Teachings from , recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe on August 1, 2025.
Within the gate of the Buddha, all sincere requests are answered. Sincerity brings forth a response; sincerity is truth, and a true heart is without deception. With humility and respect, all requests are answered. However, such requests must align with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, meaning they must be in accordance with the and the principles of reality. Furthermore, the seeker must have faith in the Buddha, make a vow, and live according to that vow.
The Foundation of Sincerity
For monastics, if they have a request, they must observe the . When beings have a sincere connection, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will respond; this is the interaction between the seeker and the source of . If you are practising the path and wish to transform , the strength of your vow must be greater than the weight of your karma. This vow must not be merely spoken; it must be manifested through actual practice. Only then will the Buddha's have a foundation upon which to act.
If a request is not answered, one should realise that the request may not be in accordance with the Dharma, or that there may be a situation involving the violation of Precepts, or a contradiction of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas share a deep Dharma affinity with the beings of the worldly realm. Within the human world, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas manifest the path to Buddhahood, allowing beings to learn from them and have the opportunity to attain Buddhahood.
The Timing of Karmic Fruits
Regarding the laws of karma and cause and effect, it is said: "Good deeds bring good rewards, and evil deeds bring evil consequences. It is not that there is no retribution; the time has simply not yet arrived." When is the "time"? It is when the conditions for the manifestation of the karmic reward—whether good or evil—are fully mature. If the conditions are not yet mature, one remains in the current situation. The karmic result has not disappeared; it merely awaits the day when the conditions are ripe for the retribution of good or evil to naturally manifest.
The Two-Power Method
The Pure Land path is a method of two powers. When one’s own is exerted in accordance with the Dharma, the Buddha will certainly provide his blessings. The extent of the Buddha's blessings is proportional to the strength of one's vows and the effort of one's own practice. Among Faith, Vows, and Practice, having faith in the Buddha and faith in oneself is paramount. Vows and the power of action are the primary causes for receiving the Buddha's blessings, while the Buddha's blessings serve as the primary condition.
The Buddha's blessings are bestowed upon those who have faith, make vows, and exert their own self-power. For those who lack faith, make no vows, and do not practise, even if they ask the Buddha for help, there is no place for the Buddha's blessings to take hold.
The Clarity of the Pure Land
In a state of pure goodness, information is clear, transmission is rapid, and all requests are answered. If one is a body burdened by defilements, the karma is heavy, making it difficult to transmit or receive information. Therefore, only those who purify their Body, Speech, and Mind can truly receive the teachings. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a Pure Land Buddha realm, a world where all wishes are fulfilled and all requests are answered. This is the eternal of the beings of the Western Land. If one can continue to practise diligently, one can soon realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood. Namo Amituofo.
