Translated from the True Buddha News
Article: Recite Buddha's Name Loudly
Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by : Vajra Root
Edited by : Dance Smith
Proofread by : LE
Padmakumara Translation Team
Website: www.padmakumara.org
In the past, I recited Buddha's name in a low voice, or just moved my tongue without making any noise, or even just used my mind to chant Buddha's name. This is because there were always people around me. I was afraid that if I recited Buddha's name too loudly, I might disturb others.
At present, I live by myself in my retreat area. I therefore recite Buddha's name loudly.
I thought of a verse.
Amitabha! Recite it once -
It blows the dharma conch!
The stone girls sing loudly,
and the wood boys clap along joyfully.
Amitabha! Recite it once -
It beats the dharma drum!
The sun and moon stop spinning,
and the mountains and rivers start to dance!
When I recite Buddha's name loudly, the momentum is powerful. It seems I exert all the energy in my body. Not only is my heart vibrating, but the continuous sound of chanting, spreading out in all directions, has even caused my tiny retreat house to vibrate.
I seem to become huge, sitting proudly in the universe, above all the mountains and rivers.
This is the benefit of reciting Buddha's name loudly. The sound penetrates thousands of mountains and rivers. It breaks through everything, just like a Vajra King.
People have asked me in the past, "How should I recite Buddha's name?"
I answered, "Just as if you meet a thief with a knife in his hand, ready to kill you, and you really yell for help."
"Why is that necessary?"
I said, "You should beg for salvation sincerely."
This is not to say that everybody has to recite Buddh's name this way. However, this is the most sincere way to chant. This is the "help needed now" way to recite Buddha's name. It is certainly different from quietly reciting Buddha's name in a low voice.
In fact, reciting Buddha's name in a soft, low voice is also good. When we chant this way, we are chanting the Buddha's name, the Buddha's wonderful appearance, his radiant brightness, his magnificent power, his merits and wisdom, and his vows, etc.
If you chant with total concentration, the chanting and your mind merge into one. This results in a very special experience.
Before I recite Buddha's name, I recite "Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand and 500 Amitabha Buddhas".
Next I chant the mantra, "Om a-mee deh-wah, seh".
Then I start to recite Amitabha's name, loudly: "Amitabha!"
Of course, I feel Buddha's presence when I recite his name. Once I chant the Buddha's name, Buddha shines bright light on me. At certain times, the light is in the front, sometimes in the back, sometimes above, sometimes within the mind. Sometimes it comes from outside, sometimes from inside. Initially, there are two of us, but then we become one. I become Amitabha. Amitabha recites Amitabha. This is definitely an authentic yogic response.
Reciting Buddha's name loudly results in the removal of all my worries. Loud reciting becomes whole-hearted, karma-purifying reciting. My loud recitation removes all negative thoughts. The Buddha's Name is truly incredible!
Reciting Buddha's name loudly is powerful and wonderful.
Article: Recite Buddha's Name Loudly
Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by : Vajra Root
Edited by : Dance Smith
Proofread by : LE
Padmakumara Translation Team
Website: www.padmakumara.org
In the past, I recited Buddha's name in a low voice, or just moved my tongue without making any noise, or even just used my mind to chant Buddha's name. This is because there were always people around me. I was afraid that if I recited Buddha's name too loudly, I might disturb others.
At present, I live by myself in my retreat area. I therefore recite Buddha's name loudly.
I thought of a verse.
Amitabha! Recite it once -
It blows the dharma conch!
The stone girls sing loudly,
and the wood boys clap along joyfully.
Amitabha! Recite it once -
It beats the dharma drum!
The sun and moon stop spinning,
and the mountains and rivers start to dance!
When I recite Buddha's name loudly, the momentum is powerful. It seems I exert all the energy in my body. Not only is my heart vibrating, but the continuous sound of chanting, spreading out in all directions, has even caused my tiny retreat house to vibrate.
I seem to become huge, sitting proudly in the universe, above all the mountains and rivers.
This is the benefit of reciting Buddha's name loudly. The sound penetrates thousands of mountains and rivers. It breaks through everything, just like a Vajra King.
People have asked me in the past, "How should I recite Buddha's name?"
I answered, "Just as if you meet a thief with a knife in his hand, ready to kill you, and you really yell for help."
"Why is that necessary?"
I said, "You should beg for salvation sincerely."
This is not to say that everybody has to recite Buddh's name this way. However, this is the most sincere way to chant. This is the "help needed now" way to recite Buddha's name. It is certainly different from quietly reciting Buddha's name in a low voice.
In fact, reciting Buddha's name in a soft, low voice is also good. When we chant this way, we are chanting the Buddha's name, the Buddha's wonderful appearance, his radiant brightness, his magnificent power, his merits and wisdom, and his vows, etc.
If you chant with total concentration, the chanting and your mind merge into one. This results in a very special experience.
Before I recite Buddha's name, I recite "Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand and 500 Amitabha Buddhas".
Next I chant the mantra, "Om a-mee deh-wah, seh".
Then I start to recite Amitabha's name, loudly: "Amitabha!"
Of course, I feel Buddha's presence when I recite his name. Once I chant the Buddha's name, Buddha shines bright light on me. At certain times, the light is in the front, sometimes in the back, sometimes above, sometimes within the mind. Sometimes it comes from outside, sometimes from inside. Initially, there are two of us, but then we become one. I become Amitabha. Amitabha recites Amitabha. This is definitely an authentic yogic response.
Reciting Buddha's name loudly results in the removal of all my worries. Loud reciting becomes whole-hearted, karma-purifying reciting. My loud recitation removes all negative thoughts. The Buddha's Name is truly incredible!
Reciting Buddha's name loudly is powerful and wonderful.
Last edited 06/12/02 at 16:56:54 by mimosa