Buddha Recitation Samādhi: The Practice of Manas in Buddha Recitation

How does the recitation of the Buddha's name that arises spontaneously in the mind come about? Who is reciting the Buddha's name? These spontaneously arising recitations of the Buddha's name all originate from the Manas (the seventh consciousness); it is the Manas that is reciting. Initially, the conscious mind (the sixth consciousness) is unaware of it. Once it becomes aware, it finds itself unable to control it and is compelled to follow along, listening to the sound of the Buddha's name. Conscious awareness belongs to the conscious mind itself; what is unconscious is not the awareness of the conscious mind, but rather the awareness and activity of the Manas. This state of Buddha-Recitation Samadhi is a meditative state. This concentration is relatively stable. By relying on this Samadhi state, one can then engage in contemplative practice on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The mind is also purified at this time, making contemplation easier.

The spontaneous, uninterrupted arising of the recitation of the Buddha's name, lingering within the heart and mind, is precisely Buddha-Recitation Samadhi. All kinds of Samadhi states arise from the Manas. Why is the Manas able to initiate Samadhi? Those whose Buddha-recitation practice is not mature will not experience Buddha-Recitation Samadhi; those whose various contemplative practices are insufficient will also not attain Samadhi states. So-called "mature practice" refers to the successful permeation of the Manas through long-term, consistent engagement in a specific practice. Once the Manas is thoroughly permeated and matured, it automatically and spontaneously recites the Buddha's name and engages in contemplative practice, giving rise to various Samadhi states. The emergence of these various Samadhi states is not determined by the conscious mind, nor is it controlled by it. The conscious mind can only passively accept them and integrate into the Samadhi state, where it experiences the Samadhi and the bodily and mental sensations.