Amitabha is known as the “Vajra Speech Buddha,” which indicates that he is the manifestation of the speech of all the Buddhas. He has a red-colored body, and sits with his two hands in the gesture of meditative equipoise.

He has appeared many times in the aspect of ordinary beings to guide living beings on the spiritual path, and continues to do so. He appeared as Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa, and more recently as Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. For more information and an explanation of a short practice that focuses on Amitabha, see the book Eight Steps to Happiness.