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*Question: By exoteric teaching, one begins by having
faith; from faith one achieves knowledge; with knowledge one
can successfully cultivate the Way. However, Secret teachings
say that no knowledge is needed. One only needs to recite
Dharani to attain the fruit of realization. This is beyond the
common rules, and it is hard to believe.
*Answer: Even though the sick person does not understand
the formula of a miraculous prescription, just taking it can still
cure him. Why can it cure him while he has no knowledge of the
medicine?
In the same way as the medicine of this world is effective
even though we may not understand how it works, so too is the
Dharani of Buddha effective even though we may not be able to
fully comprehend it. Buddha's teaching is hard to understand with
the mind alone. There is a definite difference between exoteric
and Secret Teachings; therefore one cannot be used to explain the
other.
From The Beginning of Faith Petition: “To compress the
strings at the neck of the guitar and tune it at the same time or to
sit by the tree and wait for a rabbit are equally foolish. Having
faith and cultivating it will bring faster result. Without faith it is
wasting time in vain.
From The Great Compassion Heart Dharani Sutra:
“Reciting Dharani will have realized all the wishes with the
condition that there is absolute faith. If doubt arises, all efforts of
cultivation through million of life cycles will be in vain. One can
never get close to the Triple Jewels”. “Dharani eliminates fear.
Heaven Dragons and benevolent Deities always safeguard the
person's pupils in his eyes and his life. If he sleeps alone in the
mountain or deserted field, Deities will take turn to guard and
prevent all disasters. If there is war and looting that causes him to