The Heart of Compassionate Interaction

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe on January 31, 2025.

The Sanctity of the Bodhimanda

My children, when you gather together for group cultivation at the bodhimanda, you must remember that you are in a place where the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Teachings, and the Sangha Community are all present. Because this is a True Teachingsbodhimanda, protected by the Dharma protectors and the heavenly beings, the standards of conduct are far more rigorous than in ordinary places. You must be extremely cautious with every thought and intention that arises within your mind. Even in the most subtle, hidden corners of your consciousness, the laws of karma and cause and effect are at work.

Mutual Respect Among the Fourfold Assembly

How should the fourfold assembly interact with one another? Whether you are a lay practitioner or a volunteer, you must show deep respect to the Venerable ones. If you are walking together, you should invite the Venerable or the elders to walk ahead of you. Conversely, the Venerable must also be mindful of their daily conduct and the cultivation of their own virtue. By maintaining such high standards, they will naturally earn the respect and support of the lay practitioners and volunteers.

In your daily interactions, you should treat one another with mutual respect. There is no hierarchy of status here; instead, you should treat everyone with compassion, gentleness, and Wisdom (Prajna). Let the name of Namo Amituofo be the greeting you use for one another. At all times, strive to keep your heart calm, follow the flow of conditions, and meet everyone with a gentle smile.

Transcending Anger and Ego

If you are given a responsibility or a task, do not allow anger to arise when you encounter the mistakes or inadequacies of others. Instead, you must be tolerant and maintain a calm, peaceful heart. Remember that you, too, have moments where you make mistakes or act inappropriately. You must treat others with compassion to avoid the turbulence of anger, which can disturb the heart of a practitioner. You must be very careful!

When you allow anger to arise, the karmic creditors residing within your body are immediately awakened by the disturbance. Furthermore, this fire of anger creates the very karma that leads one toward the hells. It is a dangerous path that you must avoid at all costs.

Diligence as a Form of Gratitude

The fourfold assembly should not only treat one another with compassion, but you must also know how to be grateful and how to repay that kindness. It is truly rare and difficult to find such a high-quality environment for your practice; therefore, you must be fiercely diligent. If you succeed in your diligent practice and achieve a state of pure stability, you are effectively showing compassion to all the beings residing within your own body. This is the most practical way to repay the kindness you have received.

Do not let the self, personal ego, and selfishness manifest. When you finally reach the state of an awakened being, you will be able to perform Chao Du for all suffering beings, including those within your own body, and lead them all to rebirth in the Western Land together. Namo Amituofo.