Theoretical Research Is Not the Proper Path of Practice

Nowadays a certain malady has appeared in the Buddhist community: an exclusive emphasis on theoretical knowledge, with the belief that the more theory one learns, the better. If one can be steeped in learning, one feels wonderful and proud; if one can write a number of articles or several books, one feels even more wonderful and more proud. But whether this theoretical knowledge can guide and regulate one's bodily, verbal, and mental actions, whether it can transform the mental activities of the seventh consciousness, whether it can bring tranquility to one's mind and reduce ignorance, whether it can bring genuine benefit—these things are all ignored. Worse, it is even glorified with the claim that bodhisattvas need not concern themselves with afflictions, that once one's views are correct, afflictions will naturally be eliminated in due time.

Yet the reality is not so. Mere theoretical knowledge, mere intellectual views held by the mind consciousness, will forever be of no avail against afflictions. At the time of death, one's destination in the next life is determined by the manifestation of the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion, determined by the karmic actions created through greed, hatred, and delusion—not by theoretical knowledge or doctrinal views of the Buddha-Dharma. Therefore this issue is extremely important, and every Buddhist practitioner should take it seriously and never treat it lightly.

Theory and views are like recipes used in cooking. Having studied several cookbooks, yet never having personally worked in a kitchen, never even having selected and combined ingredients—can the culinary knowledge and culinary views one has acquired solve the problem of hunger? One spends precious time and energy studying over and over, and after studying, writes books and expounds theories, widely recruiting followers, achieving illustrious fame, yet one must endure hunger and starvation—all show and no substance. For example, a child studies from elementary school all the way through university, then graduate school, then a doctorate, and then a postdoctoral program—all of it theoretical knowledge. Those at university level and above may engage in some research and experiments and gain some real verification, but what is learned before university is all knowledge. Knowledge by itself cannot be directly applied to production processes; an intermediate stage of internship and practice is needed before knowledge can be transformed into productive power.

Studying the Buddha-Dharma must likewise be applied to life within the world of the five aggregates (pañcaskandha). This requires continual observance of precepts and cultivation of meditative concentration (samādhi), diligent investigation within profound meditative absorption, connecting the teachings with one's own five aggregates, linking them with one's bodily, verbal, and mental actions, so that theory is put into practice. One must strive for firsthand realization and direct verification, break through ignorance, grow in true wisdom, and transform body and mind. Only such practice can be considered accomplished, only such practice brings real benefit, and only such practice is the right path.