Amituofo (Chin.: āmítuófó 阿弥陀佛) is most often heard as a salutation (Chin.: zhìjìng 致敬) among Pure Land and Ch'an practitioners- monastic and laity alike. In greeting and taking leave, individuals join their palms in front of the chest and, with a slight bow toward one another, recite "Amituofo".
Amituofo is also used as a catch-all phrase replacing many common daily expressions, such as "hello", "goodbye", "thank you", "fantastic", "sorry", etc.. In this way we are reminded of our practice in all that we do.
Yet, while understanding the utilization of Amituofo, what is it's precise meaning?
Amituofo is the shortened version of Namo Amituofo (Chin.: namo āmítuófó 南无阿弥陀佛) is the longer phrase used in Nianfo practice. Namo is a Sanskrit root meaning "homage to" (with utmost respect, honor, and admiration). Amituofo is a Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit word Amitābha Buddha. The Fo (佛) character denotes a Buddha in Chinese. Amitābha then means "infinite/boundless light". So together, Amitabha Buddha, or Amituofo is the Buddha of Infinite Light.
In the Pure Land school, Amitabha is the principal Buddha of the Pure Land. Prior to his awakening, he made 48 great vows and an aspiration to create a heavenly country for all beings to be reborn in to practice straightly to awakening. This country (the Western Pure Land) is described in the Sutras with great detail of splendor and joy. Jewel encrusted birds, heavenly music, fragrant breezes, raining lotus flowers, and golden rivers adorn the land. In this land there is always the opportunity to learn directly from Amitabha.
Brief History of Amitabha
Before becoming Amitabha Buddha (Amituofo 阿彌陀佛 ), he was a king in who lived during the lifetime of the then Buddha, Lokeshvararaja Buddha. Renouncing his kingdom, he became a monk and took upon himself the Dharma name Dharmakara, which is translated as 'Treasury of Dharma'. Inspired by the teachings of the then Buddha of that time, he made forty eight great vows for the saving of all sentient beings. The Eighteenth Vow, also known as the "Ten Recitations Vow" is the most important vow and is the basis of Pure Land practice. It says that;
"Whoever should hear Amitabha's name and awaken their highest faith and aspiration to take rebirth in the Pure Land, holding the recollection only ten times will destine them to be reborn there."
Since then, the Bodhisattva Dharmakara, after five aeons of self-cultivation, finally attained Buddhahood, thus becoming Buddha Amitabha (Amituofo 阿彌陀佛). This is to say that his splendid and infinitely compassionate vow is now a reality for all Sentient beings to achieve. The western paradise known as Pure Land or as some say -Sukhavati has been established, suffering beings must and will be delivered if only they will have the full faith to call upon his name.
Conclusion
Therefore, if we are reciting Amitabha Buddha (Amituofo 南無阿彌陀佛 ), we should know that Amitabha means "infinite/boundless light" and Buddha means "clear awareness". Namo Amitabha Buddha (Namo Amituofo 南無阿彌陀佛) is a call to mind, to take refuge — as in to return and rely upon — the boundless light of awareness, the wisdom that is the original nature.
Namo Amituofo
