Theoretical Insight and Practical Insight

The highest state of realization in Buddhist practice is the Buddha's perfect integration of principle and phenomena, where all matters are harmonized without obstruction, everything accords with principle, principle manifests phenomena, and phenomena reveal principle—principle and phenomena are forever inseparable. To attain this, one must begin from the initial stage of seeing the Way in Buddhist practice, progressing until the final realization of Buddhahood. The Way seen throughout this journey gradually deepens, meaning the perceived principle becomes increasingly subtle, while phenomena correspondingly grow more perfectly integrated and complete. From the very moment of initial insight into the Way, phenomena follow principle: wherever principle leads, phenomena follow without separation, until the Buddha's ultimate realization upon seeing the morning star and awakening. At that point, principle becomes perfect, and all phenomena immediately attain perfection alongside it. Neither principle nor phenomena require further cultivation; one attains the supreme, unparalleled status of the Dharma King.

Seeing the Way is divided into seeing in principle and seeing in phenomena. What is the difference? Seeing in principle means progressing from principle to principle, fully comprehending and understanding principle at the level of consciousness, yet phenomena do not follow. At this stage, phenomena and principle are disconnected. Because the manas-root has not yet seen, the samadhi state—characterized by complete integration, perfect concentration, and wisdom—does not arise. Phenomena do not follow principle, for phenomena are controlled by the manas-root; consciousness alone cannot make phenomena follow and integrate.

Seeing the Way in phenomena, however, involves investigating and verifying principle through phenomena. Such insight ensures that phenomena necessarily accord with principle, phenomena necessarily follow principle, and principle and phenomena inevitably fuse together without separation. Only then can one undergo a fundamental transformation, cleansing the mind and renewing the spirit. Outwardly, the person may appear the same, but in terms of mental conduct, there are no traces of past habits. Thought and character are utterly renewed, the mind is empty and selfless. Within the active manifests the non-active, the non-active serves the active—empty yet not empty, not empty yet empty.

Therefore, true seeing of the Way is the thorough investigation within phenomena that leads to insight into and entry into principle. It is the realization of principle whereby phenomena follow principle and phenomena manifest principle—an inseparability of principle and phenomena, accompanied by samadhi. The integration of principle and phenomena does not necessarily mean perfect integration or unobstructedness, for if principle is not fully penetrated, one has not yet become a Buddha. To see principle within phenomena is to attain realization; failing to see principle within phenomena is not realization. If principle remains merely principle, unintegrated with phenomena, such principle cannot resolve phenomena. Principle that cannot resolve phenomena has no practical use. Thus, merely knowing principle without seeing and manifesting it within phenomena is not genuine realization.