釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 1.2

1.2

Regarding the Dhyāna-pāramitā, the Fuxing states: "Regarding the Sequential Dharma Gates of Dhyāna, the Catalogue records: 'Expounded by the Great Master at Waguan Temple; recorded in private notes by Fashan of Dazhuangyan Temple; edited and established into ten fascicles by Dhyāna Master Ding of Zhang'an. It is divided into ten great chapters: first, general purport; second, explaining the name; third, clarifying the gates; fourth, analyzing the sequence; fifth, selecting the dharma-mind; sixth, expedient means; seventh, cultivation and realization; eighth, karmic retribution; ninth, initiating the teachings; tenth, ultimate orientation.' However, it only reaches cultivation and realization; the remaining three are omitted. Within cultivation and realization, it is further divided into four distinctions: first, mundane dhyāna; second, both mundane and supramundane; third, supramundane; fourth, neither mundane nor supramundane. Among these four, it only reaches the third, the supramundane, which is further divided into two: first, counteractive undefiledness; second, principle-conditioned undefiledness. It only reaches counteractive [undefiledness], which is again divided into nine, namely: nine notions, eight recollections, ten notions, liberations, stations of mastery, totality spheres, nine sequential absorptions, sprint, and transcendence. Yet how could the characteristics of cultivation and realization be fully and completely provided? The biography says: 'The Great Master once said from the high seat: "If I were to expound the Sequential Dharma Gates of Dhyāna, it could take a year for a single iteration; if written down as a commentary, it could fill fifty fascicles."'" Now, in printing it, the major outline is shown beforehand, in the hope that students will not remain in the dark regarding the beginning and the end.