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Sukhāvatī

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

Sukhāvatī (Skt.). ‘Land of Bliss’, the western paradise or Pure Land of the Buddha Amitābha. This heavenly realm, one of many mentioned in Mahāyāna sūtras, was created by Amitābha through the power of his merit (puṇya) as a utopia where beings who invoke his name with faith (śraddhā) and devotion may be reborn. Once there, they dwell in bliss and may reach nirvāṇa easily. The goal of rebirth in such a place became the object of the ‘Pure Land’ schools (Chin., Ching-T'u; Jap. Jōdo) that flourished in east Asia. The delights of Sukhāvatī are described in texts such as the Longer and Shorter Sukhāvatī-vyūha Sūtras and the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "Sukhāvatī." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Sukhāvatī." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Sukhvat.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Sukhāvatī." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Sukhvat.html

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Sukhāvatī

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Sukhāvatī. The Western Paradise, ruled over by the Buddha Amitābha (Amida). For Pure Land Buddhism, it is the goal attainable by devotion to Amitābha, from which one cannot fall back into rebirth in other domains.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Sukhāvatī." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Sukhāvatī." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Sukhvat.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Sukhāvatī." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Sukhvat.html

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