The Path from Delusion to Awakening

Teachings from Namo Amituofo: Recorded by Venerable HaiZe.

On this day, the twenty-fourth of May, 2025, Namo Amituofo offers these profound teachings on the nature of delusion and the clarity of awakening.

The Heavy Chains of Delusion

Those who are deluded have not yet awakened. They do not understand the true reality of existence, nor do they comprehend the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Because they lack this understanding, they are constantly pulled by the force of their own karma. They take the illusory as real, and in doing so, they turn their entire lives into a process of settling karmic debts and experiencing the consequences of their past actions. Caught between the weight of old karma and the creation of new karma, they continue to drift endlessly through the cycle of rebirth. It is truly a tragedy to let this precious life pass by in vain, failing to use this opportunity to engage in True Cultivation and rediscover one's true self.

The Clarity of the Awakened Mind

In contrast, those who are awakened possess true insight. They understand the reality of existence, the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, and therefore they are no longer led astray by the pull of karma. They clearly understand that all beings in the cycle of rebirth are entangled by their own karmic forces because they do not see the truth. Furthermore, they understand that this physical body is merely a temporary vessel, a combination of the four elements that arises and ceases according to Causal Conditions.

The Daily Practice of Purification

When you have faith in the Buddha, you must make good use of the time you have in this body to practise diligently, ensuring that you are no longer bound by karmic entanglements. You must cherish every minute and every second. Through the process of purification, you should constantly reflect upon yourself, maintain self-discipline, and have the courage to correct your mistakes when you realise them.

You must chant Namo Amituofo 24/7, chanting one Buddha's name to the end. This practice helps ensure the six roots are pure and allows you to break through the Five Poisons and the Five Desires: Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt; and wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. By learning to see through and let go, you will no longer cling to the idea of a self, and you will be able to sever your own biased views and thoughts. You will be able to use sounds, names, and words without becoming attached to them, and you will no longer be led astray by their influence.

Transcending the Illusory World

The awakened person knows that the world is illusory. They understand that these illusions are like the reflection of the moon in water or flowers in a dream. Because they understand this, they are not deceived by the illusory environment. Instead, they know how to make good use of these conditions. Within this world, which is like a reflection in the water, they cultivate merit and wisdom, accumulate virtues, and teach other beings, helping them to break through delusion and attain enlightenment.

The Supreme Power of the Buddha-Name

Practice is the process of transforming delusion into awakening. It involves using Discipline to sever greed, transforming anger into meditative concentration, and turning ignorance into wisdom. By having faith in the Buddha and making vows, you must be Living the Vows: The Direct Way to Enlightenment, and practise the Six Perfections. All of this can be achieved by chanting one Buddha's name to the end. This is what is required to travel from this shore of birth and death to the other shore of liberation. It is the path that assists all beings, from their initial aspiration to the final attainment of Buddhahood.

The magnificent and wonderful power of the six-character name, Namo Amituofo, relies on the combination of your own efforts and the power of the Buddha. Together, these two forces will help you break through delusion and attain enlightenment, Awakening, and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

Namo Amituofo