The Speed of Enlightenment Depends on One’s Wisdom Faculties

Question: When one touches an electric current and experiences tingling and trembling, does this constitute realization of the electric current? If a blind person touches a light bulb with their hand, do they realize the bulb? Can they realize the light?

Answer: Whether realization occurs or not depends on the specific circumstances and varies from person to person. For example, when a scientist experiences an electric shock, they understand the principle of electric current with absolute certainty. Their realization is profound, equivalent to the wisdom of consciousness-only in Buddhism. When a child experiences an electric shock, they may not understand why this phenomenon occurs. Even if they know they were shocked and will avoid it next time, they do not necessarily understand the principle of electric current nor its function. Similarly, when a blind person touches a light bulb, they may not realize it is a bulb. First, they must possess the relevant concept of a bulb — either having seen a bulb before losing their sight or having been told what a bulb looks like by others. Otherwise, no matter how many times they touch the bulb, they will not know what it is. Sentient beings have interacted with the Tathagatagarbha since beginningless time, live within it, and constantly utilize it, yet they remain unaware of the Tathagatagarbha and do not know its true nature.

The Sixth Patriarch attained enlightenment upon hearing a single phrase, whereas others hearing a hundred explanations of that same phrase remain far from enlightenment. The key lies with the individual; their wisdom, capacity, and disposition are crucial. An Arhat may attain the fourth fruit upon hearing a single phrase spoken by an ordinary person studying Buddhism, whereas an ordinary person studying the Agama Sutras for a hundred years may not even attain the first fruit of stream-entry. There is no comparison between individuals.