The True Essence of Chanting Namo Amituofo

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Chang Gao, who reflects upon the true essence of chanting the sacred name of Namo Amituofo. Through his experiences assisting Practitioner Su in the deliverance of sentient beings at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, he offers profound insights into the nature of spiritual practice and the path to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Jing, on September 24, 2023.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. As you chant the Buddha-name, one phrase after another, have you truly purified your heart? Have you reached a state where the mind is clear, calm, and untainted by the dust of the world?

As you chant the Buddha-name, one phrase after another, have you managed to see through the illusions of this world? Have you gained the clarity to look past the superficial appearances of life and death, realising the impermanence of all things?"

The Depth of Chanting

"As you chant the Buddha-name, one phrase after another, do you feel the great compassion of the Buddha? Have you managed to manifest your own inherent compassion, and from that place of deep empathy, have you made the vow to help all sentient beings? As you chant, one phrase after another, has your heart truly awakened? Are you filled with the joy of the Dharma, and is your mind single-pointedly focused on seeking rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?

When a practitioner of the Buddha-Dharma chants, what exactly are they realising? What is the true flavour of their practice? Or are they merely holding a counting device, rapidly tallying the number of times they have recited the name, while their 'heart' has never once been stirred? I have observed that many practitioners are exactly like this; they seem unable to grasp the immense, transformative power contained within this single phrase of Namo Amituofo."

Purification Through the Buddha-name

"The chaos of this world can be entirely purified within this single phrase. All the complexities and afflictions that weigh upon the heart can be cleansed through this practice, leading one to gain true wisdom and a clear understanding of how to act in accordance with the Dharma. This is not about thinking incessantly while you chant; it is about the state of purity, emptiness, and void that arises when you chant. When your body and mind are blessed by the power of the Buddha, you gain an awakening that transcends your own limited thinking. That kind of chanting is not merely moving the lips; it is chanting that has truly entered the heart, allowing one to be deeply immersed in the world of the Buddha.

If you remain attached to this physical body, it is difficult for your chanting to be pure. Among the many people who chant, I have seen that most are chanting the Buddha-name while simultaneously clinging to their own bodies. It is precious to possess this human form; we should cherish its existence and use it as a vessel to help our own spirits grow, and use it to help deliver sentient beings. However, if you use this body only to indulge in attachments to the things of this world, then this life has been lived in vain."

Lessons from the Departed

"I have followed Practitioner Su in the work of delivering sentient beings, and in the countless instances of Chao Du, I have encountered many people who were lifelong practitioners of chanting. Many of them had chanted for the better part of their lives, to the point where their families called them superstitious or obsessed. They endured a great deal of negative criticism, yet they persisted in their chanting. But what was the state of their hearts at that time? Was it a hope that chanting would help themselves and their families, and a longing to be led by the Buddha to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss at the moment of death? Or was their chanting firm because they had truly seen through the nature of this world, let go of all their family ties, and were single-mindedly chanting to help sentient beings and seek rebirth in the Pure Land?

These spirits have told me that their intentions for chanting were often misguided. Most were chanting for the sake of their worldly selves. They did not truly believe in the Buddha, nor did they truly wish to let go of their attachments. They were merely relying on the Buddha, grasping at the Buddha-name in a hollow way, without any genuine stirring of the heart or true realisation."

A Call to Awakening

"When their bodies finally ceased to breathe and their spirits emerged, many were actually terrified and panicked. They looked just like ordinary people at the moment of death, their spirits rushing about in the darkness, filled with immense fear. In that critical moment, these practitioners completely forgot the Buddha-name they had chanted for a lifetime. Because the name they chanted while alive had never penetrated their souls, their spirits did not know to chant at that crucial juncture. In the end, they followed their karma and fell back into the cycle of rebirth.

Every practitioner should calm their heart and look closely at what they are actually chanting and why they are doing it. Do you understand how to cherish the preciousness of this body, rather than merely possessing it? In this life, you have the great blessing to be able to recite 'Namo Amituofo.' You must seize this opportunity to chant until you are truly awake, until you have achieved a great, thorough awakening, until you have let go of everything, and until you are able to broadly deliver sentient beings. Only then will you have fulfilled the purpose of this life and attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."