In the Collection of Lasting Reflections, part of The Complete Works of Master Yinguang, there is a valuable lesson about faith and practice. It concerns a lay Buddhist (traditionally called a householder in Buddhist terminology) devoted to the practice of Amitabha-recitation.

        In the winter of 1936, in China, this householder faced a life-threatening crisis when he suddenly coughed up a large amount of blood, his life hanging by a thread. When death draws near, most people become overwhelmed - their thoughts whirl in confusion, their nerves shatter, and they feel utterly helpless and alone. Yet he remained remarkably composed - neither panicking nor fearful. His only regret was that despite his regular practice of reciting “Namo Amitabha Buddha,” he had never achieved a pure state of mind during practice, as deluded thoughts constantly swarmed in his mind.

       After his unexpected recovery, he embarked on a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples in the Jiangsu province, accompanied by a monastic friend. When they reached the city of Suzhou where Master Yinguang was residing, he reverently prostrated before the Master and shared his reflections about those near-death moments, especially his concern that his recitation was not ‘pure’. Upon hearing this, Master Yinguang sternly admonished him: “You must not harbour such thoughts! Holding onto this view could jeopardize your rebirth in the Pure Land. What does it matter whether your recitation seems pure or not? Even just ten recitations assure rebirth - and you have recited far more than that!”

       This teaching reveals a profound truth: rebirth in Pure Land does not depend on the perceived quality of one’s recitation but on the boundless merits of Amitabha’s name and the power of his fundamental vows. The distinction between ‘good’ and ‘poor’  recitation becomes meaningless because both lead to rebirth. Anyone who single-mindedly recites Amitabha’s name is assured of rebirth in the Pure Land. And consider this - even the least diligent among us has recited far more than ten times.

       The Contemplation Sutra teaches that even those with the lowest capacity for cultivation can attain rebirth through just ten recitations. We who have been reciting the Buddha's name throughout our lives have certainly exceeded this number many times over. Moreover, we began our practice long before our final moments and have avoided the gravest transgressions. Our rebirth is thus even more assured.

       Yet, the essence of practice lies in the humble belief that our aptitude is of the lowest level of the lowest grade, and in practising as if each moment could be our last. Every single "Namo Amitabha Buddha" we recite is the primary cause for our rebirth in the Pure Land. 

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