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GAUTAMA BUDDHA:Gautama
Buddha was born in 563 b.c. in northeast India. The Buddha was the son of the
King of the Sakyas. Suddhodana, who ruled at Kapilavastu, on the border of
Nepal. His mother was Queen Maya. He was named Siddhartha.
He lived amidst the pleasures of palace life and at age 16 he was married to
Princess Yasodhara. They had a son named Rahula. After seeing a decrepid old
man, an invalid, and an ascetic beggar, he learned of suffering and decided to
embrace asceticism.
Soon afterwards, at age 29, Siddhartha left the palace and his family and went
to a hermitage where he became the monk Gautama, or, as he is still called,
Sakyamuni (The ascetic of the Sakyas).
One day, meditating under a sacred figtree, he attained perfect illumination
(Bodhi). He had become a Buddha. From there on he traveled and preached for 44
years what was to become one of the main religions of the world. He died at
Kusinagara at age 80.
Amitabha
Buddha “The Buddha of Infinite Light” is
a Buddha who resides in the Pure Land of the Western Heaven where all beings
enjoy unbounded happiness. Amitabha Buddha is the most popular Buddha in Japan
(known there as Amida) and China (known there as Amitofu).
It’s said that those who recite his name, particularly at the time of dying,
will be reborn in the Pure Land. According to Mahayana Buddhist Sutras he was a
king in a remote period of time. Renouncing his kingdom, he became a monk and
was named Dharmakara (Treasury of Dharma).
After observing the misery of all sentient beings, and moved by compassion, he
made 48 vows in which he promised not to attain enlightment until he established
this Pure Land where all could be liberated from their sufferings. He practised
for many eons until he accomplished all his vows.
Amitabha is a Sanscrit word, literally meaning boundless light and boundless
life. He is one of the five Dhyani Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism. Together with
his two chief companions, Avalokiteshwara and Mahasthampraptta, they are known
as the Western Trinity. Here the mini Buddha is represented in meditation
posture with the hands together in Samadhi mudra. He usually faces the west.
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