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Who is the One Who Recites the Buddha's Name
“Niem Phat thi thuy” is a koan that asks, “Who is the one reciting the Buddha’s name?” Its purpose is to gather the energy of the mind into one point, so that mindfulness, concentration, and from there, insight may arise. The “initial question” (thoai dau) is a tool to bring mindfulness (Manaskara) back to the object, helping us to remain with each moment of practice. When our capacity for concentration is sufficient, the initial question can be “broken open” to reveal its deep nature, just as sunlight, shining long enough, opens the tightly closed lotus bud.
This koan invites us not only to know the object of recollection (the Buddha), but also to turn inward and investigate the subject who is recollecting (ourselves). Here, there are two clear subjects:
- The Buddha – the object of recollection
- The one who recollects – the subject who often thinks they understand themselves, but in reality remains unclear
Our body is composed of the five skandhas:
- form
- feelings
- perceptions
- mental formations
- consciousness
Meditating on the five skandhas helps us discover our true ontological ground and let go of the illusion of self. When we understand ourselves, we also understand the Buddha, and can live lightly and deeply, no longer driven by the eight worldly winds.
