Recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) meditative concentration (samādhi) is achieved through the manas

Recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) has three levels. The shallowest level is when only the mind consciousness recites the Buddha's name while the manas does not engage in the recollection—this is scattered-minded recitation that merely goes through the form, a recitation done for show, not true recollection of the Buddha; it produces no resonance with the Buddhas, and its merit is very small. The second level is when the manas and the mind consciousness recollect the Buddha together; there is shallow meditative concentration, and it is a recollection that gathers the mind halfway, allowing slight resonance with the Buddhas. The deepest level is when the manas alone recollects the Buddha; the recollection is relatively sincere, there is resonance with the Buddhas, and it can give rise to the samādhi of Buddha recollection; its merit is great.

When the mind consciousness recites the Buddha's name but the manas does not like doing so, the mind is rather scattered: while reciting, one can simultaneously watch television, carry on conversations, indulge in distracting thoughts, and mix in many other matters. When the manas recollects the Buddha, one can recite even while sleeping, even while dreaming, even while working, even while pondering problems—one can recite while doing anything, and the samādhi of Buddha recollection can appear. Therefore, the samādhi of Buddha recollection is certainly initiated by the manas. The manas can keep the Buddha in mind thought after thought at all times, without interruption; there is meditative concentration, the body and mind experience tranquility and ease (praśama), and there is a sense of joy.

There was a person who participated in a million-Buddha-name recitation retreat, reciting the Buddha's name one million times in one week. Holding a strand of 1,080 beads in hand, after completing one full round, he would move one bead on a 108-bead strand. Thus, with both hands constantly moving the beads and the Buddha's name continuously on his lips, he could at the same time watch television, offer comments, watch others doing things, and sometimes even get angry—truly busy indeed. But what use is such recitation of the Buddha's name? When the manas is everywhere grasping at objects, the mind consciousness can only recite the Buddha's name as a pretense, without any focus at all. This shows that only by subduing the manas can there be concentration in Buddha recollection and the samādhi of Buddha recollection. Concentration means concentrating the manas; concentrating the mind consciousness does not solve the problem.