觀無量壽佛經疏 3.21

3.21

Answer: "The bodily deportment is entirely identical to the method in the sun contemplation above. Moreover, if one wishes to contemplate water to attain a concentrated mind, one must contemplate facing a similar object, and concentration will be easily attained. In a quiet place, practitioners take a bowl of water and place it on the ground before the bed, filled to the brim. Sitting upon the bed, they place a white object about the size of a bean between their eyebrows, lower their heads facing the water, and single-mindedly gaze at this white spot, without other conditions. Furthermore, when the water is first placed on the ground, its ripples do not cease, and leaning forward to look into it, one cannot see the image of the face; but contemplating without rest, the face gradually manifests. At first, the features of the face are not steady, suddenly long, suddenly short, suddenly broad, suddenly narrow, suddenly visible, suddenly invisible; when these marks appear, one must apply the mind with even greater subtlety. Before long, the ripples of the water become extremely fine, seemingly moving yet not moving, and the features of the face gradually become clearly visible. Although one sees the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and so forth on the face, there is no need to grasp them, nor is there any hindrance; simply relax body and mind, knowing they are there without grasping them. Only grasp the white spot and contemplate it distinctly, guarding it with right mindfulness without losing focus to other conditions. When seeing this, the mind gradually comes to rest, and the nature of water becomes limpid and calm. Furthermore, if practitioners wish to know whether the ripples of the water in their own minds have not ceased, they need only observe whether this water is moving or not moving, and they will know the signs of clarity or darkness regarding whether the object manifests in their own minds.