The Trouble of Thinking and the Path to Purity

Teacher's Teachings. Chief Writer: Venerable HaiZe

February 4, 2022

Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju's teachings:

Thinking, longing, and contemplating are integral parts of our daily lives. We are constantly engaged in a stream of mental activity that defines our experience of the world. We think of our homes, we miss our loved ones, and we dwell on our emotions. We replay past events that we find difficult to forget, and we spend our energy contemplating the present or worrying about the future. Because we think of everything, our minds become cluttered with endless delusions.

The Burden of Delusions

When these wandering thoughts fill our time and space, how can we possibly find stillness? Where can we find the purity that is our original nature? These delusions act as a heavy veil, obscuring the clarity of our hearts. When we allow our minds to be dominated by these scattered thoughts, we lose our connection to the truth and become trapped in the cycle of our own making.

The Ripples of Our Thoughts

Every thought we produce creates a ripple, much like a signal broadcast into the vastness of space. Sentient beings in the Dharma Realm can see these thoughts clearly. If our thoughts are driven by selfish desires, malice, or the Five Poisons, we are inadvertently sending out a signal that attracts our karmic creditors. These beings follow the ripples of our negative energy, seeking out the one who owes them a debt from the past. Under such conditions, how can one maintain a pure body, mind, and spirit? It becomes incredibly difficult to practise effectively when we are constantly entangled in these karmic webs.

The Path of Selflessness

Conversely, if our thoughts are directed toward the public good, for the benefit of all beings, and rooted in the spirit of Goodness, the outcome is entirely different. When we act without a sense of self, the spirits within the Dharma Realm become aware of our intentions. They know that our actions are not for our own gain, and because of this, they will respect our efforts and may even offer their protection. Our thoughts, intentions, and contemplations serve as a vital bridge between us, the space we inhabit, and the beings of the Dharma Realm.

The Bridge to Awakening

Given this reality, we must be very careful about what we choose to hold in our minds. Instead of allowing our thoughts to wander aimlessly, we should replace them with the sacred name of the Buddha. We must chant Namo Amituofo with sincerity and devotion. We should strive to:

• Chant continuously, ensuring that our practice remains unbroken and steady.Chant until all disasters are eliminated and our karmic obstacles are removed.Chant until our body, mind, and spirit are completely pure, transparent, and flawless.Chant until we reach the state of thinking without thinking, and not thinking while still thinking.

This state of mind is the pinnacle of our practice. It is the ultimate expression of our devotion and the true foundation for our rebirth in the Western Pure Land. By focusing entirely on Namo Amituofo, we transcend the trouble of thinking and return to the clarity of our original nature.

Namo Amituofo