Amito Fo, The Greatest Name of All...

by Rev. Shi Kuan Shen of the Heavenly Dragon's Gate Temple (Tien Long Men Si) in Jacksonville, Fla.

     We know that Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in this world and showed us the way to salvation through Amitabha Buddha. We also know that Dharmakara Bodhisattva worked for our salvation, became Amitabha Buddha and established The Name.

     Buddhism is the fundamental truth of the universe and life. The world is full of pain and suffering. In some parts of the world people suffer from hunger, in hospitals patients suffer from various illness and some even fighting for their lives. There is racism, in homes for the elderly people suffer from aging. In fact, who amongst us do not have our own problems and sufferings? Why? Why do we have to suffer? what can we do about it? By studying Buddhism we know the answer. The answer is because of our delusional minds, we have to suffer; because of the evil thought and the evil deeds we have done we have to suffer; because of our greediness, hatred, and evil nature, we have to suffer.

     Why chant the Nien Fo? Of the vows that Amitabha Buddha made, the 18th Vow states; "If, after my obtaining Buddhahood, all the beings in the Ten quarters who, with sincerity of heart hold faith and wish to be born into my Pureland, repeating my Name perhaps to ten times, are not so born, may I not attain the Highest Enlightenment." Amitabha guides all sentient beings to His land of Bliss.

So, what is so special about those 6 characters NA MO A MI TO FO? The Japanese Sage Shinran Shonin says in his Kyo-Gyo-Shin-Sho , "The utterance of The Name destroys all the ignorance of sentient beings and fulfills all the asperations of sentient beings." It also says, "The utterance of The Name is the Supreme and truly wonderful Right Act." The Recitation of the Nien Fo destroys all past sins and akugo (Evil Karma).

Amitabha Buddha made the Name easy to hear, and easy to utter so that all beings regardless of intelect, expereience, etc. "Since the Name is made easy to utter for those illiterates who may not be familiar with the contexts of Sutras and commentaries, it is called the Easy Practice." The Name is also the superior teaching and the True Right Act for birth.

The Larger Sutra also tells us that those who put their faith in Amitabha Buddha and recite the Nien Fo will, "Gain the greatest benefit" and "Possessed of the highest virtues" we as Pure Land Followers followers should listen to the Teachings of the Buddha and realize  that our Birth is all the  more assured with each day and that Amitabha, for our sakes perfected the Name and Vow as the way of our salvation. When we turn inwards and realize how totaly ignorant and full of evil we humans really are, we come to realixe that there is nothing that we ourselves can do to break these karmic bonds that hold us to the sea of Birth and Death. When such a realization occurs we can do nothing but feel gratitude to the Buddha for His All Compassionate Vow and respond with the Nien Fo, the sound of our Salvation assured.

     A Pure Land master said, "The holy name of Buddha is exceedingly distinct and clear. It is the Name of the Vow embodying great love and compassion, which brings all sentient beings into supreme Nirvana." Meaning that Amitabha Buddha's Vow to save all beings manifests itself in the form of the Nien Fo, and the Nien Fo is manifestation of the Vow.  The Master continues, "Only those who say the name attain birth." This is in referance to the 18th Vow which was stated previously. Only those people who singleheartedly place total faith in Amitabha and recite the Nien Fo will attain birth in the Pure Land. Why is this so? It is due to the law of cause and effect. In order for Birth (effect) there must first be a cause for that Birth, and the cause for our Birth is the Nien Fo. We also need (Faith) before we can attain Birth. For Nien Fo without (Faith) is like a toaster without electricity, you place the bread in, press down and nothing happens other than you wasting time. It is the same with the Nien Fo. So we may put it this way:

(FAITH) + NIEN FO =  (BIRTH)

So you see, the Holy Name of Amitabha Buddha is so much more than just 6 characters. It embodies Pure Compassion and Love. It is the only way that sentient beings are saved and by no other means. The Buddha cares for us all and for that reason established the Name.   All the good of other Buddha's  vows cannot come close to the Absolute good of the Nien Fo. The Vow was made just for you , so we should remember Amitabha daily and let's say "Xie xie Amito Fo"  (Thank you Amitabha Buddha)   by reciting the Nien Fo.

NAMO AMITO FO
NAMO AMITO FO
NAMO AMITO FO