The Purpose of Practicing Buddhism

The ultimate purpose of studying the Dharma is to completely eradicate ignorance and afflictions. When afflictions are fully eradicated, one reaches the state of "no more learning" and no longer needs to study the Dharma. In the Hinayana tradition, the stage of "no more learning" is attained by fourth-stage arhats and pratyekabuddhas. In the Mahayana tradition, the stage of "no more learning" is attained by the Buddha, the World-Honored One. Hinayana practitioners at the stage of "no more learning" have eradicated one-time ignorance concerning liberation from the cycle of birth and death in the three realms, but they have not yet eradicated all ignorance and afflictions; thus, they are still considered learners. Mahayana practitioners must not only eradicate one-time ignorance but also completely eradicate beginningless ignorance to reach the stage of "no more learning." As long as ignorance exists, one must continue learning. When there is no ignorance, there is nothing left to learn—everything is understood and attained through realization, and the process of learning concludes.

The fourth-stage Hinayana arhat Cūḍapanthaka, due to karmic obstacles from past lives, could not expound the Dharma despite having attained the fourth stage of arhatship. Although unable to teach, he had completely eradicated one-time ignorance and afflictions, enabling him to transcend the three realms and attain liberation. As a sage at the stage of "no more learning," he no longer needed to study the principles of the Four Noble Truths for liberation. In contrast, the Mahayana Buddha, the World-Honored One, having eradicated all ignorance, could expound any aspect of the Dharma effortlessly and completely. Bodhisattvas are also skilled in teaching the Dharma because they remain among sentient beings and inevitably expound the Dharma to them. Through teaching, they accumulate immense merit, making them more adept at expounding the Dharma and possessing greater merit than arhats. Even newly initiated bodhisattvas who do not yet understand the Dharma must teach, though their explanations may be incoherent and unclear even to themselves.

Once the purpose of studying the Dharma is clear, we should avoid flaunting our knowledge of Buddhism. Acquiring knowledge is not the goal but a means to eradicate afflictions. Once afflictions are eradicated, all knowledge becomes useless except for its application in liberating sentient beings through teaching the Dharma. Therefore, in the process of studying Buddhism, observing one's own ignorance and afflictions, subduing them, and eradicating them are of utmost importance, while knowledge of Buddhism itself becomes less crucial. We must not reverse the order of priority—neglecting our own afflictions while busily accumulating knowledge everywhere. Even if one accumulates knowledge equivalent to "five cartloads," what if a single act of evil karma is committed due to afflictions? In severe cases, one may fall into the Avīci Hell; in milder cases, one may be reborn in the animal realm. Can such Buddhist knowledge save oneself then? With vast knowledge in tow while descending into the three lower realms, will there be any opportunity or inclination left for boasting?