The Stages of Study and Practice

Learning and practice occur at two levels: initially at the superficial level of consciousness, and ultimately reaching the profound level of the root consciousness (manas). The study of any theoretical knowledge first begins with the conscious mind (vijñāna) and has not yet reached the root consciousness. While learning, the conscious mind continuously permeates the root consciousness. Once this permeation succeeds, one truly masters the theoretical knowledge, transforming it into one's own true insights, becoming personal knowledge and skill. This can be readily applied anytime, anywhere, without obstruction or forgetting. Only knowledge grasped solely by the conscious mind is forgotten, because it is acquired—belonging to others, not oneself. What belongs to oneself is never forgotten and requires no deliberate memorization; it arises naturally when needed. This is called "spontaneous expression from the intrinsic mind" (自心流露), not mere parroting. In the cultivation and realization of the Buddha Dharma, some also refer to this as "spontaneous manifestation of self-nature" (自性流露).