How is the state of your heart at this very moment, my children? You know that your personality needs to change, yet you find it difficult to do so. You allow the same problems to arise repeatedly, and your anger flares up again and again. Because of this, you attract various beings, fall into a state of , and drift into other spaces.
You know that you should not be burdened by worry and suffering, yet you still allow these anxieties to take hold. When suffering manifests, you again fall into a state of drowsiness and drift into other spaces.
The Illusion of the Physical Self
You know that you must let go of the physical body and the sensations that arise from it, understanding that all these things are illusory. You know that if you simply change your perspective, the problem will be resolved. Yet, you still allow the sensations of to dictate your state of mind, and once more, you fall into a state of drowsiness and drift into other spaces.
You know that you must let go of all worldly entanglements to chant the Buddha-name with a single, focused heart. However, there are still one or two things—or perhaps even more—that you cannot bring yourself to release. Consequently, you fall into a state of drowsiness and drift into other spaces.
The Heavy Burden of Ego
You know that you must let go of ego-attachment, your personal views, your subjective opinions, and your rigid perspectives. You know that you should not hold onto so tightly. You know that you should not place yourself first, while relegating and all other beings to a secondary position.
Yet, you still find it difficult to abandon your ego-attachment, your personal views, and your subjective opinions. You still grasp the self tightly, placing your own desires above all else, and because of this, you fall into a state of drowsiness and drift into other spaces.
The Path of Uninterrupted Chanting
You know that chanting the Buddha-name is beneficial and that you should be doing it. Yet, you find it difficult to hold onto the Buddha-name and chant Namo Amituofo all the way. You still interrupt your practice after only a few recitations. This happens because your delusions and messy thoughts arise, causing you to fall into a state of drowsiness and drift into other spaces.
My children, if you wish to move forward on the path of practice, you must learn to let go. You must let go of the burden of the physical body and work to repair the wounds within your heart.
The Two-Power Method
You must maintain the integrity of your three hun souls and seven po souls, ensuring that your spirit remains whole. Only then can your heart be free from obstacles, your body free from burdens, and your spirit free to advance step by step.
If you encounter obstacles on your path, you must reflect inwardly:
Is it because your mental notes or actions have deviated from the right path?
Is it because your personality has not yet been transformed?
Is it because your skills in chanting the Buddha-name are not yet effective?
Is it because you are still clinging tightly to your own selfishness, your personal views, your ego-attachment, or your physical body?
Children, you must remember that the method relies on the two-power principle: your own must be manifest before the can be fully received. When these two powers support one another, you will surely advance toward the goal of becoming an awakened being. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui.
