How to Attain True Wisdom

Actually, many dharmas do not need to be learned. Studying Buddhism does not mean becoming a theorist or a debater, nor does it mean becoming a jack-of-all-trades or a know-it-all. In genuine investigation and real inquiry, one will draw inferences about other cases from one instance, and the meaning of the dharma will gradually spread out and become thoroughly integrated. Those dharmas that one originally did not know or understand will, through deep contemplation, all be comprehended one by one. The dharma that has been thoroughly comprehended becomes one's own; it is not something learned from others. In this life and in future lives, one cannot forget it even if one tries—it comes out readily the moment one opens one's mouth, without needing to think. Those with deep wisdom realize the dharma themselves and investigate the dharma themselves, rather than learning the dharma from others. What is learned is not one's own; after death it is forgotten, and in the next life one has to learn it all over again. Quite a few people appear to be extremely learned—as soon as the meaning of the dharma is mentioned, they talk fluently and eloquently, as if they had unobstructed eloquence—yet they have not comprehended a single point of dharma meaning, nor have they realized even one of them through practice. Rich knowledge does not mean truly understanding the dharma, nor does it mean true wisdom. Once the mind consciousness disappears, nothing remains.

As for the dharmas of the Great and Small Vehicles, during the stage of extensive listening, it is enough to get a clear general outline and a coherent framework—there is no need to keep learning and listening everywhere. As for dharmas that are more or less the same, no matter how much you learn of them, they remain just that; they do not increase wisdom. True wisdom is born through investigation. Investigate a little, and a little wisdom arises; at the same time, one will draw inferences about other cases and realize more dharmas. As these are connected bit by bit, one comes to understand a great many dharmas—and understands them truly. Wisdom will then grow continuously and can be carried into future lives.