DESCRIPTION
The pratyutpannabuddhasaṃmukhāvasthita-samādhi is a very old meditative Buddhist practice by which one is able to see buddhas appearing before one’s very eyes. There is a sutra called the Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sutra which derives its name from is practice. This sūtra describes the techniques involved and gives Amitāyus, who resides in the western paradise of Sukhāvatī, as an example of a buddha who might appear in such a manner. One of the oldest Mahāyāna sūtras, this is the earliest reference to Amitāyus among all the sūtras. It can thus be regarded as a forerunner of the Pure Land Sūtras.
READING
Pratyutpannabuddhasaṃmukhāvasthita-samādhi-sūtra. Translated into the Chinese by Lokakṣema as Banzhou sanmei jing (般舟三昧經). 3 Fascicles. Taishō 642 Volume 15
The 32 Auspicious CharacteristicsBRAHMAVIHĀRĀ / HEAVENLY ABODES
Lesson 1 - Introduction and Precedents (1)Lesson 2 - Metta / Loving-Kindness (1)Lesson 3 - Karuṇā / Compassion (1)Lesson 4 - Muditā / Empathic Joy (1)Lesson 5 - Upekṣā / Equanimity (1)Lesson 6 - The Four Immeasurable Mind States (1)