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Chapter 1 : How to Settle One's Thoughts A disciple once asked me, "My distracting thoughts stray vigorously and are unstoppable. How do we settle all such distracting thoughts?" I answered, "Tibetan Tantric Buddhism teaches one to chant the one-syllable mantra "Pei." By doing so, distracting thoughts are immediately stopped, therefore settling one's mind into emptiness." "What if that does not help?" "You may utilize the method of Zen contemplation. Follow the distracting thoughts to trace their origin, and as you incessantly trace the origin of the thoughts, you will realize that they are really empty and illusory in nature. When you understand that they are but mere conjectures of emptiness and illusions, the thoughts will be cut through." "What if the current thought is detached, only to be replaced by another thought?" "Use one single thought to block all other thoughts. Have a correct thought to replace all distracting thoughts. This is the visualization technique of Tantrayana. As long as you focus on this visualization and practice it with utmost effort and diligence, all distracting thoughts will no longer arise." I honestly tell my disciples that about two thousand five hundred years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha told us: "For an ordinary person, there is only one correct path that leads to purification, the conquering of anxiety and grief, and the banishment of anguish and sufferings. To walk on this path is to practice the Four Earnest Contemplations." We must constantly focus our thoughts on: Contemplation of the body - observe that the body is impure. During the time of the Buddha, Arhats lived in caves, beneath trees, and among graveyards in order to reflect on these four contemplations. Because they were able to realize that the human body is impure, their fires of lust were extinguished. Because they were able to realize that emotions lead to suffering, they constantly upheld the intentions of renunciation and transcendence of worldly desires. By realizing the fluctuating nature of the mind, they no longer held on to the thought of self-grasping. By realizing all phenomena are devoid of any inherent existence, they were able to realize that all existences are inherently void. By reflecting on the Four Earnest Contemplations, each thought becomes clear and purposeful. By recalling and holding each thought continuously so as not to forget, one's thoughts are gradually purified, eradicating greed, hatred and ignorance. When all thoughts are continually focused on the correct path, one no longer has any impure or defiled thoughts, thus one becomes completely immersed in the great path towards liberation of the body and soul. During the Buddha's time, there were many disciples who achieved fruition. They had concentrated their minds and efforts into their meditation practices by following the Four Earnest Contemplations. Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu's correspondence address: Sheng-yen Lu
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