Sukhavati

Buddha Amitabha in Sukhavati. Tibet, circa 1700.

Sukhavati (Skt. Sukhāvatī; T. bde ba can བདེ་བ་ཅན་; C. jile jingtu 極樂淨土) is the buddha field (buddhakṣetra) of Amitabha, located in the western direction.

The Sakya Pandita Translation Group states:

The Sanskrit term sukhāvatī, in Tibetan Dewachen (bde ba can), designates a realm of delight, a place where no suffering is experienced. The inhabitants of this realm are spiritually advanced beings who enjoy the presence of buddhas, bodhisattvas, and arhats, and engage exclusively in wholesome activities. The principal buddha of this realm has two names, Amitāyus (Limitless Life) and Amitābha (Limitless Light)... Amitāyus is, in Vajrayāna contexts, sometimes considered a sambhogakāya form of Buddha Amitābha.

... [sukhāvatī] is a land with lakes and forests full of jewels, with magical birds, and with little bells producing lovely sounds. Its ideal environment enhances the spiritual practice of Sukhāvatī’s inhabitants.

In the Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra, the Buddha explains "how virtuous people who focus single-mindedly on the Buddha Amitābha will obtain a rebirth in Sukhāvatī in their next life, and he urges all to develop faith in this teaching."