Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

a. These Pure Land meditations do not require an
initiation (abhiseka) before they can be practiced. They
are just performed according to the sutra, which all may
read and practice without any ritual empowerment
(though one should, of course, have guidance from
someone already well-practiced in them).
b. In these, one just meditates on Amitabha Buddha as
appearing in front of oneself. In the Vajrayana one
becomes, one is the object (Buddha, bodhisattva, etc.) of
meditation.
c. There is no mantra in these meditations—one just
repeats Amitabha's name: "Namo Amitabhaya
Buddhaya," or in the Chinese form, "Na Mo A Mi Tuo
Fo."
d. The mandala is not created according to the right
order (with certain symbols of truth), but just goes
according to the sutra's description. In the sutra, one
finds elaborate details given (for instance, on the
sevenfold rows of jewel-trees), but the mandalas
described in the Tantras are well-arranged to correspond
closely to symbolic representations of complete truth
and the different wisdoms. In the sutra it is just as
though the Buddha is simply introducing a visitor to the
Pure Land: "Here are jewel-trees, here are precious
pavilions," and so forth, but the mandalas described in
the Vajrayana texts are like very complete and
systematic models.
395