Special Topics
Q3: Is reciting the Buddha's name a practice exclusively for the sick and the elderly?

Anxiety and restlessness are everywhere in our modern society, so forbearance and tolerance are particularly needed, especially for young people who face pressure from work and family responsibilities, etc. When reciting the Buddha's name, we can try to visualize his peaceful and amiable smile, and gradually our facial expressions will soften too. A short chant can make us feel calm and relaxed, elevate our spiritual well-being and even influence our society. Thus, reciting the Buddha's name is not an exclusive practice for the elderly, but a necessity to everyone.
Extended Reading:
Let's Recite the Buddha's Name
Q1: Why do Buddhists always greet each other with "Buddha Amitabha (Amituofo, in Chinese)"?
Q2 : To perform Buddha-name recitation, should we limit ourselves to only reciting Amitabha Buddha"? Or would reciting several Buddhas'names afford additional blessings and protection?
Q3: Is reciting the Buddha's name a practice exclusively for the sick and the elderly?
Q4: Are prayer beads or counters necessary when reciting the Buddha's name?
Q5: What is the difference between reciting the Buddha's name and chanting a dharani?
Q6: Is it proper to recite the Buddha chant while having a shower or using the toilet?
Q7: When ill, is it more effective to recite the name of Medicine Buddha or Guanyin Bodhisattva?
Resource: Issue 392 of Life Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Photos: Shu-ting Zhong (鍾淑婷)
Translation: Bright Su
Editing: Cheng-yu Chang (張振郁), Keith Brown