The Benefits of ‘Namo Amituofo’ Recitation

English

Jun 16

Written By 净土宗 Pure Land Buddhism

i) How Pure Land teachings benefit ourselves?

The innumerable benefits can be grouped under two categories: those of our present and future lives.

There are eleven benefits in the present life:

1. Amitabha positions himself above our heads;

2. Protected by the Buddha’s light;

3. Supported by all the Buddhas;

4. Accompanied by Bodhisattvas;

5. Safeguarded by spirits;

6. Elimination of bad karma;

7. Accumulation of good fortune and wisdom;

8. Avoidance of disaster;

9. Longevity and health;

10. A good death;

11. Attainment of the karma of assurance

There are four benefits in the future life:

1. End of the reincarnation cycle;

2. Rebirth in the Pure Land;

3. Attainment of Buddhahood;

4. Comprehensive deliverance of sentient beings

The 15 kinds of benefit above were earnestly described by Shakyamuni Buddha. They are all true, with cases witnessed throughout the ages. Some people think that the Amitabha-recitation of the Pure Land school brings no benefits in our present lifetimes. That is a great misunderstanding.

ii) How Pure Land teachings benefit other people?

All the benefits accruing to us can be obtained by others if we conscientiously recite ‘Namo Amituofo’ and dedicate the resulting merit to them. The subject is vast, so I will only cite a couple of examples. When parents recite, their children are spared calamity. If children and grandchildren recite, their deceased ancestors are delivered.

Moreover, if we gain rebirth in the Pure Land, we will become Buddhas and deliver beings extensively. We benefit ourselves as well as others in a complete and perfect manner.

iii) How Pure Land teachings benefit our family, country and the world?

All the world’s conflicts, from the level of families and groups to that of societies and nations, arise from clashes of interest. They also result from our limited perspectives on this tiny planet, as well as the confinement of our thinking to this brief lifetime. As the saying goes, we “compete for advantage amid a spark from flint stones and fight for pre-eminence atop a snail’s tentacles.”

If we can practice Amitabha-recitation, admire the Pure Land, we would be only too eager to avoid the five worldly desires. And the most serious problems that beset humankind today – nuclear weapons, regional wars, the energy crisis, environmental pollution, terrorism, violence, pornography and drugs – would vanish.

As the Infinite Life Sutra says:

Wherever the Buddha goes there are no nations, towns or villages that are not transformed. The entire land is peaceful and harmonious, and the sun and moon shine brightly. The wind blows and the rains fall as they should, and calamities do not occur. The country is prosperous and the people feel secure. There is no need for soldiers or weapons. The people hold virtue and benevolence in high regard, and cultivate propriety and accommodation.

How inspiring!

The Pure Land teachings can be practiced by everyone. Their practice brings full and practical benefits to self, others, family, nation and the world. (Master Jingzong)

Namo Amituofo.

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【念佛法門的利益】

文：淨宗法師

1.於自身的利益

廣說無量，束為二端，現世利益與當來利益。

現世利益有十一：一、彌陀住頂。二、佛光護身。三、諸佛護念。四、菩薩相隨。五、冥眾護持。六、消除罪障。七、增長福慧。八、離諸厄難。九、能得壽康。十、將獲善終。十一、入正定聚。

當來利益有四：一、斷除輪迴。二、往生淨土。三、成就佛果。四、廣度眾生。

以上共十五種益。佛祖誠言，的的不虛；古今實事，明明見證。所以有人以為淨土念佛，無益現世，那是大大的誤解。

2.於他人的利益

凡自身可得之利益，至誠念佛回向他人，他人亦皆可得之。廣說無量，略舉一二。如父母念佛，子女免難；子孫念佛，先亡超升等。

又，只要往生，就能成佛，成佛即能廣度眾生；自利利他，究竟圓滿。

3.於家、國、世界的利益

廣說無量，今反顯其要。小而家庭、團體，大而社會、國家，世間一切紛爭衝突，莫不因為利益相爭而起，也莫不因為我人的眼睛唯局在小小地球之上，思想唯限在短短的一生之間，所謂：「石火光中，一爭長短；蝸牛角上，一決雌雄。」如能行淨土念佛，慕十萬億程之黃金國土，願無量億劫之自在身心，則世間之財色五欲，避之唯恐不及，而當今世界纏繞人類最嚴重的核武、地區戰爭、能源危機、環境污染、恐怖、暴力、色情、毒品等問題，也都將消之於無形。

如《無量壽經》說：