Before one reaches the state of an awakened being, one lacks the ability to fully master one's own mind. When we are faced with matters from the past that require our attention, we must learn to handle them with clarity. If a situation arises, you should be able to address it directly and deal with it in the present moment. However, once the matter is resolved, you must learn to stop your thinking. You must not allow your mind to dwell on it further.
This is because the nature of our thoughts determines our spiritual state. If you are dwelling on virtuous thoughts, it is acceptable, and you will not encounter disasters or obstacles. However, if you allow evil thoughts or selfish desires to arise, you will immediately attract negative consequences. Specifically, you will invite:
who seek to balance past debts.
Attached spirits who reside within your energy field.
The manifestation of that has been waiting for the right conditions to surface.
Therefore, the best approach is to stop these wandering thoughts. Because most of us lack the meditative skills to control our minds and prevent evil thoughts from arising, the practice of chanting is the most essential method to cease these thoughts and prevent the manifestation of karma.
The Lingering Echoes of Karma
Although the past has already occurred and the people, events, and objects involved are no longer present in your current life, the situation is very different for your karmic creditors. For them, the past is not gone. Because their and memories remain trapped in the space of that specific time, the past is still vividly alive.
Regardless of whether thousands of years or merely a century have passed, the emotions they experienced—the , anger, sorrow, happiness, and the pain of separation—still exist for them. This is truly a state of immense suffering. Consequently, when these beings manifest in your life, they are often suffering, seeking to collect on old debts, or expressing their grievances.
The Fairness of the Universal Law
There is a profound verse that reminds us of the nature of our actions: "Even after a hundred thousand kalpas, the karma created does not perish. When the causal conditions meet, the fruit must be borne by oneself." This verse perfectly illustrates the absolute fairness of the laws of karma and cause and effect. The universe operates with a precision that we often fail to perceive.
Many people in this world do not understand the causes they created in the past. When they face the bitter fruits of these causes in the present—whether through the natural processes of aging, sickness, and death, or through various spiritual and mental situations—they often react with resentment. If you react with a heart full of complaints, you are only adding suffering upon suffering. You are creating new, negative karma that will only lead to further distress.
The Healing Power of Namo Amituofo
I counsel all of you to be mindful of how you treat your past. If you feel that your past karma is manifesting in your life, you must take the following steps:
Engage in sincere repenting for your past actions.
Commit to changing your ways and correcting your behaviour.
Maintain a heart free from dissatisfaction, complaints, or of being wronged.
If you hold onto feelings of injustice, you will only attract more negative karma. So, what can be done about the past? The answer is simple yet profound: you must chant Namo Amituofo. By focusing your entire heart and mind on chanting Namo Amituofo, you can effectively stop the cycle of wandering thoughts and find true peace. Namo Amituofo.
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
