Only by following the guidance of pure teachings can we build a strong and solid foundation for our practice, ensuring that our growth will lead us straight to enlightenment.
This article was inspired by a conversation I had with a nun in a meditation hall, and I felt compelled to write it down.
Spiritual practice is a long and deep journey. It’s not just about personal awakening—it also affects the well-being and good intentions of the world. The key question on this path is: Where do we begin? What kind of guidance should we seek?
Some people practice for years but still find themselves stuck in attachment and suffering, unable to truly break free. Others may work hard but only focus on surface-level practices without reaching the core of wisdom. Why is that? The answer lies in the type of guidance they follow.
“Pure teachings as guidance” are like a high-quality seed that directly determines whether the foundation of our practice is pure and stable. These teachings point straight to our true nature, free from distractions, and keep us on the right path from the start—helping us avoid unnecessary detours.
On the other hand, “convenient teachings as guidance” are more like a structured learning system. They help us progress through different levels of understanding, gradually leading us to deeper wisdom.
If we think of spiritual practice as the process of nurturing a life, then pure teachings are like the seed itself — they determine the very essence and potential of the practice. Convenient teachings are more like the education and training that guide the practitioner step by step, helping them grow steadily from the basics to higher levels, until they finally reach enlightenment.
So, what exactly are pure teachings? And what are convenient teachings? Why should a practitioner build a foundation with pure teachings and not just rely on convenient teachings? Let’s explore these questions in depth.
I. Pure teachings as guidance — the foundation that shapes the height of your practice
1. The essence of pure teachings — beyond birth and death, directly pointing to true nature
Pure teachings go beyond all forms of birth and death, attachment, and illusion. They do not rely on rituals or cling to words, but instead point directly to the inner awakening of the practitioner. They are like a clear, untainted spring that nourishes life from its source, untouched by external pollution.
On the path of practice, many people mistakenly believe that ceremonies, rituals, and external forms of practice are the heart of cultivation. But without the foundation of pure teachings, no amount of chanting or rituals can truly touch the essence of practice itself. Pure teachings focus not on outward actions, but on awakening the wisdom that already exists within.
The core principles of pure teachings include:
- Don’t get caught up in appearances — the endless distractions and appearances of life. It’s about seeing through all that and discovering what is real beneath the surface.
- Transcending duality, seeing reality as it is — not trapped by labels like good or bad, right or wrong, but resting in the natural state of being.
- Trust your own inner wisdom — Real progress comes from awakening your own understanding, not from relying on outside powers, magical blessings, or following others blindly.
When someone begins their practice with pure teachings, it’s like planting a seed of the highest quality — a seed that carries its own powerful life force, capable of growing and flourishing naturally, unaffected by the storms of the outside world.
2. Pure teachings shape the direction of practice
Just like DNA determines the quality of life, pure teachings set the foundation and direction of spiritual practice. If someone’s practice is rooted in pure teachings from the very beginning, their faith will have a solid and healthy foundation. They won’t easily be shaken by confusing ideas, nor will they fall into superstition or blind belief.
On the other hand, if their spiritual “DNA” is filled with attachment, confusion, and a desire for personal gain, even years of practice might only keep them spinning in circles, trapped in their own illusions.
The purpose of receiving pure teachings is to help practitioners understand from day one:
- Spiritual practice isn’t about chasing blessings or worldly rewards — it’s about seeking true liberation.
- Practice isn’t about relying on some mysterious outside power — it’s about awakening your own inner awareness.
- Real practice isn’t blind faith or mindless worship — it’s about seeing reality clearly, with wisdom and understanding.
Pure teachings are like the genetic blueprint for spiritual growth — they determine how far a practitioner can go and how deep their wisdom can reach.
II. Convenient teaching — guiding each step of the journey
1. The value of convenient teaching — making spiritual practice accessible to all
The Buddha once said: “The teachings adapt to the hearts and capacities of living beings.”
This means that since people have different levels of understanding and different kinds of wisdom, the teachings can’t be one-size-fits-all. They need to be flexible, tailored to each person’s ability and mindset — and that’s exactly what convenient teaching is for.
For beginners, if you immediately talk about concepts like “no-self,” “nirvana,” or “emptiness,” they might feel completely lost — or worse, they could misunderstand and think spiritual practice is about escaping from life. Convenient teaching serves to meet people where they are, offering entry points that make sense to them. Through gradual learning and deeper reflection, they can slowly move toward higher understanding.
It’s similar to how education works — from kindergarten to university, each stage builds on the last. Convenient teaching is designed the same way, allowing each person to start from a place that fits their current understanding and progress step by step.
2. The limitations of convenient teaching — getting stuck in forms and rituals
Convenient teaching helps practitioners make progress in an orderly way. But if someone clings too tightly to these outer forms, without returning to the essence of pure teaching, their practice will eventually stall — or even drift off course.
For example, some people believe that doing good deeds or giving to charity is the whole meaning of spiritual practice. But without the wisdom to guide those actions, their kindness stays at the surface level of ordinary life, without leading to real inner awakening.
Others become attached to religious ceremonies and rules, thinking that following these rituals is the path itself. But if they never understand the wisdom behind those forms, the rituals become empty habits, unable to truly help them break free from suffering.
A true practitioner doesn’t stay forever in the realm of convenient teaching. The real purpose of those teachings is to point the way toward pure teaching — to help us go beyond appearances and directly touch the heart of wisdom itself.
III. Combining pure teaching and convenient teaching — the complete path of practice
Pure teaching is about the ultimate goal, while convenient teaching is the pathway to reach it. A genuine spiritual practitioner needs to make good use of convenient teachings, but eventually, they must return to pure teaching.
To begin with, convenient teaching helps people get familiar with the practice. For example, teachings about cause and effect, keeping precepts, and doing good deeds help beginners develop the right attitude toward spiritual practice.
Then, pure teaching helps practitioners go beyond attachments and discover their true nature. Once they have a basic understanding, they are guided to let go of clinging and return to their own mind — directly seeing the path to liberation.
When pure teaching and convenient teaching are used together, people can stay on the right path, keep making progress, and eventually find real wisdom and true freedom.
Conclusion: Rooted in pure teaching, supported by convenient teaching, and reaching the other shore
The foundation of spiritual practice shapes the quality of our path, and the guidance we receive determines the direction we follow. If we begin with the guidance of pure teaching, our basis will be strong and steady, allowing us to grow without being misled by external distractions. This is the key to reaching true liberation.
May we all follow the guidance of pure teaching, build a solid foundation, make steady progress, and ultimately awaken to true wisdom and freedom!
