Words of Namo Amituofo: Do Not Follow Karma Anymore

The Endless Ocean of Suffering

Teachings from Namo Amituofo: Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Karma manifests within the cycle of rebirth, acting as a turbulent force that drags all beings into the vast, churning ocean of birth and death. Within this cycle, you are tossed about, constantly flowing from one state to another, enduring endless suffering without a moment of true peace or lasting happiness. How can you possibly break free from this cycle of samsara? The answer lies in a simple, yet profound instruction: do not follow your karma anymore.

The path of karma is filled with the bitter fruits of existence: the pain of separation from loved ones, the sorrow of fleeting joys and tragic endings, and the inevitable sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Beings in this world and across countless other realms are trapped in this relentless cycle, spinning endlessly because they are bound by their own past actions. Therefore, you must stop following the dictates of your karma. If you continue to do so, you will only force your precious true self to endure life after life of hardship and misery. Even if you cultivate some merit or wisdom and enjoy a period of relative comfort, you remain trapped within the cycle of rebirth. When this life ends, you will not know where you are going or where you will ultimately belong.

The Compassion of the Forty-eight Great Vows

Namo Amituofo understands the profound suffering of all beings. He knows that you are often powerless to leave this suffering behind, as you are left to be controlled and manipulated by the force of your own karma. To save you from this fate—to ensure that you no longer follow the path of karma—Namo Amituofo created the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He established this magnificent realm so that infinite beings could cultivate themselves according to the Forty-eight Great Vows.

By entering the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death, escape the six realms of rebirth entirely, and find yourself in an environment free from suffering, where you can rediscover your original, true nature and attain Buddhahood. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a world designed for the attainment of Buddhahood. It is the greatest hope for beings burdened by karma, as it allows for the possibility of carrying one's karma to rebirth. This is the unique grace of the Pure Land path.

The Path of Single-Minded Recitation

As long as you practise according to the truth and the Dharma, you can reach this destination. The core of this practice is to "arouse the Bodhi mind and single-mindedly recite Namo Amituofo." You must make the chanting of the Buddha's name your foundation. You must chant one Buddha's name to the end, maintaining this practice until the very moment of your passing, ensuring your mind remains clear and undistracted.

Whether it is a single thought or ten consecutive thoughts of the Buddha, you will receive the grace of Namo Amituofo. He will manifest before you with a lotus pedestal to lead your true self into the Buddha-land of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the reality of Namo Amituofo’s Forty-eight Great Vows and the way in which he receives all beings.

The Challenges of the Dharma-Ending Age

In this current age of the Dharma’s decline, beings are heavily burdened by karma and deeply entrenched in ego-attachment and selfishness. Even when you hear of the Pure Land and understand the Forty-eight Great Vows, you may find it difficult to change your personality or follow the teachings to purify your body, mind, and spirit. Even those who choose to practise, or who even become monastics, often continue to carry their old personality traits into their practice. This is why it is so difficult for many to transform their karma and reach an awakened state.

Consequently, even if your daily practice of chanting seems strong, when the time of death approaches, your true self may still struggle to withstand the interference of karmic creditors who appear to seek balance. If you are unable to continue chanting, or if your thoughts are not continuous, your true self will once again follow the path of karma, losing the precious opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land in this lifetime.

A Sanctuary for Deliverance

Fortunately, at this very time, Practitioner Su has witnessed these profound sufferings. Through diligent practice and by following the teachings, Practitioner Su has used an awakened body to bear the suffering on behalf of others. This is in perfect sync with the heart and vows of Namo Amituofo, which has moved the Buddha to descend and truly abide at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

Through the ability of Practitioner Su to freely travel to and from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the Centre is able to help the living perform Chao Du for the deceased. Under the guidance of Namo Amituofo during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, the deceased are led to chant the Buddha's name according to their vows and enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, never again to follow the path of karma. This is a magnificent and rare opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land; I hope that all of you will cherish and make good use of it.

Namo Amituofo