Words of , recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
16 February 2024, Noon Offering
Namo Amituofo’s discourse:
My children,
Have you ever felt as though you were an ant trapped on a hot pan, frantically searching for an exit? You rush about, desperate to find a way out, yet you receive no response and find no path forward. In the end, you are left with no choice but to wait anxiously for events to unfold on their own. This is the nature of a heart that has not yet found its meditative concentration.
The Futility of Rushing
Before you can see the truth of any situation, you must first calm your heart. Often, the reality of a situation is hidden from your view because your heart is too turbulent to perceive it. Practitioner Su and the Buddha have already seen the truth of these matters and have shared this wisdom with you. However, it is a source of great sorrow that you often respond with doubt or even resistance.
In truth, this resistance has no impact on the Buddha or Practitioner Su. It is, however, a great pity for you, my children. If you could simply choose to trust, accept the guidance, and engage in sincere repenting, you would find that the situation could be resolved. By changing your ways and vowing not to repeat past mistakes, you can halt the cycle of suffering. If you allow doubt and resistance to persist, the situation will only continue to develop in ways that cause you further harm and distress.
Navigating the Waves of Impermanence
The affairs of this world are constantly changing, and the human heart is just as fickle. We live in a state of constant flux, tossed about by the waves of impermanence. We are caught in the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, feeling restless and unable to find a moment of true peace. This deep-seated anxiety flows between life and death, jumping erratically from one person, object, or event to the next.
The Buddha-Name as Your Anchor
My children, if you find yourself in this state of restlessness, you must learn to save yourselves. Please, lift up the Buddha-name. The more unsettled and anxious your heart becomes, the more you need to rely on the power of the Buddha-name to soothe and pacify your heart. Let your heart settle down. When you are surrounded by the Buddha-name, you are no longer caught in the webs of right and wrong, gratitude and resentment, or the pursuit of gain and the fear of loss. Instead, there is only the continuous chanting of Buddha's name, flowing through your heart, mouth, and ears, moment after moment, without interruption.
The Path to and Buddhahood
If your heart is not settled, you will find no peace. If your spirit is not at rest, your body will succumb to the pains of aging and sickness, and you will eventually be reincarnated into the sea of karmic suffering. When you find that you cannot keep the Buddha-name in your heart, you may encounter several obstacles: that clouds your clarity, entering into different spaces of that distract you from the path, or the weight of karmic obstacles that make practice feel difficult.
You must summon the courage to break through these difficulties. Make a firm vow to strengthen your heart, and then put that vow into action. By ensuring that your continuous chanting of Buddha's name is uninterrupted, you will find that a settled heart naturally leads to a peaceful spirit and a healthy body. Rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss will then be within your reach, and becoming an awakened being will not be far away. Therefore, the heart is the very place where you must put in the work to purify your Body-Mind-Spirit.
