HOW DO WE ELIMINATE UNRULY THOUGHTS AND REMAIN UNMOVED?
Master Jun Hong Lu: We should not be affected no matter what circumstances we are in. In times of adversity, how do we eliminate unruly thoughts and remain unmoved?
Firstly, contemplate with wisdom. Understand that all phenomena are transient, and they never last. When we look at a problem with the lens of wisdom, we gain wisdom in return.
Secondly, contemplate the suffering in hell. At the verge of committing something bad, we should contemplate the potential retribution, that is, hell is where we may be heading to. Hence, we must practise restraint. For example, if we deceive or mistreat others, think about the kind of suffering in hell that we will have to go through.
Thirdly, contemplate the suffering of the hungry ghosts. As beings in the hungry ghost realm, hungry ghosts have pinhole mouths and bulging bellies. They suffer from extreme hunger and are very pitiable.
Fourthly, repent through reciting Buddhist scriptures. When trouble comes upon us, we should concentrate on chanting and repent piously. With that, our worries will be eliminated naturally. Only through sincere chanting that we can be free from karmic obstacles, demons and everything else that distresses us.
Concentrate during chanting, otherwise it will be ineffective. If our thoughts are scattered during recitation, the verses that we recite will be scattered and so will be our mind. Hence, it is crucial to recite the Buddhist scriptures attentively.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 1 Chapter 13
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