The Buddha’s Instructions on the Path of Cultivating Samādhi

Instructed by Bennie Spirit, the Advisor of Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated Compiled by Enid (HE, YUPING)

The Buddha told Ānanda, “You have often heard me proclaim the three definitive meanings of cultivation in my Vinaya (teachings). These are: taking control of the mind as the precept, from the precept arises samādhi (meditation), and from samādhi arises prajñā (wisdom). This is what is called the three non-leaking studies.

1）Precepts-to change the quality for the Bodhi of Buddha

If one does not cease lust while cultivating samādhi, it is like steaming sand and stone, hoping to make it into rice. Even after hundreds of thousands of kalpas, it will only be called hot sand. Why is this? Because this is not the quality for rice, but formed from stone and sand. If you use a body filled with lust to seek the wondrous fruit of Buddhahood, even if you attain somethings wondrous, it will all be rooted in lust. With the root being lust, you will inevitably transmigrate through the three evil realms and will not be able to escape. How can one cultivate and realize the Nirvāṇa of the Tathāgata through such a path? It is necessary to completely remove the very motivation of lust, both in body and mind, even to the point where the nature of remove is also absent. Only then can one have hope for the Bodhi of Buddha.

You should teach people in the world to cultivate Samādhi by first removing mental lust.

This is called the first definitive and pure instruction of all the Tathāgata, the Buddhas, the World-Honoured Ones.

You should teach people in the world to cultivate samādhi by next removing killing. This is called the second definitive and pure instruction of all the Tathāgata, the Buddhas, the World- Honoured Ones.

You should teach people in the world to cultivate samādhi by then removing stealing. This is called the third definitive and pure instruction of all the Tathāgata, the Buddhas, the World- Honoured Ones.

You should teach people in the world to cultivate samādhi by subsequently removing all great false speech. This is called the fourth definitive and pure instruction of all the Tathāgata, the Buddhas, the World-Honoured Ones.

Reference: Chapter 6 of Shurangama Sutra

https://cbetaonline.dila.edu.tw/zh/T19n0945_p0131c15?q=%E4%B8%89%E7%84%A1%E6

%BC%8F%E5%AD%B8&l=0131c15&near_word=&kwic_around=3

2）Samadhi (Meditation)

If one abandons arising and ceasing (videos and photos) and abides in the constant and True- self (the screen-like nature), the constant light of wisdom will appear, and the roots of various dust-like afflictions and the consciousness-mind will simultaneously dissolve and fall away. Deluded Thoughts are like dust, and emotional attachments and consciousnesses are like

defilements. When both are far removed, then your Dharma eye will immediately become clear and bright.

References: Chapter 4 of Shurangama Sutra

https://cbetaonline.dila.edu.tw/zh/T19n0945_p0124

3) Prajñā (Wisdom)

The Tathāgata’s wisdom reaches everywhere without exception. Why is this? Because there is not a single sentient being who does not inherently possess the Tathāgata’s wisdom. It is only due to Deluded Thoughts, Wrong Views, and Attachments that they do not realize it. If one departs from these deluded thoughts, all inborn wisdom – the all-knowing wisdom, the natural wisdom, and the unobstructed wisdom – will then manifest before one.

Reference: Volume 51 of The Avatamsaka Sutra

https://cbetaonline.dila.edu.tw/zh/T10n0279_p0272c04