In the Saha world, whether the Buddha’s teachings can be fully absorbed and digested depends on the individual’s roots and capabilities.  Iniquitous sentient beings like us can only process the teachings the same way a baby can only drink breast milk.  It would choke on, say, a sticky rice dumpling.  Even prior to birth, the fetus depends on the mother’s umbilical cord to sustain life.

       Our spiritual body is still very young and tender.  Not only do we have practically no ability at all, but our digestive system is weak.  We can only rely on Amitabha Buddha as our mother, whose breast milk to feed on is his six-character name to recite.

       The name, as our only essential breast milk, makes for very exquisite nourishment, and it is an unbreakable umbilical cord that establishes an inseparable connection between us and Amitabha.  So as small beings, tender, with digestive systems not fully developed, we should recite his six-character name to feed on his breast milk, which is truly pure.

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Eddie Cao)