May 23, 2020 Chant the buddha-name.
No problem if you are not a Buddhist.
Chanting “Amituofo” is a form of meditation. It’s a way of calming our mind and controlling where it goes by focusing on a chosen object or idea. The primary aim of this form of meditation is to achieve the mental state of one-mind undisturbed, a state in which the mind concentrates solely on its meditative subject.
We chant “Amituofo” to focus our thoughts on an awakened being, a being who used to be like us but who has now achieved perfect wisdom and compassion.
We are not worshiping him. Just like when we meditate by concentrating on our in- and out-breaths, we aren’t worshiping our breaths.
Or when listening intently to the sound of ocean waves, we aren’t worshiping the ocean. In our chanting, we are focusing our thoughts on a being who possesses the virtues we wish to develop. So, Buddhist or not, chant the buddha-name to develop these same virtues.
