve hundred and fifty members. They were all great Arhats ...  all great Shravakas [hearers or disciples]; and with many Bodhisattva - mahasattvas ... all great Bodhisattvas; and also with a large company of innumerable devas: Shakra-Indra, etc.  

Then the Bhagavat addressed the honoured Shariputra and said, "O Shariputra, after you have passed from here over a hundred thousand kotis of Buddha countries there is in the Western part a Buddha  country, a world called Sukhatvati (the happy country). And there a Tathagata, called Amitayus, an Arhat, fully enlightened, dwells now, and remains, and supports himself, and teaches the Dharma.

"Now what do you think, Shariputra, for what reason is that world called Sukhavati (the happy)? In that world of Sukhavati, O Shariputra, there is neither bodily nor mental pain for living beings. The sources of happiness are innumerable there. For that reason is that world called Sukhavati (the happy).

"And again, O Shariputra, that world Sukhavati is adorned with seven terraces, with seven rows of palm-trees, and with strings of bells.  It is enclosed on every side, beautiful, brilliant with the four gems, viz. gold, silver, beryl and crystal. With such arrays of excellences peculiar to a Buddha country is that Buddha country adorned."

"And again, O Shariputra, when those rows of palm trees and strings of bells in that Buddha country are moved by the wind, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds from them. Yes, O Shariputra, as from a heavenly musical instrument consisting of a hundred thousand kotis of sounds, when played by Aryas, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds,  a sweet and captivating sound proceeds from those rows of palm-trees and strings of bells moved by the wind. And when the men hear the sound, reflection on the Buddha arises in them, reflection on the Dharma arises in them, reflection on the Sangha arises in them."

"And what do you think, O Shariputra, for what reason is that Tathagata called Amitayus? The length of life (=ayus), O Shariputra, of that Tathagata and of those men there is immeasurable (amita).  Therefore is that Tathagata called Amitayus. And ten kalpas have passed, O Shariputra, since that Tathagata awoke to perfect knowledge."

"Then again all beings, O Shariputra, ought to make fervent prayers for that Buddha country. And why? Because they come together there with such excellent men. Beings are not born in that Buddha country of the Tathagata Amitayus as a reward and result of good works performed in this present life. No, whatever son or daughter of a family shall hear the name of the blessed Amitayus, the Tathagata, and having heard it, shall keep it in mind, and with thoughts undisturbed shall keep it in mind for one, two, three, four, five, six or seven nights -- when that son or daughter of a family comes to die, then that Amitayus, the Tathagata, surrounded by an assembly of disciples and followed by a host of Bodhisattvas, will stand before them at their hour of death, and they will depart this life with tranquil minds. After their death they will be born in the world Sukhavati, in the Buddha country of the same Amitayus, the Tathagata."

~ Sukhavati-Vyuha (Max Muller trans.) 

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