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 generalist. In genuine investigation and earnest inquiry, one will draw inferences from one instance to others, and the dharma meanings will gradually spread out and become thoroughly integrated. Dharmas that one originally did not know or understand will, through deep contemplation, be comprehended one by one. The dharmas that have been thoroughly integrated become one's own possessions, not something learned; in this life and in future lives, one cannot forget them even if one wants to—they come out readily whenever one opens one's mouth, without needing to think. Those with deep wisdom realize the dharma and investigate it themselves, rather than learning others' dharma. 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 enormously learned; when dharma meanings are brought up, they speak fluently and eloquently, as if they had unobstructed eloquence. Yet they have not comprehended a single dharma meaning, nor genuinely realized even one. 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. Dharma teachings that are more or less the same, no matter how much you learn of them, remain just that; they do not increase wisdom. True wisdom is born through investigation. Investigate a little, and a little wisdom is born; at the same time, one will draw inferences 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.