“When our mind works freely without any hindrance, and is at liberty to 'come' or to 'go', we attain Samadhi of Prajna, or liberation. Such a state is called the function of 'thoughtlessness'. But to refrain from thinking of anything, so that all thoughts are suppressed, is to be Dharma-ridden, and this is an erroneous view.”
Quote by Huineng
Author
Huineng
Huineng (638-713), also known as the Sixth Ancestor of Chan Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty, was a native of Xinhui, Guangdong. He was a highly influential figure in the history of Chan Buddhism and was revered as the Sixth Ancestor. His life was full of legends, and it is said that he received the robe and bowl from the Fifth Ancestor Hongren under his guidance, becoming the successor of Chan Buddhism. Huineng advocated 'not establishing texts, transmitting outside the teachings', emphasizing 'enlightenment through seeing one's nature'. This thought had a profound impact on the development of Chan Buddhism in later generations. more