釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 10.69

10.69

First, explaining that the causes and conditions for attaining the supernormal knowledges differ, there are three kinds: The first is retribution-attained. For example, when the devas of great merit and beings in pure lands undergo rebirth, they directly attain the five supernormal knowledges through retribution. The second is eruption-attained. If a person simply relies on repentance, or deeply cultivates the dhyāna absorptions explained above, even without applying the expedient means to acquire the supernormal knowledges, the supernormal knowledges erupt spontaneously. Hence a sūtra says: "Deeply cultivating dhyāna absorption, one attains the five supernormal knowledges." The third is cultivation-attained. Although a practitioner realizes the various deep dhyāna absorptions explained above, if they have not severed the ignorance that obstructs the supernormal knowledges, then the supernormal knowledges will ultimately not erupt. If within dhyāna absorption they further apply the expedient means to acquire the supernormal knowledges and sever the ignorance that obstructs them, the supernormal knowledges will immediately erupt. It is specifically in terms of this that the meaning is now explained.