A Complete and Detailed Exposition on the True Buddha Tantric Dharma

By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by Janny Chow

Intoning the Buddhas

       Having explained how the implements are used and how they can be used to help actualize certain intents, I would next like to explain why we have this step of intoning the Buddhas. It is my hope that our students will not be reproachful of the practice of the Sutric (Scriptural) schools. I would like to integrate Taoism, Sutric, and Tantric Buddhism in our practice. Although some of you are only interested in doing the Tantric practice, you should still do the intonation of the Buddha's name. Actually, intonation of Buddhas' name has the same merit as the intonation of mantras, despite the opinion that intonation of Buddhas' names is at level of form, while the intonation of mantras is at the level of the inner consciousness. In my opinion, intoning of the Buddha's names is also excellent; one has at least invoked in form, even if one might have failed to achieve a yogic response in the inner level.
       The intonation at this step is also unique. "Homage to the three hundred Amitabha Buddhas". This way of intonation, a creation of mine, can generate the highest merit. In the scriptural schools, one generally chants like this: Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha… It takes a whole for one to chant juts eight times. Without exposure to the Tantric Dharma, one might not understand the secret power of its practice! "Homage to the three hundred sixty trillion!" [audience laughter] Just one such intonation is equivalent to one whole lifetime of chanting. In fact, one can't even reach this number in one lifetime! Therefore, the True Buddha Tantra is indeed a supreme Dharma! [audience applause].
       During each practice, we chant three times, "Homage to the three hundred sixty trillion one hundred nineteen thousand five hundred Amitabha Buddha." It will take a scriptural school practitioner three lifetimes to match this. One is really foolish if one does not appreciate such wonderful practices which will enable one to attain Liberation in this present life instead of three lifetimes hence. Intoning the Buddhas three times this way reinforces the intimacy between oneself and the Buddhas. There is no separation between the two. The Buddhas and one are united.

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