The Stillness of the Heart: Words of Namo Amituofo

The Unmoving Heart Amidst the Flux

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, as we invite spirits to listen to the Dharma, Namo Amituofo offers profound guidance to help us navigate the turbulent waters of the world. While the external world is in constant motion, your heart must remain still. When you are as steady and immovable as a mountain, no difficulty can truly trouble you. You must learn to observe the changing events of life without letting your inner peace be disturbed.

Human affairs are always in flux, yet you must not let them cause chaos within you. By stabilising your heart through meditative concentration, you will find clarity. When your mind is settled, you can perceive the truth of every situation with wisdom. It is through this stability that one gains the insight necessary to walk the path of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Illusion of Attachment

Objects and circumstances in this world may change, but the emotions we attach to them are often difficult to let go of. This attachment is a sign that your heart is lost in confusion, and consequently, your body follows that same path of delusion. We must recognise that these attachments are the source of our suffering and the primary cause of our wandering.

The world is defined by impermanence; it is always moving and changing. However, the nature of an awakened being is stillness, which is eternal and unchanging. Through diligent practice, you can subdue your delusions and sever the roots of your afflictions. This is the essential work of every practitioner who seeks to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Transformation of Consciousness

You must first become aware of your mental notes, and only then can you transform them. By transforming your heart and your thoughts, you enter the Right Way. This process of transformation is a form of movement, but it leads you into the state of true stillness. When you reach the point where there is no grasping heart and no wandering thought, you have realised your true nature. The chief writer for these Words of Namo Amituofo is the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.