The Burden of Constant Thought

This interview with Venerable Changren was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on November 20, 2022. In this discussion, Venerable Changren explores the profound impact of continuous thinking on the internal space of the body and the vital necessity of purification to liberate the mind from the interference of sentient beings.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. The state of the internal space within the body is entirely different depending on whether one has undergone purification or not. In our temple, every member of the fourfold assembly is engaged in practice, yet the degree of purification varies from person to person. Although we all reside within the same bodhimanda and follow the same daily routine, the amount of activity within The Head—the continuous thinking—differs significantly from one individual to another. Those who think excessively have heads that are clearly in a state of chaos, while those who think less are naturally more pure.

The Architecture of the Mind

When we look closely at the space within The Head after it has been purified, we can clearly see that most of these spaces are still and motionless. The sentient beings residing within have lower activity levels, which means their interference with The Head is minimal. Through the process of purification, and then more purification, these sentient beings have the opportunity to be invited out. As they depart from The Head, the burden on the practitioner is reduced.

The Chaos of Continuous Thinking

In the secular world, people are accustomed to thinking. They view it as a normal state of existence. Because they are in a state of continuous thinking, one can see that the space within their brains is incredibly complex. These densely packed spaces are entirely created by thought. Within these crowded, congested areas, you will find all kinds of sentient beings. Because thoughts are so diverse—good thoughts, bad thoughts, virtuous ones, and evil ones—they are all mixed together. Naturally, these different types of thoughts attract different corresponding sentient beings, who then enter the brain.

The Danger of Unchecked Thought

People do not take their thoughts seriously because they do not understand the immense harm that this continuous thinking inflicts upon the body. These densely packed spaces are constantly causing interference with one's thoughts, emotions, and overall state. When the body is overwhelmed by their influence, it becomes difficult to be the master of one's own mind. Consequently, one's karmic creditors manifest, and the body falls further under their control.

The Path to Liberation

Now that we understand the importance of purification, we must actively learn to purify ourselves. Even if it is not easy to stop the flow of thoughts, we must persist in our efforts to help reduce our thinking, again and again. The best method is to let go of self-interest and focus entirely on the benefit of all beings. When you do this, naturally, such a multitude of thoughts will not arise.

Namo Amituofo."