天台八教大意 1.23

1.23

The contemplation practices of the three vehicles also possess four gates; now, relying on the gate of existence, the ten dharmas constituting the vehicle are also clarified: First, clarifying the sphere of contemplation, which is the aggregates and sense entrances of the six destinies; both the contemplator and the contemplated are like illusions and apparitions. Second, clarifying the generation of the mind: the two vehicles rely on the real for their own practice; the bodhisattva realizes illusion, simultaneously giving joy and extracting suffering for others, likened to images in a mirror. Third, calming the mind in concentration and wisdom: although previously both stopping and contemplation are empty as space, one calms these two dharmas. Fourth, shattering phenomena universally: using illusory wisdom to shatter illusory views and deliberations. Fifth, recognizing the unimpeded and the impeded: although knowing that suffering, accumulation, the twelve links of arising, and the six obscurations are all like illusions, one also uses the illusory path, cessation, the twelve links of cessation, and the six perfections to pass through them, examining step by step that all are like illusions. Sixth, harmonizing and adapting the factors of the path: cultivating the thirty-seven factors with a mind that apprehends nothing. Seventh, antidotes: realizing that the Tripiṭaka dharmas of impermanence, suffering, and emptiness are like illusions, and applying antidotes accordingly. Eighth, recognizing the sequence of stages: understanding the causes and fruits of the ten stages such as dry wisdom, so that the distinct paths of the three persons are not conflated. Ninth, causing patient acceptance of the internal and external obstructions of dry wisdom and the external ordinary stage, so as to enter the stage of nature. Tenth, swiftly causing the stage of nature of the internal ordinary stage not to attach to the dharma-craving of the semblance, so as to enter the eight persons and the stage of seeing to realize the real. The other three gates are also like this, as extensively explained in the major work. This concludes the shared teaching.