Only When the View of Self Becomes Thin Can It Be Eradicated

The differences in the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi) and self-grasping among sentient beings are very great. Of course, those with mild view of self and self-grasping can more easily eradicate the view of self; those with heavy view of self and self-grasping must, through cultivation, transform them into something mild before they can hope to eradicate the view of self. It is like solid ice that wishes to melt into water all at once—the ice must become ever thinner and ever less solid. Buddhist cultivation is in fact first about making the view of self and self-grasping grow fainter, reducing karmic obstructions bit by bit, so that the obscuring hindrances become ever lighter—this is the merit of cultivation. On this basis, in later lives one can then eradicate the view of self very quickly. Cultivation is a gradual process; it is impossible to reach the goal in one leap. As long as one keeps making progress, it is already gratifying and praiseworthy. Those with a weak foundation may set their goals a bit lower, in accordance with their actual circumstances; in this way cultivation will have something to strive toward. It is not necessary for everyone to set the goal as seeing the mind and seeing one's nature—if it cannot be attained, one becomes dejected and disheartened and no longer wants to cultivate. The solid ice of the manas's view of self must gradually grow fainter and thinner—this in-between process is precisely cultivation.