Keeping Namo Amituofo in Every Thought

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui.

On the eighteenth of April, 2025, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these essential teachings on the practice of the Pure Land Dharma Gate.

The Sacred Rhythm of the Heart

In the practice of the Pure Land Dharma Gate, chanting Namo Amituofo is an essential daily lesson. The depth of your chanting skill is, in itself, the measure of your spiritual achievement. When you keep Namo Amituofo in every thought, you receive profound benefits. By maintaining this focus, you will experience:

• Purification: The cleansing of your body, mind, and spirit from past karmic obstructions.
• Meditative Concentration: The attainment of a stable, focused mind that is no longer swayed by external disturbances.
• The Three Studies and Six Paramitas: The simultaneous cultivation of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom, alongside the six perfections of a Bodhisattva.

The Harmony of Prostration and Chanting

When you perform prostrations, you must grasp the Buddha-name firmly. As you bow, let your movements be guided by the rhythm of chanting Namo Amituofo. In every single action, the Buddha must be present. When the Buddha-name resonates within your ears and dwells within your heart, your mind will naturally settle into a state of deep meditative concentration. This is a magnificent and effective method to dissolve karma and achieve true purification.

A Path for All Beings

Chanting Namo Amituofo is a practice for everyone, regardless of age or gender. Whether you are an adult or a child, a man or a woman, you can all participate. By keeping Namo Amituofo in every thought and chanting continuously without interruption, you can effectively silence the delusions and messy thoughts that cloud your mind. It is especially beneficial for children to learn this practice from a young age. When the Vajra Seed of Bodhi is planted within their ear-roots, they will surely reach a point of liberation and achievement in the future.

The Vow to Reach the Western Pure Land

When you chant, let every thought be filled with the presence of the Buddha. We must also extend this compassion to the beings within our bodies. Invite them to chant along with you, with the shared hope that we may all attain the Buddha’s path together. You must realise that this life is your final opportunity to escape the cycle of rebirth. For those who have made the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you must ensure that your thoughts never depart from the Buddha. Whether you are sitting, walking, or performing daily tasks, keep Namo Amituofo in your heart and actions.

The Ultimate Goal of Awakening

Hold fast to the Buddha-name without slackening. Even if you perceive the Buddha, you must continue to chant without pause until you have successfully entered the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Those who maintain this state of mind—keeping Namo Amituofo in every thought—will transcend the suffering of ageing, sickness, and death. Their spirits will never perish, and they will surely enter the Western Pure Land. Through the constant Buddha's blessing, your spirit will be elevated, and you will eventually see your true nature. This is the ultimate goal of all spiritual practice.

Namo Amituofo