---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: However, the path itself must eventually…"
description: "\"“However, the path itself must eventually be abandoned, just as you abandon a boat when you reach the other shore. You must disembark once you have arr..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d0/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-3807_buddhism_however-the-path-itself-must-eventually_2325478.jpg"
---

#  However, the path itself must eventually be abandoned…

![“However, the path itself must eventually be abandoned, just as you abandon a boat when you reach the other shore. You must disembark once you have arrived. At the point of total realization, you must abandon Buddhism. The spiritual path is a temporary solution, a placebo to be used until emptiness…” quote by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d0/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-3807_buddhism_however-the-path-itself-must-eventually_2325478.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d0/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-3807_buddhism_however-the-path-itself-must-eventually_2325478.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d0/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-3807_buddhism_however-the-path-itself-must-eventually_2325478.jpg)

> ““However, the path itself must eventually be abandoned, just as you abandon a boat when you reach the other shore. You must disembark once you have arrived. At the point of total realization, you must abandon Buddhism. The spiritual path is a temporary solution, a placebo to be used until emptiness is understood.””

[Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Spiritual practices are provisional tools; once true insight is reached, the methods themselves are let go.

**In simple terms:** Methods are temporary; true understanding ends their need.

Key Takeaway

Release practices when insight arrives.

Themes

spirituality impermanence nonattachment

Mood

contemplative detached

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

- Meditation retreats
- advanced study
- personal awakening

Key Concepts

Buddhist philosophy emptiness placebo effect

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you clung to a method beyond its usefulness?
- What does “abandoning Buddhism” truly mean for you?

A Different Perspective

The path may still be useful for others; abandoning it can be misinterpreted as nihilism.

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