釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 1.120

1.120

答曰：今且欲明諸禪淺深相，一往作此次第分別，若論初心學人，隨所欲樂，便宜對治。易入泥洹者，從諸禪方便初門而修，不必定如前一一依次第。此義至內方便安心禪門中當廣分別。

Answer: For now, in wishing to elucidate the aspects of shallowness and depth of the various dhyānas, this sequential distinction has been made provisionally. But regarding beginners, according to whatever they desire and take pleasure in, or what is suitable as an antidote and easily leads into nirvāṇa, they cultivate from the initial expedient gates of the various dhyānas; they do not necessarily have to follow the sequence one by one as stated above. This meaning will be extensively differentiated below under 'Settling the Mind in the Gates of Dhyāna' in the internal expedient means.