Some people believe that the Pure Land path is a practice that combines self-effort and other-power, suggesting that rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss depends on both Amitabha Buddha’s power and our own efforts.

       While this view may seem reasonable from a certain perspective, ultimately, it is solely Amitabha Buddha’s power that determines our rebirth.

       The Land of Ultimate Bliss was created by Amitabha Buddha, and his attainment of Buddhahood was achieved entirely through his own efforts, without any contribution from our merits and virtues.

       Even though we have faith in Amitabha Buddha’s deliverance, aspire to be reborn in his Pure Land, and single-mindedly recite his name—what we call Faith, Aspiration, and Practice—we are simply following Amitabha Buddha’s primal vow. 

       Consider the analogy of a boat owner who says, “Come aboard, and I will take you to the other shore—Nirvana.” We simply accept his invitation and board the boat. Crossing the sea to reach the other shore relies entirely on the boat. 

       So, how do we board? By reciting the Buddha’s name, we step onto the boat of Amitabha Buddha’s primal vow.

       To cross from the shore of the Saha World to the shore of Nirvana, we rely entirely on the power of Amitabha’s primal vow, not our own. From this perspective, isn’t the Pure Land path fundamentally a practice of other-power, the power of Amitabha?

       Moreover, this inconceivable name of the Buddha that we recite was made possible by Amitabha Buddha himself; without him, would we even have “Namo Amitabha Buddha” to recite?

       Besides, we are often lazy in practicing Amitabha-recitation, and even when we recite, our minds are filled with distractions and wandering thoughts. If it weren’t for Amitabha's unwavering light embracing us, do you think someone like us could achieve rebirth? 

       Therefore, our ability to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss relies entirely on the power of this single name. That’s why we say, “The Name Alone Delivers: Simply Reciting It Leads to Rebirth.”

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Householder Fojin)