The Pleasure of the Moment

Words of Namo Amituofo

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

9 August 2026

Amitabha Buddha's discourse:

In the text of "The Infinite Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra) - Chapter 36: Repeated Admonitions," Shakyamuni Buddha counsels and encourages the masses: do not "favour oneself and contend for profit, indulge in wealth and glory, and seek only the pleasure of the moment." This refers to people who harm others to benefit themselves, fight for profit, and enjoy wealth and glory; they may feel happy and satisfied at the time, but they are creating all kinds of evil, only to suffer various miseries later. People often think that they can do whatever they want, and when they achieve it or their desires are satisfied, they feel pleasure at the time without considering the consequences or whether what they have obtained is in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Many things are not in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, leading to evil consequences; the karmic retribution may manifest in this life or in future lives.

The laws of karma and cause and effect depend on whether one has violated the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Regarding worldly wealth, material possessions, the satisfaction of material desires, attachment to the physical form, fame, profit, food, sleep, and so on, one must exercise self-restraint.

In one's practice, one should even more so sever these attachments; do not seek the pleasure of the moment, only to suffer pain and even the retribution of the hells.

Do not, for the sake of momentary pleasure, allow your Body-Mind-Spirit to suffer, inviting karma and karmic creditors to manifest, which will obstruct and interfere with your practice, causing regression in practice, and leading you further and further away from the Universal Principle, the Truth, the Right Way, and seeing your true nature—this is truly a pity!

Therefore, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the patriarchs and venerable masters, your teacher, and Practitioner Su often counsel and encourage the masses during lectures not to seek the pleasure of the moment, but to widely practise the Six Paramitas: Generosity (Giving), Discipline (Precepts), Patience (Endurance), diligent practice, Meditation (Concentration), and Wisdom (Prajna). Only then can you develop wisdom, not be deluded by the various people, things, and circumstances before you, and be able to walk on the path of the True Teachings, not create evil, not suffer misery, and diligently purify yourself to see your true nature.

Namo Amituofo