PURE LAND | |||
PURE LAND great disciples of Amitabha Buddha. Unlike Kuan Shih Yin who is widely worshipped and has countless temples and shrines in her name, Ta-Shih-Chi is hardly venerated by the common people and for this reason, the next chapter is dedicated to her even though she does not appear in the pantheon. a-hih-hi 'usa Ta-Shih-Chi P'usa is one of the two main Bodhisat vas of Pure Land Buddhism. Her Sanskrit name is MAHASTHAMAPRATA which means `one who has attained great strength' and is there- fore often cal ed the Bodhisat va of Universal Strength. She is an at ribute of Amitabha Buddha, representing his Wisdom just as Kuan Shih Yin is his compassionate aspect. She earned her rank of Bodhisat vahood in the distant past through the practice of reciting the name of the Buddha of that period of time. When Amitabha became a Buddha, she and Kuan Shih Yin became his disciples and thus were responsible in welcoming the faithful of the Buddha to his Pure Land at the time of their death. e Shurangama Sutra states that in time to come "when Amitabha Buddha retires as the teaching host of the Pure Land, Kuan Shih Yin will take over the responsibility. When it is time for Kuan Shih Yin to retire as Lord of the Pure Land, Ta Shih Chi P'usa will be her successor...." Ta Shih Chi P'usa is said to be so powerful that whenever she raises her hand or moves any part of her body, the earth will ¡ûBACK¡û |INDEX| ¡úNEXT¡ú |