What Is the Difference Between Chanting "Namo Amitābha Buddha" and "Amitābha Buddha"?

"Namo" means taking refuge, signifying sincere reliance and submission, while "Amitabha Buddha" is the name of the Buddha himself. Reciting the Buddha's name is to connect with and resonate with the Buddha, seeking his blessings, assistance, and deliverance. The two methods of recitation are fundamentally no different, but adding two extra words makes the mind's focus more circuitous. Reciting "Amitabha Buddha" alone is more direct, simpler for the mind, and makes it easier to attain samadhi.

Reciting the Buddha's name is not merely for the sake of recitation itself, but to gather the mind and sincerely take refuge in Amitabha Buddha, aiming to attain the Buddha-recitation samadhi. Only within this Buddha-recitation samadhi can one connect with Amitabha Buddha, resonate with him, and gain certainty of rebirth in the Pure Land. Therefore, when reciting, one should strive to calm the mind, maintaining single-minded focus. While reciting the Buddha's name, the Buddha should be present in the heart, recited with reverence. To gather the mind and attain concentration, the voice during recitation should not be too high-pitched, as this consumes energy, easily scatters the mind, and makes it hard to collect one's thoughts. A lower, more gathered voice helps energy coalesce, pacifies the spirit, allows the mind to focus without distraction, facilitates attaining concentration, achieving Buddha-recitation samadhi, and receiving the Buddha's blessings.

To focus the mind on recitation and attain Buddha-recitation samadhi, one can try reciting like this: Gently recite the syllable "A," prolonging its sound, without voicing "Mituofo" (Amitabha Buddha). Simultaneously, hold the image of Amitabha Buddha in the heart. The sound "A" manifests externally, while "Mituofo" remains hidden within the heart. A single syllable represents the entire Buddha; the mind is free of distractions, wholly Buddha. Reciting in this way makes it easier to attain samadhi.