six-character Name　六字名号 The Name consisting of the six Chinese characters, 南 無 阿 弥 陀 仏 (na-mo-a-mi-da-butsu). “Namo” literally means “I take refuge in”, which Shan-tao interpreted as “aspiring and directing virtues”. Shinran, however, emphasizes elimination of human self-power effort and calculation to attain emancipation, showing that “namo” is Amida’s calling to summon us to come to the Pure Land. This means that we are called to entrust ourselves completely to Amida’s Primal Vow. “Amida Butsu” was understood by Shan-tao as “the practice”, which Shinran interprets as the working of the Primal Vow to save us all.