Barna fra Sukhavati

"Barna fra Sukhavati" (The Children from Sukhavati) is a children's book by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder, published in 1987. In this work, Gaarder sets a fantasy world against the real world, allowing the central characters to explore and question ideas and values.1

Sukhavati itself is a concept within Mahayana Buddhism, specifically in the Pure Land schools. It is described as the Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha. Rebirth in Sukhavati is believed to be achieved by invoking Amitabha's name, particularly at the time of death. The Pure Land sutras depict Sukhavati as a joyous, luminous world filled with music and jeweled trees.2