釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 6.9

6.9

Third, there may be ordinary or non-Buddhist practitioners who completely abhor form as if it were a prison, single-mindedly breaking through form to cultivate the four formless absorptions. Thus, while ordinary practitioners equally attain this absorption, their aspirations and inclinations differ, each following what they have practiced, their preferences differing. As for disciples of the Buddha, there are two kinds of persons, namely those of the two vehicles, the Small and the Great. When these two kinds of persons attain the four dhyānas and advance to cultivate the immeasurable minds: persons of the Small Vehicle do so in order to tame their own minds, increase their blessings and virtues, and easily attain nirvāṇa; persons of the Great Vehicle wish to liberate sentient beings and must take great compassion as the foundation. Therefore, following the four dhyānas, the cultivation of the four immeasurables is explained.