# Western Three Sages Hall

The Western Three Sages take Amitabha Buddha as the central figure, with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva as the two attendants. Together they symbolize sincerity, compassion, and rational wisdom jointly receiving and guiding beings.

## Amitabha Buddha: Self-Nature as Fundamental Essence and True Mind
Amitabha Buddha is usually depicted holding a lotus platform, with one hand lowered to receive and guide beings. The name is a Sanskrit transliteration: “A” means without, “mitā” means measure, and “Buddha” means awakened. Together, it means “Infinite Awakening.”
**Meaning of the infinite: **What is infinite? The lifespan, wisdom, virtues, abilities, talents, and blessings inherently present in our self-nature are all infinite.
**Reciting Amitabha Buddha: **It is not seeking an external god, but awakening our own “mind of infinite awakening.” The lotus held by the Buddha represents “cause and effect arising simultaneously.” As long as you honestly recite the Buddha’s name, the lotus of Buddhahood is planted in your own nature at that very moment.

## Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: Great Kindness and Great Compassion, Conduct Toward Others
Guanyin Bodhisattva holds a pure vase and willow branch.
**Symbolic meaning: **Represents compassion. Amitabha Buddha represents the fundamental essence of the true mind, and the first functioning of the true mind toward people and the outer world is compassion.
**Application in life: **The nectar in the pure vase represents the pure Buddhadharma, and the willow branch represents softness and freedom. The master taught that when we see Guanyin Bodhisattva, we should remind ourselves to care for and help all beings with a mind of equality, purity, and selfless compassion, without selfishness or self-interest.

## Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva: Great Wisdom, Inner Rectification of the Mind
Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva wears a jeweled vase on his crown and holds a lotus with both hands.
**Symbolic meaning: **Represents rationality, or wisdom. The master said that “Great Strength Arrived” means that the power of wisdom has reached its peak. Compassion must be built upon rationality. Without rationality, compassion becomes “emotional behavior” and can instead create karma.
**Application in life: **Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva is the first patriarch of the Pure Land school, through the “Chapter on the Perfect Penetration of Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva Through Buddha Recitation.” The method he teaches has only eight words: “Gather in the six sense faculties; maintain pure mindfulness continuously.” The master explained that this teaches us inwardly to gather back the scattered mind, honestly recite the Buddha’s name, and maintain a high degree of rationality and purity.