Amitabha – The Buddha of Infinite Light
Opame Amitabha Buddha: According to the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, the magnificence of Amitabha surpasses that of all other great beings, thus he is known as the Buddha of all the Buddhas. Buddha Shakyamuni once said of Amitabha, “The majestic glory of his light could not be exhaustively described if I praised it continuously, day and night, for the period of one kalpa.”
Opame Amitabha Buddha dwells in a pure celestial realm, created via the power of his infinite merit accumulated over countless lifetimes as a Bodhisattva. His light shines brilliantly from this celestial realm, pervading the entire universe. According to the Sutra, if sentient beings encounter his light, their defilements are removed; if they see his light, they are relieved and freed from affliction. At the end of their lives, beings who have faith in Amitabha reach emancipation, as he gives them rebirth in his Pure Land. And as Shakyamuni explains, “Sentient beings who are born in that Buddha-land all reside among those assured of nirvana.”
Gestures and Attributes
Amitabha is depicted in Dhyana Mudra, the gesture of meditation, with both palms face up and lying in his lap like shown in this Opame Amitabha Buddha. His right hand, resting on top, symbolizes the state of enlightenment, while his left hand, resting below like shown in this Opame Amitabha Buddha Statue, represents the world of appearance. Thus, Amitabha’s posture expresses his mastery over the world of appearance through enlightenment and signifies the enlightened state of mind for which samsara and nirvana are one. In some representations, he holds the traditional begging bowl of an ordained Buddhist monk. The bowl is filled with amrita, the elixir of awakening and immortality, and symbolizes Amitabha’s infinite openness and receptivity toward all sentient beings.
About this Sangye Opame Amitabha Buddha
This statue is a charming portrayal of Opame Amitabha Buddha. Expertly cast from copper alloy using lost wax method gilded with 24 karat gold and hand painted face; this sculpture is a profound representation of Amitabha Buddha / Sangye Opame. The Buddha sits gracefully in meditation upon a lotus throne, expressing the calm majesty of one who has mastered himself. With his head slightly inclined, he seems to smile with a secret inner joy, prompting feelings of encouragement and happiness in the observer. His monastic robes drape beautifully across his shoulder and arm are exquisitely carved throughout, showing intricate marvelous detailing of leaves and vines, where the lotus base is also intricately hand carved with Mantra, leaves and vines at the front and back of the lotus base. And over all, the stunning 24 karat gold gilding lends a pleasing sense of warmth, gently inviting one to linger, leaving thoughts of the world behind. This Opame Amitabha Buddha sculpture was individually handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by master artisans of the Shakya clan who are considered among the best in the world. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.
