Stopping Delusion and Returning to the Truth

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

28 December 2024, Second Session.

The Mirage of the Wandering Mind

Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers these teachings: Delusion refers to that which is false, unreal, and lacking in true substance. To let go of delusion and return to the truth means to abandon our false hearts, our deceitful speech, our deluded thoughts, and our misguided actions. By doing so, we can finally realise our true self and original nature.

We must strive to speak less and maintain silence, constantly purifying our hearts and deepening our goodness. We must wash away the dust of worldly defilements until we are as pure and simple as a newborn child. This is how we respond to our true heart. However, because we beings are deeply mired in worldly defilements and do not understand the truth of reality, our Six Roots are constantly stirred by external conditions. This causes our delusions to never cease, and every thought we have enters our consciousness to become karmic seeds.

The Path of Returning to the Source

If you can realise that these delusions are merely illusions, you can walk through this world without being controlled by them. When your Six Roots are pure, you are able to let go of delusion and return to the truth. To achieve this, you must rely on the two powers of the Pure Land path: the power of your own diligent practice, such as performing prostrations and chanting Namo Amituofo, and the power of the Buddha, the compassionate support of Namo Amituofo, which sustains you on your journey.

You must be active and persistent in your practice. By ensuring your chanting of the Buddha-name is continuous without interruption, you leave no room for delusions to arise or manifest. You do not need to seek other methods; through this single-minded focus, your heart will naturally open to the truth.

The Vigilance of the Awakened Heart

How does one stop delusion? The key is this: do not fear the arising of a deluded thought; only fear being slow to realise it. Once a delusion arises, you must have the awareness to stop it immediately. The very next thought should be the Buddha-name: Namo Amituofo. As soon as you are aware that a delusion has arisen, the next thought must be the Buddha-name. Simply chant Namo Amituofo, and keep chanting it directly. By ensuring that every thought is of the Buddha, you effectively replace every deluded thought that tries to arise. This is the essential skill required to stop delusion.

The Radiance of Our Original Nature

If you give yourself time and maintain this practice, you will eventually reach the moment of letting go of delusion and returning to the truth. When you return to the truth, you will find that which is real and not empty. Purity, compassion, wisdom, inclusivity, mind-capacity, joy, and the willingness to let go are all inherent to your original nature. When you are able to remain still and unmoved, you will find that a sense of cool, refreshing ease is your natural state.

To the students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I encourage you to be diligent in your prostrations, work hard to change your personality traits, and ensure your chanting of Namo Amituofo becomes powerful. If you do this, letting go of delusion and returning to the truth will happen naturally.

Namo Amituofo