Amitabha Buddha Recitation Society

Words of the Masters

The late Master Honen said, "When you say the Nembutsu for the sake of attaining birth, the great significance of this act fills your heart and, thus encouraged, you wish to utter it always. With this, know that you are already possessed of the three essential attitudes."
Master Shoko

"In life I pile up merit by the practice of the Nembutsu, and at death I go to the Pure Land. Whatever befalls, I have made up my mind not to be anxious about myself, and so, come life, come death, nothing troubles me:'  

Master Honen.

You say Nianfo is too simple. Its not too simple.  It is the simplest.  You can't find anything easier than this.

-Master Renshan

To speak deeply about the meaning of the Nembutsu is, on the contrary, a sign of shallowness. Even though your reasoning does not go deep, if only your aspiration is deep, you are certain to attain birth.
Master Honen

"When we call upon Amitabha Buddha, it is both an external calling for salvation and an internal calling for the awakening of our true self."

- Master Shandao
(Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra)

"When we recite the Name, we awaken to the inseparability of Amitabha and our own true nature. His Light is the Light of our own awakened mind."

- Master Yuan Zhao

"Amitabha is both beyond us and within us. His Light shines upon us, and His Name awakens our inherent Buddha-nature. There is no separation between the two."

- Master Daochuo

Everybody, you have to clearly understand.  This practice is so precious and unique because it is simple.  You only need to press one key.  Not complicated. Nor does it need to be complicated.

-Master Renshan

If, because it is taught that birth is attained with but one or ten utterances, you say the Nembutsu heedlessly, then faith is hindering practice. If, because it is taught that you should say the Name "without abandoning it from moment to moment," you believe one or ten utterances to be indecisive, then practice is hindering faith. As your faith, accept that birth is attained with a single utterance; as your practice, endeavor in the Nembutsu throughout life.
Master Honen

Someone asked, ''The Contemplation Sutra teaches how one may see Amida Buddha's body and land. Should I do such meditations even if I practice utterance of the Name?"
Honen answered, "In the beginning I too performed such useless practices, but not any longer. I entrust myself solely to the utterance of the Name."
Jog an

"The Dharma gates are many, but not all are suited to all beings. The Name of Amitabha is the gate most inclusive, opening widely to those of all capacities and circumstances, uniting them in the aspiration for Sukhavati."

- Master Daochuo
(Collection of Passages on the Land of Peace and Joy)

"To disparage other practices is to misunderstand the heart of the Pure Land teachings. Amitabha’s embrace is not narrow; it welcomes all who sincerely seek the Land of Bliss."

- Master Yuan Zhao
(Essentials of the Pure Land Teachings)

"Though our primary aim is rebirth in the Pure Land, we do not ignore the suffering of others in samsara. Compassion in action reflects the Bodhisattva Path, even as we place our trust in Amitabha's Vows."

- Master Shandao
(Commentary on the Visualization Sutra)

"The multitude of practices in Buddhism all generate merit, but they scatter like leaves in the wind without a focal point. Reciting the Name of Amitabha gathers all these merits into a single direction: Sukhavati."

- Master Yuan Zhao
(Essentials of the Pure Land Teachings)

"While the Name is the primary focus, those who cultivate auxiliary practices, such as offering incense, chanting mantras, or observing precepts, also generate merit. When dedicated to the aspiration for the Pure Land, these merits become powerful supports for one’s rebirth."

- Master Shandao
(Commentary on the Visualization Sutra)

"If we focus on Amitabha and recite His Name with sincerity, we encompass all practices in the vast ocean of His Vows. Yet, we do not disparage those who take other paths; we merely point to the certainty of the path of the Name."

- Master Daochuo
(Collection of Passages on the Land of Peace and Joy)

"The practice of Nianfo is not simply one among many; it is the singular gate that opens directly to the Land of Bliss. Through Amitabha’s Vow, reciting His Name carries all the merits of the myriad practices into the singular focus of liberation."

- Master Tanluan
(Commentary on the Treatise on Rebirth in the Pure Land)

"The practice of Nianfo is not escapism, but a foundation for ultimate compassion. By attaining the Pure Land, one is empowered to save innumerable beings."

- Master Chengyuan
(Letters to Disciples)

"When circumstances demand, act with compassion and wisdom. Yet, remember that the ultimate compassion lies in guiding beings toward liberation, which begins with one’s own practice of Nianfo."

- Master Yinguang
(Letters to Pure Land Practitioners)

"When engaged in acts of virtue or assisting others, always keep Amitabha in mind. Let your compassion arise from the aspiration for all beings to enter the Pure Land."

- Master Ouyi Zhixu
(Commentary on the Amitabha Sutra)

A lot of Nianfo practitioners think the Land of Ultimate Bliss seems too incredible and inconceivable.  How can an ordinary being like me, who has only practiced Nianfo for a few days, obtain rebirth there.  This is a mistake; you have not understood.  Amituofo is our real father; this is the situation.  What we need to do is to confirm it from the heart.  Confirm it with no doubt, so we can resolve all the doubtful thoughts.  Then, after that, Nianfo is very logical. Like taking the old roads back home.  Just follow your Dad to return home.

-Master Renshan

Nianfo practice is recommended by all Buddhas because for all beings it is the easiest.
We don't need to use those complicated practices to fit in Nianfo practice. It is not necessary.  A lot of people think nianfo is too easy.  It does not have order. Nor does it seem mysterious. Practicing it seems boring. Too dull. Think it is not fun at all.  Because we are so used to being complicated, even if we want to be simple. We can't be simple.  That's why we keep reincarnating. Keep suffering.  Reincarnation is complicated; to exit is easy.

-Master Renshan

Amituofo has infinite compassion.  He integrated all the so-called merits that we will possibly need into one name at once, that is Namo Amituofo.  The name that carries infinite merits. All is included.  Even if we are told so, we don't believe it.  Not just normal people, also a lot of so-called "awakened people". They still may not believe it.  Self-claimed "awakened people".  I also practice and have some kind of achievement, but what Buddha says, I still don't believe.  This is normal.  He doesn't understand the compassion of Buddha.  He doesn't understand the heart of Buddha. How much Buddha wants us to transcend reincarnation in the least time possible.  To exit promptly; to leave immediately.  So that's why Amituofo stands there to receive all beings.  A lot of practitioners don't understand.  It is normal.

-Master Renshan

Hongaku-bo of Chinzei asked Myohen, ''It is said that uttering the Name when you are distracted does not constitute good; you must first still the mind and then recite it. How should I go about this?"
Myohen answered, ''That statement applies to the most adept. Inferior practicers like myself are wholly incapable of ridding the heart and mind of distractions. Hence, without concern about whether we are agitated or not, we simply take a rosary with a sturdy strand and turn the beads, saying the Name. To wait expectantly for the moment the mind is concentrated would mean never being able to say the Nembutsu."

Someone asked Kyojitsu-bo, "I say the Name knowing utterance to be the key to attaining birth, but my thoughts wander off to the moors and mountains of this world and I say it merely from my lips. What should I do?"
He answered, "When you set out with the idea of coming here, surely you did not think 'I'm going there,' 'I'm going there' with every step. You made your way here with your mind full of unrelated thoughts. Nevertheless, you did not cease walking and you have arrived. "In this way, once you have wakened the aspiration for birth into the Land of Bliss, if you continue saying the Name of Amida to the end of your life, then even though your mind strays while doing so you will unfailingly attain birth."

Some feel that being reborn in the Pure Land is difficult.
This is often heard:
“The Pure Land isn’t so easy to reach!
You must cultivate to a certain level before you can go.”
This is seeing it as difficult.
Then they become discouraged.
Discouraged but unwilling to give up, they end up in a tug-of-war.
They think, “I’ll just try my best.
If I can be reborn, great.
If not, at least I tried.”
This shows they haven’t realized
that being reborn in the Pure Land isn’t difficult.
First, we must understand clearly:
Why did Amitabha Buddha establish the Pure Land?
Amitabha made forty-eight vows.
Who were these vows for?
Why did Shakyamuni Buddha,
without being asked,
proactively teach the Amitabha Sutra?
Was it to make things difficult for us?
Of course not!
It was because he couldn’t wait
to help us quickly connect with Amitabha Buddha
and return home.

- Master Renshan

"I committed a lot of sins in the past. I don't have good luck. I'm worried I can't gain rebirth by Nianfo". In future don't talk like this, and also don't think like this anymore.  To talk like this will affect others; to think like this will affect yourself.  "I'm afraid I haven't practice Nianfo long enough".  Who says you have to practice Nianfo long enough in order to gain rebirth?  This you have to understand it correctly, the Pure Land practice.  Amituofo has infinite compassion.  It is for all ordinary beings. Amituofo will accept all beings unconditionally. We only need to understand the heart of the Buddha.  Accept the will of the Buddha. Then this process has been accomplished.  This is a very important point. To understand Buddha's meaning correctly.  To understand the Buddha's heart and the Buddha's will are the most important things for Nianfo practitioners. We've pressed the confirm key in our heart. We acknowledge it and take refuge from it.   What does it mean?  The wandering person left home for too long, when the parent finally found him, everybody, the most important thing is to let the child affirm that he is the real father.  this is the most important. You as a child don't need to worry about how to return home.  You have not need to worry about it.  You just need to confirm that he is your real father.  What happens next?  Your father will take care of everything.  You don't need to worry if it is real, how do I go there?  My family is so rich.  It sounds too good.  It seems irrelevant to me.  Everybody, it is to be away from the meaning of the Buddha; not understanding the true meaning of the Buddha. 

-Master Renshan

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