What is Wrong Effort?

Wrong diligence is the opposite of right diligence: the direction of effort is incorrect, and when the direction is incorrect, the harder one strives, the farther one strays from the goal. The direction of right diligence is to realize no-self, to realize emptiness (śūnyatā)—becoming ever more selfless, ever more empty—until reaching complete and ultimate thoroughness, practicing around this goal the three unblemished studies of precepts, meditation (samādhi), and wisdom. Those of wrong diligence, however, have a flourishing sense of self in their minds, clinging to existence and non-emptiness; whatever they cultivate is all for the worldly benefit of that so-called self. They cling to worldly existence, harboring hopes and pursuits for fame, praise, and gain, running directly counter to the Path. In such a case, even if they sit in meditation, recite sutras, practice recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) day and night without rest, study the Dharma, or even propagate the Dharma, it is all self-centered and centered on their own benefit. As long as they themselves gain benefit, and those connected to them gain benefit, it does not matter whether others fare well or not—they may even harm others' interests. With such practice, the more diligent one is, the farther one strays from the path of no-self, the farther from emptiness, the farther from the ultimate reality of the dharmadhātu, and in the end one may easily cultivate oneself into a māra.

Diligence without pure great vows or right vows, though not counted as wrong diligence, is still not right diligence. In all practice, "vow" comes first as the guide; without vows, nothing can be accomplished, and with vows, half the effort yields twice the result. A vow is like an accelerator; a vow is like a ladder in a deep pit; a vow is like a towrope in the mud. A vow can free one from the entanglement of karmic power and reach directly the other shore of nirvāṇa. Small vows are for oneself; great vows are for sentient beings; wrong vows are for false existence; right vows are for true emptiness and for purity. If great vows and right vows cannot be brought forth, one's practice is still shallow; once the roots of goodness and merit have accumulated deeply, vows will naturally arise, and every vow made will be fulfilled.