Amitabha With Retinue

The Pureland of Great Bliss, or Dewachen (Skt: Sukhavati) was established through the power of the great compassion of Buddha Amitabha.

Many aeons ago, when he was the monk, Dharmakara, he aspired to create a pureland that is easy to reach. Those who hear the name Amitabha, make aspiration prayers and who wish to help others are said to be able to take rebirth there. They will encounter the perfect circumstances to achieve enlightenment. It is said the entire realm is infused with the luminosity of the enlightened body of Buddha Amitabha—and even the birds sing songs of the Dharma.

Buddha Amitabha is depicted seated in the center of Dewachen–where the name of suffering does not even exist for those who reside there. The other two great Lords of Dewachen, Chenrezig and Vajrapani, are shown at the base of his throne.

[BACK TO ALL THANGKAS]