Amida Nyorai 阿弥陀如来
Amitâbha (skr.) – Amida Buddha
Amida (skr. Amitâbha = “infinite light”) was once an Indian prince who, instead of ascending a promising throne, preferred to set out as a monk to attain enlightenment through meditation in order to be able to enter the Pure Land, a preliminary stage of Nirvana. Followers of Amida’s teachings also hope to gain a place in the Pure Land by repeatedly reciting the prayer formula “Namu Amida Butsu“. Amida is usually depicted iconographically sitting in meditation – see also the Great Buddha of Kamakura – with his hands folded in his lap and the hand posture (mudrâ) of meditation (jôin).
