Question: Will Buddhist chanting practice like recitation of Amitā[bha] Buddha’s name (i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛) attract ghosts?
Answer: As sincere mindfulness of the Buddha (念佛) immediately connects to his blessings, not only will there NOT be disturbances by unseen beings, there will be instant protection by ALL Buddhas and MANY Bodhisattvas instead. In contrast, those not mindful of Buddha might experience disturbances instead, if there are evil ghosts present.
Sincere recitation of Āmítuófó’s name has the opposite effect of attracting ghosts. With offering of guidance (开示) first, if there are any present, it can motivate them to also be mindful sincerely, to be delivered by the Buddha. This becomes support-chanting (助念) that bridges to his Pure Land (净土), thus ‘sending off’, instead of attracting them.
Since there is protection already, any ghosts with karmic affinity (因缘), who are already present, will not be evil ones who cause disturbances. Not only will mindfulness of Buddha benefit oneself with the Buddha’s blessings, it will benefit any other beings who hear it too. It is the safest practice for one and all, that most quickly benefits whoever present.
As proof of mindfulness of Buddha being utmost safe, the author has already led many long support-chanting sessions at various wakes, with many other support-chanters, with none experiencing any disturbances. There is also leading of almost weekly group cultivation sessions and occasional retreats (since 2008), likewise without disturbances.
In this Dharma-Ending Age (末法时期), when the Mindfulness Of Buddha Dharma Door (念佛法门) is the most easy, feasible and fruitful, if even this final practice is doubted, there is little hope, of delivering others and ourselves to liberation (解脱). If there are doubts about it, there must be more diligent learning and practice to clarify them; without slandering it.
相关教理
Related Teachings:
为何新的佛教鬼故事不多？
Why Are There Few New Buddhist Ghost Stories?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2024/05/why-are-there-few-new-buddhist-ghost-stories
遇鬼偈
Verse On Meeting A Ghost
鬼神开示文
Guidance Text For Ghosts And Gods
https://purelanders.com/2026/01/06/verse-on-meeting-a-ghost
一声阿弥陀佛驱赶附体猛鬼
With One Recitation Of Āmítuófó Driving Out A Ferocious Possessing Ghost
https://purelanders.com/2021/01/04/how-are-those-mindful-of-amituofo-protected-from-evil-ghosts-and-ferocious-beasts
小孩念佛驱赶罗刹记
Record Of How Mindfulness Of Buddha Saved A Child From Rākṣasas
https://purelanders.com/2021/01/06/record-of-how-mindfulness-of-buddha-saved-humans-from-rakasas
念佛如何免受鬼难
How Mindfulness Of Āmítuófó Protects From Evil Unseen Beings
https://purelanders.com/2018/06/11/how-mindfulness-of-amituofo-protects-from-evil-unseen-beings
念佛放光祛鬼（大安法师）
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCddtMdszdI
