Some people have tremendous amounts of intellectual knowledge but haven't practiced acceptance, non-attachment and equanimity in day to day life.
Buddhism: In Buddhist terminology, such a person has copious amounts of Sutamayā paññā (knowledge derived from hearing) and Cintāmayā paññā (knowledge derived from intellectual analysis) but lacks Bhāvanā mayā paññā (knowledge derived from direct experience) due to lack of practice.
Advaita Vedanta: In Advaita Vedanta terminology, such a person has acquired knowledge, thanks to 'Shravanam' (hearing spiritual wisdom) and 'Mananam' (evaluation, analysis) but lacks 'Nidhidhyasanam' (meditation, absorption, practice).
Sikhism: In Sikh terminology, the person has developed in Dharam Khanda (initial exposure to spiritual knowledge) and Gyan Khanda (deep knowledge of scriptures; intellectual knowledge) but needs further development in Shram Khanda (assiduous practice of what has been learnt).
Summary: Without practice, we are limited to intellectual understanding. Every tradition implores us to practice so that acceptance, non-attachment and equanimity become second nature to us.
- Pothi Padh Padh (by diligently reading books), Jag Mua (in the world), Pandit Bhaya Na Koi (nobody becomes a scholar).
- Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke (the person who practices the 2½-letter word 'Prem' (love)), Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye (is the one who is truly a scholar).
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Padh Padh Ilm Kitaaba Sabe Naam Rakha Leya Qaazi
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Phad Talwaar Dalawaar Baneyo, Naam Rakha Leya Ghazi
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Makke Ja Ja Hajj Guzaare, Naam Rakha Leya Haazii
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Par Bulle Aje Tu KKK Naiyo Baneya, Je Tu Yaar Na Keeta Raazi
We are playing with words, we need to understand that their meaning eludes us.
He who mistakes the word 'water' for water itself, is ignorant (a fool).
He will keep chanting 'water, water' and die of thirst.
By chanting 'fire, fire', our lips remain unaffected (don't feel the heat).
By placing just one ember on the lips, they immediately burn!
He who contents himself with names, end up losing The Named.
Fools are those who keep amusing themselves with names and don't invest effort in understanding The Named.
- You have read the name of God over and over; You have stored the Holy Qur'an in your memory; But this has still not unveiled the hidden mystery.
- Instead, your learning and scholarship have sharpened your greed for worldly things.
- None of the countless books you've read in your life has destroyed your brutal ego.
- Indeed, none but the saints have killed this inner thief (ego), for it ravages the very house in which it lives.
- Jin Prem Kiyo Tin Hi Prabh Payo
S N Goenka narrates the story of three sick fellows in one of his discourses at the 10-day Vipassana retreat. Let's call them A, B and C. Each fellow visits his own doctor who diagnoses the disease correctly and gives medicine.
- Person A trusts his doctor and is delighted that the diagnosis and medicine for his disease has been identified. However, instead of actually taking the medicine, he reverently hangs a photo of his doctor in his living room and starts telling everybody in his neighborhood that his doctor is an epitome of awesomeness!
- Person B comes back home but is not sure if the doctor's diagnosis and medicine are correct. So he reads some literature, discusses with friends, gets additional advice, and thinks for himself. Eventually, he feels satisfied with the diagnosis and the medicine. But instead of taking the medicine, he keenly shares his knowledge with everybody in his neighborhood! He narrates in great detail the nuances of his disease and how it can be cured by medicine. He expresses great awe and admiration for his doctor.
- Person C comes home and takes the medicine.
The story above illustrates that having faith and discrimination are awesome qualities. However, we still have to practice.
The Vedas end with the phrase 'Neti, Neti' which literally mean 'This is not it; this is not it.' This phrase has multiple interpretations. One interpretation of 'Neti, Neti' is that an intellectual understanding of the Vedas and being able to give discourses on Vedas is not the end goal! What's important is practice so that we get to experience what's written in the Vedas in our personal lives!
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