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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