The recollection of the Buddha is a mental practice of developing concentration on a pure object. It often comes under such a category as “the six recollections” or “the ten recollections” along with the recollections of dharma, sangha, morality, breathing, and so on. Among them, the recollection of the Buddha is the most common practice of contemplation. It instructs one to recollect the supremacy and rarity of the Buddha so that one can eliminate distraction and prepare oneself for more profound meditation. Such recollection can be carried out in a variety of ways. For example, chanting “Namu Amida Butsu” (literally “I salute Amitābha”) is a popular practice of the Pure Land School.

It is a simple way of practice to believe in the teachings of the Buddha that one arrives at samadhi, a state of meditative consciousness, through the recollection of the Buddha and vows to seek rebirth in the pure land. With the super normal power of the vows of Amitābha, who guards all sentient beings, one will doubtless be reborn in the pure land. (Shi Zhiyi: Ten Doubts Regarding the Pure Land)