Buddhism: Theory and Practice

People often think that there is a wide gap between theory and practice. Such a belief is particularly widespread when it comes to religion. Thus, among Chinese Buddhists, there are three terms — Buddhology(佛學), Buddhism(佛教) and cultivation(修行).

Buddhology refers to Buddhist studies and research. Buddhism typically refers to the Buddhist religion and philosophy. I interpret the term “Buddhism” a little differently, as the teachings of Buddha or Buddhist education. Cultivation refers to the practice and cultivation of what is taught. The people doing research and the people who are “cultivators” and practitioners are often seen as very different people. There is also a general sense that those doing research are not really practicing, and the common practitioners are not familiar with the research. There is often mutual suspicion among these different groups. It is no different from the fact that there is a big difference between theologians, Bible scholars, and rank-and-file Christians/churchgoers.

But this is curious — in order to practice, don’t we first need to have a solid understanding of what the teaching is and why a certain practice works? Isn’t it absurd to “practice” without understanding? If you don’t have a clear understanding of something, how can you practice it? Do you simply believe that it is the right way to do it without asking questions?