Vows of Amida (Buddha Amitābha)

The content of many Buddhist vows connected with following the path of a Bodhisattva. If any of them were made in a previous incarnation, it is worthwhile to verify them now. Taken from a website on Japanese Mahayana Buddhism. Link

The Vows of Buddha Amida

1. (108)

As already explained, people always indulge in earthly desires, constantly commit new sins, and carry the burden of unforgivable deeds. Their own wisdom and will are not enough to free themselves from craving and habitual self-indulgence. If they are unable to overcome and abandon earthly desires, how can they expect their true nature to be realized and attain Buddhahood?

The Buddha, who fully understood human nature, is deeply compassionate toward people and vowed to do everything possible—even at the cost of unimaginable effort—to free them from fear and suffering. To accomplish this, in immeasurable past ages he assumed the form of a Bodhisattva and made the following vows:

(a) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until I ensure that everyone in my land attains Enlightenment and becomes a Buddha.”

(b) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until my benevolent light embraces the entire world.”

(c) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until my life endures for ages and saves countless beings.”

(d) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until all Buddhas in the ten directions unanimously praise my name.”

(e) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until all people who sincerely aspire to be reborn in my land, repeating my name ten times with trust, are born there.”

(f) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until people from all directions resolve to attain Enlightenment, cultivate virtues, and sincerely wish to be born in my land; I will appear to them at the moment of death, surrounded by great Bodhisattvas, welcoming them into my land.”

(g) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until people everywhere, upon hearing my name, think of my land, desire rebirth there, and plant seeds of virtue to achieve their heart’s wishes.”

(h) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until all who are born in my Pure Land attain Buddhahood and can guide others to Enlightenment, showing great compassion.”

(i) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until the influence of my compassionate liberation purifies the minds and bodies of people throughout the world and elevates them beyond worldly concerns.”

(j) “Even if I become a Buddha, I will not fully realize Buddhahood until all who hear my name gain a proper understanding of life and death and attain perfect wisdom, enabling them to remain pure and calm amidst the greed and suffering of this world.”

Thus he vowed:
“May I not attain full Buddhahood until I fulfill these promises. May I become a source of infinite Light, spreading the treasures of my wisdom and virtue, illuminating all lands and liberating all suffering beings.”

2.

After accumulating immeasurable virtues over countless eons, the Buddha became Amida—the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life—and created the Pure Land, where he now abides in peace, enlightening all beings.

This Pure Land, free from suffering, is supremely peaceful and joyful. Its inhabitants possess clothing, food, and beautiful objects exactly as they wish. When a gentle breeze moves through jewel-laden trees, the music of sacred teachings fills the air, purifying the minds of all who hear it.

Countless fragrant lotuses bloom there, each composed of many magnificent petals radiating indescribable beauty. Their light illuminates the path to Wisdom, and the music of the teachings leads to perfect peace.

3. (109)

All Buddhas of the ten directions now praise the virtues of the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life.

Whoever hears the Name of this Buddha and entrusts themselves to him with faith unites their mind with the Buddha’s mind and will be reborn in the Pure Land.

Those reborn there share in the Buddha’s boundless life, their hearts filled with compassion for all suffering beings, and they begin to proclaim the Buddha’s path of liberation.

In accordance with these vows, they abandon all that binds them to the earthly world and realize its impermanence. They dedicate their good deeds to the liberation of all beings and unite their lives with all people, sharing their illusions and suffering—yet remaining free from worldly attachments.

They understand both the hardships of earthly life and the infinite possibilities of the Buddha’s compassion. Though free to depart or remain, they choose to stay among those whom the Buddha embraces with compassion.

Thus, whoever hears the Name of Amida Buddha and repeats it with faith will experience his compassion. Therefore, all people should listen to the Buddha’s teaching and follow it, even if it seems to lead through the flames of this world of life and death.

Those who truly seek Enlightenment must rely on the power of this Buddha. An ordinary person cannot realize their true Buddha-nature without the help of Amida.

4. (110)

Amida Buddha is not far from anyone. His Pure Land is described as distant and in the West, yet it also exists in the minds of those who sincerely long to be born there.

When some imagine Amida in radiant golden form, that image multiplies into eighty-four thousand forms, each emitting countless rays of light that illuminate the world, leaving no darkness for those who recite his name.

Seeing the Buddha allows one to imagine the Buddha’s mind—a mind full of great compassion that embraces all, even those unaware of it, and especially those who remember it faithfully.

To those who believe, he grants union with himself. Because the Buddha embodies universal equality, he enters the mind of anyone who thinks of him.

Thus, when a person thinks of the Buddha, their mind becomes like the Buddha’s—pure, joyful, and serene. It can be said that their mind is the Buddha’s mind.

5.

The Buddha can take many forms and manifestations, appearing according to people’s capacities.

He may appear vast enough to fill the sky and reach beyond the stars, or as subtle particles, energy, mind, or a person.

In whatever form, he appears to those who call his name with faith. Amida appears with two Bodhisattvas: Avalokiteśvara (Compassion) and Mahāsthāmaprāpta (Wisdom).

His manifestations fill the world, visible only to those who believe they can see him.

Those who perceive these manifestations attain lasting joy; those who perceive the true Buddha gain immeasurable peace.

6.

Because Amida’s mind—full of infinite love and wisdom—is pure compassion, he can save all beings.

Even the most wicked—those who have committed terrible crimes, filled with greed, anger, deceit, and violence—are destined to suffer for ages.

Yet at the final moment of life, a good friend may appear and say:
“You are facing death. You cannot erase your deeds, but you can take refuge in the compassion of the Buddha of Infinite Light by calling his name.”

If such a person sincerely calls Amida’s name with deep faith, all their sins will be removed.

If even the simple repetition of the name can achieve this, how much more powerful is mindful concentration on the Buddha!

At the moment of death, Amida appears with Bodhisattvas of Compassion and Wisdom, leading such beings to the Pure Land, where they are reborn in pure white lotuses.

Thus, one should remember:
“Namu Amida Butsu” — Trust wholeheartedly in the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life.

The Pure Land of Amida

1. (111)

The Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life lives eternally, radiating truth. His Pure Land is free of suffering and darkness, and every moment is filled with joy—hence it is called the Land of Bliss.

At its center lies a lake of pure, cool, shimmering water, whose waves gently wash golden sands. Great lotus flowers grow there in many colors—blue, yellow, red, white—filling the air with fragrance.

Magnificent pavilions adorned with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal stand nearby, with marble stairs descending into the water. Bridges and gardens of fragrant trees surround them.

The land shines with beauty, filled with heavenly music. Six times a day, delicate flower petals fall from the sky, gathered and offered to countless Buddhas in other realms.

2.

Many birds live there—cranes, swans, peacocks, and others with beautiful voices. They proclaim the Buddha’s teachings.

Those who hear them are filled with faith, joy, and peace.

A gentle breeze carries music through the land, reminding all of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

3.

Amida is called the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life because his truth shines everywhere and his compassion never fades.

Countless beings are reborn in his Pure Land, attain Enlightenment, and never return to the world of illusion.

Thus, people should focus on his Name. At life’s end, even one day or a week of sincere repetition leads to rebirth in the Pure Land, guided by Amida and holy beings.

Whoever hears his Name and develops faith can attain perfect Enlightenment.

Opublikowano: 12/04/2026
Autor: Sławomir Majda
Kateogrie: ACOA, unconsciousness, drug addiction, alcoholism, despotism and tyranny, Buddhism – how to free yourself from it?, Mental health, Mental illness, Suffering of Body and Soul - Transfigurers of Suffering. Liberating Prayers.

Komentarze