釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 9.52

9.52

Second, explaining that each individual recollection is a method for entering the path: recollection of the Buddha is the characteristic of entering the path through the recollection-of-the-Buddha samādhi, as taught in the *Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra Spoken by Mañjuśrī* and various sūtras. Regarding recollection of the Dharma, as a sūtra states: "That which is the teacher of all Buddhas is called the Dharma." Dharmas such as the four noble truths, the twelve links of dependent origination, the six pāramitās, the middle way, and the true mark are all dharmas for entering the path. Recollection of the Saṅgha is as taught in sūtras such as the *Avalokiteśvara*, *Samādhi*, and *Bhaiṣajyasamudgata*. Recollection of the precepts is as explained previously under the ten kinds of precepts. Recollection of giving is as explained in the *Mahāyāna* [*-śāstra*] under the characteristics of entering the path through the dāna-pāramitā. As for the remaining three recollections: recollecting the devas and the deva of the ultimate truth leads directly to the path; the characteristics of entering the path through recollecting ānāpāna are fully detailed under penetrating clarity; recollecting death is as explained below under the meaning of the notion of death. One should know that regarding the eight recollections, by cultivating any single recollection one immediately attains entry into the path, without needing the other practices. For the sake of seeking the Buddha path, bodhisattvas practice these eight recollections with mind unattached, and through great compassion and expedient means extensively cultivate Dharma gates to transform sentient beings. One should know that the eight recollections are themselves the Mahāyāna of the bodhisattva.