釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 1.109

1.109

行者既知禪門之相，菩薩從初發心乃至佛果，修習禪定，從淺至深，次第階級，是義應知。今略取經論教意，撰於次第，故《大品經》云：「菩薩摩訶薩次第行，次第學，次第道。」辨禪定次第，即為二意：一者、正明諸禪次第；二者、簡非次第。

Now that the practitioner knows the characteristics of the gates of dhyāna, one should also understand how a bodhisattva, from initial resolve up to the fruit of buddhahood, cultivates dhyāna concentration through progressive stages from shallow to deep. Here, briefly drawing upon the intent of the teachings in the sūtras and treatises, the sequence is compiled. Thus the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra says: "The bodhisattva mahāsattva engages in sequential practice, sequential study, and the sequential path." Discerning the sequence of dhyāna concentration involves two points: first, directly elucidating the sequence of the various dhyānas; second, distinguishing what is not sequential.