Why do Jen Chen Buddhists say “Buddha with you” when they greet someone or say goodbye, while other Buddhists say “Amitabha”?
English speaking countries are often Christian and people there are familiar with a phrase such as “may God be with you”. Therefore when we say “Buddha with you” we know that people will understand the intention, even if they do not know what “Buddha” means. However if we say “Amitabha” it is unlikely that people will understand, and a lot might have to be explained. In Asia people will quickly understand what is meant by “Amitabha” and feel good. It is a case of “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”! The second reason is that since Buddha implies awareness we are reminded when we say the word of our own thoughts and actions, and we ask ourselves have we had any negative thoughts about, or done any shameful things to, the person we are greeting. Furthermore, if I hear someone say “Buddha with you” I will likewise be concerned about my own actions and thoughts towards them. A third reason is that Buddha is the fully awakened one who achieved this state after many lives of striving to elim
