Many Ways To Nianfo
Meditation doesn’t have to be boring! One can explore and practice Nianfo (Amitabha-recitation) in many ways and have fun doing it! :)
1. Recite in whatever language you want
One can say Namo Amitabha Buddha. Namo means I take refuge - I take refuge in Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, the Buddha-nature, the Oneness in all beings. So one can go like Namo Amitabha Buddha, recite this repeatedly like a mantra to help you transform your negative thoughts into positivity, into Infinite Light and Life (the meaning of Amitabha).
One can also say Namo Amituofo or Amituofo, Amituofo in Chinese means Amitabha Buddha.
One can recite this Name in whatever language that one feels connected with, for instance, Namu Amida Butsu in Japanese, Om Ami Dewa Hrih in Tibetan... as long as you know that you are reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha.
2. Recite with Namo or without Namo
One can also recite Namo Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amituofo) or simply Amitabha Buddha or Amitabha (Amituofo). It’s like if you are calling your father, you can address him as father or dad.
3. Recite fast, mid-paced or slow
One can recite relatively fast, slow or mid-paced. We recommend mid-paced to begin with (again, what is mid-paced can vary among people).
4. Recite out loud, or diamond recitation or silently in your mind
At the beginning, one may want to recite the Name aloud to get used to the process. When one recites naturally, one can also adopt the diamond recitation, in which you move your lips with only a very little voice. This is particularly good if you are with many people and it’s inconvenient to recite out loud. One can recite continuously with diamond recitation to keep the continuous mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha. If you happen to be in a situation where you cannot make any voice, then you can repeat the Name silently in your mind to keep the mindfulness.
5. Ten- recitation Method
This is perhaps the most well-known Nianfo practice. The ten-recitation method that was invented by thirteenth Patriarch Yinguang based on the Infinite Life Sutra (the 18th vow of Amitabha Buddha, which if one recites His Name even ten times at the time of death, then one can attain rebirth in His Pure Land).
There are also different styles to the ten-recitation method. The one that Patriarch Yinguang recommends is to recite the Name ten times (one doesn’t use mala beads to count - as Patriarch Yinguang believes this can be distracting; one counts in the mind or using one’s hand), and when one finishes the tenth recitation, one starts again from 1-10 (do not count over 10). With the counting being added, one can be even more focused and single-minded in one’s practice. When one recites the ten-recitation method, one can do it in a combination of 3-3-4 or 5-5 to keep it rhythmic.
6. Hear your own recitation
Patriarch Yinguang also recommended that when we recite the Name of Amitabha Buddha, we should also engage our ears to hear our recitation to gain focus. Our six roots (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind) can be easily distracted when it comes into contact with the six dusts (forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touch and dharmas. Dharmas mean that which our mind can identify with - both physical and mental). The Buddha said sentient beings in our world have the most sensitive hearing faculty. Locking the root of the ears can somehow effectively help us lock the other five roots so that one can be much more focused and single-hearted in one’s practice.
7. Incorporating the Breaths
One can also incorporate the breaths when one recites the Name. There are many different ways to do this. For instance, one can take an inhale and recite Amitabha, then exhale Amitabha. One can also take a deep inhale and recite Amituofo ten times, then a deep exhale. One can also experiment with the combination of different breaths with different recitations and see what fits best.
8. Visualise the Golden Light
The golden light method is what a lama taught me, which I also quite like. Tibetan Buddhists also practice Nianfo and vow to attain rebirth in Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land. So one can visualise the golden light of Amitabha Buddha entering from the top of our head (crown chakra) and entering each part of the body to cleanse, and eventually flushing down from the feet, imagining that all the negative energy is being flushed out. This golden light visualisation method works wonderfully in purifying our body, speech and mind.
9. Sing it with different tones!
One can also sing this Name like a song. There are so many wonderful Amituofo chants online, and one can choose a tone and chant with it! You can even create your own melody too!
There are many ways one can practice Nianfo, and there is no one size fits all! You can explore and even create your own style! There is no absolute right or wrong, as each person is different. The most important thing is that as long as one practice works (to help obtain peace of mind), then it’s the right method for you!
Here are a few guided meditations which you can follow and practice with
