釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 3.15

3.15

Second, discussing cessation in terms of principle also has many paths, but now we briefly present three points: first, cessation conforming to conditions; second, cessation of entering concentration; third, cessation of the true nature. "Cessation conforming to conditions" means that whenever the mind arises, it is endowed with the mental factor of samādhi; thus the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: "Concentration among the ten mahābhūmikas is called lower concentration." "Cessation of entering concentration" means that at the time of realizing concentration, the dharma of concentration upholds the mind, and the mind ceases and abides; this is cessation of entering concentration. "Cessation of the true nature" means that the principle of the mind's nature is eternally unmoved of itself, and is therefore called cessation; thus the Viśeṣacintā Sūtra says: "All sentient beings are themselves the absorption of cessation." Now we use these three meanings to complete the three cessations above: in terms of conforming to conditions and letting nature have concentration, we speak of cessation by fixing on conditions; in terms of the resultant dharma of concentration, we speak of cessation by restraining the mind; because one is endowed with an unmoving nature, we speak of cessation by embodying the real.