The Heart as the Compass of Our Actions
Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
20 December 2025
The Heart as the Commander of Your Life
Namo Amituofo teaches us that the heart is the commander of all our actions. If your heart is hurried, your actions will be hurried. If your heart lacks strength, your actions will be sluggish and lack purpose. When your heart possesses true meditative concentration, you will move neither too fast nor too slow; your actions will be steady, grounded, and filled with dignity. When your vows are firm, your actions will be proactive and full of vitality. Conversely, when your vows are weak, your actions will become passive and indifferent. If there is no vow at all, there is no true practice to be seen.
This heart leads your actions, and the nature of your actions reveals the state of your heart. You must understand clearly that these two are mutually causative. The fourfold assembly of disciples is part of this cycle, and you must be able to see for yourself where you stand. If you find that your heart and actions are not aligned, you must adjust them immediately. Do not hesitate to move forward, for it is never too late to begin. Purify as much as you can, and save as many beings as you are able. As long as this body remains, every adjustment you make will lead to a different outcome, for Namo Amituofo truly abides at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, and the Buddha's are present within this space.
The Harmony of Heart and Action
To continue moving forward, your heart and vows must be firm and progressive. Do not allow arrogance or pride to take root in your mind. Only by remaining humble can you continue to advance, purifying yourself further, cultivating more Goodness, and making steady progress until you reach the time of . The heart is the primary guide for all that we do:
- When you have a heart of , your actions will be compassionate.
- When you have a heart of Wisdom, your actions will be wise.
- When you have a heart of , your actions will be joyful.
- When you have a heart of letting go, your actions will be generous and selfless.
This is the state of the heart and action being in perfect harmony. When your heart and action are unified, there is nothing hidden, and your heart becomes pure, which is a sign of genuine progress. However, if your heart and action are not unified, there is something hidden, and your heart becomes stained and obscured, which is a sign of regression. You must be cautious and work diligently to purify your heart, for this is the only correct path.
When the True Self Loses Control
The direction of your heart can be clearly seen through your actions. You can observe whether your heart and actions are rooted in Goodness rather than evil, whether you are truly listening to the teachings rather than resisting, and whether you are acting with compassion rather than anger. Those who demonstrate these qualities are practitioners who have achieved success in their practice. This is the state of a practitioner whose true self is in charge.
Conversely, when the heart and action are not unified, it is often because the true self is not in control. Instead, the individual is being influenced by , attached spirits, or even demon crowds. In such situations, -Mind-Spirit becomes difficult to harmonise and unify. You may notice changes in character, confusion, abnormal behaviour, or physical distortions. Aging and illness are also common manifestations of this lack of alignment. Remember, when the heart and action are unified, there is progress. You must strive to live by this truth. Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library