Relying on the Buddha is the most reliable of all.

All dharmas are empty; material objects are also dharmas among the dharmas, all empty—including cars of every model and type are empty. Yet these empty cars have so many marvelous functions. The hands are also empty, yet they type out so many words—truly strange. Some would say it is the tathāgatagarbha that does the typing, that all these are the wondrous functions of the tathāgatagarbha. Well then, you might as well go off to sleep and let the tathāgatagarbha do the typing and driving. If all of a day's work is done by the tathāgatagarbha, then you can just sleep all day, letting the tathāgatagarbha work day after day, year after year, life after life—you need not even be born. To obliterate the worldly truth and replace it entirely with the noble truth carries great fault. Apart from the worldly truth, the noble truth is completely powerless and can accomplish nothing—how could things be thus and so?

In studying Buddhism we must cultivate according to the Dharma taught by the Buddha. The Buddha possesses unsurpassed wisdom; only what He has all actually practiced and realized counts. If the Buddha says that attaining realization requires cultivation in such-and-such a way, then we should listen to the Buddha's words and cultivate exactly so. Do not engage in your own inventions and innovations; do not take any individual's teaching as authoritative. Relying on the Buddha is the most reliable course, because the Buddha has no mind of self, does not seek to exalt Himself, and will not lead the blind with the blind.

If you truly wish to study Buddhism and attain accomplishment, do not seek to take things easy, do not look for shortcuts. If a shortcut existed, the Buddha would surely have told us; He would not have us take detours or lead us in circles. To have complete faith in the Buddha is the most fundamental principle of studying Buddhism—faith comes first as the guide. If the Buddha were not trustworthy, then there would be no trustworthy person at all; even those of the stages of equality and wondrous awakening would not be trustworthy, let alone ordinary, common people. If someone teaches the Dharma in a way inconsistent with the Buddha, we should make a decision: without hesitation, choose to trust the Buddha.

Those who want to take shortcuts all harbor a grasping mentality, a mindset of seeking something. With craving, one easily falls under the sway of māras, is exploited by māras, becomes a member of the māra's retinue, gradually departs from the Buddha's path, and cannot attain liberation. Approaching Buddhist study and cultivation with the mindset of elevating yourself, transforming yourself, enriching yourself, maturing yourself, and perfecting yourself, you can keep far away from māra's affairs and proceed steadily. It may seem slow, but in fact it is the fastest way. Rushing headlong and pressing forward recklessly achieves the opposite of what is intended—things turn out contrary to one's wishes.