The Heart of the Buddha: Seeking True Understanding

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

On the twelfth of October, 2025, during the midday offering, Namo Amituofo provided the following discourse:

If one wishes to understand all Buddhas of the past, present, and future, one should contemplate the nature of the Dharma Realm. Everything is created by the mind alone. If you truly desire to comprehend the path taken by all those who have attained Buddhahood throughout the three periods of time, you must look within. This path is revealed through the nature of the Dharma Realm, and it is entirely manifested by the heart and mind.

The Radiant Path of the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path

To understand the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path, one must look to the process by which all Buddhas have attained their enlightenment. The path to Buddhahood is not a matter of chance; it is a journey that must strictly follow the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path. There can be no deviation from these foundations.

If one acts in a way that contradicts the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path, one is acting against one's own true nature. In such a state, the opportunity to attain Buddhahood remains out of reach. Therefore, we must be vigilant in ensuring that our every action aligns with the Truth that governs the entire universe.

Navigating the Journey of the Spirit

If you wish to know the ultimate destination of a practitioner's spirit, you need only observe their heart, their actions, and the laws of karma that follow them. By examining these, the path becomes clear. You must ask yourself:

• Are you truly practising the Precepts (Discipline), Concentration, and Wisdom?
• Are you following the teachings of the Buddha with sincerity and devotion?
• Have you begun to see your true nature?
• Are you strictly observing the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path in your daily life?

These are the visible markers of a practitioner's progress. They reveal whether one is moving toward awakening or remaining lost in the cycle of rebirth.

The Unfailing Mirror of Cause and Effect

If you wish to understand the nature of fortune and misfortune, you must look at the state of your heart and your actions in the present moment. The laws of karma and cause and effect are absolute; they are precise down to the smallest detail. This is because every single action, word, and thought is recorded within the Alaya consciousness.

Nothing is ever lost or forgotten. Every deed is stored with perfect clarity. Because of this, the karmic results are exact:

• Good deeds will never yield less than their due reward.
• Negative actions will never result in more than their due consequence.

This is the reality of our existence. The causes you created in the past are what you experience in this life, and the causes you create today are what you will experience in the future. Because the laws of karma are so clear, you must be extremely cautious with your Body, Speech, and Mind. Every single word, every action, and every fleeting thought enters into the vast web of cause and effect.

The Direct Path to Enlightenment

For a practitioner of the Great Vehicle, even the slightest movement of the mind is the creation of karma. Therefore, how can we ensure our path remains pure? The answer lies in the Buddha-name. If you can focus your mind so that every thought is a thought of Namo Amituofo, you will receive the Buddha's blessing. Through this constant recitation, you will achieve a state of deep peace and wisdom, and you will successfully attain the wisdom.

This is the most direct and effective path. You should practise this diligently and without delay to reap the true benefits of the Dharma. Leave suffering behind and find happiness by keeping the Buddha in your heart at all times.

Namo Amituofo