The Heart That Never Changes

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

During the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on 24 November 2024, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these compassionate teachings regarding the eternal nature of the Buddha-vow.

The Eternal Vow of Compassion

The heart of the Buddha, which seeks to save all sentient beings, is a heart that never changes. This is because the Buddha possesses no heart of ego and no sense of self; within the Buddha's heart, there is only the presence of all sentient beings. When the Buddha perceives that these beings are trapped within the suffering and impermanence of the world, unable to find a way out, the Buddha’s vow to rescue them and help them leave suffering behind remains constant. This heart of compassion is eternal and unchanging.

The Illusion of Samsara

The Buddha understands with absolute clarity that the various illusions brought about by the cycle of rebirth are the true source of all suffering. To resolve this suffering at its root, one must be able to:

• See through the false nature of these illusions.
• Let go of attachments to the physical body and worldly desires.
• Realise one's true nature, which is the only way to fundamentally end the cycle of rebirth.

However, the Buddha also knows that for sentient beings, the task of seeing through these illusions, letting go of attachments, and relinquishing the ego is an incredibly difficult journey.

The Path of Diligent Practice

Even when one enters the path of practice, one must engage in diligent practice with fierce determination. Only through such effort can one clearly distinguish between what is true and what is false, what is real and what is merely an illusion. It is this clarity that inspires one to truly wish to leave the cycle of rebirth behind, to sincerely chant the name of Namo Amituofo, and to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Because the Buddha understands this, the Buddha teaches and guides all beings without ever feeling tired or weary. This heart of guidance is a heart that never changes.

Transforming the Mind

Many beings do not yet understand that their suffering arises from their own minds. The cycle of rebirth is formed by the mind; therefore, if you wish to leave suffering behind and escape the cycle of rebirth, you must put in the work within your own heart. If you can understand this truth and put it into practice with sincerity, you will be able to transform your karma and gain the opportunity to be free from the sufferings of samsara.

The Infinite Grace of the Buddha's Name

This truth can be conveyed to all beings through the medium of Buddhist education. This is why the Buddha engages in lectures and Dharma talks to propagate the teachings—the Buddha's heart in doing so never changes. Often, because beings have not yet grasped the truth, their faith in the Buddha remains unstable, fluctuating with the winds of impermanence. They often judge the Buddha based on how many benefits they receive or whether the Buddha can help them escape their immediate suffering.

The Buddha knows clearly that sentient beings cannot rely on their own power alone to escape the cycle of rebirth. Therefore, the Buddha offers the six-character name of Namo Amituofo to bless and support all beings. By chanting the name of the Buddha, you can receive the Buddha's blessings. This heart of the Buddha, which seeks to save all beings and help them leave suffering behind, is a heart that never changes.

Namo Amituofo.