The Original Nature of the Buddha's Heart

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

The Five Precepts and the Ten Good Deeds are not merely external rules imposed upon us; they are our original nature. They are the fundamental state of our true self, which has always been pure and perfect.

The Foundation of Our Original Nature

All the various precepts found in the teachings are, in essence, our original nature. We often find ourselves lost in the cycle of rebirth, acting solely according to the momentum of our past karma. Because we do not realise that our physical bodies and the world around us are illusory, temporary, and ultimately sources of suffering, we mistake these illusions for the truth. We fail to recognise our own original, true face, and we remain unaware that our true self is the source of all goodness.

Those who have attained true understanding can clearly distinguish between the illusory and the real. They uphold the precepts and work to save beings, not out of obligation, but to help others break free from the heavy chains of karma. By doing so, they guide beings to leave behind the false and perceive the true.

The Wisdom of the Precepts

During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Five Precepts, the Ten Good Deeds, and the various other precepts were established for this very purpose. If you practise these precepts with diligent practice and observe them strictly, you will find that your practice deepens. Even when your past karma manifests or when you face interference from demon crowds, you must not retreat or break your vows. This steadfastness is the mark of a practitioner who is making genuine progress, for it is through this discipline that one attains meditative concentration and eventually, wisdom.

The Virtues of the True Self

Compassion, Joy, and Selfless Giving are also our original nature. Our true self is inherently endowed with these qualities. It is only because we have been stained by the pollutions of the cycle of rebirth that our original, true face has been covered over. Through the purification of our practice, we can remove these stains and once again behold our original and authentic self.

There are many things that are not part of our original nature, and these must be identified and discarded for our practice to advance:

• The Five Poisons: Greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt.
• The Five Desires: Wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
• The Five Aggregates: Form, Feelings, Perceptions, Mental Formations, Consciousness.

You must strive to distance yourself from these distractions and cut them off at the root. Only then can your practice truly flourish.

The Swift Path of Pure Land

In the Pure Land school, we advance through the foundation of Faith, Vows, and Practice. When you place your faith in the Buddha, you must take the Buddha's vows as your own. When you act in accordance with the Buddha's actions, you will find yourself held within the Buddha's blessings. Through this connection, you will be able to swiftly achieve your wish for rebirth in the Western Pure Land and attain Buddhahood. Namo Amituofo.