念阿弥陀佛能得健康财富吗？
Does Mindfulness Āmítuófó Lead To Health And Wealth Too?
Question: Some friends have reservations about focusing on practising mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) name (i.e. mindfulness of Buddha: 念佛). They prefer mindfulness of Medicine Master Buddha (药师佛) for elimination of disasters (消灾) and lengthening of life (延寿) (i.e. good health). They also want to attract wealth, while thinking Āmítuófó is mainly about having a good rebirth only. Is this so?
Answer: While it is understandable to want good health and wealth, there are these reflections on the truth of impermanence (无常) to know.
[1] Youthfulness: Even the youngest child will have to die, which can occur at any time.
[2] Healthiness: Even the healthiest adult will be sick and die, which can occur at any time.
[3] Longevity: Even the oldest person will have to die, which can occur at any time.
[4] Wealthiness: Even the richest person will grow old, be sick and die, which can occur at any time.
[5] ‘Inheritance’: Even the richest person cannot bring a single cent to the next life, which can ‘arrive’ at any time.
Therefore, ‘practice’ with much attachment to youthfulness, healthiness, longevity, wealthiness and ‘inheritance’ is as if to take false worldly refuge in the impermanent. While it is reasonable to wish for [1]-[5] to some extent, (for supporting spiritual practice), there should not be continual denial of impermanence, which is a key truth that all Buddhas teach, to urge us to have a greater sense of urgency to further spiritual practice.
If one pines for [1]-[5] only, while impermanence is always creeping closer, when should one prepare for the next life, for best furthering spiritual practice, to expedite progress to Buddhahood (佛果)? (As soon as possible of course!) According to the ‘Sūtra On Praises Of The Pure Land With Buddhas’ Protection And Reception’《称赞净土佛摄受经》, as taught by Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛), as in bold below, the most efficient ‘Dharma School’ is Āmítuófó’s Pure Land (净土).
‘If there are those with pure faith, all good men or good women, who hear thus spoken, this Dharma that all in the world have extreme difficulty believing, able to give rise to faith and understanding, accepting, upholding and expounding it, as taught cultivating practice, it should be known that these persons are extremely rare, at immeasurable Buddhas’ places having formerly planted good roots. These people, at their lives’ end, will definitely be born in the Western Land Of Ultimate Bliss, to receive and use all kinds of meritorious virtues’ adornments of the pure Buddha land, with the Great Vehicle’s Dharma joy. In day and night, during the six periods be close to, for making offerings to Immeasurable Life Buddha (Āmítuófó), travelling in the ten directions to make offerings to all Buddhas, at all Buddhas’ places hearing the Dharma and receiving predictions, with blessings and wisdom’s provisions swiftly attaining perfection, to quickly realise Unsurpassable Complete And Perfect Bodhi.’
(若有净信诸善男子或善女人，闻说如是一切世间极难信法，能生信解、受持、演说、如教修行，当知是人甚为希有，无量佛所曾种善根。是人命终定生西方极乐世界，受用种种功德庄严清净佛土大乘法乐，日夜六时亲近供养无量寿佛，游历十方供养诸佛，于诸佛所，闻法受记，福慧资粮疾得圆满，速证无上正等菩提。)
As the below shows, it is false dichotomy to think that mindfulness of Medicine Buddha is for this life, while mindfulness of Āmítuófó is for the next life. The latter is already a complete practice, for benefits both in this life and the next. According to the ‘Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitābha Buddha’s Fundamental Esoteric Spiritual Mantra’《佛说阿弥陀佛根本秘密神咒经》, as taught by Śākyamuni Buddha, as in bold below, mindfulness of Āmítuófó also creates blessings for elimination of disasters and lengthening of life, for health and wealth.
‘If there are sentient beings, who hear this said about Amitā[bha] Buddha’s (Āmítuófó) inconceivable meritorious virtues, with joyful enthusiasm, and sincere minds recite his name (Āmítuófó), with profound faith untiringly, thereupon manifesting on their bodies, they will receive incomparable bliss. Perhaps transforming poverty and lowliness, to obtaining of wealth and honour. Perhaps attaining the fruit of avoiding that pursuing by suffering of sicknesses from past karmas. Perhaps transforming short lifespans, to attaining lengthened lifespans. Perhaps with enemies changing their hatred. Attaining children, grandchildren and prosperity, peace and bliss of body and mind, and fulfilment according to their wishes. Such meritorious virtues, cannot be counted.’
(若有众生，闻说阿弥陀佛不可思议功德，欢喜踊跃，至心称念，深信不懈，于现在身，受无比乐。或转贫贱，获得富贵。或得果免宿业所追病患之苦。或转短命，得寿延长。或怨家变恨。得子孙繁荣，身心安乐，如意满足。如是功德，不可称计。)
As can be seen, mindfulness of Āmítuófó offers abundant blessings for everyday life. However, due to the inevitable reality of impermanence in this world, it should be noted that ultimate health is attained in his Pure Land, where all will be free from ageing, sickness and death (老病死), with lasting complete healing (痊愈) and immeasurable life (无量寿) instead. With the Pure Land full of the most pure (清净) and precious treasures (珍宝), that do not cost a cent, that also teach the Right Dharma (正法), this is the ultimate wealth that all can enjoy!
相关经典
Related Sūtras:
《称赞净土佛摄受经》
Sūtra On Praises Of The Pure Land With Buddhas’ Protection And Reception
https://purelanders.com/tang
《佛说阿弥陀佛根本秘密神咒经》
Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitābha Buddha’s Fundamental Esoteric Spiritual Mantra
https://purelanders.com/shenzhou
