In Mahayana Buddhism, Sukhavati is the paradisical realm of Buddha Amitabha, associated with the cardinal west direction. Many Buddhist lay people hope to be reborn in Sukhavati, from which enlightenment is easy to attain. These practices focused on Sukhavati and Amitabha, called “Pure Land” traditions, are very important in Chinese Buddhism and other East Asian traditions, and also exist in Tibetan Buddhism.

Published November 10, 2022

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