The Process of Learning the Dharma: From Quantitative Change to Qualitative Change

Regarding the content of a particular dharma, if the time spent studying it is short and the amount of material one has encountered is small, a qualitative leap cannot be achieved. In the beginning, the dharma principles one has studied are not easy to recall and not easy to integrate and comprehend thoroughly, because initial learning relies mainly on the mind consciousness; before the essentials are grasped, the mind consciousness is basically engaged in rote recitation and memorization, and the learning has not reached the manas. Moreover, what is recited and memorized is easily forgotten—after all, what has not been realized is not yet one's own. Only after the manas has understood it does it become hard to forget; one can recall it anytime and anywhere, and speak it out as soon as one opens one's mouth. Therefore, for what has been truly understood and realized, there is no need for memorization and recitation: when it is needed, the principle immediately becomes clear and one can expound it. As for what has been memorized and recited, reproducing it takes a period of time; it cannot be presented instantly—one needs to recollect, and even the recollection may not be complete.