Dialogue with Namo Amituofo on Desire and Emotion

The Poison of Emotional Attachment

On the fourth of July, 2017, the disciple Shi Faxi bowed and respectfully invited the Buddha to provide teachings on the nature of desire and emotion. Namo Amituofo began this discourse by asking: What is this so-called poison of emotion? It deeply stains the wisdom of your heart. How can you purify your Six Roots? How can you cleanse the vessel of your body and mind?

Emotion and desire are like a vast, turbulent sea. They are difficult to distinguish, difficult to separate, and even more difficult to let go of. We are bound by vows and promises made across countless lifetimes. We mistake the false for the real, and in doing so, we create chaos in our lives and our practice. We misinterpret the nature of reality, leading to wrong actions and endless confusion.

The Illusion of Worldly Life

Namo Amituofo teaches that the Buddhas of the three periods of time have all transmitted this truth. Emotion is a troublesome thing; it is a long-standing root of inferiority that causes endless disturbance. If you do not let go of these emotions, you will never be able to attain true life. The world fears being without emotion, which is why people remain trapped in this samsara. If your emotional attachments were not so deep, you would not be born into this world of suffering.

As these roots of emotion grow, they create a world of chaos and desire. The reality you perceive is illusory, yet you are constantly disturbed by these emotions. You may think you want to let go of desire, but you are still clinging to it. If the root remains unchanged, how much of your practice is truly sincere? It is merely a cover, and when you peel it back, the obstacles to your practice remain, preventing you from seeing your true self.

The Path to True Purity

The words of the Buddha are true and must be accepted with faith. Look at the various states of emotion—why are they not seen as ugly? As the days pass, you grow old, sickness arises, and you suffer from sleepless nights or dullness of mind. Whether you are a monastic or a lay practitioner, is it appropriate to dwell on these complex emotions? It is not.

If you wish to practise the path, you must cut off desire and purify your roots. Why not seek the coolness of liberation? All these complex emotions should be treated as empty. Do not let them stain your consciousness or disturb your practice. Whether you are covering them up or cutting them off at the root, the significance is different, and the strength of your vow will vary accordingly.

Transcending the Cycle of Attachment

If you only seek to go slowly, you are not truly on the path. Your faith is not sincere, and you lack the power of compassion. You have not yet seen the deep pit of suffering that all beings fall into; you are still attached to worldly pleasures. Because of this, your face cannot be solemn, your heart cannot be true, and it is difficult to see your true self or move lightly along the path.

Your heart carries a heavy burden, and it is a pitiable state. In this dusty world, it is difficult to find satisfaction in the Buddha’s teachings because your demands are not true vows. You still have discriminations and have not yet truly realised the oneness of all beings. There are so many beings in this world waiting to be saved, and so many in the void waiting to be led to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Heart of the Bodhisattva

Your heart is still attached to your relatives, but these attachments only serve as hindrances. They obstruct your path and create karmic ties that are difficult to avoid. Unless you attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, these ties will continue. Emotion is like glue—it is difficult to wipe clean. If you are a lay practitioner, you must be as selfless and impartial as possible. Distinguish right from wrong, but do not be swayed by emotional matters. Understand the ultimate truth and seek to leave this world for the West.

For those who have left the home life, you must be pure. Everything from your former life is like empty space. Treat all beings with the same equality, the same magnificent spirit, and the same love. If you have discriminations or if thoughts arise, you are not on the path. Even the most subtle thoughts must be cut away, or your progress will turn into retreat. When will you see your true self? Only when your six roots are pure and you have let go of all conditions. Everything in this world is merely a passing encounter; there is nothing that is truly yours.

To truly practise, you must change your habits and adopt a new appearance. You must follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Treat all beings with the compassion of oneness; this is absolutely important. There is no good or bad—only a calm heart. If you have pride, you must know that you are not awake and must repent. Do not be attached to your own joy. As a disciple of the Buddha, you must have a pure appearance, a cool and joyful heart, and be at ease. Do not let your practice be destroyed in an instant. Serve all beings with a heart as vast as the earth, and you will eventually reach the ultimate goal of awakening.