The practice of Amitabha-recitation is simple and straight-forward. All one needs to do is simply recite ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha’ in a natural and whole-hearted manner with child-like spontaneity. It requires no extra or contrived effort at all.

       There’s no need to pursue difficult practices such as contemplating the meaning of ultimate reality or visualizing the Buddha’s form while invoking the Buddha’s name, or practicing advanced meditation to achieve a pure mind that is totally free of delusion and distraction. None of these things is necessary. Otherwise, reciting Amitabha’s name wouldn’t be natural or spontaneous. It would be trying to make a deal with Amitabha – using merit accumulated through our own effort in return for rebirth in the Pure Land.

       To be natural and spontaneous means completely entrusting ourselves to Amitabha Buddha’s compassionate deliverance. It’s enough to simply recite ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha’ with single-minded devotion. We’re not pleading with Amitabha for favors, and there’s no need to stand on ceremony.

       Amitabha’s boundless compassion is universal and unconditional. Even before we knew anything about it, he had already prepared everything for us. When we later came to know and seek it, only then did we realize that Amitabha had long since given it all to us.

       Thus, by always and single-mindedly invoking his name, we are in fact accepting and enjoying Amitabha’s loving gift of compassion.

       It’s like a child who has been wandering far from home. One day, he has a change of heart and decides to return. Who could possibly stop him? It is his home, after all. Master Yinguang said the Pure Land is like our home, and anytime we wish to return, our father Amitabha will receive us with open arms – like anxious parents longing for the return of their child.

       It’s the same with Amitabha-recitation — we place our full trust in Amitabha and rely on him completely, with no barriers, just like the intimate, direct, and unconditional bond between parents and their child.

       Only by seeing it this way can we truly have faith in and accept Amitabha’s deliverance and be genuine practitioners of Amitabha-recitation. If we feel we need to beg or plead for Amitabha to save us, doesn’t that create a barrier between ourselves and the Buddha, rather than our being united as one?

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Householder Fojin)