Mutual Respect and Love, Without Hatred and Jealousy

Words of Namo Amituofo. Recorded and transcribed by Venerable Fa Hui.

3 July 2026

Namo Amituofo’s discourse:

"Mutual respect and love, without hatred and jealousy,"

is a passage from The Infinite Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra), Chapter 33: Exhortation and Encouragement:

"People in the world, whether father and son, brothers, husband and wife, or relatives, should respect and love one another, and not hate or be jealous of each other. They should share what they have, not be greedy or stingy, and always be gentle in their speech and expression."

This refers to the attitude that people in the world—fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, wives, and relatives—should have toward one another; they should respect and cherish each other, rather than hate or be jealous of one another.

Possessions and needs should be shared, and with such a heart, one will be free from greed and stinginess, and one’s speech and expression will always be gentle.

This is the method Shakyamuni Buddha used to counsel the people of that time, urging them to progress.

Everyone possesses a true self and Buddha-nature, which are essentially one.

If one realises one's true nature and attain Buddhahood, then "all Buddhas walk the same path,"

which means their character and behaviour are mutually respectful;

however, due to the initial arising of confusion,

and falling into delusions, discriminations, and attachments, their character becomes differentiated,

and within these differences, amidst the laws of karma and cause and effect, they manifest in different roles, genders, and positions.

Acting according to the Buddha’s words is to observe Ethics and Morality, and to follow Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path.

This was true three thousand years ago, and it remains true three thousand years later.

Furthermore, following what is said in the Sutra means following Ethics and Morality and Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path.

What is said in the Sutra has not changed with the passage of three thousand years.

Therefore, by following what is said in the Sutra, believing and practising it, step by step,

one can purify the body, heart, and spirit, and make progress in one's spiritual achievements.

By reciting the Sutras daily, one can let go of the body, heart, and the world while reciting.

Reciting the Sutra word by word and sentence by sentence is a way to purify one's thoughts; because one has no other thoughts and no evil thoughts, this is Discipline (Precepts);

placing the heart in one place is Concentration;

naturally, wisdom is revealed, and one understands the meaning within the Sutra.

This is the wonderful method of practising the Three Learnings of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom simultaneously.

Namo Amituofo