摩訶止觀 7.57

7.57

These factors of the path do not align with hierarchical stages; rather, at the initial stage of mind, by contemplating the principle of dharmatā, they are immediately complete. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says: 'The four kinds of exertion within the four smṛtyupasthānas are termed the "four right exertions"; the four kinds of concentrated minds are termed the "four bases of spiritual power"; the arising of the five wholesome roots is termed "faculties"; the growth of the faculties is termed "powers"; discerning the path and function of the four smṛtyupasthānas is termed "factors of awakening"; and practicing peacefully within the path of the four smṛtyupasthānas is termed the "eightfold noble path".' Therefore, one knows that when a beginner practices the path, they use the thirty-seven factors to nurture calming and contemplation and the four kinds of samādhi, entering the bodhisattva stages. Such factors of the path are the proximate cause of great nirvāṇa, while other factors of the path are termed remote causes (and so forth).