David Eckel: 11 Celestial Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Along with the human beings who aspired to the bodhisattva ideal came an array of heavenly beings called “celestial” Buddhas and bodhisattvas, who had accumulated the wisdom and compassion to save living beings who turned to them for help.

Among the many important celestial bodhisattvas is Avalokiteshvara, the “Lord Who Looks Down” with compassion. In China, Avalokiteshvara is worshipped as the compassionate deity Kuan-yin. In Tibet, Avalokiteshvara’s compassion is seen in the figure of the Dalai Lama.

The best known celestial Buddha is Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. According to tradition, Amitabha resides in a celestial paradise known as the Pure Land, and Amitabha has vowed to save anyone who chants his name with faith. Devotion to Amitabha has had great influence in China and is now one of the most popular forms of Buddhism in Japan.

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