釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 2.35

2.35

Regarding the first: when a person who violates the precepts cultivates dhyāna-samādhi and it is generated, this is because of habitual causes from the past: the good roots were profound and thick, and although there is present transgression, because the power of past good roots is strong, and also because present cultivation of dhyāna-samādhi with intense shame and conscience serves as a condition—just as when owing debts, the strongest creditor pulls first—there is therefore the principle of generating absorption. Second, as for keeping the precepts without generating absorption: this person did not plant the causes of deep dhyāna-samādhi in the past, and although in this life they again keep the precepts and cultivate absorption, it is not generated immediately. The third, where both generate it, and the fourth, where neither generates it, can both be explained analogously; thus there are four different kinds. Examining their root source, it must necessarily be generated through keeping the precepts, while violating the precepts will ultimately be an obstruction. Why is this? If one experienced dhyāna-samādhi in the past, one knows that it was because one kept the precepts and generated absorption in the past that it became a habitual cause in this life; and in this life, using shame, conscience, repentance, and purity as conditions, the good roots of past lives are therefore able to be generated.