Without accepting
the actual, literal existence of Amida Buddha there can be no true faith, no
true salvation and no real birth in His Pure Land. If we have faith in someone,
then it means we are sure beyond any doubt that he is reliable and that he will
keep his promise. Also to believe in someone’s promise means that we accept his
existence, too. Promises can be made by living persons, in our case by a
living, existing Amida Buddha, not by material objects or fictional characters[1].
Thus, we must accept Amida as a living Buddha who can hear, see and save us by
taking us to His Pure Land after death.
Honen Shonin said:
"Amida
Buddha fulfilled the forty-eight vows and established the Pure Land. He always
listens to a person who utters His name".[2]
„Amida
Buddha never fails to hear you, regardless of time and circumstances”.[3]
He also said: