What Is Wrong Exertion?

Wrong Diligence stands in opposition to Right Diligence, representing effort directed along an incorrect path. When the direction is wrong, the harder one strives, the further one strays from the goal. The direction of Right Diligence is the realization of selflessness and emptiness, becoming increasingly selfless and empty until complete and ultimate realization is attained. It revolves around cultivating the threefold training of precepts, concentration, and wisdom, which lead to liberation. In contrast, those engaged in Wrong Diligence harbor a strong sense of self and cling to substantiality rather than emptiness. Whatever they practice is for the sake of the so-called self and its worldly benefits; they cling to worldly existence and harbor hopes and pursuits for fame and profit. This runs counter to the path. Consequently, even if they sit in meditation day and night, recite sutras and Buddha's name, study the Dharma, or even propagate it, it is all self-centered, focused on their own benefit. They care only about gaining advantages for themselves and those connected to them, showing indifference to the well-being of others, even to the point of harming others' interests. Such practice, the more diligent it is, the further it strays from the path of selflessness, the further from emptiness, and the further from the true reality of the Dharma Realm. Ultimately, it easily leads to becoming demonic forces.

Diligence without pure and great Right Aspiration, while not classified as Wrong Diligence, is still not Right Diligence. In all practice, aspiration acts as the forerunner; without aspiration, nothing is accomplished, but with aspiration, effort yields double the result. Aspiration is like an accelerator, like steps in a deep pit, like a pulling rope in the mud. Aspiration can free one from the entanglements of karmic forces and lead directly to the shore of Nirvana. Small aspirations are for oneself; great aspirations are for all sentient beings. Wrong aspirations are for illusory existence; Right aspirations are for true emptiness and purity. If one cannot generate great and Right aspirations, it indicates shallow practice. Once the roots of goodness and merit accumulate deeply, aspirations will naturally arise, and all vows will be fulfilled.