Minimum number of recitations?

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Artziebetter1
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Minimum number of recitations?

Post by Artziebetter1 »

Whats the minimum number of recitations so that Amitabha will come get you when you die?do Aspiration prayers help towards that goal?
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Könchok Thrinley
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Re: Minimum number of recitations?

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Artziebetter1 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:37 am Whats the minimum number of recitations so that Amitabha will come get you when you die?do Aspiration prayers help towards that goal?
Aspiration prayer for sure help. And it is more about your trust/faith in Amitabha and his vows and your desire to really go to the pure land. Ofc reciting as much as possible definitely helps. I might be wrong tho, so hope better ones reply soon.
“Observing samaya involves to remain inseparable from the union of wisdom and compassion at all times, to sustain mindfulness, and to put into practice the guru’s instructions”. Garchen Rinpoche

For those who do virtuous actions,
goodness is what comes to pass.
For those who do non-virtuous actions,
that becomes suffering indeed.

- Arya Sanghata Sutra
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明安 Myoan
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Re: Minimum number of recitations?

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Artziebetter1 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:37 am Whats the minimum number of recitations so that Amitabha will come get you when you die?
According to the Contemplation Sutra, calling out Amitabha Buddha's name even once while dying, praying to be born in his land, is enough to attain birth there.
This is considered the lower limit of practice, and doesn't apply to our situation, because we've heard of Amitabha Buddha while still alive and have already aspired for birth there.

The upper limit of practice is life-long exclusive recitation, advocated by teachers such as Master Shantao and Honen Shonin.

In the Pure Land sutras, one can be born in Amitabha Buddha's land through his 19th and 20th vows: awakening aspiration for enlightenment (bodhicitta), sincerely desiring to be born in Sukhavati, doing meritorious deeds, and dedicating that merit towards birth.

Aspirational prayers absolutely meet these criteria.
When I was Kagyu, we prayed to be born in Sukhavati at the end of every service.
Namu Amida Butsu
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Konchog Thogme Jampa
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Re: Minimum number of recitations?

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Artziebetter1 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:37 am Whats the minimum number of recitations so that Amitabha will come get you when you die?do Aspiration prayers help towards that goal?
Once is sufficient if you have Other Power Faith
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Konchog Thogme Jampa
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Re: Minimum number of recitations?

Post by Konchog Thogme Jampa »

But in terms of Self Power practice namely the 20th Vow of Escorting exclusive recitation is paramount transferring the merits towards Birth at the end of each day.
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