No Worries in the Long Night: The Compassionate Vows of Namo Amituofo

Amitabha Buddha's discourse, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

September 14, 2025, Noon Offering.

Teachings from Namo Amituofo:

Beings in this world, driven by their karma, often live in a state of sorrow, worry, and suffering. You are constantly busy, struggling for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, while passing through the inevitable stages of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Throughout this process, you are unable to detach yourselves from the Five Desires—wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—and the Six Dusts, which include sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and mental objects. Because of this, you continue to create karma without pause, spinning endlessly in reincarnation.

The Compassionate Vow of Dharmakara Bhikshu

Long ago, when Dharmakara Bhikshu was practising, He saw and heard the immense suffering of all beings. He observed that you are often trapped in a state of deep sorrow and affliction, unable to master your own destiny. Seeing this, He made a great vow to become the supreme benefactor, to save and rescue all poor and suffering beings. He vowed that even if you are trapped in the long, dark night covered by ignorance, or if you are being oppressed by the various afflictions of this world, you would still be able to live a life free from worry and sorrow.

The Three Pillars of Generosity

This promise was made possible through the power of Generosity. By receiving these gifts, you are supported even in your darkest hours:

• Generosity of Wealth: Providing for your physical needs so you are not consumed by the struggle for survival.
• Generosity of the Dharma: Offering the teachings of the True Teachings to illuminate your mind and clear your confusion.
• Generosity of Fearlessness: Protecting you from harm and anxiety, allowing your heart to find peace.

This was the vow that Dharmakara Bhikshu made before His teacher, Lokesvararaja Buddha. It is because of this very vow that the later promise of rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—even while carrying karma—was successfully established.

Aligning with the Vow for Liberation

Because suffering beings in this world are obstructed by confusion, afflictions, and the weight of their own karma, you live in hardship. It is truly difficult for you to practise the True Teachings, and you often lack the opportunity to find liberation and leave suffering behind. You remain trapped in the long night of worry and the endless cycle of reincarnation. This is why Dharmakara Bhikshu made His Ultimate Vow.

If you can follow the Living the Vows: The Direct Way to Enlightenment, then at the time of your passing, your heart will not be in a state of confusion. If you chant Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart and make the vow to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land, you will be in sync with the vow of Namo Amituofo. You will be led by Him into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. There, you will live in an environment free from suffering, and within that Land of Peace and Joy, you will be able to continue your practice and eventually attain Buddhahood.

It is the sincere wish of Namo Amituofo that all beings may live without worry in the long night, and that you may all chant Namo Amituofo and make the vow to be reborn in the Western Land.

Namo Amituofo