Transforming the Mind: A Dialogue with Namo Amituofo
Teachings from Namo Amituofo
Recorded on September 5, 2017
The Accumulation of Karmic Habits
On the fifth of September, 2017, a disciple approached Namo Amituofo with a humble request for guidance. The disciple noted that the ability to adjust one's mind, refine one's goodness, and regulate one's thoughts is one of the most essential lessons for any practitioner. Namo Amituofo, in His infinite , offered the following teachings.
Our personal habits and the ego-driven self have been accumulating over countless eons. Originally, we were meant to manifest a state of perfect purity. However, because of these deep-seated habits and the influence of our personal ego, that original purity has become clouded and turbid. You must learn to recognise this state of mind at any given moment and actively transform it. By doing so, you will immediately receive the profound benefits of the .
If you allow this turbidity to accumulate layer upon layer, your afflictions, worries, and suffering will inevitably arise. Instead of achieving purification, you will only sink deeper into impurity. Therefore, the practice of adjusting your mind, refining your goodness, and regulating your thoughts is not merely an occasional task; it is the very foundation of your daily practice.
The Constant Need for Adjustment
Every practitioner possesses different Causal Conditions and inherent roots. Because of this, the speed of your progress will vary; some may move quickly, while others may take more time. Regardless of your pace, the most important thing is that you always turn your mind back to the right path. This is the only way to ensure that the compassionate protection of Namo Amituofo is not in vain.
When you reach a point where you can see the light of your own true self, you must move forward directly without looking back. Even if you encounter a rugged and difficult path, you must be willing to clear away the thorns and brambles to forge a way forward. By doing so, you create a path for those who come after you. You must walk this path with a single-minded focus, moving straight ahead without wandering into side paths.
Transcending the Cycle of Rebirth
Good and evil are separated by only a single thought. If you can transform your mind, you can transform your entire reality. If you could truly reach a state of no-mind, you would be genuinely free. In that state of no-mind, there is nothing left to transform. You would simply flow with the natural order of the universe, acting without the concepts of good or evil, and without any attachment to anything at all.
This state of emptiness is the original face of your true self. However, how many people can truly achieve this state of no-mind? Most of us are constantly caught up in our thoughts. Our minds are always active, rising and falling like waves, drifting back and forth, making it nearly impossible to find true purity. This is why you must diligently adjust your mind until it becomes still and level.
Thoughts are inherently boundless; they can wander wherever they please. Yet, the myriad changes in this world are all caused by thoughts that arise and cannot be stopped. This is the very source of the six realms of rebirth. It is from these thoughts that human conflicts, right and wrong, and endless suffering arise. It is truly not worth it to continue this cycle of endless suffering. How long will you remain a wandering soul before you finally wake up?
The Practice of Uninterrupted Chanting
Only when you wake up can you truly lead others to safety. When you reach the state of no-mind, there are no more thoughts and no more forms. In that state of no-thought and no-mind, there is a profound sense of coolness and peace. If you allow your thoughts to continue forming, they will become endless, and there will never be a moment of rest. This leads to a constant stream of coming to seek balance for past actions.
Why suffer through this? It is far better to let go of these thoughts and cultivate a state of no-thought. When you reach the state of no-thought, your true self can finally be in sync with the Buddha. This is the true essence of your practice. You must chant the holy name of Namo Amituofo without interruption. Let the name arise from your heart and continue in an unbroken stream.
Finding the Within
This is the core of your practice. Whether you encounter demonic realms or holy realms, remember that they are all just appearances. Do not cling to them. Whether you hear praise or slander, remember that these are merely the opinions of others. Do not let them affect you. Whether you feel , sorrow, or worry, remember that these emotions are born from nothingness. If you allow yourself to be moved by them, you are once again cutting off your own wisdom-life.
If your practice is successful and you reach the state of no-mind, the distance between this world and other realms vanishes in a single thought. When your heart is completely in sync with Namo Amituofo, the Western Pure Land is not far away at all. In that moment of perfect clarity, you will realise that Namo Amituofo is right before your eyes.
These teachings were recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo
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