The Path of Ceasing Thought
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Second Session of the 2019 Global Disaster Relief and Blessing Dharma Assembly
The Restless Mind
The human mind is in constant motion, spinning like a wheel that never finds rest. We are perpetually caught in a cycle of thinking about this and analysing that, never allowing the heart to settle. We take one matter and break it down into countless fragments, attempting to solve every puzzle through intellectual effort. However, this very act of thinking is the source of our deepest confusion.
When we do not understand something, we immediately feel doubt, and this doubt triggers further thinking. Once this process of thought begins, it pulls upon a thousand threads of connection, dragging us into a web of complexity. How many can truly see that this constant mental activity is the very thing that keeps us trapped?
The Trap of Samsara
By engaging in endless thought, we are effectively summoning the karmic seeds of our past. It is as if we are calling out to our past lives, inviting our karmic history to manifest in the present moment. When these seeds ripen, we are confronted by the harsh realities of existence: birth, aging, sickness, and death, which are the inevitable sufferings of the human condition, and the presence of , those spirits from our past who come to seek balance for old grievances.
When we are burdened by such suffering and obstacles, it becomes nearly impossible to reach the state of an awakened being. If our thinking is distorted, we cannot perceive what is good and true. Consequently, the clarity of our : eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind becomes obscured, and we lose the ability to see the world as it truly is.
The Limit of Intellect vs. The Infinite Self
Everything we think about is usually focused on . This selfishness causes us to lose the greatest benefits of the Buddha’s teachings. We follow the currents of our destiny, drifting aimlessly through the cycle of being reincarnated. This is the common state of the world; our capacity for ordinary thinking is limited, whereas the potential of our true self is infinite.
The Practice of Stillness
You must learn to stop these thoughts and cease this constant mental chatter. The Buddha’s teachings are direct; they are designed to open your heart and reveal the vast, boundless Wisdom (Prajna). When you stop thinking, this Wisdom will naturally flow forth like a spring of pure water.
If you do not think, you can attain the infinite meaning of the . However, if your thinking is biased, you will only invite more impure karmic consequences. We must invite spirits to join us in this practice, performing to resolve karmic debts and help all beings find liberation. By reaching the state of an awakened being, we can benefit all living things. When you act without a selfish heart and without wandering thoughts, your ability to benefit others becomes truly endless.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library