The Obstacle of Words Is Due to Lack of Meditative Concentration and Wisdom

To understand the true meaning of Chinese characters, we must think about, analyze, and study them carefully. Only those who have no obstacles with written language can easily and correctly understand the Buddha-dharma, and only then can wisdom arise continuously. Those who have obstacles with written language, when reading a passage of text, cannot truly grasp its substantive meaning and often misinterpret it, so their wisdom cannot improve. In interactions among sentient beings, if there are obstacles with language and writing, causing mutual misunderstanding and failure to communicate, then interacting with others becomes distressing and frustrating. People who are good at understanding others have few obstacles with language and writing, are skilled at seeing through other people's minds, communicate easily with others, and thus encounter fewer obstacles in their interactions.

The degree to which each person understands written language varies greatly. Why is it that some people's level of understanding of written language is so low? A coarse and careless mind, lack of meditative concentration, absence of wisdom, and insufficient merit—these are the most fundamental problems. The text clearly does not contain a certain meaning, yet some people, in their understanding, find that meaning in it. They refuse to turn back and reflect on themselves, refuse to turn the light inward and illuminate themselves. Many people only shine the light on others and not on themselves—that is a manifestation of a heavy sense of self. Then they believe their own understanding is correct and, without hesitation, go on to deny others and debate with them. Such impulsiveness is precisely a manifestation of lacking meditative concentration—the result of having no wisdom, being unable to introspect, and being unable to correctly evaluate oneself and others. A wise person is one whose mind is very meticulous, who can both observe others as they truly are and genuinely introspect. Lacking the power of observation and the power of introspection (pratyavekṣā-bala) indicates poor meditative concentration and insufficient wisdom.