釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 1.91

1.91

Third, in terms of encompassing dharmas completely: these three dharmas are the root of all gates of dhyāna. Why is this? If one presents the essentials, there are three; if unpacked, they are immeasurable. For instance, within the gate of breath, there may be counting, following, or observing the breath; such methods are not singular, and the attainments reached also differ. Within the gate of form, one may take external form as the object, or take internal form as the object; one may cultivate loving-kindness and compassion, or take the physical marks of the Buddha as the object, up to realizing the observation of reality. Such practices are not singular, and the attainments reached also differ. Within the gate of mind, there may be calming (śamatha) or contemplation (vipaśyanā); one may perceive or clearly comprehend; or one may clearly comprehend various minds entering into non-mind, or clearly comprehend non-mind generating immeasurable minds, or clearly comprehend neither-mind-nor-non-mind, being able to know all minds and non-minds. Thus taking the mind as an object differs, and the attainments reached are likewise not singular. Therefore, it is said that the three gates encompass all gates of dhyāna. This matter will only become fully evident in chapters seven and eight, which explain cultivation and realization.