Question 23 （Doubts and Questions about Pure Land）

by Elder Zen Master T'ien Ju

Question 23

From the beginning, this barbarian monk has heard a great deal about Buddha Recitation, but does not yet fully understand its tenets. He is also not entirely clear about the Ten Recitations Method. Could you, Master, please elucidate these questions?

Answer

Buddha Recitation has several meanings. One is to focus on/ visualize the thirty-two auspicious signs, concentrating the Mind so that, asleep or awake, you always see the Buddha.
    
Another, more commonly employed method is to concentrate exclusively on reciting the Buddha’s name, holding fast
singlemindedly and without interruption. In this way, the practitioner will see the Buddha in this very life. I notice that most Pure Land followers these days have chosen this Holding the Name method.
     
The method requires that the Mind be calm, still and undisturbed — each recitation follows the one before, the Mind focussed on the Buddha’s name. While the mouth recites the Buddha’s name, the Mind should clearly contemplate each and every utterance, so that each and every word is clear and distinct. During recitation, regardless of the number of utterances, Mind and thought should be utterly sincere and focussed. Only with such singleminded practice can each utterance erase “eight million eons of heavy transgressions.” Otherwise karmic obstructions are difficult to eradicate.(99)

With regard to the Ten Recitations Method, each morning the practitioner should kneel before the altar of the Buddha, or stand erect with palms joined, facing west. He should recite continuously in one stretch, each stretch counting as one recitation, ten stretches constituting ten recitations. The number of utterances per stretch depends on the length of the practitioner’s breath span. He should keep the recitation clear and distinct, in a voice neither too low nor too loud, neither hurried nor leisurely, reciting thus, with one-pointedness of Mind, for ten consecutive stretches. This method uses the breath to gather and focus the Mind; its effectiveness lies in singlemindedness and steadfastedness throughout life, without a day’s interruption.
    
To transfer the merits, the practitioner should, after recitation, with an utterly sincere Mind, make the following vow:

   “My Dharma name is …; I have developed the Bodhi Mind and earnestly take refuge in Amitabha Buddha, seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land. In the past, You vowed that ‘If any sentient being wishing to be reborn in my Land recites my name with utmost sincerity up to ten times, yet does not achieve rebirth, I will not become a Buddha.’ I vow to seek the assistance of Your compassionate power to eliminate transgressions and develop merits. I also vow that, when my time of death comes, I will know the day and time in advance and will have eliminated obstructions. I will then be welcomed and escorted by Amitabha Buddha and the Sacred Assembly, swiftly awaken to the Buddha’s Way and rescue all sentient beings.”(100)

The Ten Recitations Method is an important technique, handed down through the ages. It is widely taught and very helpful to people at large. Pure Land practitioners should follow and apply it.
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99. “Perfect antidote for the monkey Mind…. Does away with the monkey Mind. How hard this is to do.” (Communication from kalyanamitra Barbara Levine.)               

100. “Pure Land literature offers many stories presented as real life biographical accounts which corroborate the description of the Pure Land paradise drawn from the scriptures …. The stories often relate people’s early experience of Buddhism, and note the various practices they took up and the scriptures they studied. In due time, their faith in Pure Land is awakened, perhaps by meeting an inspirational teacher, perhaps through a dream or vision, perhaps from hearing the Pure Land scriptures …. The climax of a Pure Land biography comes in the subject’s death scene, when buddha-name recitation is rewarded and the Pure Land teachings are confirmed. The believer dies peacefully, even joyously, with mind and body composed, in full confidence of rebirth in paradise, reciting the buddha’s name.” (J.C. Cleary, Pure Land, Pure Mind.)   

related post:  Question 24 （Doubts and Questions about Pure Land）

Source Of Information:
《Pure Land Buddhism (Dialogues with Ancient Masters)》, by Elder Zen Master T'ien Ju, translated with annotations by Master Thich Thien Tam, printed and donated for free distribution by: The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation (11F, 55, Hang Chow South Road Sec 1, Taipei, Taiwan), printed in February 2023.
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.