Why should we value empirical practice?

1. Why do we oppose empty talk?
Empirical research is done against empty talk. Why do we oppose empty talk? Emptied of experiments and personal experience, a talker only resorts to logical thinking or uses previous knowledge to speculate on new phenomena. This analysis is obviously not beneficial to the study of Dharma, since Dharma is based on strict empirical research, without which it could never be truly understood.
So, when we talk about Dharma, instead of explaining empty theories, we need to tell how to practice Dharma, or how to work diligently so as to achieve Buddha’s wisdom. A Buddhist should be highly devoted to empirical practice, observing his mind and finding his own problems.
2. What is empirical practice?
Empirical practice is more than empty talk. It is a process in which we do experiments with our mind and body to verify Dharma, constantly discovering and solving our problems, and ultimately achieving great freedom of mind and body. For example, when we practice Zazen, we are constantly finding our mental and physical problems and then solving these problems. We could hardly discover problems in our subconsciousness if we do not have empirical research, not to mention solving these problems and making real progress. Dharma instructs us to enter Buddha’s state and gain Buddha’s wisdom. We could never really understand Dharma unless we do experiments with our mind and body.
Here are three metaphors in "Hua Yan Sutra".
1) Without empirical practice, you are like a deaf who is playing music to other people. Music is very beautiful, but you hear nothing.
2) Without empirical practice, you are like a boatman who often takes people across the sea, but he himself may die in the sea.
3) Without empirical practice, you are like one who says how sweet the sugar is, but he himself does not taste it at all. A talker can never really benefit from Dharma.
3. Why is empirical practice so important?
You are not finding fault with other people and solving their problems, but finding solutions to your own physical and mental problems. With your eyes taking in the outside world, your body walking here and there, and your ears listening everywhere, your mind has been attracted by the outside colorful world, rendering it impossible to observe yourself. At this time, how can you find those deep-seated problems in your body and mind?
Most of our behaviors are dominated by our subconscious mind, such as walking, sleeping, breathing, and so on. Attracted by the outside world, you will find it impossible to know how your subconsciousness works, how your emotions are generated, or how your Qi and blood circulate in meridians. If you can’t find a disorderly subconsciousness, you will follow your subconscious mind, or follow your feelings, living a destined and uncontrolled life.
Therefore, instead of resorting to "soul soother" to comfort us, we must have empirical research to observe our mind and body so as to solve our problems. This is real practice of Dharma. Only though empirical practice can we basically settle our emotional and physical problems. We should not be satisfied with theoretical study. On the contrary, we should ask virtuous Buddhists to help with our empirical practice. Once we have solved all our mental and physical problems, we will naturally become Buddha.