The Vow of the Heart

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

31 July 2026

Amitabha Buddha's discourse:

A vow is a promise or a great vow made,

expressing that this vow is firm and unshakeable.

The vow of the heart refers to the great vow made from the true heart.

Pure Land practitioners who make a vow, sharing the same heart and vow as Amitabha to save all boundless suffering sentient beings,

can receive Buddha's blessings.

A vow arises from the heart; the more compassionate one is, the more selfless and devoid of self the vow appears.

Buddhas and Bodhisattvas' vows are filled with infinite compassion and wisdom,

and they can use their own power of merit to bestow blessings upon those who believe in and accept their vows.

Just as the six-character name "Namo Amituofo" carries the blessings of Amitabha's power of merit and majestic power.

"Four Great Vows":

Vow to save all boundless suffering sentient beings, vow to sever all endless afflictions,

vow to learn all boundless Dharma gates, vow to attain the supreme Buddha's path.

These are the vows of Mahayana practitioners who wish to attain the Buddha's path.

Where there is a vow, there is power; it is based on the sincerity of the heart when making the vow and the actual practice,

which manifests the strength of the vow.

The vow of the heart is important for practice,

because a vow is like a bright lamp, guiding the direction of practice,

and a vow further manifests an unchanging and firm power of vow.

Once a vow is initiated,

no matter what obstacles, interference from demon crowds, or manifestation of karma are encountered,

one must overcome them, not be led away by demon crowds and karmic creditors,

not be obstructed, so that one can achieve success early.

At this time, the various methods for overcoming demon interference and spiritual obstacles that one has absorbed into the heart from listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma in daily life can be applied,

and the diligent practice in daily life must not be retreated from;

it is a strong fortress when karma manifests.

Dharma Treasury Bhikshu, because of his vow to save all boundless suffering sentient beings,

used the Forty-eight Great Vows to achieve this vow and establish the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The path of practice for the fourfold assembly at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is to follow the vow of Amitabha,

and to advance according to Practitioner Su's vow in the world.

Practitioner Su's vow in the world was established based on Amitabha's Great Vow,

observing the needs of beings and making vow-actions based on the actual situations of the world.

The fourfold assembly follows the vows of Amitabha, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su,

advancing step by step, and under the Buddha's blessings, practice will surely be successful.

Namo Amituofo