This page is still be developed, but I would like to make some quick recommendations to people who my be looking to start the recitation of Amitabha Buddha's name.  These recommendations come from my own experience over many many years of striving to understand and practice Buddhism in the context of my own life.

You may want to set up an altar.  This can be a simple altar; perhaps just a picture of Amitabha Buddha.  Or it can be much more complex.  It can help to create a special place for your practice, and I think it is a good idea.  But it is not necessary.

One of the advantages of Amitabha recitation is it's flexibility.  It can be done out loud, in a whisper or just in your head.  You can count your repetitions or not. I recite a lot while commuting on the train and bus.  Just in my head, and counting on a small strand of wrist beads (wrist mala).  People generally don't notice.

When you recite, try to be mindful of the sound of Amitabha Buddha's name. Perhaps you may also visualise him, or his image may just spontaneously appear in your mind's eye.  While rectiting, you may feel a connection with Amitabha Buddha.  This feeling will likely get stronger as you continue with practice.  But no matter what your experience is, just recite his name.  If the mind wanders, so be it.  Just bring it back to the sound of his name.  Don't expect too much of yourself at first.  Just do the best you can.  Don't beat yourself up.  Amitabha doesn't expect you to be perfect.  He didn't create this path for the perfect; perhaps they don't need it anyway. He made if for people who try, but need a helping hand. That is nearly all of us!  Don't underestimate the extent of his compassion.

You can recite his name in any of it's forms.  I recite "Namo Amituofo", but any form is just as good.  You can also recite it with or without the "Namo" or "Homage to".  I like to use it, but it is just as effective without.

Always remember that Amitabha Buddha wants to connect with us and receive us into the Western Pure Land.  He is not trying to find reasons not to have us reborn there.  We can have confidence in him.

You can approach Amitabha name recitation in the same way that Shakyamuni Buddha recommended that you approach any spiritual practice.  Try it and see the outcome.  If you find benefit, keep it and progress it.  If not, then you may conclude that it is not for you.  The important thing is to give it a sincere try.  Then you can make a more informed personal decision about it.

By the way, mindful Amitabha Name recitation is a very good meditation in it's own right.  It is used as a meditation technique in a variety of Mahayanan Buddhist schools.  I have found it to have all the benefits normally associated with meditation, but actually prefer it to other techniques due to its flexibility.  And it just "feels" better.  I think that is because of the connection with Amitabha Buddha.

Amitabha Buddha's 18th vow is clear and simple.  If you recite his name with a sincere wish to go to his Pure Land, he will take you there.  He must do, as that is his vow.  You can trust it, even it you don't initially "feel" it.