Buddha-name Chanting: "Amituofo"
Sample Chanting Practice:
Amitabha Buddha-Name Chanting (accompanying with music "The Road to the West") [ Listen to MP3 ]
For more chanting samples, check out this collection of Amitabha Mindful Chanting music.
Amitabha Buddha-Name Chanting (accompanying with music "The Road to the West") [ Listen to MP3 ]
For more chanting samples, check out this collection of Amitabha Mindful Chanting music.
The simplest way to practice Pure Land is by chanting "Amituofo," which is Amitabha Buddha in Chinese. It does not matter whether we chant in Chinese or any other language as long as we do it properly. When we chant, the sound of "Amituofo" arises in our minds. And as we utter "Amituofo," our minds concentrate on and embrace that sound. While chanting, do so sincerely and continuously.
As one keeps chanting and the mind focuses on the sound of "Amituofo," errant thoughts are replaced with pure thoughts. In this way, we also create less negative karma. After Amitabha Buddha has been in our mind continuously for a long time, our true nature--our Buddha nature--will gradually be uncovered.
It is similar to a child remembering a dearly loved one: a mother, father, or someone else. The dearly loved one is always with him, always in his heart. Likewise, he is always in the dearly loved one's heart--and never forgotten. In a similar way, Amitabha is always thinking of us, waiting for us to reach out to him so that he may respond to us.
Amitabha Buddha is the wise and compassionate teacher who understands everything, and who is always thinking of us, lifetime after lifetime after lifetime. We are the students who are trying to learn and to practice. Just as a good teacher listens to the calls for help from a student looking for the right answers, if we have unwavering belief, vow to be reborn in the Pure Land, and sincerely practice, Amitabha will respond. All we have to do is chant his name mindfully.
When we chant to the point of single-mindedness with the sole thought of "Amituofo," we successfully form a connection with him--in fact, we become one with him. In that instant we are in the Pure Land--far to the west and deep within us. As we breathe our last breath in this world, if we can form this connection, form this oneness with "Amituofo," we will attain our next rebirth in the Western Pure Land and leaving suffering behind. And once there, we will have all the time we need to continue our practice and learning, for we will be in the company of Amitabha Buddha and all the bodhisattvas. They will help us learn all the ways to wisely and compassionately help other beings.
Buddha-name Chanting: The Ten-Recitation Method
This simple, convenient, and effective way to practice Buddha name chanting is especially suitable for those who find that they have little time for cultivation. The chanting helps us to be mindful of Amitabha Buddha. It brings us joy.
We begin when we wake up. Sit up straight and clearly chant "Amituofo" ten times with a calm and focused mind, aloud or silently. We repeat this eight more times throughout the day. Each time we chant "Amituofo" ten times. This chanting can be done by following one of two programs. Please choose the one that is the most suitable for your circumstances.
One program is to chant upon waking up, before and after breakfast, before work, before and after lunch, before and after dinner, and before retiring. The other program is to chant upon waking up, before breakfast, before and after our morning's work, before lunch, before and after our afternoon's work, before dinner, and before retiring.
The key is regularity; disruption of this practice will reduce its effectiveness. When we recite consistently without interruption, we will soon feel an increase in our wisdom, serenity, and purity of mind. Diligent practice of this method together with unwavering belief, vows and living a moral life can ensure fulfillment of our wish to reach the Western Pure Land.
Below is a sample Amitabha Buddha-name Chanting session in 10 min. Check out a few more chants from this chanting collection. Pick a chant you like and get started with your chanting practice today!
As one keeps chanting and the mind focuses on the sound of "Amituofo," errant thoughts are replaced with pure thoughts. In this way, we also create less negative karma. After Amitabha Buddha has been in our mind continuously for a long time, our true nature--our Buddha nature--will gradually be uncovered.
It is similar to a child remembering a dearly loved one: a mother, father, or someone else. The dearly loved one is always with him, always in his heart. Likewise, he is always in the dearly loved one's heart--and never forgotten. In a similar way, Amitabha is always thinking of us, waiting for us to reach out to him so that he may respond to us.
Amitabha Buddha is the wise and compassionate teacher who understands everything, and who is always thinking of us, lifetime after lifetime after lifetime. We are the students who are trying to learn and to practice. Just as a good teacher listens to the calls for help from a student looking for the right answers, if we have unwavering belief, vow to be reborn in the Pure Land, and sincerely practice, Amitabha will respond. All we have to do is chant his name mindfully.
When we chant to the point of single-mindedness with the sole thought of "Amituofo," we successfully form a connection with him--in fact, we become one with him. In that instant we are in the Pure Land--far to the west and deep within us. As we breathe our last breath in this world, if we can form this connection, form this oneness with "Amituofo," we will attain our next rebirth in the Western Pure Land and leaving suffering behind. And once there, we will have all the time we need to continue our practice and learning, for we will be in the company of Amitabha Buddha and all the bodhisattvas. They will help us learn all the ways to wisely and compassionately help other beings.
Buddha-name Chanting: The Ten-Recitation Method
This simple, convenient, and effective way to practice Buddha name chanting is especially suitable for those who find that they have little time for cultivation. The chanting helps us to be mindful of Amitabha Buddha. It brings us joy.
We begin when we wake up. Sit up straight and clearly chant "Amituofo" ten times with a calm and focused mind, aloud or silently. We repeat this eight more times throughout the day. Each time we chant "Amituofo" ten times. This chanting can be done by following one of two programs. Please choose the one that is the most suitable for your circumstances.
One program is to chant upon waking up, before and after breakfast, before work, before and after lunch, before and after dinner, and before retiring. The other program is to chant upon waking up, before breakfast, before and after our morning's work, before lunch, before and after our afternoon's work, before dinner, and before retiring.
The key is regularity; disruption of this practice will reduce its effectiveness. When we recite consistently without interruption, we will soon feel an increase in our wisdom, serenity, and purity of mind. Diligent practice of this method together with unwavering belief, vows and living a moral life can ensure fulfillment of our wish to reach the Western Pure Land.
Below is a sample Amitabha Buddha-name Chanting session in 10 min. Check out a few more chants from this chanting collection. Pick a chant you like and get started with your chanting practice today!
Ten Benefits of Practicing Buddha-name Chanting (Mindfulness of the Buddha)
Some say the benefits of Buddha recitation practice may results after death, but at present we merely experience weariness and fatigue with no practical benefit. That’s why this is likely a reason practitioner become lazy and retrogress in the cultivation path of Buddhahood.
Such saying is a misunderstanding and incomprehensive. The sutras say that those who invoke the Buddha’s name with utmost sincerity will derive ten greats benefits in this very life. These are the ten benefits described by Buddha Sakyamuni himself, as recorded in the sutra teachings.
Since Buddha Recitation can bring such benefits in the present and in the future, it should be taken as the most important of all mundane and supra-mundane Dharma methods. Those who are serious practitioners should take this as once in a lifetime opportunity, redouble their efforts and not to cast any doubt on this Dharma Door.
Some say the benefits of Buddha recitation practice may results after death, but at present we merely experience weariness and fatigue with no practical benefit. That’s why this is likely a reason practitioner become lazy and retrogress in the cultivation path of Buddhahood.
Such saying is a misunderstanding and incomprehensive. The sutras say that those who invoke the Buddha’s name with utmost sincerity will derive ten greats benefits in this very life. These are the ten benefits described by Buddha Sakyamuni himself, as recorded in the sutra teachings.
- Day and night they enjoy the invisible protection of all celestial beings, powerful deities, and the their multitudes of retainers.
- Twenty-five great Bodhisattvas, including the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kuan Yin) and other Bodhisattvas, constantly keep them in mind and protect them.
- They enjoy the continuous aid and protection of the Buddhas; Amitabha Buddha emits constant light to gather them in.
- No evil demons, ferocious dragons, poisonous snakes or the like can harm them.
- They do not meet with such calamities as drowning, burning or other violent death; nor do they encounter such punishment as being shackled and imprisoned.
- Previous evil karma is gradually dissipated; the souls of those whom they have murdered in past lives are liberated and no longer seek revenge.
- They have restful sleep or dream of auspicious events or view the supremely wonderful body of Amitabha Buddha.
- Their Minds are always joyful and at peace, their complexions clear and bright, their bodies filled with energy and strength; whatever they undertake generally meets with success.
- They are always honored and assisted by others, and are gladly accorded the respect reserved for the Buddhas.
- At the time of death, they do not experience fright, as right thoughts manifest themselves; they witness Amitabha Buddha and the Lotus Sacred Assembly bearing the golden lotus dais, to welcome and escort them to the Pure Land, where they will enjoy peace of Mind and happiness forever.
Since Buddha Recitation can bring such benefits in the present and in the future, it should be taken as the most important of all mundane and supra-mundane Dharma methods. Those who are serious practitioners should take this as once in a lifetime opportunity, redouble their efforts and not to cast any doubt on this Dharma Door.
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This page is re-posted from page 61-62 of the text of "Going Home to the Pure Land". See site reference info.
COMPLETE TEXT OF THE AMITABHA SUTRA (IN CHINESE)