Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is synonymous with Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, and resides in the heavenly abode of Sukhavati, also known as the Western Pure Land.
Adored throughout eastern Asia, devotees of Amitabha, Amitayus or Amida (as known in Japan), pray to be reborn from a Lotus in his Pure Land.
As the Buddha of Infinite Life and Infinite Light, Amitayus has special popularity amongst Buddhist practitioners due to the infinite benefits that can be received, the immediate result being the feelings of peace and joy within us.
In the sutras, Buddha Shakyamuni, at the request of Manjushri explained that before enlightenment Amitabha or Amitayus had made 12 great vows to benefit and help sentient beings. Thus Amitayus functions as the Buddha of Increase, not just for long life, but also in all things beneficial to our lives.
Outwardly, his practice grants us an abundance of necessities, good health, helpful friends, good family and good living conditions. Inwardly, we attain a greater understanding of Dharma, by practicing Morality within the Three scopes. And Secretly, we reduce the habituations of a self cherishing, grasping mind.
Thus, Amitayus helps us to dispel the darkness of Ignorance and to attain Wisdom and Compassion, which is represented in this icon by the father-mother union.
Amitayus usually holds a long-life vase filled with the nectar of immortality, the elixir of eternal life. It is a very significant and auspicious practice for Dharma students to offer Amitayus to their Lamas, as a request for the Lamas to live long and to spread the doctrine of the Buddha to the world.
His spiritual energy in the form of sound that helps to transform the mind (Mantra):
OM AMARANI ZEWONG DEYEE SOHA
