How to Increase Wisdom

Answer: "Similar" means resembling, approaching—looking alike, similar in form but not in spirit; it is not real, yet resembles the real. Similar samādhi has not yet reached the level of samādhi; it is close to samādhi, resembles samādhi, but is not true samādhi—it only seems like samādhi. Similar non-arising forbearance and non-arising dharma forbearance have not yet reached the level of non-arising forbearance and non-arising dharma forbearance; they are similar and analogous to non-arising forbearance and non-arising dharma forbearance, but are not true non-arising forbearance and non-arising dharma forbearance.

Once you clarify the noun concepts in the Chinese language, the general meaning of a sentence or a paragraph becomes clear. If you are not lazy in your thinking and are diligent in contemplation, gradually you will be able to comprehend some of the dharma meanings on your own. Always relying on others or on ready-made answers is a sign of unwillingness to think with care; this will not increase wisdom. You must learn to rely on your own mental wisdom. The prerequisite is to diligently cultivate merit and meditative concentration (samādhi).