六妙法門 1.32

1.32

What is called mutual subsumption of intrinsic essence? When a practitioner cultivates the six gates, within the single [gate of] counting the breath, it naturally subsumes the other five dharmas of following, cessation, contemplation, turning back, and purification. Why is this? When the practitioner skillfully regulates the mind and counts the breath, this essence itself is the gate of counting. Because the mind relies on and follows the breath in counting, it subsumes the gate of following. Because one ceases all sensory associations and restrains the mind in counting, it subsumes the gate of [cessation]. Because one discerns and knows the mental factors of counting and the breath, understanding them clearly and distinctly, it subsumes the gate of contemplation. If the mind moves and scatters, clinging to the five desires, [knowing that] they are all deceptive and unreal, the mind does not accept or attach to them, and the associating mind returns back to counting the breath; therefore, it subsumes the gate of turning back. When one focuses on counting the breath, free from the five hindrances and all coarse defilements and stains, with body and mind tranquil, it subsumes the gate of purification. One should know that within counting the breath there are the six gates; following, cessation, contemplation, turning back, and purification likewise each subsume the six gates. This makes six times six, thirty-six wondrous gates. Although their diverse applications above were different, they all contain the present meaning; if they were not distinguished, practitioners would not know it. This is a brief explanation of the six wondrous gates' mutual subsumption of intrinsic essence, in which one contains the characteristics of the six.