法苑珠林 20.52

20.52

又大慈經云。佛告阿難。南無佛者。此是決定諸佛世尊名號音聲。故稱言南無諸佛故。過去有大商主。將諸商人為摩竭大魚欲來吞舟。由三稱南無佛名。並皆免難。魚聞佛名。以善心故捨身後世出家得道。何況有人得聞佛名聽聞正法。親於佛所種諸善根。而不畢定利益。

Furthermore, the Daci jing says: The Buddha told Ānanda, '“Namo Buddhāya” is the sound of the definite name and title of all the Buddhas, the World-Honoured Ones; hence one says “Namo to all Buddhas”. In the past, there was a great caravan leader leading many merchants when a great makara fish was about to swallow their boat. Because they called out the name “Namo Buddhāya” three times, they all escaped disaster. Hearing the Buddha's name, the fish, out of wholesome intention, abandoned its body, went forth into the monastic life in a future life, and attained the Way. How much more so when a person hears the Buddha's name, listens to the saddharma, and personally plants roots of goodness in the presence of the Buddha—how could they fail to obtain definitive benefit?'