Amitabha
Buddhism
The most popular of the Dhyani-Buddhas, a spiritual abstract who resides in a western paradise known as Sukhavati. His skin is red and he sits on a lotus blossom or a pair of peacocks. "He Whose Splendour is Immeasurable" guarantees post-mortem residence in his homeland to all those who believe in him and who repent their sins, much as Christ promises a similar reward to Christians.
Like other buddhas, Amitabha began his existence as a mortal. As the former king turned monk named Dharmakara, he took 48 vows that bound him to help all those who struggled toward enlightenment. His strict personal devotion to the fulfillment of these vows led him to become the Amitabha.
His cult spread across Asia: in Japan he is known as Amida-butsu, the Buddha of the Pure Land.
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