The Burden of the Past and the Path to Liberation

Words of Namo Amituofo

recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

On the sixth of December, 2025, during the noon offering, Namo Amituofo provided these profound teachings regarding the nature of our journey through time.

The Heavy Burden of History

From ancient times to the present, the land within the hearts of beings has carried the heavy weight of our past and our long history. Beings cannot let go of these experiences, and so they pile them layer upon layer within the heart. Because of this accumulation, the heart-light emanating from the heart becomes increasingly dim. Eventually, we can no longer see this inner light at all; we see only the heavy, dense shadows of our past.

These heavy records of our past are clearly and precisely stored within our Alaya consciousness. As we travel through life after life, these records only continue to grow, layer by layer, without ever diminishing. Unless we engage in dedicated practice, we remain trapped by the weight of these accumulated memories.

The Path of Letting Go

To truly understand the nature of reality, one must grasp both the phenomena of the world and the underlying principles of the truth. It is only through the intentional act of letting go and the willingness to release our attachments that we can allow our hearts to attain genuine freedom and liberation. This is the only way to break the cycle of being weighed down by what has already passed.

You must cultivate meditative concentration. It is through this stillness that you can face any event, whether it stems from the distant past or the present moment. Within this deep meditative state, your wisdom will naturally manifest. This wisdom allows you to clearly discern how to face all matters that arise from the past and the present, including the complex karmic threads of your own past lives and your current existence.

The Wisdom of the Awakened Heart

A wise person is one who takes full responsibility for their actions in the present moment. They face their circumstances with courage, and then they let go, ensuring that they no longer allow the past to disturb their inner peace. This requires the strength to accept the negative cause one has sown in the past. It means facing the reality of one's aging or ailing body, and listening to the clear testimonies of the beings who appear when we invite spirits to witness our practice, as well as the fruits of seeking revenge.

After facing these things, one must truly let go. When the heart is no longer stirred by these memories, it is no longer disturbed by the past. This is what it means to be truly at ease within one's heart, regardless of the people, events, or environments one encounters from ancient times to the present. By maintaining this state of clarity and detachment, you can walk the path of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way without faltering.

Namo Amituofo