止觀輔行傳弘決 2.53

2.53

From "constantly practicing contemplation" onward, the stages are determined. If the stages were not determined when contemplating craving, there would be fear that the confused might confound them; therefore they must be determined. As for not mentioning the [stage of] principle among the six identities: because contemplation is actively being practiced in the present, the principle that is contemplated is itself the [stage of] principle. As for "destroying the root of the obscuration": although the method of contemplation is perfect, before the copper wheel [stage] the coarse afflictions are eliminated first, so only upon reaching this stage is the root destroyed. From "within the obscuration of craving" onward, the horizontal and vertical are established. The shallowness and depth of the six identities are called vertical; viewing the various perfections alongside one another with no before or after is called horizontal. By analogy with the above, all six perfections should have [their stages] determined, but because there is little confusion regarding the wholesome, they were not determined.