“Amitabha Buddha” is the Dharma body of Amitabha—the Dharmakaya

In his Essential Explanation of the Amitabha Sutra, Master Ouyi (1599–1655) clearly explained the essence of the Amitabha Sutra, stating that all Mahayana sutras, including the Amitabha Sutra, take “True Suchness” (reality as it is) as their fundamental essence.

Master Tanluan, on the other hand, in his Commentary on the Treatise on Rebirth, clarified that the essence of the three Pure Land Sutras, belonging to the bodhisattva teaching, is “the Name” (that is, Amitabha Buddha’s Name).

At first glance, these two views seem unrelated, or even contradictory—as if “True Suchness” is an abstract concept and “the Name” that can be expressed in words, so that we can call, recite, and hear, are entirely different. In reality, however, they are of the same essence.

Both masters’ teachings are correct. It is only because some people lack understanding of Buddhist doctrine, especially the profound meaning of the Pure Land teaching, that they fail to realize this: Amitabha Buddha’s Name is itself Amitabha’s Dharma Body, or dharmakaya in Sanskrit!

In the context of the Pure Land teaching, the Dharma Body of Amitabha Buddha is, of course, the embodiment of true virtue and wisdom—that is, True Suchness itself in terms of Amitabha’s Realm.

The Name, light, and wisdom of Amitabha Buddha are one entity

In his Commentary on the Treatise on Rebirth in the Path of Praise, Master Tanluan wrote:

“To recite the Name of that Tathagata” means to recite the Name of the Tathagata of Unhindered Light—one of the 12 epithets of Amitabha Buddha.

“As is the Light and Wisdom of that Tathagata” This means that the Buddha’s light is a manifestation of His wisdom. This light shines throughout the ten directions without obstruction, dispelling the darkness of ignorance in all beings.

Hence, we know that Amitabha’s Name is the very manifestation of His Light and Wisdom. For this reason, Master Shandao stated in his Praise of Rebirth:

The World-Honored Amitabha, in his deep and vast vows, manifests His Name of Light to embrace and transform sentient beings in all directions; in order to render faith and the aspiration for rebirth, by exclusively reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha. It doesn’t matter whether it is throughout a lifetime, 10 times, or even once. They all shall easily attain rebirth in the Pure Land through the Power of Amitabha Buddha’s Vow.

From this, we understand that Amitabha’s Dharma Body (Essence/Substance), His Name (Form), and His Light (Functional Capacity) are one inseparable entity. Amitabha’s Light can dispel, without any  obstruction, the ignorance and karmic darkness of all sentient beings in the worlds of all directions.

“Amitabha” contains the totality of all buddhas, bodhisattvas, and teachings

Based on the interpretations of these patriarchs, we should also trust what Shakyamuni Buddha revealed in The Fundamental Secret Dharani Sutra of Amitabha Buddha:

The syllable “A” represents all Buddhas in all directions and times:

The Contemplation Sutra says: “Within the circular halo of the Buddha of Infinite Life are innumerable transformation buddhas—hundreds of millions of nayutas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.”

The syllable “Mi” represents all bodhisattvas:

The Contemplation Sutra also says: “Each transformation Buddha is accompanied by countless Bodhisattvas who serve as his staff.”

The syllable “Tuo” represents the 84,000 sacred teachings:

The Contemplation Sutra also says: “The Buddha of Infinite Life emits 84,000 rays of light, each illuminating all worlds in the ten directions;  embracing, without forsaking, all sentient beings who recite his Name.”

These aspects of the “Name Amituofo” (fo being Buddha) correspond to the 84,00 Dharma gates; that cure the 84,000 afflictions, perfect the 84,000 goodnesses, and result in the 84,000 marks of virtue. Therefore, “Amitabha’s Name” is also called “the Name of Infinite Virtues.”

These three syllables together encompass all Buddhist teachings perfectly and completely.

Why does Amitabha “transform” his Dharma body and light into his Name?

Many people think that Amitabha is merely a name, a sound, a symbol, or a mantra. In fact, the Name “Amitabha” is the living and active Amitabha Buddha himself—omnipresent throughout all Dharma realms, “embracing, without forsaking, all sentient beings who recite his Name,” as noted above.

Whoever recites “Namo Amitabha” is immediately embraced by Amitabha’s Light: like iron drawn to a magnet. Why is the embrace “unforsaking?” It is because Amitabha has to fulfil the promise he made in his 18th Vow: assured rebirth through the exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha for all aspirants.

Thus, by “transforming” his Dharma body and Light into the Name, Amitabha can reach all sentient beings with his Light, and connect with those who exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. More importantly, Amitabha will embrace them, without forsaking; so that he can appear and receive them when they are near death.

Exclusively recite “Namo Amitabha Buddha,” rather than “Amitabha Buddha”

It is interesting to note how many people recite “Namo Amitabha Buddha” or “Namo Amituofo” in Chinese, rather than Amitabha Buddha, or just Amitabha. Actually, Namo Amitabha Buddha is the full Name of Amitabha Buddha. We shouldn’t skip “Namo” when we recite his Name for rebirth.

“Namo” means “I take refuge.” If we ordinary beings wish to be reborn in Amitabha’s Buddha-land, the Land of Bliss, the only way to attain assured rebirth is to take refuge in Amitabha Buddha. This is because real beings have no real merit and virtues to dedicate for rebirth in the real Land of Bliss.

Master Shandao says, “The Land of Bliss is an unconditioned realm of nirvana, it is hard to attain rebirth there based on miscellaneous merits and virtues in these causal conditions.” Causal conditions” refers to the world in which we live, which is a conditioned realm of birth-and-death, not at all like the Land of Bliss.

Exclusively reciting “Namo Amitabha Buddha” signifies full faith in and acceptance of Amitabha’s deliverance through his Name. Thus, Amitabha Buddha naturally shares his real merit and virtues with the reciter, to enable him to be reborn in his real Land of Bliss.

It may be Amitabha’s original intention to include the word “Namo” with his buddha-name, because his sole purpose in becoming a buddha is to deliver sentient beings to be reborn in his buddha-land. However, in order for us to be reborn, we must accept Amitabha’s deliverance by exclusively reciting Namo (I take refuge) Amitabha Buddha (in Amitabha Buddha). Thus, we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha.

Related features from BDG

How Much Do We Know About Amitabha Buddha and His Dharma?
The Transmission of the Dharma and the Buddha’s Final Words
Examining the Transmission of Buddhist Teachings: Shakyamuni Buddha’s Original Reason for Appearing in the World

More from Pristine Pure Land Teaching by Alan Kwan