Chanting: The Ten-Recitation Method
Simple, Convenient, and Effective Way to Buddha name Chanting
If one strives to end the cycle of Birth and Death, one should concentrate on Buddha-name recitation practice. This is because when one ends the cycle of Birth and Death and reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land, it kickstarts one’s path to the attainment of Supreme, Complete Enlightenment without retrogression. Strive to reborn on the Western Pure Land and learn the benefits of Why Amitabha’s Pure Land.
The Ten-Recitation Chanting 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 "Amitabha" ten times with a calm and focused mind, aloud or silently. This is considered one set. In each set we chant "Amitabha" ten times.
We repeat this for eight more sets throughout the day, totaling nine sets of ten “Amitabha” chants everyday.
This nine-set chanting can be done by following one of the two suggested schedules. Please choose the one that is the most suitable for your circumstances.
One schedule 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 schedule 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.
Here’s 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!
Single-minded recitation of the Buddha name is the correct and most expedient method to practice in our busy lives nowadays.
Chanting — Simple, Easy, but Profound
One may ask about the language used in chanting the buddha name, Amitabha. The simple way of chanting “Amituofo,” is Amitabha Buddha in Chinese. Actually, 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 practice. Just as a good teacher listens to the calls for help from a student looking for the right answers, as long as we have:
the unwavering belief
vow to be reborn in the Pure Land, and
sincere practice
Amitabha will respond to us. 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 finish our practice and complete our learning, for we will be in the company of Amitabha Buddha and all the bodhisattvas in the Western Pure Land. They will help us learn all ways to wisely and compassionately help other beings.
Meditation to the Pure Land (Taught by Zen Master Han-Shan)
Chanting is a way of meditation. Connect your mind & soul to the sound of Amitabha Buddha name chanting. Mindfully practice chanting everyday to cultivate a pure mind. Amitabha means infinite, and Buddha means wisdom and awakening.
Connect your SELF with the inconceivable power of Amitabha and the Western Pure Land. Dedicated the merits and virtues to all beings in this world.
For those who would like to meditate around the chanting sessions, here is a wonderful method, in addition to the Buddha-name recitation method as described above, that Master Han-Shan (1546–1623), the Chinese Zen Master during the Ming Dynasty, once taught:
Picture a great lotus, shaped like a wheel and colored blue, yellow, red or white. During meditation and Buddha Recitation, always contemplate this lotus blossom clearly.
Think of yourself as sitting on this lotus seat. Think about Amitabha Buddha emitting light, illuminating your own body.
When visualizing, do not be bound by walking, standing, sitting, or reclining positions. Also do not be bound by time. Just visualize the Pure Land clearly. Whether your eyes are open or closed, (the image) should never be blurred.
Even in your dreams you should still see Amitabha Buddha, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kuan Yin) and Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta (Shih Chih) and all other Bodhisattvas sitting each on their own lotus blossom — all radiant and clear.
Buddha-name chanting and meditation do go complementary together. Read the full Zen Master Han-Shan’s Talk on Zen and Amitabha’s Pure Land here.
Anyone who follows such practice will attain Complete Enlightenment in the Pure Land in one lifetime!
Namo Amitabha!
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Resources:
. Zen Master Han-Shan’s Zen and Pure Land Talk
. Meditation Sutra (or Visualization Sutra)
. Amitabha Mindful Chanting Music Collection
. Five Pure Land Sutras
Start Amitabha Mindful Chanting now.
Make the vow to reborn to the Western Pure Land in this lifetime!