Bhikshu Dharmakara’s Dedication to Spiritual Cultivation

After becoming a monk, Bhikshu Dharmakara dedicated himself wholeheartedly to spiritual cultivation and continuous self-purification. With extraordinary determination, far surpassing that of others, he worked to eliminate his desires and attachments—such as emotions, wealth, pleasure, fame, food, and sleep—along with his negative personality traits.

He also overcame the challenges of drowsiness in his practice. Following the teachings of Lokeśvararāja Tathāgata without deviation, he remained steadfast in his vow to benefit all beings. No matter what obstacles or difficulties he encountered, he persisted in breaking through the limitations of his physical body, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the path of enlightenment.

The Aspiration to Create the Western Pure Land

One day, Bhikshu Dharmakara approached Lokeśvararāja Tathāgata to seek guidance. He asked the Buddha:

“I vow to have a heart like the Buddha’s. How can I establish an incomparably supreme Buddha-Land, one that can welcome both humans and all wandering spirits, allowing them to cultivate in a pure and serene environment?”

Recognising Bhikshu Dharmakara's boundless aspiration, Lokeśvararāja Tathāgata took extraordinary measures to guide him. Understanding that humanity lacked proper education and that many people were influenced by spiritual attachments (spiritual beings attaching to one’s body due to various reasons – past enmities or relationship in past lives/wandering spirits attaching to a person or other reasons) affecting their thoughts and actions, he spent one hundred billion years introducing and explaining the countless Pure Lands throughout the universe, offering them as examples of perfected realms to inspire and guide beings.

After listening to these teachings, Bhikshu Dharmakara developed an extraordinary vow. He then spent five kalpas (a very very long time) thoroughly comprehending the virtues and supreme qualities of these Pure Lands, carefully planning the blueprint for his own Buddha land—the Western Pure Land  —which he would establish upon attaining Buddhahood.

Later, Bhikshu Dharmakara reported his plan to Lokeśvararāja Tathāgata and made forty-eight great vows based on his vision of the Western Pure Land. He vowed that if even one of these vows remained unfulfilled, he would not attain Buddhahood.

The Attainment of Buddhahood—Becoming Namo Amituofo (Amitabha Buddha)

After that, Bhikshu Dharmakara spent an immeasurable amount of time diligently cultivating the path. He transcended all worldly emotions and desires—such as wealth, pleasure, fame, food, and sleep—and tirelessly spread the Buddha’s teachings, helping sentient beings to overcome delusion and attain enlightenment. He dedicated himself entirely to fulfilling his Forty-Eight Great Vows, offering himself completely for the benefit of all beings.

At last, ten kalpas ago, he attained Buddhahood and became known as Namo Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amituofo).