The Swift Path to Great Bliss: A Sādhana of Amitābha

Homage to Buddha Amitābha.

This is the practice method of Amitābha Buddha.

First, take refuge and generate bodhicitta, the awakened mind of compassion. Then engage in the following meditation and mantra recitation.

Meditate that all phenomena of samsara and nirvana — all appearances and all existence — are not truly established as real, but are empty in their very nature. From within this realization of emptiness, cultivate deep compassion for all beings who have not realized this truth. In the indivisible union of emptiness and compassion, visualize that all appearances and existence transform into the Pure Land of Great Bliss.

At the center of this Pure Land, upon a lotus and moon-disc seat, your own awareness — the essence of mind itself — appears clearly as the red syllable HRIH (ཧྲཱིཿ). From this syllable, rays of light radiate outward, accomplishing the benefit of both oneself and all beings.

Then the syllable HRIH transforms into the Blessed One Amitābha. He is red in color, with one face and two hands. His hands rest in the gesture of meditation, holding a begging bowl filled with nectar, symbolizing his compassionate activity for the welfare of beings. His legs are crossed in the vajra posture, signifying complete enlightenment. He is adorned with the three Dharma robes and possesses all the major and minor marks of a fully awakened Buddha.

His body is the indivisible vajra body — the unity of the dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, nirmanakaya, and the essence-body — embodying the nature of the five Buddha bodies. Though vividly appearing, his true nature remains empty and beyond inherent existence.

At his heart, upon a radiant moon-disc, stands the red syllable HRIH. Around it, Amitābha’s mantra circles clockwise. From the garland of mantra, beautiful rays of light shine forth, inviting all Buddhas and enlightened beings, who dissolve into oneself visualized as Amitābha. Recite:

ZAH HUM BAM HOH

Again, rays of light radiate from the deity and mantra, purifying obscurations and accumulating merit for oneself and all beings. Through this practice, temporary benefits such as long life, freedom from illness, and the fulfillment of wishes are attained. Ultimately, one gains rebirth in Sukhavati, the Pure Land of Great Bliss.

All visible forms are purified as the body of Buddha Amitābha.

All sounds are recognized as the sound of Amitābha’s mantra.

All thoughts that arise are purified into the nature of the Five Wisdoms.

Rest in the recognition that all appearances are the display of the wisdom of great bliss, and recite the mantra:

OM AMI DHEWA AYU SIDDHI HUM HRIH

This eleven-syllable root mantra brings spiritual accomplishment when recited three hundred thousand times.

After the recitation, rest naturally without fixation on the deity visualization. Then conclude with prayers of dedication and aspiration.

Through this practice, untimely death in this life may be pacified, and in future lives one may enter the path of liberation in the Pure Land of Great Bliss. Therefore, fortunate practitioners should earnestly engage in this practice. Samaya.

A simple introduction to this text was written by Khenpo Paljor Gyatso.

The root text was revealed from the yellow treasure scrolls of Lerab Lingpa and transcribed by Gyalwang Thubten Gyatso.

— KPG

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