The Heart's Guidance: Do Not Look East and West

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

The Inner Sanctuary of the Heart

Practice is precious because it is about cultivating the mind. When you look inward, your spirit becomes sensitive and aware. By adjusting your body, you can prevent illness and ageing. When your spirit finds peace, you realise that the spirit never dies, and you are assured of rebirth in the Western Pure Land. When your Body-Mind-Spirit is healthy, your true self is revealed; this is the sign of successful practice.

To succeed in Pure Land practice, you must rely on two powers: your own diligent practice and the compassionate power of Namo Amituofo. The primary focus is internal purification. You must not look east and west. Instead, you should:

• Restrain the Six Roots so that they do not wander.
• Maintain a continuous, pure recitation of the Buddha's name.
• Focus entirely on your own progress, for by achieving your own awakening, you are also helping all beings.

The Path of Transforming Karma

What we call achievement refers to the effectiveness of your practice, the strength of your skills in chanting Namo Amituofo, and ultimately, reaching the state of an awakened being. Before you reach this state and successfully transform your karma, you must be diligent. You must break through the obstacles created by your past actions. This is the only way to transform karma.

Transforming karma is the necessary preparation for Awakening; it is the only way to ensure you are no longer trapped by the weight of your past. Karma begins in the heart. When you look outward, you are seeking things that do not belong to your true self. You become entangled in the Five Poisons and the Five Desires: Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt; wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.

When your heart is stained by these external influences, you are being pulled by the Six Dusts. When you look east and west, you are being led by external circumstances, people, and events. This makes your mind scattered and difficult to concentrate.

Single-Minded Devotion at the Centre

In the realm of goodness, when the heart is free from impurities, selfishness, and private thoughts, every good cause you plant will yield good fruit. However, if you harbour selfish thoughts or hidden agendas, your actions become mixed with impurities. Naturally, you will reap a mixture of both good and evil consequences.

At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you must give your full effort. Do not look east and west, for this only scatters your mind. Whether you are performing prostrations, chanting Namo Amituofo, or reciting the Sutras, do not concern yourself with what others are doing. Everything must start with your own actions. Complete your tasks with sincerity and follow the path directly. In doing so, the power of Namo Amituofo will naturally support you.

Namo Amituofo