Amida Jodo Mandara (Mandala of the Pure Land of Amitabha)

The esoteric sects of Buddhism introduced in the Nara period were philosophical concepts which involved much ritual and grandiose ceremonies with altars of objects in magical arrays, the fragrance of incense, the sound of ritual bells, chanting sutras, and the contemplation of matrices of the dual world of existence. But the Heian period saw a proliferation of Amidaism among both the common populace and the aristocracy who found esoteric Buddhism difficult to understand and who craved a simple answer to their spiritual needs. The Pure Land teaching provided this in the form of Amida Nyorai, in whom a simple belief would ensure a place in Paradise, and the sure knowledge that Amida would descend to welcome them into the Pure Land upon death.