Zen Patriarchs Most Abhor Disciples' Intellectual Speculation

Many modern Buddhist practitioners enjoy engaging in research, especially literati and scholars of various kinds. In reality, research falls within the domain of the conscious mind, akin to emotional thinking and intellectual understanding.

In truth, the cultivation and realization of the Dharma is absolutely not about conducting research, nor can it be approached through emotional thinking, intellectual understanding, or speculative reasoning. Patriarchs of the Chan school in the past were most averse to such speculative reasoning. Yet now, it is openly practiced—people boldly engage in speculation and emotional interpretation without diligently applying genuine effort. Seeing Buddhism gradually deteriorate, what can be done? The pace of worldly life has accelerated, and fast food has become popular, causing people’s health to suffer. Buddhism, too, has followed this trend, adopting a "fast-food" approach, resulting in unhealthy thinking. What manifests is a state of sickness, yet practitioners remain unaware, even glorifying this sickness as something beautiful.

Buddhist "fast food" arises from the restless minds of the masses, and its outcome is even greater restlessness. There are many who are glib-tongued and neglect practical cultivation. Therefore, Buddhism is not a religion of research; it requires verification and steadfast, step-by-step practice. It demands relinquishing body and mind, a profound awakening from the depths of one’s inner being, and a complete transformation from head to toe, inside and out. Only then can consciousness be genuinely transformed into wisdom, giving rise to a completely new self and a world of the five aggregates as pure as that of a Buddha.

The path of cultivation is long; one must proceed slowly, as haste is often unwise. What matters most is laying a solid foundation in the Dharma. Do not seek quick results, nor build skyscrapers on sand. Without a foundation, no matter how tall the building, it will eventually collapse. In our study of the Dharma, we should be steadfast and avoid pursuing a swift realization of mind and nature. Otherwise, the consequences are severe, detrimental to both Buddhism and the individual. I hope that when conditions are not ripe, or when merit and virtue are lacking, practitioners will not rush into Chan meditation or hasten to realize the mind. An unstable foundation is like constructing a castle in the air—it may collapse one day. The flaws of seeking rapid enlightenment will gradually surface: progress on the path will be slow, arrogance will easily arise (which is the greatest obstacle to the path), and one may even create unwholesome karma, leading to future retribution.

When conditions are not yet sufficient, do not pursue swift enlightenment. Instead, contemplate diligently the principle of non-self through observation and practice, and steadfastly eradicate the view of self. This brings great benefit to oneself, others, and the community. People in the world today suffer from particularly heavy afflictions, all arising from the self. Once the view of self is thoroughly eradicated, afflictions diminish, and the likelihood of creating unwholesome karma decreases. If one realizes the mind without fully eradicating the view of self, one may still create unwholesome karma due to the self, unaware of it, and may even do so righteously, mistaking it for wholesome karma. Thus, the merit and benefit of truly eradicating the view of self are immense. This is the most crucial step in Buddhist study and practice.