The Difference Between Understanding and Realization

The truth understood by the mind consciousness and the truth realized by the manas through contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) in meditative concentration are worlds apart. The former, though one may talk about it at great length, produce piles of writings, and gather crowds of followers, has no experiential benefit of merit, no practical value, cannot eliminate ignorance, cannot resolve birth and death, and cannot free one from the bondage of afflictions. The latter—such a person may not talk about it at great length, may not teach the Dharma or write articles, and may not have a single follower, yet his mind is liberated; the end of birth and death can be expected. His influence and edifying power are immense, his magnetic field extraordinarily strong, and his power to attract and embrace others is great—his word carries the weight of nine tripods. Unintentionally, he also delivers sentient beings and embraces them, all without deliberate intent. Sentient beings, without knowing it, can perceive his power and majestic virtue, and are imperceptibly transformed by him.

When one comes into contact with information, with truth, and the six consciousnesses have not understood it—having no idea what it means—how can the truth and the information be effectively and completely transmitted to the manas? Without meditative concentration, how can the six consciousnesses hand the truth and the information over to the manas? Without meditative concentration, how can the manas absorb and digest these truths and this information? If the manas cannot absorb and digest them, how can ignorance be eliminated and the mind be transformed into clarity? If the manas is not clear, how can one abandon grasping and attain liberation?