Theoretical Research Is Not the Proper Path of Practice

Nowadays a kind of defect has appeared in the Buddhist community: an exclusive emphasis on theoretical knowledge, feeling that the more theory one learns the better. If one can be steeped in learning, one feels wonderful and proud; if one can write a number of articles and a number of books, one feels even more wonderful and proud. But whether these theoretical knowledge can guide and regulate one's bodily, verbal, and mental actions, whether they can transform some of the mental activities of the seventh consciousness, whether they can internally make one's mind tranquil (praśama), reduce ignorance, and bring real benefit—these things are all ignored. Worse, it is euphemistically claimed that bodhisattvas need not concern themselves with afflictions, and that with correct views, afflictions will naturally be eliminated in due time. But the facts are not like this. Mere theoretical knowledge, mere intellectual views held by the mind consciousness, will never be of any help with regard to afflictions. At the time of death, one's destination in the next life is determined by the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion, determined by the karmic actions created through greed, hatred, and delusion—not by theoretical knowledge and Buddhist views. So this is a very serious problem, and every Buddhist learner should take it seriously and not treat it lightly.  

Theory and views are like recipes used for cooking. Having studied several cookbooks, yet never having personally worked in a kitchen, never even having selected and combined ingredients—can the cooking knowledge and cooking views one has acquired solve the problem of hunger? One spends precious time and energy studying over and over, and after studying, writes books and expounds theories, widely recruiting disciples, thereby achieving great fame, yet goes hungry—having an impressive appearance but nothing more. For example, a child studies from elementary school all the way through university, graduate school, doctoral studies, and then postdoctoral research—all of this is the study of theoretical knowledge. Those at university level and above may engage in some scientific research and experiments and gain some real verification, but what is learned before university is all knowledge. Knowledge cannot be directly applied to production and technology; an intermediate stage of internship and practice is needed before knowledge can be transformed into productive power.

Learning the Buddha's Dharma must likewise be applied to life within the world of the five aggregates (pañcaskandha). This requires continuous observance of precepts and cultivation of meditative concentration (samādhi), diligent investigation within profound meditative absorption, connecting with one's own five aggregates, linking with one's bodily, verbal, and mental actions, putting theory into practice, striving for personal realization and genuine verification, breaking through ignorance, growing real wisdom, transforming and reforming body and mind. Only such cultivation can be considered an accomplishment, can bring real benefit, and is the correct path.