#sukhavati

[tellingittash]

Religious Studies Term Of The Day: Sukhavati

[jessimmersimqueen]

Life in Long Beach: Images from my early childhood

Take a trip back to late 1970s- early 1980s Long Beach, CA. This video is part auto-biography, part therapy, part fairy tale, and all California history. The Chortkoff Archives is a start up non-profit. We worked with the worlds smallest budget to accomplish my epic and ambitious vision! I think you will find this video is fast paced and an enjoyable way to spend 47 quick minutes. Please leave respectful comments. I don't even want to say how long I have been working on this one! I had the idea way back in 2013. That year my childhood home was up for sale and I called the real-estate agent who was only interested in selling the house and I said all the wrong things. So I just thought about it and eventually this was made. The interiors were recreated in The Sims 2, and you get a video walkthrough. So come check out my simulated time machine! Let's go to Long Beach back to the groovy and awesome late 70s early 1980s LA! There is a little something for everyone here! If you like animation, California history, video games, or grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, I think you will like this! If you have lost loved ones and family you will relate to it. If you had a unique childhood I think you will like it too. It is a story about picking up a little girl I left behind in LB in 1985! I had a big story to tell but no budget. I have big visions that I hope to bring to the big screen someday! Hopefully this video will help gain me the popularity I need to buy camera stabilizers, microphones, actors, and sets. Maybe a small camera crew someday! But all I had was a Canon 6D and it's built in microphone. But I got the sound down pretty well anyway! Thanks to Will Wright for inventing the Sims games. They have helped me work through the tough processing of everyday life. I recreated my childhood from memory. I also include a lot of interesting historic facts and elements to make this enlightening for everyone. I exorcized some childhood demons too! I recommend going back and writing out your story from birth! It was hard to keep this under an hour long because I began to remember so much stuff! Plus as I reached out I found my Cuz Peter Shaw, nephew of my beloved grandpa Thomas. I did not see a photo of my grandfather from the age of 10 until about 7 years ago when my dad, Rand Chortkoff passed. He had them! Cuz Peter also hooked me up with lots of photos of grandpa! I have yet to find where my grandparents are buried. This goes by fast and is light and fun I think! It is not made for children, but it is from my inner child's point of view. I would rate it PG. Safe for work, safe for TV, and probably just fine for children but viewer discretion is advised. And PLEASE subscribe to my Youtube! Life in Long Beach Images from my early childhood (and today) All photo restoration, digitalization, animation, and photo and video editing by Jessica Chortkoff Story by Jessica Chortkoff Featuring Jessica Chortkoff and Tasha Ayame Vest as themselves. Kiimm Vi as herself. All Original paintings by Jessica Chortkoff Images of maps and street photos by Google Maps. Other Sources include: Ancestry.com Familysearch.org http://calheights.org/community-event... https://www.longbeach.gov/park/recrea... Vintage Photos: friends@coloradolagoon.org "Chewing Gum" Performed by Annie Produced by Richard X Written by Richard X and Hannah Robinson Published by Universal Music Publishing on behalf of Native Songs / Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (P) 2004 679 Recordings Ltd. By arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing "Sim 2 Theme" "Sim Sation" "Sim Time Sim Place" "Makeover" "Sims Heartbeat" "Busy Sim" "Sim Heaven" "Sim the Builder" "Sim shopping Spree" By Mark Mothersbaugh "Funky Suspense" by Ben Sound "Big Day Out" "Hep Cat Jive" "Rendevous" "Call of the Mountains" "Toys" by Purple Planet Music Bells by Sukhavati (Tasha Ayame vest- Bells and Nick Vest- Guitar) "Popeye the Sailor Man" by Sammy Lerner sung by William Costello "Neighborhood 2" by Marc Russo and Jerry Martin Additional music by Ben Sound and Apple Special thanks Tasha Vest: Driver/lunch Also Nick Vest Rich Riggio (emotional support) Peter Shaw (research and photo-achive) Angel Heart (she knows) Will Wright EA Games (Simulation software) All characters created by Jessica Chortkoff and the Chortkoff Archives 2022

[doppel-tournament]

ROUND 1, Part 14

[touhoutunes]

Title: 童祭 ～ Innocent Treasures (Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures)

Arrangement: 徳南 & 九宝時

Album: 闡提宗祀 ～ Offering to The Sukhavati

Circle: Demetori

Original: Kid's Festival ~ Innocent Treasures

[dreamerwitches]

Magical witch designs for Hepialidae (Kushu’s doppel), Sukhavati Smriti (Kagome’s doppel) and a sewing and springtime fusion

Hepialidae was one I really didnt want to do hence why shes been put off for so long… but i think she came out cool, may need a touch up but still cool. Really like Sukhavati though, she looks horrifying and i love it

[eizneckam]

these kirby attack names are getting very 2hu-y

[ryo-maybe]

Head from Kikuri makes your meat attain the third formless jhana. Anything between your loins is obliterated from existence to be reborn in a special kind of Sukhavati otherwise known as the “Meat Dimension”

[arthistoryanimalia]

Tiny #elephant alert! 🐘

Amitabha Sutra (Discourse on the Land of Bliss), China, c.1775

The Morgan Library & Museum MS W.69

“PAINTED ON A BODHI LEAF

The Buddha achieved enlightenment beneath a tree with large, spade-shaped leaves. Revered by Buddhists, these trees became known as bodhi (or "enlightenment") trees and were propagated throughout Asia. In China, artists used bodhi leaves to create paintings for albums like this one, thereby infusing their images with sacred power. Written in gold ink against a deep blue background, this Buddhist sutra, or scripture, describes the wonders of Sukhavati, or the Land of Bliss, an uncorrupted realm inhabited by enlightened beings. One such being is depicted here accompanied by a diminutive elephant. The brightly painted bodhi leaf was pasted into a section of cutout paper and framed with yellow silk brocade.”

[journeytothewestresearch]

Sun Wukong's Buddhist Paradise

Some of my followers may be familiar with my past article in which I described Xuanzang's historical itinerary and discussed what a more realistic Journey to the West might be like. Towards the end, after the pilgrims return to China with the scriptures and the disciples (Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing) receive their elevation in spiritual rank, I stated: “They would thereafter leave to enjoy their divine lives in the Western Paradise.” But I’ve never really liked the idea that Monkey would forever abandon his people. This is especially true since his rebellion led to heaven decimating the monkeys and burning their cave (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 2, p. 31).

I think a better ending for this historical version would be for the “Victorious Fighting Buddha” to return to the Mountain of Flower and Fruit, where he transforms it into his own Pure Land (Jingtu, 淨土). The monkeys killed in years passed would be reborn there, and everyone would receive periodic lessons on the dharma between bouts of play. It would be a paradise even grander than when the Great Sage was at the height of his power.

Here is some information about pure lands from the Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Gomez, 2004):

I love this circa 1700 Tibetan painting of Amitabha in his pure land of Sukhavati. Just imagine the Victorious Fighting Buddha sitting in Amitabha's place, and monkeys would take the place of the monks, protectors, and devas.

Sources:

Gomez, O. L. (2004). Pure Lands. In R. E. Buswell (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Buddhism (pp. 703-706) (Vols. 2). United Kingdom: Macmillan Reference, USA.

Wu, C., & Yu, A. C. (2012). The Journey to the West (Vols. 1-4). Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press.

[talonabraxas]

Amitava Buddha 卐 Talon Abraxas

The name Amitava Buddha means the “Buddha of infinite light” and in Tibetan understanding is said to be one of the five “self-born” Buddhas that exists eternally. After achieving enlightenment, Amitava began reigning over Sukhavati (the western paradise known as “the pure land”).

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitava is usually depicted in red to symbolize love, compassion, and emotional energy. He protects beings from negative emotions of attachment, and he represents the ultimate antidote against greed and desire. In Tibet he is worshipped by those who wish to attain longevity.

[mahayanapilgrim]

Who is Amitabha?

According to Mahayana Buddhist sutras he was a king in the remote period of time. Renouncing his kingdom, he became a monk and was named Dharmakara, which means 'Treasury of Dharma'. Inspired by the teachings of the then Buddha of that time, Lokesvaraja Buddha, who taught him the way to supreme enlightenment many aeons ago, he made forty eight great vows for the saving of the sentient beings. The Eighteenth Vow, which is the basis of the Pure Land, ran like this: 'If upon the attainment of Buddhahood all sentient beings in the ten quarters who aspire in sincerity and faith to be reborn in my land, recite my name up to ten times and fail to be born there, then may I not attain the Perfect Enlightenment...'

Since then, the Bodhisattva Dharmakara, after five aeons of self-cultivation, finally attained the Supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha Amitabha. This means that his grand and infinitely compassionate vow is now a reality, the paradise known as Pure Land or Sukhavati has been established, suffering beings must and will be delivered if only they will have the full faith to call upon his name.

Calling the Buddha's name with full faith is known to the Chinese as

NIEN-FWO' meaning 'Prayer-recitation'. The Japanese term for this practice is known as 'Nembutsu'. In this practice three important qualities must be present in the mind: Sincerity, Faith and Aspiration to be reborn in the Pure Land. The simple prayer or formula that one needs to repeat is:

Chinese

NAMO O-MI-TO FWO

Sanskrit

Om Amideva Hrih

Tibetan

Om ami dewa hri

which literally mans 'Homage to the Amitabha Buddha' or 'I seek refuge in the Amitabha Buddha'.

Some believe that by reciting these mantras 100,000 times, one will be able to meet Amitabha Buddha in person, and be reborn in the World of Ultimate Bliss at the end of one's life.

[radical-revolution]

Use the time of your life

by Patrul Rinpoche

Original Language Tibetan

Use the time of your life.

Develop your inner happiness.

Recognize the impermanence

of all outer pleasure.

Live as a Yogi

Do your spiritual practices.

Work as a Bodhisattva

for a happy world.

Become an Amitabha

a Buddha of love and light.

Turn your world into the paradise Sukhavati,

by unfolding the enlightenment energy within you.

Search you a spiritual master,

who knows the goal of enlightenment.

Change your world into a place of grace,

by understanding all the phenomena as spiritual exercises.

Dedicate your actions to the benefit of all beings.

Send all beings light.

Live for the happiness of all beings.

So you get the energy of light.

***

[desultory-novice]

[Morpho Knight capsule fan translation link] (1)

It's time to talk about Morpho Knight!

So, because we know very little concrete info about Morpho Knight at the moment, I did some digging through the Morpho Knight novel for this ask! 

The novels exist in their own verse, the novel verse, and thus, aren't always and immediately compatible with the games. Some things have to be changed or made less vague for the sake of storytelling. 

But we do know that the writer, Mie Takase, works with HAL Labs staff when coming up with plots. So, either they gave her some lore on Morpho Knight to work with, or she invented her own and they said "That sounds fun. Go ahead!"

With that in mind, here's some interesting things about Morpho from the novel:

Morpho is implied to be a single butterfly. "The red butterfly," as they're known throughout the butterfly world. (2) (It's up to an individual's interpretation whether "butterfly world" means there is a literal world of butterflies or whether it means "butterfly society." Honestly, I think it means "butterfly society" myself, as butterflies exist alongside the residents of Dream Land.)

They "disappear" during the day and spend their nights prowling the underworld, keeping an ear out for the screams of the powerful and dying. The place they disappear to during the day is -probably- the world of the living/Dream Land. Also, Papi, Meta Knight's butterfly friend, is trapped in the underworld and thus couldn't track Morpho whenever they left there. (Though it's implied Papi heard all those rumors about Morpho while they were still alive.)

This “going back and forth between the two locations” is also suggested if you read in-between the lines of Morpho EX’s JP description, where “the land of dreams” (Dream Land) and “the underworld” are brought up as places Morpho Knight has/can make an apperance.

There's a scene in which Morpho opens up a portal outside the underworld when they hear Galacta Knight dying. Meta Knight can't reach it, and Papi flies up and uses their energy assist Meta. There is an illustration accompanying this scene and you can actually see SEVERAL Morpho-like butterflies in the portal, outside of just Papi. Morpho is depicted as a single butterfly again when it goes to absorb/fuse with Galacta, but when Morpho Knight is defeated, they are described as splitting off into several butterflies again before dispersing into nothing.

So, your answer may be that Morpho is simultaneously one and many butterflies at once! The Morpho that prowls the underworld may be a collective of butterflies united as one, and maybe Morpho appears as many when in Dream Land! 

But, if Morpho is a collective (the collected spirits of several dead butterflies??) they probably don't possess the power to do what they do unless they are united into that familiar red butterfly that absorbed both Galacta and Fecto (3)

Now, as for the Sukhavati thing, aka, the “pure land” in Indian Buddhism...

I never want to say that anyone is overthinking things... (honestly, I think "you're overthinking things" is one of the more hurtful things you can say to someone, depending on when it is deployed. If you think everyone in the world is against you because of the hurtful actions of a few, you probably ARE overthinking things. But if you spend a few hours analyzing your favorite game, you're probably NOT overthinking things, just having fun and engaging in your hobbies.)

...That said, there MAY be something to Sukhavati, but as far as colloquial Japanese goes, that word really just a synonym for "paradise." A generic one at that. It's used in a variety of songs and media that way and treated similarly to how someone might say "I'm in heaven right now!" when sinking down into a soft, warm bed after a long day's work and not necessarily be picturing being in the biblical Christian Heaven. Just like with Morpho.

So, Morpho is a butterfly of "paradise" but not any specific  religion's paradise. Probably. Although I feel fairly certain about this, because HAL has been going to lengths recently (see the way Kirby talked in the 30th concert) to not have Kirby speak any one given Earth language so as not to exclude anyone worldwide. It would be weird to then chose a specific religion to be applicable to the Kirby world!

Not to say that the developers couldn't be inspired and take some of that, make a unique spin on it, and work it into Morpho's lore. But to find out just what they may have took inspiration from , you'd probably want to find someone better immersed in the culture and religion than I am! ^_^

I hope that helped some, @infinitethegreat !

---

(1) A note on the Translator's Note: I want to clarify that “一頭” doesn't necessarily mean it's one of many butterflies OF THAT EXACT TYPE, it just means that is a single instance of this butterfly. You might have the only rainbow-colored pegasus cat in the world and you would call it “one cat.”

I will say that it is worthwhile that they did add 一頭 to Morpho’s description for Forgotten Land. It wouldn’t be weird if there was a purpose behind it. Unfortunately, we can’t say for sure what that purpose is. Yet.

(2) This is one of those things were the novel verse and game verse may differ on this, as we see at least three “red butterflies” on screen at once in Planet Robobot. And we’ve seen as many as five if we accept that the butterflies in Green Greens are of Morpho’s type. (At least two are definitely orange/red in the Spring Breeze “remake” of Kirby’s Dream Land.)

(3) I haven't finished reading the Forgotten Land novelizations, but when Kirby encounters Morpho Knight there, he implies he remembers Morpho from the Meta Knight novel! At least, he remembers that he doesn't remember how to say the knight's name. (Morpho Knight is “Butterfly Knight” in Japanese, spelled with corrupted English pronunciation - “Barufurei” Kirby hears this and thinks of the common Japanese appetizer “fried shrimp” - “Ebifurai”)  So, you could take that as more points in favor of novel Morpho's story being valid AND the Morpho that absorbed Galacta being the same Morpho that absorbs Fecto.

...Or you could see it differently, as that’s just Kirby’s observation of things!

[dreamerwitches]

Magical Witch AU Masterpost

General Tag - All AU art

Profile Tag - Magical Witch profiles only

I’ll update the masterpost as posts are made hence some are missing links currently

Original series: Gertrud - Anthony - Adelbert - WIP Suleika - Ulla - Divan - WIP Charlotte - Polina - WIP - Pyotr - WIP Valentines Charlotte H.N Elly/Kirsten - Danniyel & Jennifer - Redo WIP - Dorothy - WIP Albertine - Anja Gisela - Dora - WIP Elsa Maria - Sebastian Uhrmann - Bartels Oktavia - Klarissa - Holger Surfer Oktavia - WIP Haregi Oktavia - WIP Patricia - Mathieu - Teacher familiar - WIP Izabel - Michaela - WIP - Mercedes Roberta - Gotz - WIP Kriemhild Gretchen - Familiar - WIP Swimsuit Kriemhild Gretchen - WIP Haregi Kriemhild Gretchen - WIP Kriemhild-senpai Walpurgisnacht - Shadow Magical girls - Bluenose - WIP - Rednose - WIP Homulilly - Lotte - Luiselotte - Lilia - Liese - Lisa Swimsuit Homulilly - WIP Haregi Homulilly Candeloro - Dokama - Rahomu - Kasaya - Kokyo Swimsuit Candeloro - WIP Holy Candeloro Ophelia - Zoe Swimsuit Ophelia Quitterie - Kyutee - WIP Itzli

The Different Story: TV witch Minotaur witch Postal witch Moth witch - WIP Queen witch - WIP Twin witches - WIP Paola - Bona

Wraith Arc: Spindle Witch - Familiars - WIP

Kazumi Magica: Mantis witch - WIP Cosmetics witch - WIP Prologue - WIP Nie Bluhen Herzen - WIP Arzt Kochen - WIP Weiße Konigin - WIP Hungrige Pumpe - WIP Ritterustung von Heulsuse - WIP Plejaden von Asunaro - WIP Zweikopfiger Boser Flugel - WIP Hyades Daybreak

Pudding witch - WIP Cactus witch - WIP Cookie witch - WIP Kagamimochi witch - WIP Manicure witch - WIP Tea party witch - WIP Feather witch - WIP Blood witch - WIP Etiquette witch - WIP Flatwoods witch - WIP Viscosity witch - WIP

Carola - WIP Caterina - WIP Antonio - WIP

Oriko Magica: Rosasharn Cecil Virginia Stacy - WIP Latria - WIP

Sarcophagus witch - WIP Vase witch - WIP Face witch - WIP Witch witch Paper witch Fledgling witch Skull witch Tablecloth witch Steel witch

Sortria - WIP Pistis - WIP

Suzune Magica: Sugar witch - WIP Jack in the box witch - WIP Odette Nurse witch Carmen - WIP Puppet witch Literary witch

Clothette - WIP Elise - WIP Renard - WIP Spica - WIP

Tart Magica: Scholar Witch - WIP Bell Witch - WIP Sun Witch - WIP Colossal Witch - WIP Crab Witch - WIP Flower Witch - WIP Hammerhead Witch - WIP Enfant Terrible - WIP Isabeau

Mandrake witch - WIP Naga witch - WIP Snail witch - WIP Criminal witches - WIP Jockey witch - WIP Oracle witch - WIP Basket witch - WIP Guardian witch - WIP Siren witch - WIP Oiran witch - WIP

La Pucelle de Blancheur - WIP Obscurite - WIP La Hire La Hire - WIP Ein Roter Drache - WIP Plaisir - WIP Capricieux Heremes Trismegistus

Mobage: Witch of Sewing - Familiars Witch of Springtime - Familiars Giraffe Witch - Familiars Witch that wants to be a bird - Familiars Frog Witch - Familiars Witch of Dreams - Familiars Diva Witch Cell Witch - Familiars

Magia Record: Zenobia Candy Stacey Rebecca Teresa Winchester - WIP Sarah Mirabilis W - WIP, WIP 10^21 Lucy - Coco - WIP Matasaburo Shin - Kotori - WIP Durbar Shitori Egumo Box Wood Oshiti Raspberry - WIP Etteilla Made in 168 Mapycя - WIP Slave of Anima - WIP Ichizo - WIP Swimsuit Ichizo

Doppels: Giovanna - WIP Swimsuit Giovanna Giovanna Shitori Egumo Giovanna-chan Miko Giovanna Campanella Tanabata Campanella - WIP Fairy Tale Campanella - WIP Yu Hong Rumour Yu Hong Delivery Yu Hong Theresia - WIP Rumour Theresia Beatrice Beatrice-chan Delivery Beatrice Hevelius Fairy Tale Hevelius - WIP Pennen Nodle Holy Night Pennen Nolde Old Dorothy Holy Old Dorothy Neo Dorothy - WIP Halloween Old Dorothy Cendrillon Idol Cendrillon-chan Swimsuit Cendrillon Elfriede Sister Elfriede Mermaid Elfriede Zola Swimsuit Zola McDougal Halloween McDougal Henrietta - WIP Pennen Nenemu Holy Night Pennen Nenemu Catacombe Vampire Catacombe Eternal Darkness Catacombe - WIP Totentaz Haregi Totentaz Eternal Darkness Totentaz - WIP Mermaid Totentaz Dum - WIP Swimsuit Dum Dee - WIP Swimsuit Dee

Sukhavati Smriti Tiracchana Merkava - WIP Halifax - WIP Lakehurst - WIP Tara - WIP First Sunrise Tara Oaji - WIP Marita - WIP Scylla Aztekium - WIP Abigail - WIP 9daime nue - WIP Oxford Cuahtitlan Kimochi Cuahtitlan Marguerite - WIP Halomonas Titanicae - WIP Vlastenske - WIP Jing Christmas Jing Casuarius - WIP Christmas Casuarius Breadman - WIP Valentines Breadman - WIP Gothel - WIP Luca - WIP

Komatsu - WIP Kogetsu - WIP Apebis - WIP Drekka Minni - WIP Blot - WIP Vimala Upadana

Broiderie Aodamo - WIP Cyan - WIP Don Rocinante Maura - WIP Shalimar - WIP Vayu - WIP Elsie - WIP Carmela - WIP Heide Jekyll - WIP Andreana Delanna Akakiy Pamela - WIP Bridal Pamela Poker Alice - WIP Hund Balou - WIP Gela - WIP Bond Bomb - WIP Columbina - WIP Obariyon Renata - WIP Christmas Renata Tagori - WIP Tagitu Ihikishima Ukei Selene Bridal Selene Heidesommer Bella Donna - WIP Christmas Bella Donna Naomi - WIP Gannishikudoku - WIP Yuerao - WIP Taburatsu - WIP Paparazzo Gibdaughter - WIP Victoria Trolley - WIP Zipzap Sylvie Sally (Ikumi’s old doppel) Claudia - WIP Rukh - WIP Grim - WIP Mary - WIP Gosirsa - WIP Hepialidae

[thefobus]

Kalavinka (迦陵頻伽) is a celestial creature with a human head and bird torso. It is said to be dwelling in Sukhavati, the Western Pureland of Amitabha Buddha.

[justanormalpersonworld]

The amount of work you must've put on your last post was insane! How did you find all that stuff?

Hello, Anon, and thank you very much! Although I knew what to do after a few days, it took me a lot of time and work to gather all the information and pictures I wanted.

After my post with the white tara and green tara, I continued to look into things. While doing that, I found a picture of the red dressed Amitabha with his two white dressed attendants Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta and they reminded me so much of Douma’s White Blizzard Princesses.

After that, I searched more about them and I was immediately met with the topic of “pure land buddhism”. I found that in pure land buddhism all you have to do is worship your savior Amitabha blindly as much as you can in order for him to guide you to his happy Western Paradise or Pure Land. Doing anything else is seen as lack of faith/devotion to the savior figure Amitabha. 

It’s a simplified form of buddhism for “stupid”, illiterate and simpleminded folk, many times suffering from poverty and natural disasters. You’re said to reach enlightenment once you’re reborn in Amitabha’s Paradise and Amitabha works for the elightenment of all beings. And it was an answer to western christianism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-foLB4h_LJg

I put two and two together, but I seriously wasn’t expecting to find concrete evidence. One of the many ways to address Amitabha’s Pure Land aside from “Western Paradise” is “Land of Bliss” and I remembered that Douma had “bliss” written in his room. So I searched this panel in the original japanese to compare with the way Amitabha’s Pure Land is written in japanese.

The Jisho dictionary and other dictionaries:

The japanese version of the wikipedia:

Btw, Sukhavati is the sanskrit way to write Amitabha’s Pure Land.

Douma has "極楽(gokuraku)", which is Sukhavati in japanese, written 4 times in the room where he receives his followers. I think that’s concrete proof that Douma’s Eternal Paradise Faith is a reference to pure land buddhism. And outwardly pure land buddhism and Douma’s Eternal Paradise Faith Cult are a lot alike. With way Douma calls his followers stupid and hid Water Lily Bodhisattva being obviously Guan Yin.