Homage to Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha, aka Amitayus Buddha, or Amituofo (阿彌陀佛) in Chinese (or Amida in Japanese), is the supreme leader and teacher presiding over the Land of Ultimate Bliss – the Pure Land, or Sukhavati in Sanskrit. This Pure Land, a peaceful and joyful state of being in the uppermost dimension, has been created by Amitabha Buddha for accommodating all followers of the Buddhas to be reborn over there, if we wish, so as to further facilitate our Dharma practice afterlife, helping us purify all the aggregates of attachment and delusion accumulated over countless past lifetimes, and leading us to complete liberation. Once we receive the transmission of the infinite wisdom of Amitabha Buddha and thereby become equipped with the most adequate skillsets, we can choose to return to this suffering world to truly skillfully help all sentient beings awaken to the Buddha Mind and save them from the endless cycles of death and rebirth and death again …
Amitabha Buddha is also called ‘The Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life’, with Amitabha meaning ‘Boundless Light’ in Sanskrit, while Amitayus meaning ‘Unlimited Life’. At the moment of death, if we call upon the name of Amitabha Buddha (in whichever language you speak), Amitabha Buddha will appear and usher us to the Pure Land – this is the solemn promise made by Amitabha Buddha.
It is worth noting that the Pure Land is not a destination outside of our true self, and that we don’t necessarily have to wait until our last moment to meet Amitabha Buddha. The Pure Land is right here in our Buddha Mind, that Amitabha Buddha is being with us all the time. Once we realize the emptiness of all phenomena and eradicate all mental fabrications and obstructions – desire, greed, fear, anger, hatred, ignorance, pride, jealousy, cynicism, doubtfulness – we will recognize the infinite Buddha Light everywhere, experience a living connection with Amitabha Buddha, and realize a world infused with all-pervasive wisdom and all-inclusive compassion.
Prayers
From this day, I establish earnest vows, vowing to diligently and delightfully cultivate the right practice, never backslide with negativity, always devote myself wholeheartedly and singlemindedly to Amitabha Buddha. However long and arduous the journey may seem to be, may I be light in body and be clear in mind, free of doubts and distractions, transforming all obstacles into beneficial factors, transcending all sorrow and depression into firm resolution to realize the Perfect Wisdom, and thereby become truly skillful in helping all beings.
May Amitabha Buddha appear before me, shining His bright light on me, touching the crown of my head with His hand, and covering my body with His robe, thus obliterating my afflictions all at once, endowing me with perfect clarity and complete realization. May I know in advance the time of my departure. May I have perfect mental lucidity until my last moment on Earth. May I be able to renounce this retribution body and all earthly matters with joyful mind and peaceful composure. May Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahasthamaprapta all show up to receive me and guide me to the Land of Ultimate Bliss. May I swiftly be born in the marvelous Pure Land. May all sentient beings follow the Buddha’s teachings and attain liberation!
誠敬效仿蓮池大師西方發願文
稽首淨土安樂國，接引眾生大導師，南無阿彌陀佛。 弟子清淨蓮子普為六道四恩三塗，遍法界盡虛空一切眾生，懇求阿彌陀佛慈悲攝受，令無始劫來所結諸業，悉皆解除，得生淨土，修證菩提，圓成佛道。自今日起，清淨蓮子立深誓願 – 遠離惡法，勤修聖道，誓成正覺，以度眾生。祈請阿彌陀佛以慈悲願力加被於我 – 願禪觀之中，夢寐之際，得見阿彌陀佛金色之身，得歷阿彌陀佛寶嚴之土。得蒙阿彌陀佛甘露灌頂，光明照身，手摩我頭，衣覆我體，使我宿障盡除，善根深長，煩惱速空，無明頓破。圓覺妙心廓然明朗，寂光真如常得現前。乃至有生之年預知時至，命終之時身無病苦，心無迷惑，安住真如，諸根悅豫，正念分明。阿彌陀佛，與觀音勢至，諸聖賢眾，放光接引，垂手提攜。樓閣幢旛，異香天樂，西方聖境，昭示目前。若有感應見聞者，悉發清淨菩提心。我於爾時，乘金剛台，隨彌陀佛，於彈指頃，生極樂國，七寶池內，勝蓮華中。華開見佛，見諸菩薩，聞妙法音，獲無生忍。承事諸佛，親蒙授記，三身四智，五眼六通，無量陀羅尼門，一切功德，皆悉成就。即能分身無數，遍十方剎，以不可思議自在神力，種種方便，度脫眾生，令皆離染，回歸淨心，往生淨土，圓成菩提。如是宏願，廣大無際， 無窮無盡。願今專心念佛禮佛學佛，修持功德福德慧德，回向眾生，總報四恩，齊濟三塗，普願遍法界盡虛空一切眾生，悉發清淨菩提心，皆生淨土安樂國。
Buddha Mind 