Demystifying

For a Chinese who is a new beginner to Buddhism, they may be wondering why Buddhist are always greeting each other “ Amituofo” when they meet each other.

When they see the Chinese wordings: 南 無 阿 彌 陀 佛 (南 无 阿 弥 陀 佛 )

[To be pronounced as “Nam Mo Amituofo”]
They may literally pronounce per Chinese characters, and become “Nan Wu” and may wrongly interpret as “In South, there is no Amituofo” :P
Actually,
“Nam Mo” is Sanskrit, which means Paying Homage to

"Amituo" (阿弥陀): Infinite 无量 light 光 ~ wisdom ; Infinite 无量 Life 寿
“Fo” (佛) means Buddha

Hence, Amituofo is commonly refered to as:

The Buddha of Infinite Light (of Compassion and Wisdom)

无量光佛

and
The Buddha of Infinite Life (due to boundless Merits)

无量寿佛

Hence, meaning of Nam Mo Amituofo means Paying Homage to the Buddha of Infinite Light (of Compassion and Wisdom) and Life. (Thanks to bro shi'an's improvement on above explanation) 
Greeting each other “Amituofo” is as good as wishing your counterparts: “May you have a wonderful and blessed day”

Applause should be made to the past marketing effort on the wonderfulness of Pureland of Amitabha Buddha to be reborn in, after this life.

Why do people then always associate Amitabha Buddha with death?
It is because we hope that our beloved would able to be reborn in the Fantastic Pureland of Amitabha Buddha after this life, hence we would like to do our last bit of effort to direct the deceased to be in tune with Amitabha Buddha. 
When we are sick, we can also think of Amitabha Buddha. It is believed that if one is mindful of Amituofo’s name faithfully, the sick can be better if conditions allow.

One could try the following Experiment, especially when you can sense yourself starting to get symptoms of cold or feeling unwell :

One can sit in a comfortable position (could be in meditative, sitting or standing position), gently close your eyes and silently count:
1. Amituofo,
2. Amituofo,
3. Amituofo,
4. Amituofo,
5. Amituofo,
6. Amituofo,
7. Amituofo,
8. Amituofo,
9. Amituofo,
10. Amituofo and repeat from 1 again.

In this manner of counting, it is also a way to regulate your breath and in a while, you will feel yourself feeling more relaxed and somehow the "qi' (blood circulation) flows much smoother thru your body. (This could be practised when you are walking or doing exercise, you will not feel as panting with the regulation of breath thru mindfulness of the Buddha).

At the same time, you may visualize that warm lights radiate from Amitabha Buddha [or the 3 saints from the west, including the 2 Great Bodhisattvas: Guanyin Pusa (Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara) and Da Shi Zhi Pusa (Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta)] to yourself & the universe & you and others are immersed in the warm light.

At one stage, you may naturally drop the count of 1,2,3 ... and become just mindful of the Buddha: Amituofo, Amituofo, Amituofo...
Personally, through the process, I felt that it somehow synchronizes with the recent message sent by Bro Shi’an which he mentioned at his [Amituofo] Digest Number 137 of the vows of Amitabha Buddha:

“...*[2]* Like Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha also sends forth light, in all
directions to touch and comfort beings in need. This is stated in the vows
below, on how Amitabha Buddha's unlimited light of compassion, merits and
wisdom can aid us. Through mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha, we can experience
this light.

设我得佛，光明有能限量，下至不照百千亿那由他诸佛国者，不取正觉。
Vow #12: If, when I [Dharmakara, who became Amitabha Buddha] attain
Buddhahood, my light should be limited, unable to illuminate at least a
hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of Buddha-lands, may I not attain perfect
awakening.

设我得佛，十方无量不可思议诸佛世界众生之类，蒙我光明触其体者，身心柔软，超过天人，若不尔者，不取正觉。

Vow #33: If, when I attain Buddhahood, beings of all kinds in all
immeasurable and inconceivable Buddha-lands of the ten directions, who
receive my light, that touches their bodies, should not experience
[blessings of peace, happiness,] gentleness and softness of body and mind
that surpasses that of devas and humans, may I not attain perfect awakening….”

That seems to in line with the healing method introduced.

Also useful is bro Shi’an’s reply at his moonpointer blog on helping a non-Buddhist at his death bed, I think he gave a good answer: (http://moonpointer.com/new/moonpointer-wall/comment-page-5/#comment-1544)
(Q:
If someone (a non-Buddhist) you know is dying, already in an unconscious state, and you wld like to chant “Amituofo” for him, for his better rebirth if he could not make it or for his health recovery if it is not time for him to go yet.
However, his family members are Taoists instead of Buddhist who had misconception that the chanting of Amitabha Buddha’s name is more for the dying and afraid that it will cause unease to the patient (including they themselves) refuse the request and also do not want to use the chanting device (Nian Fo Ji) as one suggest to play beside the patient’s bed.
(They do not know the meaning of “ZhuNian”) What’s best approach?
Just chant silently “Amituofo” on his behalf & dedicate merits to him & other beings who also suffer similarly?
Any more could be done?

A:
Hi, my suggestions are these… Let the ‘dying’ and the family know that chanting of Amituofo’s name can help healing too – if the person can still live. This is true, due to the blessings shared by Amituofo.

You can explain the significance of "Zhunian" in a simple manner to both parties by saying that if one is mindful of Amituofo’s name faithfully, the sick can be better if conditions allow, and the dying can be reborn in the most wonderful place possible – Pureland.
If possible, summarise (not recite; as he might not understand) the Amitabha Sutra to the deceased by speaking near his ear.

You can use this ‘prayer’ before reciting Amituofo too – as at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Amituofo/message/28 .

The last stanza is especially important -

By the practice of single-minded mindfulness of Buddha,

by the power of Buddha’s blessings -If I can recover, may I recover swiftly.
If I cannot recover, may I be reborn in Pureland swiftly,
so that I may be liberated swiftly, and return to liberate all swiftly.

Note that there should be no attachment to wanting recovery – because it might not be possible.

Just chant Amituofo openheartedly and sincerely.

You can also chant and share merits with him – but it’s crucial to chant ‘with’ him too – whether he is awake or not – for he might be awake – just unable to respond.

Use words of encouragement to generate faith and aspiration to be born in Pureland.

Tell him countless people had been healed or have peaceful passing due to mindfulness of Amituofo, that his promises to help are real.
You can also do more good deeds in his name – e.g. contribute to fangsheng funds, make donations to print Dharma books, and do any other general charity to help others.

The merits can help him recover or have a good rebirth.

Amituofo.


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I do wish the above explanation could hopefully demystify any misunderstanding anyone could have about associating Amitabha Buddha only for the deceased. He is in fact about Brightness and Liveliness.

I (and I believe many others who attended their English classes and fellowship) are greatly appreciative of effort and time by bro Zenon and bro Shi’an, to share with us their knowledge about Amitabha Buddha, His Pureland and His great vows, helping to demystify any misunderstanding we could have about the Teachings, especially in explaining the popular Chinese text in English, greatly benefiting the English educated ones, showing all of us, an easier path to enlightenment. (Of course, not to forget too, bro Billy and staff and volunteers, and the Sangha's support to make the Rejoicing classes and sessions possible)

Thank you to everyone who helped make the sessions possible...

Greatly Appreciated (Gan En) , Amituofo. :-)
(Pardon is sought if there is any mis-interpretation about the Teachings)