Omito-Fo

The term derives from the Sanskrit "Amitābha," meaning "immeasurable light" or "infinite splendor." In Chinese, it is transliterated as "Ōmítuófó" (阿彌陀佛), a phonetic rendering that preserves the essence of the original name. This transliteration became established as Buddhism spread from India to China.

The name of Amita-Buddha, in China. OLOSSARY^ 223 Omkara (^Sh■.). Tlie saimas Amu or Oiii. It is also tinuaiiif of one of the twelve lingams, that was represented by a secret and most saf-rcd shrine at Ujjain — no longer existing, since the time of Buddhism. Omoroka (ChaldJ. The "sea'" and the woman who personifies it accordiiifi to Bcrosus, or ratlier of Apollodorus. As the diriiK watrr. however, Omoroka is tiie reflection of Wisdom from on high. Onech (H<h.). The Phoenix, so named after Enoch or Phenoch. For Enoch (also Klicnoch) means literally the initiator and instructor, hence the Hieroi)liant who reveals the Inst nn/stcrif. The bird Pluenix is always associated with a tree, the mystical Ahdbrl of the Koran, the Tdk of Initiation or of knowledge. Onnofre or Oim-nofre (Eg.). The Kinir of the land of the Dead, the Underworld, and in this capacity the same as Osiris, "who resides in Amenti at Oun-nefer, king of eternity, great god manifested in the celestial aby.ss". (A hymn of the XlXtli dynasty). (See also "Osiris").

The appearance of Omito-Fo in the Chinese Buddhist canon signifies a remarkable syncretism, a phonetic echo of Sanskrit wisdom that resonated deeply with the cultural and philosophical currents of East Asia. Blavatsky's brief mention, though embedded within a glossary of disparate terms, points to a significant figure in the Mahayana tradition. Omito-Fo, or Amitabha, is more than a name; he is an embodiment of boundless light and life, a celestial beacon presiding over Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land. This realm is not a physical place in the conventional sense, but a state of being, a spiritual environment where the conditions for enlightenment are exceptionally conducive.

The practice associated with Omito-Fo, particularly the recitation of his name (nianfo), is a form of devotional practice that aims to cultivate faith and aspiration towards this Pure Land. It is a path that, in the words of scholars like D.T. Suzuki, emphasizes the power of faith and the grace of the Buddha, offering a tangible means for ordinary beings to connect with the ultimate. This contrasts with more arduous paths requiring profound meditation or philosophical insight, making it accessible to a wider populace. The concept of a Pure Land can be understood, as Mircea Eliade might suggest, as a manifestation of the sacred in the mundane, a spatialization of the spiritual ideal. It offers a vision of a perfected world, a cosmic dwelling place where the obstacles of samsara are minimized, allowing the practitioner to focus on the cultivation of merit and wisdom.

The allure of Omito-Fo lies in its promise of "immeasurable light" and "infinite life." This speaks to a fundamental human longing for transcendence, for a reality beyond the limitations of mortality and suffering. It is a recognition that within the vastness of existence, there are possibilities for boundless being, for a state of luminous awareness. The Western Pure Land is a metaphor for the awakened mind, a realm where ignorance and delusion are dispelled by the radiant light of wisdom. The very act of chanting Omito-Fo's name is an invocation, an attempt to align one's consciousness with this boundless reality, a practice that seeks to transform the inner landscape through focused devotion.

The spiritual geography of Omito-Fo's Pure Land, as envisioned in Buddhist texts, offers a profound psychological and spiritual map. It represents a destination of ultimate peace and fulfillment, a testament to the enduring human capacity to conceive of and strive for perfection, even amidst the imperfections of the world. The devotional path to Omito-Fo's realm is a journey not of physical displacement, but of spiritual transformation, a turning of the heart and mind towards the immeasurable.