The Buddha’s teachings are profound, yet sometimes we struggle to truly grasp them. We may listen to the Dharma, but we find that it doesn’t resonate with us or that we don’t fully understand it. We might feel that our faith in the Buddha is weak or fragile, but the root of this problem lies in one simple fact: we don’t have the key to understanding his words.
The Key to Understanding
Let’s look at this concept in a familiar way. Have you ever written or received a love letter, or perhaps read one? When you love someone deeply, even if their writing is shorthand or abbreviated, you can understand it perfectly. You don’t need every word spelled out because there is a connection, a bond, and an understanding between you and the other person. You have shared experiences, you’ve listened to each other, and you’ve become attuned to each other’s thoughts and feelings. That shared understanding allows you to read between the lines and grasp the meaning without difficulty.
In the same way, the Buddha’s teachings are like a letter written for us, but we may struggle to understand it if we do not have that “connection” with him, that shared experience of mindfulness and wisdom. Just as we can understand a lover’s shorthand, we can understand the Buddha’s words when we are spiritually attuned to his teachings. If we are distant, not living according to the Dharma, then the teachings may seem unclear.
The Challenge of True Understanding
This brings us to a key point: understanding the Buddha’s teachings is not just an intellectual exercise. It’s about aligning our hearts and minds with the Dharma. For example, when the Buddha speaks of renunciation, letting go, and living a life free from attachments, those teachings make perfect sense if we are genuinely seeking liberation. If we are truly committed to freeing ourselves from worldly desires, we will find the teachings on renunciation to be natural and easy to understand.
However, if our intentions are selfish—if we approach the Buddha’s teachings with the desire for fame, wealth, or personal gain—then the teachings of letting go will be difficult to grasp. We may read them, but they won’t resonate with us because our hearts and minds are not aligned with the deeper purpose of the Dharma.
The Importance of Intention and Connection
The key to understanding the Buddha’s teachings lies in our intention. If we are sincere in our desire for spiritual growth, the teachings will become clear. But if we come with ulterior motives, the wisdom of the Dharma will remain elusive. It’s like being told something you don’t care about—if it doesn’t match your interests, you won’t listen. However, when the message speaks directly to your needs or desires, you immediately understand it.
Thus, the Buddha’s teachings are accessible to all, but the level of understanding depends on our own openness, our readiness to live by the Dharma, and our sincerity in seeking the truth. The more we align our intentions with the Buddha’s path, the clearer his teachings will become.
Cultivating the Right Attitude
To truly understand the teachings of the Buddha, we must cultivate the right attitude and mindset. We must approach the teachings with an open heart and a sincere desire for transformation. If we are seeking liberation, if we are willing to let go of attachments and desires, then the Dharma will naturally unfold before us. But if we are only seeking to use the Buddha’s teachings for personal gain, then the wisdom of the Dharma will remain beyond our reach.
In the end, understanding the Buddha’s teachings is not just about reading the words; it’s about living them with authenticity, mindfulness, and compassion. Only then will we truly comprehend the depth of the Dharma and experience the awakening it offers.
Lesson by Venerable Toại Khanh