Note: This is a lesson from Buddha and is from after he reached his state, so don't confuse this with the main story
As a monk, one of the most critical aspects of learning is to understand the true meaning behind the Buddhist scripture. However, it is not enough to merely read the scripture to comprehend its essence. According to Thích Phước Tiến, a well-known monk, even if you read it countless times, it is useless if you cannot grasp its true essence.
Many monks, especially those who are just starting, may think that understanding the scripture is not important, and as a result, they do not put forth effort to understand it. However, as a monk gains knowledge and wisdom, they become closer to reaching enlightenment, which is a crucial step in their learning process.
Thích Phước Tiến also explains that sometimes monks may feel like they are not making progress in their meditation practice, despite their hard work and diligence. This is because they have not yet reached their "true heart" and do not have a strong enough bodhicitta.
Meditating and studying in the pagoda are not sufficient to truly understand Buddhism. To reach your ultimate goal, you must first understand your "heart" and the motivations behind your practice. You cannot force yourself to meditate or set strict time limits on your practice.
According to Thích Phước Tiến, the primary reason why people fail to reach the realization state is that they lack a strong bodhicitta. Meditating should always start from your bodhicitta, which is a calling from within, not because you have set a specific time to meditate. If you keep forcing yourself to meditate in this way, you will never truly reach your target. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate your bodhicitta and focus on the true essence of the scripture to understand the teachings of Buddhism fully.