Reciting the Buddha's Name Is More Than Calling a Name: Each Time I Remember the Buddha, What Do I Do?

Why do we remember someone?

Surely in life, each of us has at some point missed someone deeply. But have you ever asked yourself: why do I remember that person? Venerable Thích Chân Quang opens his dharma talk with this simple yet profound question. A Buddhist answered very sincerely: because of love. Indeed, only when we love someone do we miss them when they are far away.

"Because we love someone, we remember them when they are away. So here, if we remember the Buddha, it must surely be because we love the Buddha. Only by loving the Buddha do we remember the Buddha."

To be mindful of the Buddha is to remember the Buddha

At first hearing, many people think that reciting the Buddha's name is simply repeating "Namo Amitabha Buddha" or "Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva" over and over. But according to the Venerable, the word "mindful" originally means "to remember." To be mindful of the Buddha is to remember the Buddha — to remember with the whole heart, with love, not mechanically.

But in order to love the Buddha and remember the Buddha, we must first understand the Buddha. We have never met the Buddha, yet thanks to the monks who spread the teachings and the scriptures left behind, we come to know the Buddha. From that knowledge, love and reverence for the Buddha arise.

"If there were no monks spreading the teachings, if there were no scriptures and books left behind, we could know nothing about the Buddha. And knowing nothing about the Buddha, we could not love and revere the Buddha."

When we remember the Buddha, what do we do?

When love and longing for the Buddha well up in our hearts, we can do many things. The Venerable shared that sometimes he takes his robe and bows to the Buddha in the middle of the night, and sometimes he composes music and sings the song "Do You Remember the Buddha Each Day?" For us, these concrete actions may include:

Bowing to the Buddha: This is the most solemn way of remembering the Buddha, expressing deep reverence.

Reciting the Buddha's name: Calling the Buddha's name during busy moments, when we cannot bow.

Praying for the Buddha's blessing: Asking the Buddha to light the way and guide us through misfortunes and mistakes.

Contemplating the Buddha's teachings: The depth of this practice lies in pondering the teachings to expand our wisdom.

"The most solemn way to remember is to bow to the Buddha. We dress properly and respectfully, come before the altar, and bow to the Buddha with heartfelt reverence."

Reciting the Buddha's name with love

Calling the Buddha's name is not a dry practice. When we silently recite "Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva" in moments of emptiness or anxiety, our hearts grow warm. The Venerable taught that we should not make distinctions among the Buddhas. Each name is a manifestation of the same enlightened reality. We should not think that one Buddha is more powerful than another.

"One Buddha is all Buddhas. All Buddhas are one Buddha."

Relying on the Buddha to help us overcome our mistakes

In life, there are countless moments when we lack clarity, when we are quick to anger, when we waver before difficulties. Remembering the Buddha and praying help us stay calm and see the problem clearly. For instance, when a family disputes over land, by being mindful of the Buddha we can speak gently, placing love and loyalty above material things. Or when we meet someone from our past, by remembering the Buddha we keep our composure and do not let our hearts be swept away.

"I pray the Buddha blesses me with clarity, so that I can judge whether this business venture is good, whether I should pursue it or not."

Remembering the Buddha is an entire process

Being mindful of the Buddha is not as simple as many people mistakenly believe. It requires us to understand the Buddha, to revere the Buddha, and to practice bowing, reciting his name, praying, and contemplating the teachings. It is a deep and vast journey, one that nurtures compassion and wisdom within us.

"To be mindful of the Buddha is an entire noble and sacred feeling. An entire practice, vast and encompassing, and at the same time deep and profound."

Perhaps you have practiced being mindful of the Buddha for many years, but ask yourself: do I truly remember the Buddha? Do I truly love and revere the Buddha? Begin by bowing to the Buddha each day, even just once. Then, little by little, love for the Buddha will grow, and each time we remember the Buddha, we will feel peace and happiness.