觀心論疏 1.18

1.18

The verse states: 'All who come seeking the Dharma, / Diligently cultivating the four samādhis, / If they do not know to inquire into contemplating the mind, / Are distressed and exhausted without gain.' This single verse explains the four kinds of samādhi; the matter will be explained later. Although the four kinds of samādhi differ in practice, they all take the wisdom of the round contemplation of the smṛtyupasthānas as their essence; a sūtra says: 'Planting the roots of all virtues.' Therefore, among the six perfections, prajñā serves as the excellent guide, so that they can all be called pāramitās, reaching the other shore of nirvāṇa. Now, if one does not cultivate the contemplative wisdom of the smṛtyupasthānas to guide the four kinds of samādhi, then although one tires oneself out and the three karmas are distressed and exhausted, one obtains nothing. Therefore, although non-Buddhists practice various ascetic practices, because they lack the guidance of prajñā, they do not escape the three evil destinies. Asceticism without wisdom now is hardly different from this. The sūtra states: 'Nor delight in the worldly, useless ascetic practices'—this is precisely what it means.