The Nature of the Heart and Mind

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

September 22, 2023

The Boundless Ocean of Karma

The appearance of the heart is difficult to describe in its entirety, for the ocean of karma is truly boundless. Beings suffer without rest, and this ceaseless movement is the very nature of the heart in its unawakened state. The heart leads us through this cycle; although we are constantly suffering, we do not realise that it is suffering. We mistake this state of agitation for the natural way of existence, failing to see the truth of our condition.

The true reality of our existence is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. Yet, because we are lost, we mistake the false for the true. If one does not awaken, how can the suffering heart ever find peace? We must look deeper to understand the roots of our discontent.

The Illusion of the Heart

The appearance of the heart begins with the concept of having. When we become attached to forms, those forms immediately manifest in our lives. When there is attachment, there are ripples in the heart. These ripples are a call for us to awaken, and they also attract the karma we have sown. We must understand that:

• If one performs acts of Goodness, blessings will arrive, and one can find peace.
• If one engages in negative actions, suffering and pain will inevitably arise from those seeds.

If the heart remains ordinary and unrefined, it is difficult to find a moment of stability. The heart is like a wild monkey or a galloping horse; it is constantly running, and it is very difficult to bring it to a stop.

The Path to Stillness

When the heart is sincere, you should chant Namo Amituofo. By chanting Namo Amituofo all the way, the restless movement of the mind will gradually subside. The appearance of the heart changes constantly, and it never seems to have a time to rest. Like the stars scattered across the night sky, it is hard to find true peace when the mind is so fragmented.

When the heart is sincere, you should chant Namo Amituofo. By chanting Namo Amituofo all the way, your anxiety will turn into peace. This is the power of the Buddha’s name to transform our internal state.

Achieving the Ultimate Awakening

If you are a practitioner, you hope for a heart that is constantly in meditative concentration. You desire a state where nothing can move you, where the heart is empty and free from all defilements. To achieve this, you must focus solely on the Buddha:

• Only chant Namo Amituofo.
• Chant Namo Amituofo all the way.
• Through this practice, you will attain the state of an awakened being and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

Namo Amituofo