Amida
Amida in Japanese mythology, is the supreme god, sole sovereign in the regions of bliss, the father and protector of all spirits, without beginning and without end. He created the universe, rules the world, was in bodily form on the earth for more than a thousand years, performed the most stupendous miracles, and taught and converted men. There is a contradiction, however, in this, that he thereupon died voluntarily, and thus was raised to the godhead, since which time he stands as a mediator between God and men. Through him alone, and by his mediation only, can men be saved. At death they are placed for a time in hell, from which place they can be liberated by the priests upon making presents to the temple; after which liberation they again return to this earth. Amida has seven heads, which are meant to point to his seven thousand years: rule of the world. He sits riding on a seven- headed horse.
