宗鏡錄 55.19

55.19

Answer: There are four different meanings. Ancient commentaries explain: First, difference in terms of the person who attains it: the absorption of cessation is attained by noble persons, whereas [the absorption] without conceptualisation is attained by ordinary worldlings. Second, difference in aspiration: those entering the absorption of cessation enter it by forming the thought of true pacification and seeking merit; those entering the absorption without conceptualisation enter it by forming the thought of liberation. Third, difference in bringing about or not bringing about karmic fruit: the absorption without conceptualisation is with outflows, and can bring about the distinctive karmic fruit of the heaven without conceptualisation; the absorption of cessation is without outflows, and does not bring about fruit in the three realms. Fourth, difference in the quantity of consciousnesses extinguished: the absorption of cessation extinguishes more consciousness, also extinguishing the defiled portion of the seventh manas; the absorption without conceptualisation extinguishes less consciousness, only extinguishing the first six consciousnesses in vain.