The Reason Why Buddhist Practice Cannot Be Rushed

The path of bodhisattva practice is long; why be concerned with momentary speed or slowness? The attainment of the goal spans three incalculable eons. As long as one completes the Buddha Way most swiftly within these three incalculable eons, one is the ultimate victor. It is like a ten-thousand-meter race: which wise person cares about being ahead or behind within the first hundred meters? Establishing long-term plans based on one’s capacity, ensuring priority in reaching the finish line, is fundamental. All else is unimportant.

Those without long-term vision will inevitably face immediate troubles. The more distant the goal, the vaster the wisdom, the broader the mind, the grander the magnanimity, the loftier the aspiration, the more steadfast one's steps become, and the more abundant the confidence. Do not cling to momentary speed, slowness, victory, or defeat.

In this Dharma-ending age, there are not so many with the bodhisattva disposition, nor so many suitable vessels of the Way. Therefore, one must absolutely never promote expedited programs for attaining fruition or awakening to the mind’s true nature. Over the past couple of years, observing certain phenomena has alarmed me. These crash courses cause deep harm; they produce counterfeit goods, endangering the normal and orderly development of Buddhism.

Many cannot find the true starting point for cultivation and realization. This is normal, indicating that their causes and conditions for realization are not yet mature. Through their stumbling and groping, they gradually mature themselves, gradually increase their roots of goodness and merit, along with meditative concentration and wisdom, perfecting the conditions for becoming a bodhisattva, cultivating the bodhisattva mind and virtue. At the very least, they must possess the moral cultivation of being a decent human being, the character of a person. Otherwise, how can they serve as bodhisattvas leading sentient beings? If they lead beings into the mire without realizing it—proximity to vermilion reddens, near ink blackens—sentient beings unwittingly become tainted by bad habits, yet mistake it for bodhisattva conduct. The consequences are terrifying. I have observed some truth-seekers whose character is utterly base; they fundamentally fail at being decent people and have no desire to be good. If such individuals were to discover the starting point for realization, were to know the ultimate result, and were to become so-called nominal bodhisattvas, what would Buddhism become in the future? The thought is truly frightening.

The more eager one is to swiftly awaken to the mind, realize enlightenment, and attain fruition, the less they should be allowed to awaken. Such an urgent mind invariably harbors impure motives; the bodhisattva mind is still insufficient, and the mentality of non-seeking has yet to be cultivated. Once such a person awakens, their seeking will only intensify; the desire for fame and gain will become uncontrollable. Therefore, matters of cultivation should unfold naturally, like water finding its course. For those whose causes and conditions are ripe, awakening cannot be prevented; it will occur spontaneously, and they will naturally be bodhisattvas.

Swift attainment of fruition and awakening to the mind, when the accumulation of merit is insufficient, when karmic obstructions remain unremoved, when afflictions remain unconquered—once one approaches fruition or awakening, karmic obstructions will arise to obscure, afflictions will manifest to hinder, obstacles will pile up layer upon layer. It becomes extremely easy to regress, losing bodhicitta and the resolve for the Way, leaving subsequent cultivation powerless. Therefore, for those whose conditions are immature, one must absolutely not attempt to guide them toward realization; one must absolutely never pluck unripe fruit, lest it harms others, oneself, and Buddhism. If Buddhism were to offer crash courses, they should only be for mind-nature, resolve for the Way, human nature, and meditative concentration. One must absolutely never offer crash courses for attaining fruition or awakening to the mind. If mind-nature cannot be expedited, human nature cannot be expedited, resolve for the Way cannot be expedited, meditative concentration cannot be expedited—how could fruition and awakening to the mind possibly be expedited?

So many complain to me, saying they find no starting point for cultivation, not knowing how to practice meditation or awaken to the mind, not knowing how to contemplate to attain fruition. Reflecting on it now, that is precisely as it should be. Not knowing is normal; having no starting point is normal. After enduring arduous tempering for a period, when causes and conditions mature, one will naturally know and understand everything.