--- In [email protected], "ED" <seacrofter001@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Hi Steve, what are the precise syllables you use for The Name?
>
> Thanks, ED
>
>
> Hi ED. There are a number of different ways of saying it.
There were originally two variants of the Name in Sanskrit,
Amitabha(Boundless or Infinite Light) and Amitayus(Boundless or Eternal Life).
The earliest formula used was Namo Amitabha Buddhaya. "Namo" means "I bow" or
"I prostrate to" or "Homage to" or "Hail to". Buddha-ya means "The Awakened
One". The Chinese contracted the two Sanskrit variants to "Amito"(Amita) and
"Fo"(Buddha), so that the formula became "Namo Amito-Fo". The Japanese
pronounce this as Namu(Nah-moo)Amida(Ah-Mee-Duh)Butsu. The
Name may be pronounced vocally, sub-vocally or mentally.
You may synchronize it with your breathing if you recite it
mentally or sub-vocally. You may, for example, say "Namo"
(Nah-moh) as you inhale and "Amitabha"(Ah-Mee-Tah-Buh) as
you exhale. Or you may just say, "Ami"(Ah-Mee) as you inhale
and "Tabha"(Tah-Buh) as you Exhale. You could also say "Namo"
as you inhale and "Amida"(Amita) as you exhale. As you can see,
there are any number of ways to say it, none of them being the
only "right" way. Whichever way you choose to say it, after a
while it will become automatic, like background music. Whenever
you find yourself in stressful circumstances, the Name will serve
as an anchor for your attention, so that it does not get swept away
by, and submerged in, Kleshas. There is a Koan/Kung-An associated
with the Name: "Who is reciting the Buddha-Name."
Steve
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>
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