The Delusions of Consciousness Cannot Substitute for Actual Practice

Sometimes, after studying some Buddhist teachings, the consciousness feels that one can change everything, command the wind and rain, accomplish anything with effort, face no difficulties, and even attain Buddhahood without much trouble. Yet, one cannot even control a single thought, remains stubbornly attached to matters, and fails to transform body, speech, mind, or actions. Why is this? It is because there is no experiential realization by the manas (root mind). The consciousness presumptuously believes that whatever it understands, thinks, or intends is useless—it cannot be grounded in reality. Strength cannot be applied, often leaving one feeling helpless. Therefore, even if attaining Buddhahood seems extremely easy, one must still diligently traverse the three great asaṃkhyeya kalpas. Even if realizing the fruit and illuminating the mind seems as easy as eating cabbage, one must still progressively cultivate the four right efforts, the seven factors of enlightenment, and the Noble Eightfold Path, earnestly uphold precepts, cultivate concentration, practice the four establishments of mindfulness, and faithfully complete the six pāramitās of a bodhisattva. These paths of practice taught by the Buddha are not useless ornaments; they must be implemented. For the vast majority of people, fulfilling these prerequisites in one lifetime is already quite an achievement. If these conditions are not fully perfected, relying on the reasoning and conjectures of consciousness to realize the fruit and illuminate the mind is futile. 

Why is this said? Because genuine practice and realization involve the manas. In the process of cultivating the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment and the six pāramitās of a bodhisattva, the manas is continually refined, transforming its inherent views and understandings. Only when the practice is thorough can the views and understandings of the manas change, and consequently, everything changes along with the transformation of the manas. Only then can one realize the fruit and illuminate the mind. However, the manas is not easily swayed from its stubborn views. If the manas does not change, nothing can change. Therefore, in studying Buddhism, one must still engage in earnest practice; the delusions of consciousness are useless. Even if one feels Buddhahood can be attained tomorrow, it will still require passing through three great immeasurable kalpas. Some people even loftily discuss not grasping at appearances or distinctions, abiding without attachment—such talk should wait until the stage of a certain bhūmi (ground) bodhisattva; bodhisattvas below the bhūmis fundamentally cannot achieve this. Consciousness severing self-view, consciousness realizing the fruit, consciousness illuminating the mind, consciousness attaining Buddhahood—try doing that in a dream first, will it work?