Question: Should there be using of prayer beads (念珠) to count Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) name when reciting it?
Answer: Keeping track of the number is to ensure there is discipline to stick to a quota (e.g. 100, 1,000, 10,000…) daily. As the Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng (净土宗十三祖印光大师) taught in his ‘Replies To Master Shànxūn’s Questions’ 《答善熏师问》,
‘Recitation of Āmítuófó with counting of its number, is for preventing slackness. If without the mind of slackness, not counting also can be done.’ (念佛记数，是防懈惰。如无懈惰之心，不记亦可。)
Thus, depending on one’s situation, keeping track of the number is not a must. For example, if one is already practising as much as possible, there is no need to keep track. If there is keeping track done, use of beads can be used at first, but dropped after. As the Great Master continues teaching,
‘Counting of number also can be without use of clutching beads. First, there should be use of beads [or a digital counter these days] to recite for one hour. Afterwards, with that speed [i.e. fast or slow], according to this similarly, be it reciting for one quarter of an hour [i.e. 15 minutes], half an hour [i.e. 30 minutes], or one hour [i.e. 60 minutes], all can be with knowing of that Buddha’s name’s number.’ (记数也可不用掐珠子。最初当用珠子念一点钟。以后快慢，照此一样，念一刻，半点，一点，均可知其佛数。)
This means there can be eventual use of timing to ensure commitment to be disciplined. A hands-free phone’s countdown (or even kitchen) timer can be used. However, as the Great Master taught in his ‘Letter Of Admonition To Those First Giving Rise To The Aspiration To Learn Buddhism’ 《诫初发心学佛者书》, this should be noted on using beads,
‘When quietly sitting, there must not be clutching [of beads or counters]. With clutching, then with fingers moving, then will the mind not be able to concentrate. After long, this will receive sickness.’ (静坐时，切不可掐。掐则指动而心不能定，久必受病。)
This means that to be wholeheartedly sincere when mindful of the Buddha’s name (一心念佛), beads should be used only when not stationary; when moving, such as when walking, circumambulating (绕佛) and prostrating (礼佛).
(Note that the unmindful and impatient might move beads or press counters faster than they are reciting, thus making their numbers ‘counted’ inaccurate. This problem can be prevented by using timing instead of counting.)
相关教理
Related Teachings:
如何念佛时断除杂念？
[61] How To Eliminate Mixed Thoughts During Mindfulness Of Buddha?
https://purelanders.com/2025/06/20/61-how-to-eliminate-mixed-thoughts-during-mindfulness-of-buddha
