釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 4.71

4.71

Now, in explaining the first, [settling the mind] according to expediency: as in the examination of the nature of good roots where fifteen kinds of dhyāna gates arise, in accordance with what has arisen one should know that it was cultivated in past lives, so one may cultivate it again to bring it to completion; in accordance with whatever dharma has arisen, one settles one's mind to cultivate it. For instance, after vitarka sensations arise, if one wishes to cultivate by settling the mind, one should be taught breath-counting. Why is this? The fundamental first dhyāna mostly arises from breath-counting; one should know that this person previously cultivated dhyāna through breath-counting in past lives. Now, if they enter via the path of breath, it accords with their original [practice], and dhyāna will easily arise; if they apply effort without ceasing, they can fulfill the four dhyānas and formless absorptions, and from this, phenomena of the noble paths of the three vehicles will arise, and so forth. Teaching the son of the goldsmith to count breaths was done according to what was original. After the good roots arise, one expounds the method of settling the mind. The settling of the mind established according to expediency when the remaining fourteen good roots arise is also like this.