Hōzō Bosatsu
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Skt. Dharmakara. The Sutra of Infinite Life (Jp. = Muryojukyō 無量壽經) records the discourses delivered by the Historical Buddha at Vulture Peak in Rajagriha (India), where he speaks of the 48 vows made by Hōzō Bosatsu 法蔵菩薩 (also spelled Hozo or Houzou) to help all sentient beings achieve salvation. As a human, Hōzō was a king who gave up his throne after hearing the teachings of Lokesvararaja Buddha ((Sejizaiō Butsu 自在王佛).
After eons of practice, he made 48 vows 四十八願 and thereafter achieved Buddhahood, becoming known as Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Those who believe in Amida will be reborn in the Buddha Land of Perfection (the "Pure Land"). Of the 48 vows, the 18th vow is most important. In this vow, Hōzō Bosatsu aspires for the universal salvation of all beings. It reads:
- "Upon my attainment of Buddhahood, if sentient beings in the ten quarters -- who have sincerity of heart, hold faith, and wish to be born in my land -- repeat my name up to ten times, yet are unable to be reborn in my land, then may I fail to obtain enlightenment."
The 48 vows of Hōzō Bosatsu have survived into modern times, and variations on the vows are used by laity, nuns, and monks in Tibet, China, and Japan.
Hōzō practiced for a long time (five kalpa) before attaining enlightenment, and is thus shown with thick hair. One kalpa (Jp. = Kō) is the period required to empty a ten-square mile city of poppy sees if one seed were removed every three years.