This is to prove to you that studying a lot may not be of great help. Not necessarily. Our wisdom inside, our original Wisdom, is the most important, which will help us. […] The same. Some people know a lot of so-called religious doctrines. He uses knowledge to understand. Sometimes it obstructs spiritual practice. The best example is Huineng the Sixth Patriarch. In Buddhism, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng and Master Shenxiu. Huineng was from a poor family and didn’t receive much education. Master Shenxiu was knowledgeable, understood many Buddhist sutras and the scriptures of other so-called religions. But Huineng was enlightened in eight months. While Shenxiu, having followed his Master for 30 years, was not very enlightened. He was enlightened alright, but not of a high level. […]
Because Shenxiu was well versed in many sutras, he acted as a “professor” there. […] Of course, people praised him, which boosted his ego. It would be troublesome. Even though he might be very humble. But if people praised him every day, there would inevitably be obstacles for him. Therefore, I rarely praise my disciples. Normally, our fellow initiates do not… I don’t encourage them to praise each other. Mostly after being praised, they’ll be scolded a lot, to cleanse them. […]
I’ve often told them people’s praise is poisonous to us. Very poisonous. When others slander us or fix us, it’s good for us. Therefore, if you observe carefully or mingle with them longer, you’ll also feel that they have less ego. Our fellow initiates, our group is also like that. If compared with some groups, our fellow initiates are more natural, more humble. […]
