Amitayus Buddha is the Buddha of Infinite Life

Amitayus Buddha is one of the most revered Buddhas in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. His name, Infinite Life, signifies his longevity, vitality, wisdom, and boundless compassionate energy that is enlightenment. Amitayus is closely linked to Amitabha Buddha – the Buddha of Infinite Light. Amitabha is generally recognized as the western Pure Land of Sukhavati; Amitayus is particularly revered as the long-life form of Amitabha, who will grant practitioners long life and power, and eliminate obstacles to long life and to practice.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitayus is more commonly known as the practice of long life, healing, merit, and wisdom. His likeness appears in thangkas, altar paintings, and rituals. The worshippers believe that meditating on Amitayus and chanting his mantra can help to bring up the life force, clear the negative karmas, and make everything set for a meaningful life to practice Dharma.

Iconography and Symbolism

Amitayus Buddha is typically portrayed seated gracefully on a lotus base, radiating peace and enlightenment. As opposed to the simple robes of a Buddha, Amitabha is often depicted, Amitayus is typically portrayed in the richly decorated appearance of a Sambhogakaya Buddha. He is represented in this way, with a crown, jewels, silk clothes, and decorations, as the attributes of the enlightened qualities in a divine and majestic form.

Amitayus is usually depicted with a deep red or ruby complexion, known as "red body color". This red hue represents life force, vitality, compassion, and wisdom's radiant energy. It also links him with Amitabha Buddha and the lotus family of compassion, love, and discriminating wisdom, and the transformation of desire.

Vajra Posture: At the very minimum, Amitayus is seated, legs firmly crossed on a lotus base, in meditative posture. This is the posture of stability, meditation, and the indestructible nature of enlightened realization. It also demonstrates that longevity is not just physical but spiritual; that it means living a life of discipline, awareness, and wisdom.

Long Life Vase: Long life vase or kalasha is the most important attribute of Amitayus. It's typically held in his hands at his lap, and filled with the nectar of immortality. This is a therapeutic vase representing rejuvenation, life energy, spiritual wealth, and the elimination of obstacles to longevity. It is a reminder for practitioners that life must be safeguarded and used judiciously for the pathway of awakening.

Crown and Ornaments: Amitayus is usually dressed with a five-pearl crown, necklaces, earrings, armlets, and silk robes hanging down. These ornaments do not represent worldly luxury. Rather, they represent the perfect qualities of enlightened awareness, the Five Wisdoms, and the noble qualities of a fully awakened person.

The Lotus Base: Amitayus sits on a lotus flower symbolizing purity and awakening of the spirit. Like the lotus that emerges from the dirty waters, Amitayus stands as the virtue to transcend suffering, illness, ignorance, and fear with wisdom and compassion.

The Blessing of Longevity, Amitayus

In the long-life practices, the Amitayus Buddha is of particular importance. Long life is not the only goal of Vajrayana Buddhism for comfort or worldly success. It is appreciated because it means that practitioners have longer and healthier lives to practice Dharma, gain merit, increase wisdom, and help others.

Because of this, Amitayus is sometimes invoked in healing rituals, recovery, protection, and extending life. He also consults with teachers, spiritual masters, parents, elders, and loved ones. It is said that the blessing of Amitayus purifies the life force, enhances merit, and eliminates negative forces that could impede one's spiritual path.

The Three Long-Life Deities of Tibetan Buddhism are also known as Amitayus, White Tara, and Ushnishavijaya. These together are a symbol of long life, healing, purification, and spiritual protection. Of these, Amitayus is particularly associated with the nectar of immortality and the radiant blessing of infinite life.