續集古今佛道論衡 1.31

1.31

The Emperor said, 'How many kinds of paths are there, and what do they take as their principle?' The Dharma Master replied, 'There are ninety-five kinds of paths, all taking the True Dharma as their source, though their practices diverge. Those worth observing are eight kinds of brahmacaryā. First, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā and are broadly versed in non-Buddhist texts: they serve the Heavenly King Maheśvara as their Celestial Worthy, seeking rebirth in the stage of space, the stage of consciousness, and the stage of neither perception nor non-perception. Second, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā and are broadly versed in non-Buddhist texts: they serve the Great Brahmā Heavenly King as their Celestial Worthy, seeking rebirth in the first dhyāna, the second dhyāna, the third dhyāna, or the fourth dhyāna. Third, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā and are broadly versed in non-Buddhist texts: they serve a celestial worthy seeking rebirth in the Yāma Heaven, Tuṣita Heaven, Nirmāṇarati Heaven, or Paranirmitavaśavartin Heaven. Fourth, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā, are broadly versed in non-Buddhist texts, and skilled in debate: they serve the disciples of the six teachers and others as their honored masters, seeking to rely on emptiness and extinguish existence and non-existence. Fifth, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā with their aim set on the study of immortals: they are skilled in incantations and serve the ṛṣi Asita as their honored immortal, seeking the five divine elixirs to ingest them; if they attain the way of immortals, they must rely on the power of the wind and birds to ascend to the clouds. Sixth, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā with their aim set on the study of medicine: they are skilled in talismanic arts and serve the ṛṣi Asita as their honored master, seeking the five types of zhi fungi to ingest them; if they attain the way of immortals, they can conceal their form and shadow. Seventh, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā: they serve the great ṛṣi Padmo as their honored immortal, seeking to enter masses of fire without the fire harming them. Eighth, those who constantly cultivate brahmacaryā: they serve the water ṛṣi Iṣiśukra as their honored immortal, seeking to enter rivers and seas without the water drowning them. These eight kinds of paths, by the power of brahmacaryā, attain rebirth in the heavens; because they do not give rise to correct faith and a mind of dedication, when their heavenly lifespan is exhausted, they fall back into the three evil paths.'