Benefits of Buddha Recitation with Visual Focus

Shi Ruyuan: Regarding the matter of reciting the Buddha's name, the method my mother and I use for reciting is as the master described, focusing our attention on the honored one, not on the Buddha's name or the sound itself. We don't recite for the sake of reciting the name, nor do we recite for the sake of a pleasant sound. When I first started reciting the Buddha's name, I knew nothing about the Buddha's name or merits. I recited while looking at the Buddha statue, as if seeing the honored one Amitabha Buddha himself. I taught my mother to recite using this same method, and it has been quite beneficial.

How did I achieve Buddha-Recitation Samadhi? At first, my brother got me a solemn paper print of a Buddha statue. Below the statue were written the six large characters: "Namo Amitabha Buddha". At that time, I didn't know what "Namo Amitabha Buddha" meant; I thought it was just an ordinary name. I didn't know it was the honorable title of the Buddha – Infinite Light, Infinite Life, the World-Honored One – let alone that Amitabha Buddha is the ruler of the Western Pure Land.

Initially, I recited the Buddha's name morning, noon, and evening, sitting before the statue, reciting and prostrating to it. Back then, I thought the more I recited and prostrated, the better. So, I made a vow to recite 1,500 times a day. After reciting for a week, I felt increasingly weak and lost the desire to recite. I just sat staring at the statue, lost in thought, dazed and unwilling to move. Later, whenever I entered the Buddha hall to prostrate and recite, I would see the statue emit a distinct brightness, which made me feel physically and mentally comfortable, filling me with Dharma joy. I became so excited that I involuntarily started reciting aloud. When I recited aloud, my child's father would argue with me, forbidding me to recite, calling it superstition. So, I just sincerely thought of the Buddha and recited mentally, not reciting for the sake of the name itself, not understanding how to recite properly. Later, I happened to meet the master, and only then did I learn the correct method of Buddha recitation. I then received the blessings of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the master, who taught me so many wonderful and profound Dharmas!

Commentary: Contemplating the Buddha statue while reciting has many benefits. First, using the eye faculty to contemplate the Buddha statue while reciting is more direct, provides a stronger experience, feels more real, allows one to easily immerse oneself in the environment, leaves a deep impression, helps remember the Buddha's image, enables focused and concentrated recitation without distraction, and makes it harder for distracting thoughts to arise. Second, it easily gives rise to reverence, admiration, affection, and sincerity towards the Buddha, fostering a heart of reliance, dependence, and deep faith, thereby enabling one to receive the Buddha's blessing power. It automatically gives rise to pure vows, and one recites the Buddha's name with deep faith and earnest vows. Furthermore, one becomes willing to follow in the Buddha's footsteps through practical actions, practicing the Bodhisattva path. Third, the Buddha statue is concrete; reciting while focusing on it gives one a clear target. It allows one to continuously deepen the skill of recitation, gradually reaching the level of recollecting the Buddha, and the shadow of Buddha-Recitation Samadhi may appear.

Those who haven't seen obvious results from Buddha recitation can try contemplating the Buddha statue while reciting. Find a very solemn Buddha statue that brings joy to your heart when you look at it. Contemplate the statue and recite the Buddha's name daily. Once you become familiar with the image through contemplation, train yourself to visualize and recollect it with your eyes closed. Gradually, the Buddha image will appear in your heart, and eventually, the Buddha may even appear in your dreams.