The Principle of the Power of Embracing

Question: Why does listening to the Dharma in person have more compelling power and better effect than reading books or listening to recordings? When listening to the Master's teaching, one can develop meditative concentration (samādhi) and understanding along with the Master's voice, and one's comprehension and experience of the Dharma meaning being taught is deeper and more thorough, bringing greater benefit in the Dharma meaning. Why is this?

Answer: When reading books or listening to recordings, the mind consciousness needs to imagine and deliberate, visualizing the corresponding scenes; the components of inference and non-valid cognition are greater, so the effect is poorer and the compelling power is weaker. When being received and guided in person, the component of direct perception is greater, and there is also interaction and resonance between the manas of both parties, a magnetic-field effect, because the manas most trusts what is seen with one's own eyes, and in circumstances where one sees with one's own eyes, one can most readily resonate.

When reading a book, the manas has not seen with its own eyes; the distance is far, and one must go through the mind consciousness's deliberation and imagination, so resonance comes slowly and the compelling power is weak. The body language and facial expressions of the other person seen on the spot, and the voice heard on the spot, all strengthen one's understanding and feelings, letting the manas strengthen its observation through direct perception, resonating more readily, so the compelling power is strong. Therefore, when the Buddha was dwelling in the world, the disciples all closely followed the Buddha and were unwilling to leave Him, because once they left the Buddha, they no longer had this powerful compelling force.