How to Become a Dharma Practitioner

To engage in Buddhist practice requires merits and virtuous roots. Those who have not planted such merits and virtuous roots in the Dharma will naturally be unable to benefit from it. Individuals who take refuge neither in the Three Jewels nor in the Buddha, even if possessing worldly intelligence and eloquence, still cannot attain wisdom and liberation. Thus, no matter how clever or sharp worldly people may be, they still lack the wisdom of the Dharma and do not belong to the community of Dharma practitioners. The Dharma can only liberate those who take refuge in Buddhism, place faith in Buddhism, and are willing to plant merits and virtuous roots within the Three Jewels. It is difficult to liberate those unwilling to take refuge in the Three Jewels; even if they come to study the Dharma, they merely engage in research or use the Dharma as a pastime, unable to attain fruition, enlightenment, or gain the benefits of the Dharma. Lacking the root of faith, they consequently lack the five roots; lacking the five roots, they lack the five powers; thus, they cannot fully cultivate the Thirty-Seven Aids to Enlightenment. Therefore, they are unable to deeply contemplate, practice, attain realization, or awaken the mind to become true followers of the Dharma.