Buddha Recitation methods

There are, in general, four methods of Buddha Recitation: Real Mark Buddha Recitation; Visualization; Contemplation of an Image; and oral recitation (Holding the Name).

Real Mark Buddha Recitation is, essentially, a Zen practice and entails "entering the Mind's foremost meaning, reciting our own Original Buddha Nature".

Visualization (Contemplation by Thought) is the method thought in the Meditation Sutra, with its Sixteen Contemplations on the features of Amitabha Buddha and His Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Contemplation of an Image requires the practitioner to face a statue of Amitabha Buddha and impress all the features of that statue in his memory, to the point where he clearly sees Amitabha Buddha all the time, whether his eyes are open or closed.

Oral recitation consists simply of reciting the words "Amitabha Buddha), either silently or aloud. The important point here is to have a truly earnest and reverent mind. In fact, this method is so popular that it is often considered synonymous with Pure Land practice.

(For further details, see Master Thich Thien Tam, Buddhism of Wisdom and Faith sect.29)