Daily Nianfo Meditation

[@SilA108ks]

Amitabha Buddha !

[@IwanSetiawan-ol5jg]

🙏 Namo Amituofo 🙏 Namo Amituofo 🙏 Namo Amituofo

[@TheFiestyhick]

If when chanting a wave of very dark, negative thoughts arise, what should we be focusing? How to handle? Do we totally ignore and keep focus on Amitabha name and Presence? Do we pray and ask Buddha to help dissolve negativity while chanting? Do we try to cast the dark thoughts onto Buddha while Nianfo? Should we use some degree of intention to dissolve dark thoughts or just ignore and allow Nianfo to handle it? Thanks

[@PureLandBuddhism]

Greetings. It is best to put in effort to be mindful of Amitābha's name at all times during our chanting session. If negative thoughts and emotions or other thoughts/emotions arise, one can use one's will-power/intention to over power it and focus on the name only. If this is difficult, one must continue chanting nevertheless, because after some time, these thoughts and emotions will pass away on their own. It is best to pray to Amitābha Buddha before each session of chanting to ask him for blessings, guidance and protection during the course of our practice. It is also best to express gratitude to him before and after practice. Hope this helps. Namo Amitābha Buddha 🙏

[@eladsinger9215]

Does it matter what language one chants in? Can one 'switch it up?' (Amitabha---Amida Bu, Amituofo, etc?)

[@PureLandBuddhism]

It is fine to chant in different languages, as long as you are mindful of your chanting. For long-term practice, it is best to choose a language that resonates the most with you, and stick with it.

[@eladsinger9215]

@@PureLandBuddhism By being mindful do you mean "mindful of chanting" or mindful of Amitabha, or what exactly?

[@PureLandBuddhism]

When you are chanting out loud, it is best to be mindful of your own voice which recites the holy name. When you aren't chanting out loud, it is best to be mindful of The Buddha in thoughts. How do you be mindful of the Buddha in thoughts? By thinking of and reflecting on his name. Either way, the focus is on Amitabha Buddha because he and his name are not different.

[@eladsinger9215]

@@PureLandBuddhism How does our mindfulness make any difference to the outcome of chanting?

[@PureLandBuddhism]

The primary purpose of spiritual practice like meditation/chanting is to transform the mind and lead one from ignorance to wisdom. Chanting is a spiritual practice which accomplishes that goal. When one focuses on nianfo, one has right mindfulness - that of "Amitabha Buddha". All other thoughts are delusions and do not lead to right mindfulness. Hence, merely repeating the name without mindfulness, will not lead to right concentration, which will then not lead to right wisdom. So, put in the effort and be mindful of your chanting. Do not give up even though it may be hard initially. Keep at it. Over a period of time, you will get better and relish the process, thus, resulting in merits being accrued and wisdom realized.