The mere reading of sutras or books on the
teachings will not free you of the cyclic existence nor make you enlightened immediately.
Nevertheless, I still think that reading is very important because a spiritual
practice could either start with an actual practice followed by the
intellectual understanding, or start with an intellectual understanding
followed by the actual practice. Even the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) teachings
of the Nyingma start with intellectual understanding.
Mipham Rinpoche said, “If one does not understand
the teachings, he will have great difficulty attaining enlightenment.” So, one
must start with the intellectual understanding through studying the teachings.
Some of the incomprehensible spiritual attainment could actually be explained
intellectually through the teachings. So, reading is very important. Sometimes,
you may come across some inspirational teachings, inconceivable personal
attainment or experience of others that will humble us and spur us on the path
of cultivation.
I hope that you can choose a wider range of
subjects including the sutras, for reading and sharing. This will force you to
think more deeply on the teachings expounded through the sutras instead of
doing mere recitations, and you should strive to understand the various
teachings in totality, without conflicts. You will make good progress through
the preparation and thinking process before sharing with others, unless you
have already achieved a very high level of enlightenment and could simply share
any teachings in an impromptu manner.
A discourse given by Acho Rinpoche on 25-03-2010
