Why Does Buddhism Strictly Prohibit the Explicit Revelation of Esoteric Meanings?

In Buddhism, all Dharma that requires realization belongs to esoteric Dharma. The so-called esoteric Dharma means that these teachings must be personally investigated and verified by oneself; one should not seek ready-made answers from others, nor should one speculate or imagine using the conscious mind. Answers obtained from others or derived from speculation and imagination only correspond to the conscious mind, which is easily understood and grasped, whereas the manas (mental faculty) cannot comprehend or master them. For the manas to understand and master them, it must undergo a process of investigation. The manas must personally participate in the conscious mind's process of thinking and verification, comprehending every detail conveyed by the consciousness and mastering each piece of evidence for examination and consideration. Only when the evidence is sufficient and the manas has clearly considered it can the manas fully realize the ultimate truth. If the manas does not know, it means it has not realized. If the manas does not realize, doubt remains. With doubt and no realization of the truth, there is no liberation and no benefit from its meritorious virtues.

Therefore, in Buddhism, not only does the Mahayana strictly prohibit explicitly revealing the esoteric meaning, but even in the Hinayana, explicitly stating overly specific contemplative practices is forbidden, to prevent the conscious mind from knowing while the manas remains unaware. If explicitly stated, the conscious mind can immediately understand without the need for investigation. Without undergoing investigation, the manas cannot comprehend or realize it. If the manas harbors unresolved doubt, there is no liberation and no benefit from its meritorious virtues.

Thus, in Buddhism, regardless of whether it is Mahayana or Hinayana, any Dharma must not only be realized by the conscious mind, but most importantly, it must be realized by the manas. Because the manas controls the body and mind, once it realizes the truth, it can align with the truth, relax the body and mind, thereby enabling the body and mind to experience the liberating benefit of its meritorious virtues. Intellectual understanding by the conscious mind does not confer the liberating benefit of meritorious virtues. When the manas attains enlightenment, the body, mind, and world undergo a transformation, manifesting a distinct change. Others can perceive from the person's outward appearance that their mental state has changed—they appear relaxed and at ease, spirited and vigorous. Ancient Chan masters possessed the eye of the Way. When they saw a disciple who had been practicing meditation approaching to report the results of their contemplation, even before the disciple spoke, the master knew that the disciple had attained the Way, because they observed that the disciple's entire demeanor, spirit, and aura had transformed.

From this, it is evident that the crucial importance of the manas in realizing the Dharma cannot be overlooked. Practitioners must never be content with the superficial and shallow understanding of the conscious mind while neglecting the profound experiential realization of the manas, thereby forfeiting the great and true benefits of the Buddha Dharma.