What "Amitabha" means?

I was handed a piece of printed paper with a short teaching on what "Amitabha" means by Ven. Boon Keng of Ang Hock See Temple recently. I am sharing it below. It is supposedly a teaching given by Ven. Chin Kung, the monk well-known for his teachings on Pure Land Buddhism. I am not able to verify whether this is his actual teaching or not, but the teaching seems in line with his thoughts and other teachings. 

#MasterChinKung    #Amitabha #PureLandBuddhism

If you wish to read other post on Pure Land Buddhism, here is one you can read:  https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2022/10/bringing-to-life-anicca-dukkha-and.html

WHAT "AMITABHA" MEANS?

- Extract of a dharma lecture given by Venerable Master Chin Kung   - 

People ask, “why Buddhists put their palms together and say to each other ‘Amitabha’ once they meet? What does that mean?” This is a very good question. “Amitabha” is a kind of blessing from Sanskrit, an ancient Indic language. It means, in our modern words, wish you infinitude of life-span and brightness. Such a blessing actually has deeper implications. It reminds us that in our lifetimes, we need brightness, infinitude of brightness and we have to be straight and selfless towards all beings in the world. Such implication is very important to us. Each time we hear the words, we shall remind ourselves of that. Why? We can say that all people have gone through infinitude of disasters in metempsychosis, yet there are many people who do not believe eternity. So let’s just talk about the present life. Right from the day when you are born to the world till now, if you are selfish, that means darkness, opposite to brightness. And the day when you give up selfishness and begin to show consideration for the society, for other people and for all beings in the world, and even make contributions to them wholeheartedly, you get a bright mind. The word “Amitabha” contains such a great meaning. Only if we get a bright mind can we own real happiness, which surely includes health and longevity. Literally, “Amitabha” means infinitude, and Buddha indicates brightness and longevity. “Amitabha” implies that everything you can think of is of infinitude. So, it is a perfect blessing. It is the words we will say to each other every time we meet. It is the word that corresponds with all beings on earth. Why? Infinitude of life and brightness are what all beings hope for. Absolutely, this idea contains no superstition. “Amitabha” is a perfect blessing, for it has summed up all good words in the world. Now we understand what “Amitabha” means, every time we say it, the blessing will be perfect.

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