瑜伽論記 4.254

4.254

無色界定不現在前者，釋觀外諸色義，無色不能觀諸色故，依色界定現觀外諸色故無色定不現在前。上說未得無色定，未離色界欲外觀諸色名初解脫，已得無色定已離色界欲觀外諸色，名第二解脫者，此依初業說，由俱解脫者定得初解脫故，若先不入無色定未伏除見者色想，作光明想而觀諸色是初解脫，若先入無色定已伏除見者色想，不思惟光明想，但觀外色中好惡等是第二解脫，故此中言又不思惟彼所想之明相觀漸成故，但於外色而生勝解，由此俱解脫者亦成初解脫故。

"The absorptions of the formless realm are not present" explains the meaning of "contemplating external forms": because the formless realm cannot contemplate forms, one relies on the form-realm concentration to directly contemplate external forms, so the formless absorptions are not present. The above statement that not yet having attained the formless absorptions and not yet having abandoned form-realm desire while contemplating external forms is called the first liberation, while having already attained the formless absorptions and having already abandoned form-realm desire while contemplating external forms is called the second liberation, is stated based on beginners, because one who is liberated in both ways definitely attains the first liberation. If one has not previously entered the formless absorptions and has not suppressed the seer's notion of form, contemplating forms with the notion of light is the first liberation; if one has previously entered the formless absorptions and has already suppressed the seer's notion of form, not reflecting on the notion of light but merely contemplating pleasing, unpleasing, etc. among external forms is the second liberation. Therefore, it is said here: "Moreover, he does not reflect on the mark of light of that notion"—because the contemplation gradually matures, he merely produces resolute conviction regarding external forms, and through this, one who is liberated in both ways also accomplishes the first liberation.