The True Meaning of Tolerance

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

31 March 2023

My children,

When you make a mistake or commit a transgression, do you not hope that others will choose not to pursue your fault, but instead offer you their forgiveness? If the other person truly chooses to forgive you, does your heart not fill with a profound sense of gratitude? This gratitude for their tolerance and magnanimity often becomes the very catalyst that inspires you to never repeat that mistake again. It is far more effective than harsh criticism, scolding, or physical punishment, which only serve to create distance and resentment rather than helping you truly understand where you went wrong.

The Transformative Power of Forgiveness

Those who have been forgiven and treated with tolerance are the ones most capable of extending that same grace to others. When you learn to forgive the faults and shortcomings of those around you, you are engaging in a vital process of personal growth. Furthermore, when you are able to genuinely tolerate the mistakes of others, the errors you have committed in your own life will also begin to receive the same understanding and forgiveness from the universe.

This is a profound internal power. When tolerance arises from within your heart, it does more than just soothe the situation; it actively transforms your being. By choosing to be tolerant, you increase your positive energy, elevate the quality of the cells within your body, and refine the quality of your spirits. In this process, you are effectively reducing your own sins and clearing the path for your spiritual journey.

The Pillars of Compassion and Wisdom

To be selfless and unconditional in your tolerance is to embody the highest virtues of compassion and Wisdom (Prajna). These are the two pillars upon which a truly enlightened life is built:

• Compassion:
• This is the heartfelt wish for all beings to leave suffering behind and find happiness. It is the active desire to assist others in their struggles so that they no longer have to suffer greatly.Wisdom (Prajna): This is the clarity that allows one to turn danger into safety. It is the light that removes confusion, resolves obstacles, and gently soothes the grievances held by others.

To encounter someone who possesses this rare combination of compassion, Wisdom (Prajna), and a tolerant heart is a great blessing for all beings. People naturally gravitate toward those who are truly tolerant, feeling safe and at ease in their presence. They can sense that such a person has no hidden agenda and seeks nothing in return.

The Radiance of the Buddha

A truly tolerant person is like the Buddha-light, which shines equally upon the entire earth. It does not ask for anything in return; it only wishes for all beings to receive the energy within that light, so that their hearts may become calm, peaceful, and harmonious. This is the same spirit with which Namo Amituofo leads all beings who chant Buddha's name—regardless of where they come from or when they begin their practice—into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. The only wish of Namo Amituofo is that all beings may successfully leave suffering behind and find eternal happiness.

Namo Amituofo