法界次第初門 2.27

2.27

Next to the eight recollections, the ten notions are explained. The Dà zhìdù lùn states: "The nine notions are like binding a thief; the ten notions are like killing the thief." If so, they should have been clarified immediately following the previous nine notions. However, because there are obstacles such as fear when cultivating the nine notions, it was necessary to explain the eight recollections. Once one has departed from all fear, the mind is at peace and unobstructed; hence the ten notions are explained next. What is generally called notion can transform the mind and transform notions. Because they can transform inverted notions such as calculating permanence and pleasure, they are called notions. The first three notions are spoken to sever delusions of viewing the truths; the middle four notions are spoken to sever delusions of thought; the latter three notions are spoken for practitioners cultivating the path of no-further-learning. Therefore, when a person who ruins dharmas cultivates these ten notions, they can sever the fetters and latent defilements of the three realms and realize the untainted noble fruit.