The Dharma

Rebirth in the Amitabha Pureland

Reciting/Chanting the Buddha's name is one of the many practices we practise as Buddhists. In fact, it is one of the most recommended practices during the Dharma-ending age. As it is known in sutras, during the Dharma-ending age, defilements generated will be far too great for most to maintain a pure mind to practise. Furthermore, the sacred teachings of the Buddha will slowly but steadily be forgotten by people. If anyone during that period can still remember, and is able to hold the Buddha's name with one-pointedness of the mind, one will not only be able to attain the same kind of concentration as possible in meditation, but also be able to be reborn in the pureland of the Buddha whom one is mindful of.

In "The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra" , the Buddha explained to Venerable Shariputra about the importance of reciting/chanting the Buddha's (Amitabha) name and the limitless benefits of it.

"If there is a good man or good woman who hears of Amitabha and holds (recites/chants) his name whether for one day, two days, three, four, five days, six days, as long as seven days with one mind unconfused (one-pointedness), when this person nears the end of life, before him will appear Amitabha and all the Assembly of Holy Ones. When the end comes, his mind will not be utterly confused, and in Amitabha's Land of Utmost Happiness he will quickly be reborn. Shariputra, because I see this benefit, I speak these words; and, if living beings hear this teaching they should make the vow: I wish to born in that land."

I was reciting Shakyamuni Buddha's name during the Buddha's Tooth Relics Exhibition at Singapore Expo last Sunday, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all Buddhas. Gratitude that all Buddhas never fail to "adorn" onto each of us their perfect Compassion and Wisdom. Gratitute that all Buddhas have sacrified aeons of years to perfect the six paramitas (perfections) in order to save all beings (us) from the sufferings. Gratitude that all Buddhas have had selflessly taught all beings without prejudice solely to benefit them. Gratitude for being able to be born in a time while the Buddha's teachings still exist, such that I can still be able to benefit from them. Namo Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha!

"Shariputra, if there are people who have already made the vow, who now make the vow, or who will make the vow, I wish to be born in Amitabha's country, these people, whether born in the past, now being born there, or to be born there in the future, will all attain non-retreat from anuttarasamyaksambodhi*. Therefore, Shariputra, all good men and good women who believe should make the vow, I wish to be born in that country."
— The Buddha speaks of Amitabha Sutra

*This is a Sanskrit term referring to the perfect and universal enlightenment of a Buddha. It is variously translated as meaning "Utmost, right and perfect enlightenment," "Supreme, orthodox, and equal awakening", or the like. The commentarial traditions indicate that the term includes the levels of enlightenment of the Bodhisattva and Arahat within that of the Buddha.

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