What Are Gradual Cultivation and Sudden Enlightenment?

Before attaining sudden enlightenment, there must be a process of gradual cultivation, which differs fundamentally from the gradual cultivation that occurs after enlightenment. The gradual cultivation prior to sudden enlightenment involves practicing the Thirty-Seven Aids to Enlightenment and the Six Perfections of a Bodhisattva, cultivating precepts, concentration, and wisdom, and fully developing the four wholesome roots—warmth, summit, forbearance, and supreme worldly dharma—before one can suddenly realize the teachings of the Mahayana and Hinayana vehicles. This principle can be clarified through an analogy. Consider the task of felling a thousand-year-old tree with a thick trunk: one must use tools to saw through the trunk bit by bit—a process analogous to gradual cultivation. Finally, when the old tree is toppled in one decisive moment, it corresponds to sudden enlightenment. Thus, without gradual cultivation, there can be no sudden enlightenment.

The processing after felling the tree—such as stripping the bark, cutting it into planks, polishing, sanding, waxing, and staining—resembles the gradual cultivation following enlightenment. Ultimately, assembling the planks into beautiful furniture or crafts parallels the final sudden enlightenment of Buddhahood. Felling the old tree is arduous and labor-intensive, requiring patience, endurance, physical strength, sharp tools, and skilled technique—this corresponds to the provisions needed for realizing the path. Without sufficient provisions, one cannot attain realization. Some practitioners retreat, fall behind, or stagnate along the way; others simply turn back. On this path of cultivation, the number of practitioners dwindles over time. While tens of thousands may initially set out with resolve, few persevere to the end, and those who attain the Way are exceedingly rare. Thus, sages are as scarce as phoenix feathers—extraordinarily rare and precious. If encountered, they should be cherished.

Some conflate the gradual cultivation before enlightenment with that which follows, believing there is no gradual cultivation prior to enlightenment and that cultivation only begins afterward. However, a "sudden enlightenment" without gradual cultivation does not even qualify as intellectual understanding—it is mere intellectual speculation and conjecture, utterly devoid of merit or practical benefit. Only Bodhisattvas of advanced stages, possessing immense wholesome roots and profound foundations from past lives, can directly attain sudden enlightenment. The gradual cultivation before enlightenment is precisely the process of transforming an ordinary being’s mind into that of a sage—a process of complete rebirth, a metamorphosis akin to a carp preparing to leap over the Dragon Gate. Without this process, how could such a transformation occur? Therefore, to discern whether someone has genuinely attained enlightenment, observe their mind and character—their very bones. Do not be swayed by superficial charm, eloquence, or grandiose claims; essence is paramount.

Gradual cultivation gradually aligns one’s body and mind with those of sages and saints. Only upon meeting the standard of sages can one suddenly realize the path. This is the process of mind cultivation. If the mind remains unchanged—devoid of the conduct of a sage—one cannot become a sage. Thus, gradual cultivation is crucial, serving as the key step in generating wisdom acquired through cultivation. Prior to this, one possesses only wisdom acquired through hearing and reflection, which remains shallow and insufficient to withstand karmic obstacles of life and death. Only when wisdom acquired through cultivation is fully developed can wisdom acquired through realization arise. Only then can one be freed from the karma of the three lower realms, eradicate afflictions, and transcend the suffering of cyclic existence.