彰所知論 2.34

2.34

As for the eight spheres of mastery: 1. having internal conception of form, viewing external forms as few; 2. having internal conception of form, viewing external forms as many; 3. having no internal conception of form, viewing external forms as few; 4. having no internal conception of form, viewing external forms as many. Having no internal conception of form, viewing external forms as blue, yellow, red, and white make four, which added to the previous four make eight. Among the eight, the first two correspond to the first liberation; the next two correspond to the second liberation; and the last four correspond to the third liberation. If so, what is the difference between the eight spheres of mastery and the three liberations? Answer: The prior cultivation of liberation is only able to turn away [from objects]; this cultivation of the spheres of mastery is able to master the objective referent, so that according to one's desires [defilements] will never arise. Cultivating the liberations and [spheres of mastery] is done, first, so that defilements already severed are kept even further away, and second, to attain supreme mastery over meditative absorption. They are able to induce virtues such as freedom from dispute and supreme supernormal faculties; through this, one is able to transform things and give rise to various causes of activity such as retaining or relinquishing [life-force].