The Essential Meaning of "Study"

In Buddhism, the essential meaning of the word "study" is the unceasing, dedicated observation and investigation of whatever arises in the mind, be it pleasant or unpleasant. Only those familiar with the observation of the mind can really understand Dharma.

-Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, "Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree"

In context with study, "Dharma" means "teachings of the Buddha", the instructions about meditation. For meditation helps the Buddhist disciple to practice the "observation and investigation of whatever arises in the mind," both pleasant and unpleasant.

"Unceasing" and "dedicated" implies non-stop dedication to observation and investigation.

For the disciple requires such dedication to closely whatever arises in the mind.

"Be it pleasant or unpleasant" means that the disciple should accept whatever arises in the mind without being distracted by its emotional content.

For careful examination of both pleasant and unpleasant thoughts show that they are ultimately harmless when the mind is calmed through meditation.

When an unpleasant thought arises, the disciple is able to focus on the thought and accept that it is unpleasant but quickly moderate the emotional reaction she feels.

"Those familiar with the observation of the mind" refers to meditation practitioners who have practiced meditation and observed their mind carefully.

Thus in context of meditation and the thoughts that arise in the mind, study means "the unstoppable dedication to observation and investigation of the thoughts and feelings which arise in the mind, be it pleasant or unpleasant".

Birth is an expression complete this moment

Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.

-Genjo Koan

For Shame! A Personal Interpretation

In Sonnet X William Shakespeare wrote:

For shame! deny that thou bear'st love to any,
Who for thyself art so unprovident.
Grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many,
But that thou none lovest is most evident;
For thou art so possess'd with murderous hate
That 'gainst thyself thou stick'st not to conspire.
Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate
Which to repair should be thy chief desire.
O, change thy thought, that I may change my mind!
Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?
Be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind,
Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove:
Make thee another self, for love of me,
That beauty still may live in thine or thee.

When Shakespeare asks "Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?", he means in the heart.

In this poem, he asks his love to "make thee another self, for love of me".

This implies another self not possessed by hate i.e. controlling the mind so that hate of the beloved's deeds does not cause the lover to do or wish ill-will towards her beloved.

Out of concern for her, the author asks that his beloved create another self i.e. change her mind, so that she may retain her beauty.

Thus, for the love of another person, it's wise to not let hate distract you from love.

For a heart possessed by love retains a sense of beauty i.e. goodness, humility etc.