Amida is not a Creator God

[Dharmavidya]

I have been asked by a correspondent, so I will answer here.

Amida is a Buddha, not a god. In theistic religions, god is said to create the universe and pass judgement on the beings in it (that the god created). In Buddhism the universe has always been in existence and goes through cycles of growth and decay and the beings within it evolve both physically and spiritually. Within the universe are many worlds. Buddhas exercise influence in these worlds. Where the influence of a Buddha prevails and the land becomes ordered in accordance with the Dharma we call this a Buddha Land. The Buddha Land of Amida is called Sukhavati. Pureland bodhisattvas hope to be reborn in Sukhavati from time to time. There are other worlds where Dharma does not prevail. This world is one. Nonetheless, in some of the Dharma-less worlds a Buddha has appeared, whereas in some others there has been no Buddha. In this world a Buddha called Shakyamuni appeared. He had many disciples and they continue his work. Sometimes bodhisattvas from Sukhavati or other Buddha Lands are born into this world and help the work of Shakyamuni which aims ultimately to turn this world into a new Buddha Land. Namo Amida Bu.

[Robert McCarthy]

Here we live and work and we hope our work is helping create a Pureland. and we have quite some work to do here and it is a beautiful planet.  Namo Amida Bu

[richard meyers]

Just had a reread and a rethink..

The word 'prevail' I was perhaps interpreting in a way different from the one meant?  Also the word 'Dharma', similarly I am probably misreading..?  If what is meant is that the teaching of the Buddha has yet to come to complete fruition, then - other than in the fullness of time, as in Amida's Vow - this certainly has yet to happen.

I suppose the interpretation I was putting on Dharma, was something like Truth and Beauty.   'Prevail' -  I guess meant something akin to Be-ing, existing here.  I suppose I tend to baulk at anything that seems to stand outside this earthly phenomenological world in all its variety and inherent adaptability. 

On the other hand.. I'm all too aware of how little grasp I have of the subtleties of Dharma and could be talking totally at odds with what is meant.   Namo Amida Bu.

[richard meyers]

Thank you for this. With respect, I struggle with the teaching that this world is a place where Dharma does not prevail.  My own way of comprehending the Pure Land has always been that we are already here.  That this world in all its pristine nature is sullied only by the greed hatred and delusion of us humans. For me a world that produces orchids and pandas, snow leopards, the great whales, JS Bach and Sakyamuni Buddha, cannot be other than a pure land.  This is said not as the putting forth of an argument, rather a looking for clarifification on my part. Namo Amida Bu. 

[Dharmavidya]

Thank you Susthama. I guess that it is natural that people who are realistic about themselves should look for spiritual help and so will have a relationship with their guardian angel whatever form that angel takes.

[Susthama]

Thank you - though isn't it interesting that even though Amida isn't a creator God, the relationship that people have with Amida can be similar to the relationship that people have with a creator God and the quality of faith is also very similar. I was struck by the common qualities between myself and some of the people that I met along the Interfaith pilgrimage this past weekend. 

[Shantikara]

Namo Amida Bu!

[Sahishnu Joy Marston]

Thank you for this answer, short,concise and deceptively simple This is what I teach  and I would hate to have got your teachings wrong. Namo Amida Bu