The Stillness of the Heart and Spirit

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

The stability of the spirit is deeply intertwined with the purity of the body and mind. These three elements—the body, the mind, and the spirit—are meant to support and complement one another. When they work in harmony, they amplify our progress on the path to awakening. However, they can also become sources of interference and obstruction if we are not careful. Ultimately, everything is determined by the heart; the heart must be the master of our existence.

The Source of Suffering and the Clarity of the Heart

All forms of suffering originate from the heart. When the physical body begins to show signs of decay, such as through aging, chronic illness, or physical pain, it is a natural part of the human experience. If you have already begun the work of changing your personality traits and have attained a state of spiritual stability, you will possess the right knowledge and the right views. With a firm and unwavering faith in Namo Amituofo, you will clearly understand that the time available to this physical body is fleeting and temporary.

The Influence of Karma and Karmic Creditors

During the time that this body is still functional, your karma and your karmic creditors may use this physical form as a vessel to settle past debts, seek revenge, or repay a kindness. This is often why the body manifests signs of aging and illness. When you are able to initiate the power of your own diligent practice of chanting Buddha's name, you will receive the Buddha's blessings and assistance. This support allows your spirit to remain undisturbed by the physical discomforts of aging and illness.

The Three Provisions for Rebirth

By maintaining your Faith, Vows, and Practice—the three essential provisions for rebirth in the Western Pure Land—you ensure that your resolve does not diminish. Even in the face of physical decline, you must not let your confidence in Namo Amituofo waver. Instead, you can use the suffering caused by aging and illness as a profound lesson to:

• Deeply contemplate the helplessness of impermanence.
• Recognize the terrifying nature of karma.
• Become even more diligent in your chanting of Buddha's name.
• Strengthen your vow to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

The Path Forward

If your lifespan is coming to an end, your diligent practice of chanting Buddha's name will allow you to be led by Namo Amituofo to the West, thereby escaping the suffering of the six realms of existence and the cycle of reincarnated life and death. If your lifespan has not yet reached its end, the Buddha's blessings and the merit gained by your karmic creditors through your chanting of Buddha's name will help your body recover sooner, allowing you to continue your practice in this world.

However, if you have not changed your personality traits and you allow yourself to be consumed by the pain of aging and illness, you may develop resentment and anger. This will only serve to intensify your karma and increase your suffering, making it difficult to find relief and potentially leading to the agony of the elements separate when the time of death arrives.

Always remember that having faith in Namo Amituofo, listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma, and working to change your personality traits are of immense help in achieving the stability of your Body-Mind-Spirit. Namo Amituofo.