Who is Amitābha?

Who is Amitābha?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight February 15, 2025 Duration: 23:16

Bright on Buddhism - Episode 105 - Who is Amitabha? What are some stories about him? How ought we understand him?

Resources: Karashima, Seishi (2009), JSTOR 24049429 On Amitābha, Amitāyu(s), Sukhāvatī and the Amitābhavyūha], Bulletin of the Asia Institute, New Series, 23, 121–130

Charles Muller, "Buddha of Immeasurable Life 無量壽佛" Digital Dictionary of Buddhism,http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?71.xml+id(%27b7121-91cf-58fd-4f5b%27)

Tanaka, Kenneth K. 1990. The Dawn of Chinese Pure Land Buddhist Doctrine: Ching-ying Hui-yüanʼs Commentary on the Visualization Sutra, p. 12. Albany: State University of New York Press.

The Three Pure Land Sutras (PDF), translated by Inagaki, Hisao, Berkeley: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2003, ISBN 1-886439-18-4,

Georgios T. Halkias, Luminous Bliss: A Religious History of Pure Land Literature in Tibet Pure Land

Jones, Charles B. (2019). Chinese Pure Land Buddhism, Understanding a Tradition of Practice. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.

Jones, Charles B. (2021). Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-1-61180-890-2.

Amstutz, Galen (1998). The Politics of Pure Land Buddhism in India, Numen 45 (1), 69–96 JSTOR 3270334 (subscription required)

Inagaki, Hisao, trans. (2003), The Three Pure Land Sutras (PDF), Berkeley: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, ISBN 1-886439-18-4, archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2014.

Müller, F. Max (trans) Buddhist Mahâyâna texts Vol. 2: The larger Sukhâvatî-vyûha, the smaller Sukhâvatî-vyûha, the Vagrakkedikâ, the larger Pragñâ-pâramitâ-hridaya-sûtra, the smaller Pragñâ-pâramitâ-hridaya-sûtra. The Amitâyur dhyâna-sûtra, translated by J. Takakusu. Oxford, Clarendon Press 1894. Pure Land Sutras.

Shi Wuling: In one Lifetime: Pure Land Buddhism, Amitabha Publications, Chicago 2006. ISBN 978-1-59975-357-7.

Halkias, Georgios and Richard Payne. Pure Lands in Asian Texts and Contexts: An Anthology. University of Hawaii Press, 2019.

Halkias, Georgios. Luminous Bliss: A Religious History of Pure Land Literature in Tibet, with an annotated English translation and critical edition of the Orgyan-gling Gold manuscript of the short Sukhāvatīvyūha-sūtra. Hawaii: University of Hawai‘i Press 2013. [1]

Johnson, Peter, trans. (2020). The Land of Pure Bliss, On the Nature of Faith & Practice in Greater Vehicle (Mahāyāna) Buddhism, Including a Full Translation of Shàndǎo's Commentary in Four Parts Explaining The Scripture About Meditation on the Buddha 'Of Infinite Life' (Amitāyur Buddha Dhyāna Sūtra, 觀無量壽佛經), ISBN 978-1-7923-4208-0.

Kenneth Tanaka (1989). Bibliography of English-language Works on Pure land Buddhism: Primarily 1983–1989, Pacific World Journal, New Series, Number 5, 85–99.


Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra - Chapters 8-9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:33
Chapters 8 and 9 of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Burton Watson translation of Chapters 8 and 9 of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra Resources: Cole, Alan (2005). Text as Father: Paternal…
Kōan Series - No Mind, No Buddha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 6 - No Mind, No Buddha Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to tr…
Who is Nichiren? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
Bright on Buddhism Episode 61 - Who was Nichiren? What were some of his views, works, and accomplishments? What is his significance to East Asian Buddhism? Resources: Christensen, J. A. (2000). Nichiren. Fremont, CA: Jai…
Who is Rahula? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:31
Bright on Buddhism Episode 60 - Who is Rahula? What role does he play in the texts? How does this role change over time? Resources: Crosby, Kate (2013), "The Inheritance of Rāhula: Abandoned Child, Boy Monk, Ideal Son an…
What is the relationship between Buddhism and social revolution? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
Bright on Buddhism - Social Revolution - What is the relationship between Buddhism and social revolution? How has that relationship played out in history? How has it played out in the modern era? Resources: Puligandla, R…
What is the 3 bodies (trikaya) doctrine in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:05
Bright on Buddhism Episode 59 - What is the 3 bodies doctrine in Buddhism? What role does it play in ritual and doctrine? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Radich, Michael (2007). Problems and O…
What is violence in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:21
Bright on Buddhism - Violence - What constitutes violence in Buddhism? How does the conception of violence change over time? According to the Buddhist scriptures, what ought to be done about violence? Content warning - T…
Who is Subhuti? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:47
Bright on Buddhism 58 - Who is Subhuti? What role does he play in the texts? What is his role in Mahayana Buddhism? Resources: Adamek, Wendi Leigh (2007), The Mystique of Transmission: On an Early Chan History and Its Co…
Buddhish Episode 10 - The Dalai Lama Names a Successor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:51
Buddhish Episode 10 - The Dalai Lama Names a Successor News Resources: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/dalai-lama-reincarnation-succession-china-8525467/ https://stratnewsglobal.com/general/dalai-lama-moves-t…
Why do some say that Buddhism is not a religion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:57
Bright on Buddhism Episode 57 - Why do some say that Buddhism is not a religion? What evidence have they for that claim? What are the historical roots of this debate? Resources: The Making of Buddhist Modernism, David L.…