Prerequisites for Investigating the Huatou

Investigating the huatou (critical phrase) leads to awakening the mind and attaining enlightenment upon thorough penetration, thereby gaining the great wisdom of prajna and becoming a true bodhisattva with the actual realization of a bodhisattva. The attainment of this great prajna wisdom is the result of cultivating the six paramitas (perfections) of a bodhisattva. Therefore, prior to investigating the huatou, one must have already practiced the six paramitas and fully perfected them. If one has not upheld the precepts, lacks the merit and virtue of a bodhisattva's generosity, possesses insufficient diligence in practice, lacks adequate forbearance toward worldly realms, holds inadequate recognition of the Tathagatagarbha (Buddha-nature) Dharma, has not cultivated meditative concentration, and lacks sufficient understanding of the principle of prajna regarding the Tathagatagarbha, then investigating the huatou becomes a vexing endeavor. One may investigate it for a lifetime yet remain fruitless.

Before becoming a true bodhisattva, examine whether one's mental conduct, mental nature, and mental capacity correspond to that of a bodhisattva, and whether one can shoulder the great work of a bodhisattva. With insufficient meditative concentration, so-called "investigating the huatou" is merely reciting the phrase or repeating the words; the mind cannot stay at the forefront of the phrase but instead circles within and around the tail end of the words. What is the point of such practice? If Buddhists pursue studies and practice solely for personal gain, harboring a selfish mentality without the slightest intention to benefit others or show altruism, such selfish narrow-mindedness absolutely cannot correspond to the mental nature of a bodhisattva. The merit and virtue a bodhisattva ought to possess cannot be accumulated, and thus one cannot become a bodhisattva in the true sense.