Why Do Distracting Thoughts Proliferate During Contemplation?

Illusory thoughts are fundamentally illusory. When you then apply methods to counteract what is illusory, the mind that engages in counteracting is itself still illusory. When counteracting, the mind becomes unsettled. Then, attempting to extinguish the mind capable of counteracting adds yet another layer of illusion. Thus, adding illusion upon illusion—when will it ever end?

Visualizing the Buddha's image is the object of the mind, the proper practice. You should focus solely on the object, disregarding everything outside of it. It is like intending to go to Beijing but becoming captivated by the scenery along the way, constantly admiring the roadside views—when will you ever reach Beijing?

When lacking meditative concentration (dhyāna), the mind is scattered. Because the mind is scattered, one fails to recognize that one's own mind is scattered. Only once the mind is drawn back a little and becomes somewhat still can one discover that one's mind was originally scattered and impure. Having such a discovery indicates that one's mind has awakened. Failing to discover one's own illusory thoughts means that mind has not awakened. Is it better to discover the presence of illusory thoughts or to remain unaware of them?

It is like an ignorant person who never realizes their own ignorance. When others point out their ignorance, not only do they refuse to acknowledge it, but they also give rise to anger, opening their mouth to curse others. Is this not even more foolish? Once an ignorant person awakens, they will discover how ignorant they originally were. Knowing one's own ignorance allows one to seek methods to counteract it and thus become wiser. If a person does not even know they are ignorant, when will they ever become a little wiser?

Only when a person is willing to acknowledge their various faults and shortcomings do they become an awakened individual. Once awakened, they will gradually correct their flaws and mistakes, and only then can they begin to progress. If one does not even admit their faults, how can they be expected to correct them? Then they have no choice but to persist in error, persisting in fault to the very end.