I have long been fascinated by the Name, which is perhaps what draws me to Pure Land, a tradition that reveals the Presence of Amitabha through the Name. Many people contemplate and wonder about what they call the Divine, and why. Many call him God. Many others call her Goddess. Some express it through the sacred name Yahweh, or Jesus Christ, or Allah. Speaking from a Pure Land perspective, I simply use “the Name” interchangeably with Amitabha, the Buddha, the Presence, and the Nature. With my sutras and my prayer beads, I invoke and commune thus:

1.  the Name

2. Amitabha Buddha

3. the Buddha

4. the Presence

5. the Nature

These are my five names of the inconceivable Name. What are yours?