The benefits of reciting the Amitabha Dharani, according to Sutra, are included in the full name of this mantra — “Dhāraṇī for pulling out the fundamental cause of karmic obstacles and obtaining rebirth in the Pure Lands” (Chinese: 拔一切業障根本得生淨土陀羅尼). It is also known as Pure Land Rebirth Dhāraṇī (Chinese: 往生淨土神咒; Wang Sheng Jing Tu Shen Zhou), or Rebirth Mantra (Chinese: 往生咒; Wang Sheng Zhou) for short. Thes also state the benefits of chanting — auspicious circumstances, and rebirth in Amitabha’s Pureland in future.

Recite for loved ones or pets

It is is also recommended by many teachers to recite this Dharani for your loved ones, including pets, who have passed on, to ease their way to Amitabha’s blissful pureland. For example, playing the mantra at end-of-life (for all beings, pets incldued) is a common practice.

Removes Obstacles

Reciting or listening to this mantra brings a peaceful and joy in this life, and helps them to be reborn into the Buddha Amitabha’s Buddha-field of Ultimate Bliss Sukhavati. It can also be recited to help the spirits of the animals that a person has killed in the past, including poultry, game, aquatic creatures, insects, etc. to ascend to a higher spiritual realm.

Also known as Sarvatathāgatāyurvajrahṛdaya-dhāraṇī and often incorrectly labeled the Amitayus Dharani — here, beautifully chanted by Buddha Weekly with the Amitabha root mantra 7 times, and the long Dharani 3 times — chanted in the original Sanskrit as written in the Sutra.

We begin this one hour session with beautiful chanting of OM AMI DEVA HRI, the heart essence mantra of Amitabha.

Sanskrit Dharani

Namo ratnatrayāya Nama āryāmitābhāya tathāgatāyārhate saṃyaksaṃbuddhāya Tadyathā: oṃ amṛte amṛtodbhave amṛtasaṃbhave amṛtagarbhe amṛtasiddhe amṛtateje amṛtavikrānte amṛtavikrāntagāmini amṛtagaganakīrtikari amṛtadun-dubhisvare sarvārthasādhani sarvakarmakleśakṣayaṃkari svāhā Aum, brum, hum

English Translation

Homage to the Three Jewels,

Homage to the noble Amitabha (Infinite Light), to the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the completely and perfectly awakened one (samyaksambuddha).

Thus: Oṃ O immortality (amrta), O maker of immortality! O born of immortality! O essence/embryo (garbha) of immortality! O immortality perfecting one! O the brilliance (teja) of immortality! O he who goes beyond immortality! O he who goes beyond immortality and whose glory is infinite as the sky (amṛtagaganakīrtikare) O sound of the drum of immortality realizing (sadhane) benefit for all. O he who destroys (ksayam) all karmic afflictions. Hail!