Letting Go of the Past

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

8 August 2026

Amitabha Buddha's discourse:

Let go of the past; let the past blow by like the wind, leaving no trace behind.

If you bring it up, let it go afterwards, leaving no trace behind.

Know that all things are like illusions, occurring within the world in the cycle of cause and effect.

If you cling to anything—you are clinging to the past, which makes your body and heart feel heavy, making it difficult to move forward.

In order to avoid being entangled and unable to take steps forward, let go when you must, release when you must. Do not hold on; holding on in your heart stains the pure state.

For a practitioner who has true "attainment", letting go of the past means being able to let go and release without keeping it in the heart.

When it is needed, it naturally manifests for use; once used, it is gone, leaving nothing in the heart.

This is because they understand the principle of the cycle of cause and effect, and are not bound by the false appearances of the body, which would otherwise obscure the true self and prevent it from manifesting clearly.

If you find it difficult to let go of the past, you will be bound, blinded by the false appearances of the body, and unable to attain purity.

The Great Dharma of the Pure Land leads to the Buddha's path; only by letting go of the past is there hope.

Originally, there is nothing—a pure state. Now, it is stained by attachment; only by letting go can the original emptiness be revealed.

Letting go of the past does not just mean letting go of the past of this life, but letting go of the past throughout your many lives.

What happened before, and what about now? The past cycle of cause and effect has already passed.

In this very moment, new causal conditions manifest. Do not cling to appearances, do not have attachment; just follow the conditions.

Such freedom comes from recognising the truth of reality, which allows the heart to be pure and unburdened.

The past cannot be recalled; you should cherish every present moment.

This present moment will soon become the past of the future.

Do not feel regret, do not feel pride; let everything be calm and return to simplicity.

Originally, there is nothing. Where does regret come from? Where does nostalgia come from? Where does sorrow come from? Where does pride come from?

If you have these, you are clinging to appearances, and thus karmic creditors exist, which is the manifestation of karma.

Does a practitioner want this? Do not let it be so!

Letting go of the past is the way of a wise person; only then will there be a time for Awakening.

Namo Amituofo