摩訶止觀 5.75

5.75

Answer: The five stages classify dhyāna; the ten manifestations are explained in terms of objects. Now we shall harmonize them. If, whether in order or not, one manifestation reaches through to the subsequent ones, that is the advancing stage; remaining up to the ninth is the dwelling stage; holding with deliberate effort is the protective stage; losing it immediately upon manifestation is the declining stage. The penetrating stage can be understood [by extension]. If within each object one applies the five stages, one may deduce this by reflection without waiting for an analytical breakdown. However, the five stages and ten objects are all characteristics of dharmas, and they may mutually share these meanings. They cannot be likened to the depths and shallows of the stages of practice such as the six identities and ten grounds.