Wholeheartedness

I briefly replied to a question on Youtube yesterday.

Q: Teacher, I wish to ask you a burning question on my mind. For the illiterate who are unable to read Buddhist books, does that mean they have less good fortune? If so, how are they going to learn the Dharma and traditional culture?

A: Hi Life, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Huineng, is illiterate, but he attained enlightenment.

While being illiterate does mean less good fortune, it is an different issue from whether a person has affinity with Buddhism and the nature of his innate character + acceptance of the Dharma.

When one has Dharma affinity, he is bound to meet a virtuous knowledgeable person to guide him.

When one has good character and high acceptance of the Dharma, he gains understanding fast.

The Sixth Patriarch Huineng had no education and was left in poverty as a child when his father died. But he was awakened when he heard someone reciting a verse from the Diamond Sutra. He then sought to learn the Dharma.

Sometimes, erudite people become their own obstacles, because of their high education.

And thus, they may not have more good fortune than an old grandmother who recites “Amitabha” with a devoted heart.

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