Verbal Chan Is Not Equivalent to Practice and Realization

There are many stages of practice before enlightenment, and similarly, there are many stages after enlightenment. Practicing according to post-enlightenment methods before enlightenment is futile, for without having entered the gate, one cannot perform the tasks within. For those who have just attained enlightenment or have not yet attained it, attempting to practice according to the methods of bodhisattvas on the bhūmis (stages) will yield even less result. Holding lofty theories in hand and believing oneself to have realized them, thinking one is like a sage or Tathāgatagarbha, is pure self-deception. Many people, upon hearing the phrase "afflictions are bodhi," assume that viewing afflictions as illusory manifestations of Tathāgatagarbha is equivalent to practice, rather than seeking methods to subdue afflictions. Consequently, afflictions remain afflictions, and bodhi remains bodhi. After death, they still sink into the cycle of birth and death—what benefit is there?

Some, understanding that Tathāgatagarbha involves neither cultivation nor realization, assume that the seven consciousnesses and the five aggregates should also involve neither cultivation nor realization. Since Tathāgatagarbha is the primordial Buddha, they think they can simply be a Buddha at home. Others, hearing that all dharmas arise from discrimination, decide they should not discriminate at all, believing that by not discriminating, the mind will be empty and devoid of dharmas. Since Tathāgatagarbha does not discriminate, they too must not discriminate—then even if starving for seven days, they should have no complaint.

All dharmas are indeed like illusions, but this is the realization of bodhisattvas at the tenth bhūmi and above. If one has not reached this level of practice and lacks this actual realization, one should not constantly utter words about illusion, turning them into a mere slogan. Since Tathāgatagarbha observes no precepts, some think they too should be like Tathāgatagarbha, free from precepts, acting spontaneously and unrestrainedly, indulging the body. They fail to realize that their own minds are fully endowed with greed, hatred, and delusion—how can they indulge the body and act spontaneously? Empty talk often leads astray. Those who can talk the talk but cannot walk the walk—who can speak of ten feet but practice not even an inch—should focus earnestly on actual practice, ceasing their lofty discussions and grandiose claims divorced from reality.