Rely on the Dharma, Not on Individuals

To rely on the Dharma is to rely on facts and truth, which is an extremely difficult matter due to insufficient wisdom that prevents one from realizing and verifying facts. It is of utmost importance that the teachings do not contradict the facts; it is crucial that they do not conflict with the Buddha's words. Verification through realization means to attain and align with the facts, which is the most critical aspect of practice. So-called evidence refers to what you have personally verified and confirmed beyond doubt; only then can you place faith in it. Teachings that cannot be verified or are beyond one's capacity to verify should not be relied upon as the Dharma or facts.

To rely on individuals means to prioritize those with reputation, establishing the right or wrong of the Dharma based on individuals rather than purely from the perspective of Dharma principles, meanings, and facts. If the names of individuals were concealed, most people would be at a loss regarding the Dharma, unable to make judgments. This carries grave faults. In learning Buddhism and practicing, one must rely on the Dharma and facts, not on individuals. Apart from the Buddha, no one else can be followed with absolute certainty. Otherwise, the Buddha’s final instruction—repeatedly emphasizing to rely on the Dharma, not on individuals—would become empty words, and we would violate the Buddha’s teachings and profound intentions.

If the Buddha did not verify or affirm that someone’s teachings were entirely correct, one must exercise caution in judgment and decision-making. Only the Buddha’s teachings are one hundred percent correct and can be followed with absolute certainty. Others, including Maitreya the Wondrous Enlightenment Bodhisattva, are not entirely correct. Every sentient being, every Bodhisattva, has more or fewer flaws and errors. Without wisdom or sufficient evidence, do not lightly pass judgment. When possessing wisdom, present your own direct perception through contemplation to clarify the matter.

Moreover, when commenting on any individual, evidence must be complete and irrefutable, stating the reasons clearly point by point. If this cannot be done, it indicates a lack of direct perception through contemplation and evidence. In such cases, one should diligently strive in private to elevate one’s level of wisdom and enhance one’s contemplative insight. Without the attainment of realization or the wisdom of direct perception through contemplation, one should choose silence, refraining from evaluation or commentary. If one insists on speaking without evidence, the karmic retribution is severe; likewise, incorrect commentary carries grave karmic consequences.

If one cannot engage in direct perception through contemplation, one is forced to rely on the words of renowned individuals, but this constitutes reliance on individuals, not on the Dharma. Many people place faith only in reputation and authority out of necessity, lacking the wisdom to discern and thus relying solely on reputation and authority. If those with reputation and authority have errors or omissions in their Dharma interpretations, later generations will be doomed to perpetuate these mistakes indefinitely, with no one able to supplement or correct the Dharma’s meaning. This is how the Buddha Dharma becomes stifled and stagnant. In contrast, the secular fields of science, technology, and academia never rely on individuals; science and technology continually leap forward, advancing with each passing day. Yet, the rules of relying on individuals within Buddhism have caused the Dharma to remain undeveloped for thousands of years.