The Relationship Between Dao and Method

Training the manas belongs to the category of technique. If the height of the Way is not attained, relying solely on technique will never allow one to perceive the Way; it can only be applied within worldly methods to make a living. However, once the Way reaches a certain height, technique naturally becomes complete without deliberate training. For the Way is the root, while technique is the branch; the Way is the mind, and technique arises from the mind—it is a state of the mind. When the mind is accomplished, technique naturally accomplishes itself, following like a shadow. If one deeply craves a certain method, dwelling on it single-mindedly without other thoughts, this method will inevitably penetrate to the marrow, etching itself into the manas-mind. Though the stars shift and time passes, it remains unshaken day and night, and technique manifests spontaneously without seeking.

Everyone has personally experienced times when the manas's energy and attention become highly concentrated, enabling it to independently deliberate and weigh certain matters, yet they fail to recognize this point. For instance, when the manas is particularly fond of, particularly interested in, particularly concerned about, particularly shocked, shaken, or startled by, particularly surprised, particularly terrified, particularly delighted, very excited, very angry, or very indignant—these are all moments when the manas is unified. Consciousness cannot participate; the manas does not need consciousness to do anything but is wholly immersed in the current situation, engaging in deep perception, deep experience, and deliberation. At such times, the conscious mind-momentum remains still, while the manas alone digests the received information or the contacted dusty realms. One often becomes dumbfounded, stupefied, stunned, or dazed. Consciousness does not engage in thinking; it is like a fool. The manas itself deliberates rapidly and deeply. It discovers facts and truths previously undetected. Once discovered, consciousness feels that "so this is how it is" and also knows the truth of the matter. By summarizing and refining such experiences encountered in daily life, forming a method to guide one's own practice and realization, cultivation will enter a deeper level.

The refined and summarized experience contains both the Way and technique. The Way is the mind; it is the state of the mind. From the perspective of Buddhist practice, it is bodhicitta, it is the attitude towards the Dharma, it is wholesome roots and merit. Technique is skill and craft; it becomes complete after the Way, through cultivation and training, and thereafter one awaits the fruition.

Regarding the Way of generating bodhicitta, I have spoken very little, leading most disciples to have insufficient understanding of generating bodhicitta. They exert considerable effort on technique, yet progress is slow. Generating bodhicitta belongs to the foundational study and practice; disciples studying with me should have long been complete in it, requiring no special teaching from me. My energy does not permit me to cater to the needs of primary-level sentient beings; I lack the energy to cover all the content required for sentient beings' study and practice.