The Compassionate Promise: Letting the Past Be

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe on the sixth of December, 2025.

In our common language, the phrase to let the past be refers to the act of releasing the burdens of our previous errors. It signifies that the mistakes we have committed are no longer held against us. When I, Namo Amituofo, speak of letting the past be, I am referring to every single transgression committed since time immemorial, spanning from your countless past lives right up until this very moment.

The Human Condition and the Path of Awakening

There is a compassionate saying from the ancestors of the East: to err is human. It reminds us that as ordinary beings, we are not yet sages, and it is natural for us to stumble. However, this does not mean we should remain stagnant in our confusion. If you are a practitioner, you must strive for Awakening. This requires a clear and honest approach to your own life:

• If you have made a mistake, you must correct it immediately and resolve never to repeat it.
• If you have not yet committed a specific error, you must remain vigilant and guard your heart against falling into such traps.
• If you continue to commit the same negative actions, you are planting seeds of suffering that will inevitably ripen into painful consequences.

The Hope of Carrying Karma

For those who practise the Pure Land path and vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, there is a magnificent hope known as carrying karma. This is a special provision for beings trapped in the cycle of being reincarnated. I understand that for many, the personality is difficult to change, and old habits are deeply ingrained. Whether due to a lack of proper guidance or the weight of past karma, many find it nearly impossible to escape the cycle of rebirth on their own. Therefore, I have opened this door of skillful means.

The Hook of Compassion

Within my Forty-eight Great Vows, I have established the path for beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss while still carrying the weight of their past actions. As the sutras state: first, hook them with their desires, and later, lead them into the wisdom of the Buddha. This is the essence of my method for saving beings:

• First, I satisfy the natural human desire to leave suffering behind and find happiness.
• I use the supreme beauty and magnificence of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to capture your heart and inspire your devotion.
• Once you have entered this path, you are guided to chant Buddha's name and vow to be reborn in the West.

The Transformation of the Spirit

Once you have successfully reached the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, your entire existence undergoes a profound transformation. In that realm, you will no longer be subject to the influence of evil; instead, you will receive only happiness. You will not produce a single evil thought. Surrounded by Infinite Light and Infinite Life, and listening to my teachings for ten kalpas without interruption, you will be immersed in a state of constant growth. Through listening to the Dharma and making offerings to all the Buddhas, you will continuously elevate the quality of your spirit. Eventually, you will fully enter the wisdom of the Buddha and attain Buddhahood. This, my dear disciples, is the very core of my original vow.

Namo Amituofo