釋摩訶衍論 8.26

8.26

Having explained the gate of the causes and conditions for accomplishing the wheel of calming, we next explain the gate of directly showing the practice of the wheel of calming. Within this gate there are seven gates. What are the seven? First, the gate of resolving the mind with determination: the mind is settled within the principle of true emptiness that neither arises nor ceases. As the root [text] states: “Sitting upright and rectifying the mind.” Second, the gate of non-attachment to the physical body: being able to skillfully penetrate that this body is empty and non-existent, its original nature being unobtainable. As the root [text] states: “Not relying on the breath, not relying on form or color, not relying on space, not relying on earth, water, fire, or wind.” Third, the gate of non-attachment to mind and consciousness: being able to skillfully penetrate that the mind of discursive thought is empty and non-existent in its own nature, having nothing whatsoever. As the root [text] states: “Even not relying on seeing, hearing, sensing, or knowing, all thoughts are eliminated as they are recollected, and the thought of eliminating is also dispelled.” From this point downward, it forms the causes and conditions for the emptiness and non-existence of body and mind. As the root [text] states: “Because all dharmas are fundamentally signless, not arising thought-moment by thought-moment, not ceasing thought-moment by thought-moment, nor can one follow the mind to externally conceptualize sensory realms.” Fourth, the gate of not attaching to non-attachment: the mind that is able to dispel is also dispelled. As the root [text] states: “Afterward using the mind to eliminate the mind.” Fifth, the gate of collecting the scattered into unity: gathering the scattered and agitated mind and placing it in oneness. As the root [text] states: “If the mind rushes and scatters, one should immediately gather it back to dwell in right mindfulness.” Sixth, the gate of revealing right mindfulness: revealing that all dharmas are only the one mind. As the root [text] states: “Regarding this right mindfulness, one should know that there is only mind and no external sensory realms; furthermore, this mind also has no self-characteristic, being unobtainable from thought-moment to thought-moment.” Seventh, the gate of constant practice without departure: such a concentrated mind is always continuous and never abandoned at all times and in all places. As the root [text] states: “If one rises from sitting, in all activities of going, coming, moving, and resting, at all times one constantly contemplates skillful means and accords with observation.”