The Fundamental Purpose of Studying the Dharma

Even if one can read ten thousand volumes of books yet does not understand their meaning, this is still not true diligence. The fundamental purpose of studying the Dharma is to gain wisdom, not to amass countless items of knowledge and learning, not to study for the sake of studying, and certainly not to study for others to see. Therefore, in order to gain wisdom, what we should do and how we should do it are matters that deserve careful thought. A student of Buddhism learns the Buddha's mind and conduct; it is not about collecting all of the Buddha's words, but rather, through the Buddha's words, understanding the Buddha's mind, and then learning the Buddha's mind and emulating the Buddha's conduct, so that one may ultimately be equal to the Buddha without difference and show compassion to others.