Insight, Understanding, and Enlightenment are Essentially Different

Comprehension is akin to speculating about the general manifestation and functioning of the Tathāgatagarbha; it is not attained through direct perception, nor is it as clear as seeing objects before one’s eyes. Since it is speculative, the faculty of intellect remains unclear, the mind feels unsettled and lacks a solid foundation, making it easily swayed. Consequently, one cannot observe the specific operations of the eighth consciousness, nor can genuine great wisdom arise. General understanding and insight differ vastly from the level of comprehension, while the gap between comprehension and realization may be significant—this primarily depends on the conditions pertaining to the Six Paramitas cultivated in daily practice.