Idea-Lessness...

Some teachers of concentration instructed their disciples to keep a watch on
their minds
and secure tranquillity by the cessation of all thought, and henceforth their
disciples gave
all effort to concentrate the mind and ignorant persons who did not understand
the
distinction became insane from trying to carry out the instruction literally.
Such cases are
not rare and it is a great mistake to teach the practice.

It has been the tradition of our school to make "non-objectivity" as our
basis, "idea-
lessness" as our object, and "non-attachment" as our fundamental principle.
"Non-
objectivity" means, not to be absorbed in objects when in contact with objects;
"idea-
lessness" means, not to be carried away by any particular idea in our exercise
of the
mental faculty; "non-attachment" means, not to cherish any desire for or
aversion to any
particular thing or idea. "Non-attachment" is the characteristic of
Mind-essence.

We should treat all things--good or bad, beautiful or ugly--as void (of any
self-
substance). Even in time of dispute and quarrel, we should treat intimates and
enemies
alike and never think of retaliation. In the thinking faculty, let the past be
dead. If we allow
our thoughts, past, present and future, to become linked up into a series, we
put ourselves
under restraint. On the other hand, if we never let our mind become attached at
any time
to any thing, we gain emancipation. For this reason we make "non-attachment" our
fundamental principle.To free ourselves from dependence upon externals is
called, "non-
objectivity." In as far as we are in position to do this, the path of the Dharma
is free. That
is why we make "non-objectivity" our basis.

To keep our mind free from defilement under all circumstances is called
"idea-lessness."
Our mind should always stand aloof and on no account should we allow
circumstances to
influence the functioning of the mind. It is a great mistake to suppress all
thinking. Even if
we succeed, and die immediately thereafter, still, there is reincarnation. Mark
this,
pilgrims of the Path! It is bad enough for a man to commit blunders by
cherishing false
ideas of the Dharma, how much worse to teach others. Being deluded, he is blind
himself,
and in addition he misrepresents and puts to shame the Buddhist scriptures.
Therefore we
make "idea-lessness" our object."........Hui-neng