How Many Holes Do I Have to Dig Before I Hit Water?

Question: In the writings of the late Dharma Master Thich Thien Tam, he emphasizes the excellence of the Pure Land Dharma door; exhorting cultivators to practice it faithfully and exclusively. My question deals with the issue of exclusivity. On the one hand, I generate faith & vows, engaging in Buddha Remembrance because Pure Land is my path. On the other hand, many Buddhist teachers from other sects have written useful material.

Is reading material from non-Pure land authors okay, provided my practice remains faithful to the Pure Land school?  There is an old Indian metaphor pertaining to cultivation....If a person digging a well moves hither-and-thither across a field, digging shallow hole after shallow hole, no water will be struck. One must remain faithfully in one place, digging deeply and constantly, to strike water.

What is your view regarding the utility of writings (not practices) from other sects? How does one balance faithful practice of one school on the one hand against unnecessary sectarianism on the other?

Response: I like the well-digging metaphor. It also applies to reading the work of different Buddhist writers.

• Regarding "utility of writings (not practices) from other sects," even reading without practicing, which is the enactment or putting in place of the teachings, can still be a problem. It would be like reading two books on digging wells. Even if we don't follow the procedure in another book, we could still be reading about different methods and this could easily become confusing or conflicting. And even if the methods were the same, the two writers most likely would have different approaches to the method. Presumably that's why they're writing their own book, to give their views on the subject.

• Practically, I only have so much time. If I spend part of my study time reading the writing of Buddhists of other schools, I have less time for reading the books in my "specialty." The books in my specialty are read to deepen my understanding and confidence, which in turn strengthen my practice.

• Reading books on other schools is akin to reading how to dig a well in sand when the well I need to dig has to go through packed clay soil. The reading on sandy-soil digging could be very interesting, but how much would it help me get through my clay?

Whether in practice or study, it’s best to follow one path. And one leader on that path. Following our path, we need to remember that this is the best path for us. Other people, with different karma, have other paths that are best for them. Just as we hope they will respect our choice, we respect their choice.  

My believing in my path does not have to lead to my criticizing others for their choice of path.

I need to be gracious regarding their choice and humble in my own.