APARMITA

Aparmita is another name for Amitabha Buddha for his power and strength, and also to depict his famed characteristics of bestowing longevity to all beings. Crowned as Buddha or a Bodhisattwa, Amitabha is shown richly clad and decorated with different varieties of ornaments. Having his hair painted blue, he is always seen seated in the Padmasana position like that of Lord Buddha with his hands on his lap in Dhyana Mudra (Meditating posture) and holding the ambrosia vase as his special emblem.

Aparmita Buddha is worshipped in many ways in Lamaism or Tibetan Buddhism. For obtaining a long life, Lamaist ceremony is often a blend of Buddhism and the tradition of demon-worship. In the preliminary worship, the pills made from buttered dough and the ambrosia brewed from spirit or beer is offered in a skull bowl before the great image of Aparmita. The Lama then places a Vajra on the ambrosia vase (Aparmita is always seen with a Vajra on his lap); then attaches a cord to the Vajra; and from there, stretches this cord to his own heart. The wine in the ambrosia vase is then consecrated and distributed.  Devotees and people around take part in this and also accept sacred pills for eating or swallowing with the conviction that their lives will be prolonged through their deep faith in Aparmita.