Salvation Within Buddhism

Once, the Buddha was asked if he was a god. The Buddha simply replied, "No." Then was he an angel, a spirit, or other celestial being? No. The Buddha stated, "I am awake." Since the Buddha acclaimed himself not to be a god he isn't worshipped in Buddhism. We show our respect and thankfulness to the awakened one for teaching us how to live a peaceful life, free ourselves from samara, and become enlightened.

One method we may become enlightened is by Amitabha. Buddha Sakyamuni taught numerous sutras. A few were dedicated to a Buddha named Amitabha, which translates as "the Buddha of infinite life and light." The sect of Buddhism that is dedicated to the sutras about Amida, Amitabha in Japanese, is called Pure Land Buddhism.

The Pure Land sutras were taught spontaneously by Sakyamuni, so this is why the Pure Land teaching is regarded as special. He knew that in our time, 2,500 years later from his, that we would need extra help in attaining enlightenment. This extra help would be offered by Amida in his 48 vows.

It's said in Mahayana Buddhism that we currently live in the time of Dharma decline. This cycle of the destruction of Buddhism is inevitable as everything is subject to birth and death. Living in the time of Dharma decline means we are deep rooted in ignorance and need help to become enlightened. Since there is no living Buddha to help us we must rely on Amida.

Amida was once a king, Dharmakara, who witnessed the suffering of sentient beings. He was so moved by their suffering that he spent 5 eons studying Buddhism and its many lands. After many years of study Dharmakara made 48 vows. Declaring that he would not attain Buddhahood until all 48 vows were completed. Sakyamuni has stated that Dharmakara Bodhisattva has already become Amitabha Buddha, so his vows are true.

We must rely on "other power" for our salvation from samsara. The reason Amida has the ability to save us is because of his 18th, 19th, and 20th vows.

Vow 18:

Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of the ten quarters who after having heard my name, and thus awakened their highest faith and aspiration of re-birth in that country of mine, even they have recollected such a thought for ten times only, they are destined to be born there, with the exception of those who have committed the five deadly sins (Anantarya), and who have blasphemed the orthodox Law (Dharma), otherwise may I not attain the enlightenment.

Vow 19:

Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of ten quarters who have directed their thoughts towards the Bodhi and cultivated their stock of various merits with a fervent craving for re-birth in that country of mine, if at the moment of death, should I not appear with an assembly of retinue before them, then may I not attain the enlightenment.

Vow 20:

Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of ten quarters, after having heard my name always longing for that country of mine and cultivating various essential merits for the purpose of realizing their earnest wish to be born in my country, should their fulfillment be failed, then may I not attain the enlightenment.

The other vows of Amitabha describe his Pure Land called Sukavati. One is born into the Pure Land inside a lotus. There is no suffering in that land, and it's said to be the perfect environment to study Buddhism and become enlightened. It could be compared to the Christian equivalent of Heaven. Only once you are born into the Pure Land you are allowed to travel to other various lands.

The Pure Land method is said to be the easiest because all you need to do to be born in that land is rely on Amida. As in the 18th, 19th, and 20th vow states calling on him or thinking of him is all that is needed. Many Buddhists, particularly Pure Land Buddhists, say Amida's mantra "Namo Amitabha Buddha" which is a form of showing respect. The mantra means "to take refuge in" " or "thank you" toward Amida Buddha.

Some say the mantra regularly and others chant it spontaneously. The Chinese tradition of Pure Land Buddhism prefers to chant the mantra a set amount like a form of meditation. The Japanese version of the Pure Land tradition prefers to say the Nembutsu, mantra's name in Japanese, spontaneously as a form of gratitude. The practice is up to the individual. Amida has already save all sentient beings, so whether you call his name once or one million times is up to you.

Although, Amida has already saved us that doesn't mean we should act unethical. A popular saying is, "Just because there is an antidote doesn't mean you should drink the poison." We should strive toward becoming a better person, while realizing that ultimately we are "embraced, never to be forsaken."