摩訶止觀 8.87

8.87

用止治者，溫師云：「繫心在臍中如豆大，解衣諦了取相，後閉目，合口齒，舉舌向腭，令氣調恂。若心外馳，攝之令還。若念不見，復解衣看之，熟取相貌，還如前。」此能治諸病，亦能發諸禪。作此觀時亦有無量相貌：或痛如針刺、或急如繩牽、或痒如蟲噉、或冷如水灌、或熱如火炙。如是諸觸起時，一心精進無令退墮。若免此觸，能發諸禪。若神意寂然，即是電光定相。此尚能得禪，況不能愈疾？所以繫心在臍者，息從臍出，還入至臍，出入以臍為限，能易悟無常。復次，人託胎時，識神始與血合，帶系在臍，臍能連持，又是諸腸胃源，尋源能見不淨，能止貪欲。若四念處觀臍，能成身念處門。若作六妙門，臍是止門，兼能入道。故多用之。

Regarding treatment through calming, Master Wen said: "Fasten the mind upon the navel like a bean in size; loosen the clothing, clearly and distinctly grasp its appearance, and thereafter close the eyes, shut the mouth and teeth, raise the tongue toward the palate, and let the breath be regulated and compliant. If the mind gallops outward, gather it and make it return. If in mindfulness it is not seen, loosen the clothing again, look at it, grasp its appearance thoroughly, and proceed as before." This can cure various diseases and can also arouse various dhyānas. When practicing this contemplation, there are also immeasurable tactile sensations: it may be painful as if pricked by needles, or tight as if pulled by a rope, or itchy as if bitten by worms, or cold as if drenched by water, or hot as if scorched by fire. When such tactile sensations arise, be single-minded and vigorous, not letting [the mind] backslide. If one avoids these tactile sensations, one can arouse various dhyānas. If the spirit and intention are tranquil, this is the sign of flash-of-lightning samādhi. If this can even attain dhyāna, how could it fail to cure disease? The reason one fastens the mind on the navel is that the breath exits from the navel and returns into the navel; with the navel as the boundary of exit and entry, one can easily awaken to impermanence. Furthermore, when a person is conceived in the womb, the conscious spirit first unites with blood, and the umbilical cord is tied to the navel; the navel holds them connected, and is also the source of the bowels and stomach; by tracing the source, one can see impurity and bring craving to a stop. If one contemplates the navel through the four applications of mindfulness, it can accomplish the gateway of mindfulness of the body. If one practices the six marvelous gates, the navel is the gateway of calming, and in addition can enter the path. Therefore it is frequently used.