宗鏡錄 68.23

68.23

Answer: The Vijñaptimātratāsiddhiśāstra says: 'If in the mindless state there were a separate real dharma distinct from form, mind, etc., that could obstruct the mind and be called a mindless absorption, then in the formless state there should be a separate real dharma distinct from form, mind, etc., that could obstruct form and be called a formless absorption. Since the latter is not so, how could the former be so? Furthermore, why must that which obstructs the mind be a real dharma? Just as dikes and embankments, even though conventional, can also obstruct. That is, when cultivating absorption, in the preliminary practice of absorption, due to aversion to the coarse and active citta and caittas, one generates an excellent resolve to obstruct the citta and caittas. Mindfulness of the citta and caittas becomes gradually finer and subtler, and at the time of the extremely subtle mind, it perfumes the vipākavijñāna, forming extremely augmented seeds of aversion, etc. Because these impair and suppress the seeds of mind and the like, the coarse and active [minds] temporarily do not function. Based on this state, the two absorptions are conventionally established. Because these seeds are wholesome, the absorptions are also called wholesome. Before the non-conceptual absorption, because one seeks the non-conceptual fruit, the seeds perfumed and formed induce that vipākavijñāna, based on which coarse and active conceptualizations, etc., do not function. In this state, non-conception is conventionally established; established on the basis of retribution, it receives the name retribution. Therefore, these three dharmas are also not truly existent.'