Page 58 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

mitabha uddha’s estive ay

e birthday of Amitabha Buddha is celebrated by his devotees

on the 17th day of the 11th lunar month. On this day many Pure

Land Buddhists spend the entire day in ‘nien-fwo’, sutra-reading,

and contemplating on the vows of Amitabha Buddha. In the

absence of temples dedicated to him most people will make their

ways to Kuan Yin Temples to offer prayers and donations, some

will set free animals and birds while others visit orphanages or

old folks homes. On this day too many will observe the precepts

and refrain from eating meat.

e picture of Pure Land (Sukhavati) gives one an impression of

the grandeur of the paradise where one is able to enjoy the sights

of Amitabha and his two principal assistants, Ta-Shih-Chi P’usa

and Kuan Shih Yin P’usa, known to all as the “ree Sages”

(San-Sheng). Surrounding them are other heavenly beings

each of whom stands upon a lotus flower. In front of Amitabha

Buddha are seen numerous lotus flowers which are awaiting be-

ings to be reborn from them as there are no womb born creatures

in the Pure Land. e full description on this paradise can be

read from existing scriptures such as the Amitabha Sutra which

is easily available to those who sincerely seek for them. As one

practises his daily ‘nien-fwo’ this picture could be placed before

him as an aid to visualisation or to keep the mind concentrated

instead of being distracted by nearby surrounding objects.

Many people find it difficult to find notes on Ta-Shih-Chi P’usa

(Mahasthamaprata Bodhisattva) although she is one of the two

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