The Steps of Buddhist Dharma Practice and Realization

Many facts lie before us, yet without careful reflection we will not arrive at a conclusion. Only by raising questions about these facts and pondering them repeatedly and meticulously can we discover the truth behind the facts and reach a conclusion. This conclusion is a new cognition, and it is also the crystallization of wisdom. This is true in daily life, and it is equally true in the cultivation and realization of the Buddha-dharma: in both cases, one must go through collecting evidence, discovering facts, raising questioning doubt, and concentrating on deliberation, and only then, upon reaching a conclusion, is ignorance broken through and wisdom born.

Which of these steps is the most difficult? Is it collecting factual data, discovering facts, raising questioning doubt, or concentrating on deliberation? There are many facts in life, yet we often turn a blind eye to them and remain numb and unresponsive; we do not raise doubts about these facts, let alone contemplate the principles behind them. As a result, we cannot make any discovery, cannot overturn our former mistaken views, and cannot increase our wisdom. Being unable to raise doubt means not being awakened; possessing an awakened mind is extremely important.