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| Himalayan Art Resources Item No. 112 |
The mantra that one should be reciting, especially if you have no idea where to start, is the Dhāraṇī of Amitāyus Tathāgata. Who is Amitāyus Tathāgata? Amitāyus is held to be the other name of Amitābha, who is the buddha of the western pure land of Sukhāvatī. Amitāyus means 'limitless life'. One of the more popular buddhas in Buddhism, the practice of seeking rebirth in Sukhāvatī is ubiquitous in Mahāyāna Buddhism.
The Dhāraṇī of Amitāyus Tathāgata was first known to be transmitted to China by Guṇabhadra. A later version was popularized by Amoghavajra at the Táng court.
The dhāraṇī, as we receive it from Amoghavajra with very minor edits on my end (I separated clear words with dashes for ease of recitation), goes:
namo ratna-trayāya
namo āryā'mitābhāyatathāgatāya arhate samyak-saṃbuddhāya, tadyathā:
oṃ amṛte amṛtodbhave amṛta-saṃbhave amṛta-garbhe
amṛta-siddhe amṛta-teje amṛta-vikrānte
amṛta-vikrānta-gāmine amṛta-gagana-kīrtikare
amṛta-dundubhi-svare sarvārtha-sādhane
sarva-karma-kleśa-kṣayaṃ-kare svāhā
While the dhāraṇī is known for its benefit of securing rebirth in Sukhāvatī, the following are also promised in the sūtra text attributed to Guṇabhadra:
If there is any good man or good woman who is able to recite this dhāraṇī, then Amitābha Buddha will constantly abide above their crown, protecting them day and night, never allowing hostile forces to find opportunity. In this present life they will constantly obtain peace and security. When the moment of death arrives, they will naturally and spontaneously attain rebirth [in Sukhāvatī].
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... the four grave transgressions, the five rebellious acts, the ten evil deeds, and even the sin of slandering the true Dharma—all [sins] will be eradicated. One will obtain all that one seeks in this life, and not be disturbed by malevolent spirits and demons.
By simply reciting this dhāraṇī, immeasurable benefits can be obtained. It therefore makes sense for it to be part of one's daily practice. Recite it three, seven, twenty-one, or as many as one could every day. We can benefit ourselves and others by being diligent in applying even just this one mantra every day. It is the medicine that removes one's ills and clears all obstacles.
May the Buddhadharma again take root, spread, flourish, and remain forever in the Pearl of the Orient and in the whole world!