Page "Pure Land Buddhism" Paragraph 17

Repeating the name of Amitābha Buddha is traditionally a form of Mindfulness of the Buddha ( Skt.

).

This term was translated into Chinese as nianfo, by which it is popularly known in English.

The practice is described as calling the buddha to mind by repeating his name, to enable the practitioner to bring all his or her attention upon that buddha ( See: samādhi ).

This may be done vocally or mentally, and with or without the use of Buddhist prayer beads.

Those who practice this method often commit to a fixed set of repetitions per day, often from 50, 000 to over 500, 000.

According to tradition, the second patriarch of the Pure Land school, Shandao, is said to have practiced this day and night without interruption, each time emitting light from his mouth.

Therefore he was bestowed with the title " Great Master of Light " ( 大師光明 ) by the Tang Dynasty emperor Gao Zong ( Ch.

高宗 ).