Withholding Explicit Elucidation of Esoteric Meaning Serves to Enable the Realization of Manas

All dharmas that require realization in Buddhism belong to the esoteric dharma. The so-called esoteric dharma means that these dharmas must be personally investigated and verified through one’s own inquiry, without seeking ready-made answers from others, nor speculating or imagining with the conscious mind. Answers obtained from others or derived through speculation and imagination only correspond to the conscious mind, which may be easily understood and grasped, whereas manas (the fundamental mind) cannot comprehend or master them. For manas to understand and master these dharmas, it must undergo a process of investigative inquiry. Manas must personally engage in the conscious mind’s thinking and verification, comprehending every detail transmitted by consciousness, mastering each piece of evidence, and subjecting them to examination and deliberation. Only when the evidence is sufficient can manas deliberate clearly and ultimately attain true knowledge. If manas does not know, realization does not occur; if manas does not realize, doubt arises; and with unresolved doubt, one cannot realize the truth, thus lacking the meritorious virtues and experiential benefits of liberation.

Therefore, in Buddhism, not only does the Mahayana strictly prohibit explicitly revealing esoteric meanings, but even in the Hinayana, it is forbidden to explicitly disclose overly specific contemplative practices, lest the conscious mind comprehends while manas remains unaware. If explicitly stated, the conscious mind can quickly grasp it, leaving no room for further inquiry. Without undergoing the process of inquiry, manas cannot comprehend or realize it. If manas harbors unresolved doubt, then there are no meritorious virtues or experiential benefits of liberation.