Intellectual Knowledge Does Not Equal Realization

Learning Buddhism by merely memorizing texts and blindly believing will not lead to progress on the path, nor will it increase wisdom. Having obtained a human body with great difficulty and encountered the definitive teachings of the Mahayana, if one fails to diligently utilize their own mind, deeply contemplate, and seek genuine realization, they will have obtained this human life in vain and encountered the true Dharma in vain. Decades may pass, yet one remains utterly unaccomplished—how regrettable it is! One should strive to transform incorrect and irrational ways of learning Buddhism, cease merely counting treasures, and instead place treasures into one's own pocket. Counting treasures for others is useless; in the end, it remains utterly empty. It is essential to cultivate meditative concentration. Only within concentration can one contemplate and practice the Dharma. Without concentration, even understanding cannot be thorough, let alone realization. Only realized wisdom is ultimate wisdom, wisdom that belongs to oneself. Understood wisdom is unreliable, especially when the understanding itself is incomplete.

Even if one memorizes the entire Tripitaka and twelve divisions of scriptures perfectly, if the mental faculty (manas) has not been successfully transformed, this knowledge will be of little use during the bardo (intermediate state). Theoretical knowledge remains merely knowledge; if not personally realized and mastered, it is fundamentally ineffective. Therefore, I always emphasize meditative concentration and contemplative practice to everyone—these are far more important than knowledge. Moreover, matters pertaining to spiritual attainment (fruition) are unrelated to theoretical knowledge. Regardless of how much Buddhist doctrine one can recite, without realization, the fruition is zero. Those who have realized the Dharma, even if lacking extensive theoretical knowledge, determine their level of fruition based on their actual realization.