Study and Practice of Meditation Tibetan Interpretations of the Concentrations and Formless Absorptions

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1 Study nd Prctice of Medittion Tibetn Interprettions of the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions Leh Zhler Snow Lion Publictions Ithc, New York

2 Snow Lion Publictions P.O. Box 6483 Ithc, NY USA (607) Copyright 2009 Leh Zhler All rights reserved. No portion of this book my be reproduced by ny mens without prior written permission from the publisher. Printed in USA on cid-free recycled pper. ISBN-10: ISBN-13: Librry of Congress Ctloging-in-Publiction Dt Zhler, Leh. Study nd prctice of medittion : Tibetn interprettions of the concentrtions nd formless bsorptions / Leh Zhler. p. cm. Includes trnsltions from Tibetn. Includes English trnsltions of Tsoṅ-kh-p Blo-bzṅ-grgs-p's Bsm gzugs zin bris nd Dkon-mchog 'Jigs-med-dbṅ-po's Bsm gzugs chen mo ls mdor bsdus te bkod p bsm gzugs kyi rnm bźg legs bśd bum bzṅ. Includes bibliogrphicl references. ISBN-13: (lk. pper) ISBN-10: (lk. pper) 1. Medittion--Dge-lugs-p (Sect) I. Tsoṅ-kh-p Blo-bzṅ-grgs-p, Bsm gzugs zin bris. English. II. Dkon-mchog 'Jigs-meddbṅ-po. Bsm gzugs chen mo ls mdor bsdus te bkod p bsm gzugs kyi rnm bźg legs bśd bum bzṅ. English. III. Title. BQ7805.Z '4435--dc

3 Contents Chrts vii Acknowledgments xi Technicl Note xiii Introduction 1 Prt One: Exposition 9 1 Ge-luk Presenttions of the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions 11 2 The Physicl Bses of the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions 31 3 Mentl Bses 49 4 Clm Abiding: Entity, Prerequisites, Posture 63 5 Objects of Observtion: I 81 6 Objects of Observtion: II The Cultivtion nd Attinment of Clm Abiding The Preprtions for the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions The Medittive Absorptions of the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions 239 Prt Two: Comprisons The Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions in the Life of Shākymuni Buddh The Reltionship of the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions to Trditionl Buddhist Cosmology The Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions in Ge-luk Monstic Eduction 291 Prt Three: Trnsltions 325 Tsong-kh-p s Notes on the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions 329 Kön-chok-jik-my-wng-po s Condensed Sttement of (Jm-yng-shy-p s) Gret Exposition of the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions, An Excellent Vse of Eloquence Presenting the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions The Bsis of Cultivtion 353 v

4 Tsong-kh-p s Notes on the Concentrtions nd Formless Absorptions [THE MAIN TOPICS] [I.] The cuses through which the concentrtions nd formless bsorptions re ttined [II.] The entities tht re ttined b [III.] The ttiners the persons who re the bsis [IV.] The signs of the ttinment of such I. [THE CAUSES THROUGH WHICH THE CONCENTRATIONS AND FORMLESS ABSORPTIONS ARE ATTAINED] [A.] The explntion of the mens of ttining the first concentrtion [B.] Indiction tht [the mens of ttining] the remining [concentrtions nd formless bsorptions] re similr to tht [A. THE EXPLANATION OF THE MEANS OF ATTAINING THE FIRST CONCENTRATION] This section hs three topics: [1.] Ascertinment of the number of mentl contempltions [2.] Identifiction of the individul [seven mentl contempltions] [3.] Opinions on where the ninth pth [of relese] is included [1. Ascertinment of the number of mentl contempltions] There re the mentl contempltions of thorough knowledge of the chrcter, risen from belief, thorough isoltion, joy-withdrwl, nlysis, finl trining, nd the fruit of finl trining. Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 2.1, reding thob byed kyi rgyu insted of thob byed kyi rgyu. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 544.1, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 800.1, gree with this text. b Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 2.1, reding gng thob insted of gng gis thob. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 544.1, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, gree with this text. 329

5 330 Trnsltions Question: Wht re the resons for positing seven mentl contempltions? Answer: Since there re three in terms of cusl preprtions, three in terms of entity, nd one in terms of effect, seven re posited. Question: Wht re posited s the three in terms of cuse? Answer: Two [re posited] s cuses of generting wht hs not been generted; one [is posited] s the cuse of enhncing wht hs lredy been generted. The two thorough knowledge of the chrcter nd risen from belief re posited s the first [the cuses generting wht hs not been generted]. [3] [The mentl contempltion of ] nlysis is posited s the second [the cuse of enhncing wht hs lredy been generted]. Question: Wht re the resons for positing three in terms of entity? Answer: [The mentl contempltion of ] thorough isoltion is posited s the ntidote for the three gret objects of bndonment of the lower level; [the mentl contempltion of ] joy-withdrwl, s the ntidote for the three middling [objects of bndonment of the lower level]; the mentl contempltion of finl trining, s the ntidote for the three smll [objects of bndonment of the lower level]. Moreover, this wy of presenting the six preprtions is in terms of seprting from ttchment to the lower level by wy of the mundne pth hving the spects of grossness/pecefulness, but the preprtions for the first concentrtion re not limited to these six, since, in the preprtions for the first concentrtion, there occur the uncontminted pths of seeing, medittion, nd no more lerning which re generted s entities of the not-unble. [Hence, the mentl contempltion clled the not-unble is seventh preprtion.] [2.] Individul identifiction [of the seven mentl contempltions] [The mentl contempltion of ] thorough knowledge of the chrcter. Tht which fmilirizes with grossness/pecefulness by wy of either mixture of hering nd thinking or either of those, [reflecting] tht the Desire Relm, reltive to the First Concentrtion, is gross by reson of involving mny fflictive emotions, very gret suffering, nd short life-spn, wheres the First Concentrtion, being the opposite of those, is peceful, is the mentl contempltion of thorough knowledge of the chrcter.

6 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 331 Etymology: [4] By reson of fmilirizing with the individul chrcters of the two, the Desire Relm nd the First Concentrtion, s gross nd peceful [respectively], it is clled [the mentl contempltion of thorough knowledge of the chrcter]. It is included within the level of the Desire Relm. The mentl contempltion risen from belief. Tht which serves s cuse of thorough isoltion which reches [ union of ] clm biding nd specil insight, hving pssed beyond hering nd thinking in dependence upon hving become well cquinted with grossness/pecefulness by wy of [the mentl contempltion of ] thorough knowledge of the chrcter, is [the mentl contempltion risen from belief ]. Etymology: By reson of being the mentl contempltion which rises in dependence upon hving believed in the grossness nd pecefulness [of the Desire Relm nd the First Concentrtion, respectively] through hering nd thinking in the context of [the mentl contempltion of ] thorough knowledge of the chrcter, it is clled [the mentl contempltion risen from belief ]. It is included within the level of the first concentrtion. The mentl contempltion of thorough isoltion. Tht mentl contempltion which is the stte tht cts s n ntidote to the three gret objects of bndonment of the Desire Relm in dependence upon hving meditted on grossness/pecefulness by wy of the mentl contempltion risen from belief is the mentl contempltion of thorough isoltion. Etymology: By reson of being the mentl contempltion tht initilly isoltes the mentl continuum from the fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm by wy of [hving meditted on grossness/pecefulness by wy of the mentl contempltion risen from belief ], it is clled [the mentl contempltion of thorough isoltion]. The mentl contempltion of joy-withdrwl. The stte tht is the mentl contempltion tht cts s the ntidote to the three middling [cycles of ] fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm in dependence upon hving fmilirized with grossness/pecefulness by wy of thorough isoltion. Etymology: By reson of there being enhncement in body nd mind Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 4.4, reding rb dben gyis insted of rb dben gyi. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 546.6, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 802.2, gree with this text.

7 332 Trnsltions by wy of smll [degree of ] joy nd bliss, included within the level of the first concentrtion, which re produced from isoltion when one is relesed from the three middling [cycles of ] fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm through [hving fmilirized with grossness/pecefulness by wy of thorough isoltion], it [is clled the mentl contempltion of joy-withdrwl]. The mentl contempltion of nlysis. When one hs bndoned most of the fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm, one genertes n wreness thinking, I hve bndoned them entirely. At tht point, in order to investigte whether or not one hs entirely bndoned the fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm, one tkes to mind sign of something ttrctive included within the level of the Desire Relm nd, when one sees tht desire is generted for tht [object], medittes gin on grossness/pecefulness in order to bndon the remining objects of bndonment. [This] is [the mentl contempltion of nlysis]. Etymology: [By reson of ] one s investigting whether or not one hs bndoned the fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm, it [is clled the mentl contempltion of nlysis]. [5] The mentl contempltion of finl trining. The mentl contempltion which is the stte tht cts s n ntidote bndoning the three smll Desire Relm [objects] to be bndoned by medittion, in dependence upon one s hving become well cquinted with such grossness/pecefulness by wy of the mentl contempltion of nlysis, is [the mentl contempltion of finl trining]. Etymology: By reson of being the lst mentl contempltion in which there re three ntidotes tht bndon fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm, it [is clled the mentl contempltion of finl trining]. The mentl contempltion tht is the fruit of finl trining. By reson of being the mentl contempltion tht experiences pth of medittion tht is relesed from the smll of the smll [cycles of ] fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm by wy of the mentl contempltion of finl trining, it is [clled] the mentl contempltion tht is the fruit of finl trining. [3.] Opinions on where the ninth pth [of relese] is included Question: Is the ninth pth of relese, which is relesed from the ninth

8 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 333 [cycle of ] fflictive emotions pertining to the lower level, generted s n entity of n ctul bsorption or preprtion? Answer: In the system of Asṅg s Summry of Mnifest Knowledge the ninth pth of relese, which is relesed from the ninth [cycle] of fflictive emotions pertining to the lower level, is necessrily generted s the entity of n ctul bsorption of the upper level. In the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge, there re cses of generting the pth of relese tht is relesed from the ninth [cycle of ] fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm nd the ninth pths of relese tht re relesed from the ninth [cycles of ] fflictive emotions pertining to the First, Second, nd Third Concentrtions s entities of either n ctul bsorption or preprtion. From the Fourth Concentrtion through the Pek of Cyclic Existence, the ninth pths of relese tht re relesed from the ninth [cycles of ] fflictive-emotions-to-be-bndoned-by-medittion of their own lower level re necessrily generted s the entities of ctul bsorptions of [their respective upper levels]. The Tresury lso gives reson for sserting such [nmely,] tht in generl the feeling of the preprtions is necessrily equnimity. The feelings of the ctul bsorptions of the two the first nd second concentrtions hve mentl bliss (yid bde) nd the feeling of the ctul bsorption of the third concentrtion hs the feeling of mentl bliss (tshor b sems bde), nd therefore, becuse there re fculties of feeling of dissimilr type, it is difficult to shift fculties [of feeling from equnimity to bliss]; therefore, [6] such [nmely, tht in the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge, the ninth pths of relese tht re relesed from fflictive emotions pertining to the Desire Relm nd to the First, Second, nd Third Concentrtions my be generted s entities of either n ctul bsorption or preprtion] is presented. Since the feeling of the ctul bsorptions of the fourth concentrtion nd bove is necessrily equnimity, therefore, becuse the fculties of feeling do not differ in type, it is esy to shift fculties; therefore, such [nmely tht in the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge, from the Fourth Concentrtion through the Pek of Cyclic Existence, the ninth pths of relese re necessrily generted s ctul bsorptions] is presented. Accordingly, [in both systems] the nine uninterrupted pths tht bndon the nine [cycles of ] fflictive-emotionsto-be-bndoned-by-medittion of the lower level nd the first eight pths of relese of those [uninterrupted pths] re necessrily preprtions.

9 334 Trnsltions [B.] INDICATION THAT [THE MEANS OF ATTAINING] THE REMAINING [CONCENTRATIONS AND FORMLESS ABSORPTIONS] ARE SIMILAR TO THAT According to the explntion for the preprtions for the first concentrtion, so, similrly, is it lso for the preprtions rnging from [those for] the second concentrtion to [those for] the pek of cyclic existence. The fetures of dissimilrity. If [someone hving] Desire Relm bsis cultivtes the eight [sets of ] preprtions, there is cultivtion with respect to the first mentl contempltion [tht is, the mentl contempltion of individul knowledge of the chrcter] s mixture of hering nd thinking, but if it is cultivted [by someone hving] Form Relm bsis, there re no sttes risen from thinking. [If it is cultivted by someone hving] Formless Relm bsis, there re lso no sttes risen from hering, nd it is ttined by birth. The mentl contempltions of joy-withdrwl of the first two concentrtions hve the feelings of joy nd bliss, but the mentl contempltion of joy-withdrwl of the third concentrtion hs the feeling of bliss, nd the mentl contempltions of joy-withdrwl of the fourth concentrtion nd [the bsorptions] bove it re explined s merely seeing bndonment of the objects of bndonment s good qulity, for there re no feelings of joy nd bliss included in their levels; nd the first mentl contempltion tht is preprtion for ny [of the eight] should be known s included within the lower level. With respect to the wy the preprtions hving the spects of grossness/pecefulness bndon the fflictive emotions of the lower level, the Vibhāṣhik system [sserts] tht the preprtions must simultneously bndon the two, the lower level s objects of bndonment to be bndoned by seeing nd by medittion, nd the Sutrāntik system sserts tht they bndon only the lower level s objects of bndonment to be bndoned by medittion. Also, the preprtions need not entirely bndon even the lower level s corse objects of bndonment to be bndoned by medittion; it is like the fflicted intellect of common being hving Desire Relm bsis who ttins n ctul bsorption of the first concentrtion. Through this, one should lso know the remining levels. [7] From mong the eight [sets of ] preprtions, the preprtions for the first concentrtion hve two [types] pure nd uncontminted; some ssert them s hving three [types the three being pure, uncontminted,] nd hving relishing [tht is, fflicted]. The five remining

10 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 335 preprtions [tht is, the seven preprtions excluding the mentl contempltions of beginner nd of nlysis] of the second concentrtion nd bove must be pure. II. THE ENTITIES THAT ARE ATTAINED [This section hs four topics:] [A.] Afflicted [bsorptions] [B.] Pure ctul [bsorptions] [C. Uncontminted bsorptions] b [D.] Anlysis of the presenttion of those [bsorptions] [A. AFFLICTED ABSORPTIONS] This section hs three topics: [1.] Wht bses re fflicted [2.] By wht phenomen they re mde fflicted [3.] How they re mde fflicted [1.] Wht bses re fflicted There re eight bses tht re fflicted: the four pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd the four pure ctul bsorptions of the four formless bsorptions. Uncontminted [bsorptions] re not bses tht re fflicted becuse they re not cpble of being mde fflicted. [2.] By wht phenomen they re mde fflicted There re four phenomen by which [the pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd the four formless bsorptions] re mde Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 7.2, reding gng thob pr by b i ngo bo l insted of gng gis Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 550.3, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 805.2, gree with this text. (This hed corresponds to 2.1, which ws emended to gng thob p i ngo bo insted of gng gis thob p i ngo bo; see pge 329, note b.) b Adding snyoms jug zg med from 9.4, which hs snyoms jug zg med gng zhe n without topic hed. The question looks like prt of the preceding topic, but tht is impossible, since pure nd uncontminted bsorptions re mutully exclusive. Moreover, the outline for the next topic is given t 9.6 under the heding, With respect to the fourth (bzhi p l). All four texts gree t this point in listing the topics s three rther thn four nd in omitting the third topic, uncontminted bsorptions.

11 336 Trnsltions fflicted: ttchment to n upper relm, pride, doubt, nd [bd] view. Anger is not phenomenon by which they re mde fflicted becuse someone hving bsis of n upper relm does not hve nger. Question: If ignornce is phenomenon by which [the pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd the four formless bsorptions] re mde thoroughly fflicted, in wht wy does [ignornce] mke them fflicted? [Answer:] The fculty of ignornce mkes [bsorptions] hve the ffliction of doubt. Hence, there is lso n explntion tht the two, doubt nd ignornce, operte together. [3.] How they re mde fflicted How they re mde fflicted by desire. When set in equipoise in ny of the eight pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd [four] formless bsorptions, one genertes ttchment towrd the object of observtion in those bsorptions. When the continuum of the bsorption hs come into similr ssocition with ttchment, [the bsorption] is mde fflicted by ttchment, which hs become dominnt. How they re mde [fflicted] by pride. [8] When set in equipoise in ny of those eight [pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd four formless bsorptions], one genertes mind hving the spect of being puffed up [with the thought, Only] I hve ttined such n bsorption; it hs not been [ttined] by nyone else. When the continuum of those bsorptions hs come into similr ssocition with pride, [the bsorption] is mde fflicted by pride. How they re mde [fflicted] by doubt. When set in equipoise in ny of those eight [pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd four formless bsorptions], by the force of obscurtion concerning wht is nd is not pth, one genertes doubt wondering whether these [bsorptions] re pths of libertion or not. When the continuum of those bsorptions hs come into similr ssocition with doubt, [the bsorption] is mde fflicted by doubt. How they re mde [fflicted] by [bd] view. While possessing in one s continuum the first three [bd] views, one ttins in one s continuum Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 8.3, reding ngng ns insted of dng ns, following Guru Dev, vol. tsh, P6148, vol. 154, , nd Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, gree with this text.

12 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 337 ny of the eight the pure ctul bsorptions of the four concentrtions nd the four formless bsorptions. When set in tht equipoise, one genertes the view which is the conception [of bd view] s supreme, which observes the first three [bd] views thinking, The ttinment of such n bsorption is by the force of those supreme views. b When the continuum of those bsorptions hs come into similr ssocition with [bd] view, [the bsorption] is mde fflicted by [bd] view. The two, the western Vibhāṣhiks nd Asṅg s Summry of Mnifest Knowledge, gree in considering the fflicted bsorptions to be fourfold in terms of predominnt ttchment, nd so forth. The Kshmīri Vibhāṣhiks ssert [fflicted bsorptions] only in terms of predominnt ttchment. [B. PURE ACTUAL ABSORPTIONS] Question: Wht re the pure ctul bsorptions? Answer: They re sid to be cses of ctul bsorptions of the concentrtions c nd formless bsorptions serving s fctors of mundne virtue. The reson they re sid to be pure. Becuse of the mentl fctor of non-ttchment tht is, similr ssocition with the virtuous root tht reverses [ttchment] or [becuse of ] reversing ttchment tht is, seprting from the mnifest entnglements of one s own level they re clled pure or thoroughly purified. [Divisions.] When [pure ctul bsorptions] re divided, there re pure [ctul bsorptions] concordnt with degenertion, concordnt with biding, [9] concordnt with enhncement, nd concordnt with definite differentition. The seven ctul bsorptions except for the ctul bsorption of the pek of cyclic existence hve ll four of these, but the ctul bsorption of the pek of cyclic existence hs three, excluding tht concordnt with enhncement. Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 8.3, reding gzugs med insted of gzugs me. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 551.6, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 806.4, hve the correct reding. b Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 8.4 (lso P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 552.1, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 806.4), omitting punctution fter lt b mchog tu gyur p. c Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 8.6, reding bsm gtn dng insted of bsm gtn dng po. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 552.3, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 806.6, gree with this text.

13 338 Trnsltions Wht re the four? A pure ctul bsorption concordnt with degenertion is pure ctul bsorption concordnt with the genertion of n ffliction immeditely fter itself. The second, [ pure ctul bsorption concordnt with biding, is pure ctul bsorption] concordnt with the genertion of pure [ctul bsorption] of its own level without genertion of n fflicted bsorption immeditely fter itself. The third, [ pure ctul bsorption concordnt with enhncement, is pure ctul bsorption] concordnt with the genertion of pure [ctul bsorption] of higher level without genertion of [ pure ctul bsorption of its own level] immeditely fter itself. The fourth, [ pure ctul bsorption concordnt with definite differentition, is pure ctul bsorption] concordnt with the genertion of n uncontminted bsorption without genertion of [ pure ctul bsorption of higher level] immeditely fter itself. [C. UNCONTAMINATED MEDITATIVE ABSORPTIONS] Question: Wht re uncontminted medittive bsorptions? Answer: Medittive bsorptions of the concentrtions nd formless bsorptions tht re generted s the entity of suprmundne pth re clled [uncontminted bsorptions]. Moreover, there re uncontminted pths tht re generted s entities of the six levels of concentrtion nd the first three formless bsorptions, but there is no uncontminted pth which is generted s n entity of the pek of cyclic existence or of the Desire Relm becuse the pek of cyclic existence [hs] very uncler movement of discrimintion nd becuse Desire Relm [mind] is n entity of distrction. [D.] ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENTATION OF THOSE ABSORPTIONS [This sections hs three topics,] the explntions of: [1.] The brnches of the concentrtions [2.] The objects of observtion nd subjective spects of the formless bsorptions [3.] The effects of hving cultivted those

14 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 339 The brnches of the concentrtions [This section] hs three [topics]: [.] The differences between wht substntilly exists nd wht imputedly exists [b.] Identifiction of the individul brnches [c.] The reson for the definiteness of the number [The differences between wht substntilly exists nd wht imputedly exists] When these re divided in terms of nme, there re eighteen; these refer to the five brnches ech in the first nd third concentrtions nd the four brnches ech in the second nd fourth. Question: Wht re these? [10] Answer: The brnches of the first concentrtion [re] the five: the two, investigtion nd nlysis; the two, joy nd bliss, nd medittive stbiliztion. The brnches of the second concentrtion re the four: internl clrity, b joy nd bliss, nd medittive stbiliztion. The brnches of the third concentrtion re the five c mindfulness, introspection, the compositionl fctor of equnimity, the feeling of bliss, nd medittive stbiliztion. The brnches of the fourth concentrtion re the four: completely pure mindfulness, completely pure equnimity, neutrl feeling, nd medittive stbiliztion. [The system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge.] When these brnches re condensed into substntil entities, ccording to the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge, they re included in eleven substntil entities: the two, investigtion nd Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 9.6, reding btgs insted of rtgs. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. rdzs btgs is n bbrevition of rdzs yod dng btgs yod kyi. P6148, vol. 154, , reds brtgs. Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 553.5, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 808.1, gree with this text. b Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 10.1 (P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 554.1, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 808.3): rb dng is trnslted throughout s internl clrity in ccordnce with Tsong-kh-p s own usge in his discussion of tht brnch t 12.3 (P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 556.6, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 810.6), where he hs nng rb dng. c Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 10.1, following Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 808.3, in reding gsum p i yn lg lng insted of gsum p i yn lg bzhi. P6148, vol. 154, , nd Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 554.1, gree with this text.

15 340 Trnsltions nlysis; joy; very purified bliss; medittive stbiliztion; internl clrity; mindfulness; introspection; the compositionl fctor of equnimity; the feeling of mentl bliss; the feeling of equnimity, mking eleven. How they re included [in those substntil entities]: The two joys of the first two concentrtions re included in the substntil entity of joy; the two blisses of the first two concentrtions re included in the substntil entity of the bliss of plincy; medittive stbiliztion is included in the substntil entity of medittive stbiliztion; the mindfulness of the lst two concentrtions re included in the substntil entity of mindfulness; the two compositionl fctors of equnimity of the lst two concentrtions re included in the substntil entity of the compositionl fctor of equnimity. [The system of Asṅg s Summry of Mnifest Knowledge.] According to the system of Asṅg s Summry of Mnifest Knowledge, they re sserted s nine substntil entities. They re included in the nine: the two, investigtion nd nlysis; the feeling of mentl bliss (tshor b yid bde); medittive stbiliztion; the compositionl fctor of equnimity; mindfulness; introspection; the feeling of mentl bliss (tshor b sems bde), nd the feeling of equnimity. How they re included in those [substntil entities]. The joy nd bliss of the first two concentrtions re included in the substntil entity of the feeling of mentl bliss (tshor b yid bde); medittive stbiliztion, mindfulness, nd the compositionl fctor of equnimity re [treted] similr[ly to the tretment in Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge]; since internl clrity includes the three mindfulness, introspection nd equnimity it hs no seprte substntil entity. The four identifictions of the individul brnches THE BRANCHES OF THE FIRST CONCENTRATION [Investigtion nd nlysis.] Investigtion is imputed to either intention or wisdom tht is internl expression which thoroughly exmines the mere entity of the mening. Anlysis is imputed to the fctor of either intention or wisdom tht is internl expression which nlyzes in detil the reson for [the mening]. The Sutrāntiks nd bove ssert tht these two rise lterntely but do not rise simultneously. The Vibhāṣhik system sserts the two, investigtion nd nlysis, s substntilly existent minds hving the spects [respectively] of Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 11.1, reding sems p insted of sems dp. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 555.3, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, gree with this text.

16 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 341 corseness nd fineness, nd they ssert tht those two, on the occsion of mere ctul bsorption of the first concentrtion, rise simultneously nd do not rise in stges. [Joy nd bliss.] With respect to bliss, the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge sserts tht, since it is the bliss tht is the mentl fctor of plincy, it is not feeling, but tht joy is the feeling of mentl bliss (tshor b yid bde). According to the system of Asṅg s Summry of Mnifest Knowledge, the single mentl fctor tht is generted in the sphere of one min mentl consciousness nd experiences refreshment [is posited s] bliss from the point of view of its helping the body tht is, the sense powers together with their bses [nd it is posited s] joy from the point of view of its refreshing mentl bliss (yid bde), together with its sphere. It is posited s those two from the point of view of [its hving] different functions, but they do not hve different substntil entities; this is explined in [Yshomitr s] Commentry on (Asṅg s) Summry of Mnifest Knowledge. [Medittive stbiliztion.] Medittive stbiliztion is the mentl fctor of one-pointedness tht cuses the mind nd mentl fctors tht re in similr ssocition with it to be collected on one object of observtion. When treted in this wy, the three the two, investigtion nd nlysis, nd medittive stbiliztion of the system of Asṅg s Summry of Mnifest Knowledge re included in the ggregte of compositionl fctors, nd the two joy nd bliss re included in the ggregte of feeling. [The four] the two, investigtion nd nlysis, bliss, nd medittive stbiliztion of the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge re included in the ggregte of compositionl fctors, nd joy is included in the ggregte of feeling. [The specil ctul bsorption of the first concentrtion.] Question: Wht is this which is clled specil ctul bsorption of the first concentrtion? Answer: With reference to n bsorption of the first concentrtion, [12] it is clled specil ctul bsorption of the first concentrtion with respect to mere seprtion from ttchment to investigtion, nd since, moreover, from mong the five brnches of the first concentrtion, investigtion is the corsest, seprtion from ttchment to investigtion occurs without seprtion from ttchment to the other brnches. Therefore, with respect to the first [concentrtion], specil ctul bsorption of the first concentrtion is posited, but since, with respect to the brnches of the remining concentrtions, there is no

17 342 Trnsltions such feture [of one brnch being corser thn the others], specil ctul bsorption is not posited. THE ACTUAL ABSORPTION OF THE SECOND CONCENTRATION Internl clrity. It is explined in Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge tht [internl clrity] is the fith of conviction in hving definitely emerged from the first concentrtion of the system of Vsubndhu s Tresury. [Internl clrity] is explined in Asṅg s Compendium of Ascertinments s the three mindfulness, introspection, nd the compositionl fctor of equnimity tht re included within the level of the second concentrtion. b The mening of internl clrity is tht it hs thoroughly pcified the distrction of the investigtion nd nlysis of the first concentrtion, c which disturbed one s continuum. [The remining brnches. The explntion of ] the three the two, joy nd bliss, nd medittive stbiliztion is like the explntion of the brnches of the first concentrtion in the individul systems of Vsubndhu s Tresury of Mnifest Knowledge nd Asṅg s Grounds of Herers. THE BRANCHES OF THE THIRD CONCENTRATION From mong the five [brnches], mindfulness is the mentl fctor, included within the level of the third concentrtion, which holds on without forgetfulness to the object of observtion tht is the preceptul instruction of the third concentrtion; introspection is the mentl fctor, included within the level of the third concentrtion, which inspects for lxity nd excitement; the compositionl fctor of equnimity is the mentl fctor, included within the level of the third concentrtion, which is without the inequlity of the fults of lxity nd excitement; the feeling of bliss is mentl fctor [nmely,] the experience of refreshment generted s concomitnt of single min mentl Tsong-kh-p, Notes, , following Guru Dev s reding, gnyis p i dngos gzhi l, insted of gnyis p i gzhi l ( the bses [tht is, brnches] of the second [concentrtion] ) here nd t P6148, vol. 154, nd Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, dngos is written below the line. Whtever the reding, the heding is n exmple of the notetker s fulty prllelism, since the corresponding hedings for the other three concentrtions re in terms of the brnches of those concentrtions, not in terms of the ctul bsorption. b Asṅg, Compendium of Ascertinments, P5539, vol. 111, c Tsong-kh-p, Notes, following Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 811.1, nd P6148, vol. 154, , in reding bsm gtn dng po insted of bsm gtn po. Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 557.1, grees with this text.

18 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 343 consciousness; medittive stbiliztion is s [explined] bove. Question: Wht is the difference between the joy of the first two concentrtions nd the bliss of the third? [13] Answer: Although they re similr in being mentl fctors generted s concomitnts of single min mentl consciousness tht experiences refreshment, [this experience] is clled joy t the time of pcifiction of the fults of very gret fluctution with respect to the object [nd is clled] bliss t the time of the third concentrtion, which pcifies tht [joy], but it is not clled joy. The Vibhāṣhiks ssert tht the mentl fctor of bliss of the first two concentrtions is the bliss of plincy. The Sutrāntiks sk: While there is b plincy more mrvelous thn [tht of ] the first two concentrtions in the third nd fourth, why hve you not lso mentioned the bliss of plincy [s brnch of the third nd fourth concentrtions this being bsurd]? Hving refuted [the position tht the bliss of the first two concentrtions is the bliss of plincy, the Sutrāntiks] ssert their own system s bliss of the first [two] concentrtions s being the mentl fctor generted s concomitnt of single min physicl consciousness tht experiences refreshment [tht is to sy, bliss concomitnt with] sense consciousness. THE BRANCHES OF THE FOURTH CONCENTRATION From mong the four [brnches], completely pure mindfulness is the mentl fctor, relesed from the eight fults of concentrtion, which holds on without forgetfulness to the object of observtion tht is the preceptul instruction of the fourth concentrtion; the completely pure compositionl fctor of equnimity is the mentl fctor, relesed from the eight fults of concentrtion, which is without the inequlity of the fults of lxity nd excitement; neutrl feeling is mentl fctor generted s concomitnt of single min mentl consciousness, is feeling of neither refreshment nor nguish, nd is relese from the eight fults of concentrtion which is n experience of neutrl Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 13.1, following Guru Dev, vol. tsh, in reding sim insted of sims. Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, grees with this text. P6148, vol. 154, , reds sem. b Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 13.2, following P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 558.1, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 812.1, in reding yod bzhin du insted of yd bzhin du.

19 344 Trnsltions [feeling]; medittive stbiliztion is s [explined] bove. Question: Why is introspection mentioned s brnch of the third concentrtion [but] not mentioned s [ brnch of ] the fourth concentrtion? Answer: Since, in the fourth concentrtion, one is relesed from the eight fults of concentrtion, there is no need to inspect for lxity nd excitement; therefore, [introspection] is not posited s brnch. The eight fults of concentrtion re the two, investigtion nd nlysis; the two, joy nd bliss; the two, suffering nd mentl discomfort; nd the two, exhltion nd inhltion, [mking] eight. Moreover, with respect to the explntion of investigtion, nlysis, joy, nd bliss s fults of concentrtion, they re fults in terms of levels other [thn their own], [14] but they re not fults reltive to their own level. The reson for the definiteness of the number Question: Wht is the reson for the brnches of the four concentrtions being definite s fives nd fours? Answer: The brnches of the ctul [medittive bsorptions] of the concentrtions re not definite s these [tht is, limited to these] becuse there re mny [brnches of ] ctul medittive bsorptions of concentrtions which re not ny of these brnches. Question: In terms of wht mening re the brnches posited s fives nd fours? Answer: In terms of including the min [brnches]. Question: In terms of wht re the min [brnches] included? Answer: The min re included in terms of ntidotl, benefit, nd bsis brnches. [The first concentrtion.] The two, the investigtion nd nlysis of the first concentrtion, re the ntidotl brnches becuse they bring bout seprtion from ttchment to the fflictions of the lower level. Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 14.1, reding lng dng bzhir, s in 14.2, insted of bzhi dng lngr. The ltter is inccurte, since the first nd third concentrtions ech hve five brnches nd the second nd fourth ech hve four, nd is nother exmple of the notetker s fulty prllelism. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 559.1, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 812.6, gree with this text.

20 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 345 Moreover, the wy in which the two, investigtion nd nlysis, ct s ntidotes is in considertion of their being continutions of the investigtion nd nlysis of the preprtions; however, the investigtion nd nlysis of the ctul bsorption merely ct to increse the distnce from the lower level but re not ctul ntidotes tht bndon [the fflictions of the lower level]. The two, joy nd bliss, re the benefit brnches becuse they re generted from hving bndoned the fflictions of the lower level. Medittive stbiliztion is the bsis brnch becuse the ntidotl brnches investigtion nd nlysis nd the benefit brnches joy nd bliss re generted in dependence upon it. [The second concentrtion.] The internl clrity of the second concentrtion is the ntidotl brnch becuse it bndons the investigtion nd nlysis of the first. The wy it serves [s this] is similr to tht explined bove [with regrd to the ntidotl brnches of the first concentrtion]. The wy in which joy nd bliss serve s the benefit brnches is lso similr to [tht explined] erlier. Medittive stbiliztion is lso similr to [tht explined] erlier. [The third concentrtion.] The three the mindfulness, introspection, nd the compositionl fctor of equnimity of the third concentrtion re the ntidotl brnches [becuse] they bndon the joy of the second concentrtion. The other [brnches] re similr to [those explined] erlier. [The fourth concentrtion.] The completely pure mindfulness nd the completely pure compositionl fctor of equnimity of the fourth concentrtion [15] re the ntidotl brnches, since they bndon the bliss of the third. The feeling of equnimity is the benefit brnch. Medittive stbiliztion is the bsis brnch. Question: Wht re the differences mong the concentrtions in terms of their brnches? [Answer:] With respect to the brnches of the first two concentrtions, there is difference with respect to the completion or non-completion of medittive stbiliztion. With respect to the brnches of the lst two concentrtions, there is difference with respect to the completion or non-completion of help. Question: Wht is the reson for positing four concentrtions? Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 14.4, reding sring insted of srid. P6148, vol. 154, , reds srid. Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 559.5, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 813.3, lso pper to hve srid but re not cler.

21 346 Trnsltions [Answer:] Four re posited in terms of definite emergence from fculties of feeling: It is explined in Asṅg s Compendium of Ascertinments tht the first is posited in terms of definite emergence from the fculty of the feeling of mentl discomfort (tshor b yid mi bde i dbng po); the second is posited in terms of definite emergence from the fculty of the feeling of suffering (tshor b sdug bsngl gyi dbng po); the third is posited in terms of definite emergence from the fculty of the feeling of mentl bliss (tshor b yid bde i dbng po); the fourth is posited in terms of definite emergence from the fculty of the feeling of bliss (tshor b bde b i dbng po). Hving treted them tht wy, the sme work clls the joy nd bliss of the first concentrtion the joy nd bliss generted from isoltion; it clls the joy nd bliss of the second concentrtion the joy nd bliss generted from medittive stbiliztion; nd it clls the bliss of the third concentrtion the bliss tht is without joy. Accordingly, the second concentrtion is posited by wy of discrding the investigtion nd nlysis of the first concentrtion; the third concentrtion is posited by wy of discrding the joy of the second; nd the fourth is posited by wy of discrding the bliss of the third. Therefore, the concentrtions re explined s pssing beyond the lower level by wy of their brnches. b Anlysis of the objects of observtion nd subjective spects of the formless bsorptions [Limitless spce.] From mong the four [limitless spce, limitless consciousness, nothingness, nd the pek of cyclic existence], the object of observtion nd subjective spect of limitless spce [re s follows]: A person who hs ttined the fourth concentrtion, [16] hving seen the fourth concentrtion s gross, [thinks] for the ske of overcoming it, The fourth concentrtion is gross, nd limitless spce is peceful, nd these re just spce. The discrimintion of form, which is such ppernces s blue nd yellow; the discrimintion of obstructiveness, which is such ppernces s buildings nd wlls; nd the discrimintion of vrious ppernces such s groves nd rivers vnish in dependence upon one s hving become well cquinted for long time with grossness nd pecefulness. When one enters n bsorption observing the Asṅg, Compendium of Ascertinments, P5539, vol. 111, (prphrse). b Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 15.7, reding yn lg gi insted of yn lg g. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 561.3, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 814.6, hve the correct reding.

22 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 347 corse ggregtes tht re the bsis of the nme nd just spce, tht is the bsorption tht is the sphere of limitless spce. [Limitless consciousness.] The object of observtion nd subjective spect of the sphere of limitless consciousness b [is s follows]: A person who hs ttined n bsorption of the sphere of limitless spce, hving seen the discrimintion of the sphere of limitless spce s gross, [thinks] for the ske of overcoming it, Gross, with respect to limitless spce nd, Peceful with respect to the sphere of limitless consciousness. In dependence upon hving become well cquinted for long time with grossness nd pecefulness, one overcomes the discrimintion of limitless spce; the discrimintion tht observes the ggregtes of one s own level tht re the bsis c of the nme, [thinking,] Consciousness is limitless, is the bsorption of the sphere of limitless consciousness. [Nothingness.] The object of observtion nd subjective spect of the sphere of nothingness [is s follows]: A person who hs ttined n bsorption of the sphere of limitless consciousness, hving seen the discrimintion of the sphere of limitless consciousness s gross, for the ske of overcoming it [thinks], Gross, with respect to the sphere of limitless consciousness nd, Peceful, with respect to the sphere of nothingness. In dependence upon hving become well cquinted for long time with grossness nd pecefulness, one overcomes the discrimintion of limitless consciousness. [Thinking,] There is not even ny object of observtion tht hs form or is formless, one enters n bsorption observing the corse ggregtes tht re the bsis d of the nme; [17] tht is the bsorption of the sphere of nothingness. Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 16.2, reding ming gzhi i phung po insted of ming bzhi i phung po. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 561.6, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 815.3, gree with this text. However, in nme nd form, the fourth of the twelve links of dependent-rising, the four mentl ggregtes re the bsis of the nme. b Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 16.3, reding rnm shes mth ys skye mched kyi dmigs rnm insted of nm mkh mth ys skye mched kyi dmigs rnm. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 561.6, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 815.3, gree with this text. c Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 16.5, reding ming gzhi i phung po insted of ming bzhi i phung po. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 562.3, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 815.5, gree with this text. d Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 16.7, reding ming gzhi i phung po insted of ming bzhi i phung po. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 562.5, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, , gree with this text.

23 348 Trnsltions [The pek of cyclic existence.] The object of observtion nd subjective spect of the sphere of no discrimintion nd no non-discrimintion [is s follows]: A person who hs ttined n bsorption of the sphere of nothingness, hving seen the discrimintion of the sphere of nothingness s gross, [thinks] for the ske of overcoming it, The utter nonexistence of discrimintion is thorough obscurtion. Corse discrimintion is n che tht is n effect of illness. Tht stte in which corse discrimintion does not exist nd subtle [discrimintion] is not nonexistent is peceful; it is uspicious; it is definite emergence. In dependence upon hving become well cquinted for long time with grossness nd pecefulness, [thinking,] Corse discrimintion does not exist nd subtle [discrimintion] is not non-existent, one enters n bsorption observing the corse ggregtes of one s own level tht re the bsis of the nme; tht is the bsorption of [the sphere of ] no discrimintion nd no non-discrimintion. Accordingly, the sphere of limitless consciousness is posited by wy of discrding the sphere of limitless spce; the sphere of nothingness [is posited] in dependence upon discrding [limitless consciousness, nd] the sphere of without discrimintion nd without non-discrimintion [is posited] in dependence upon discrding [nothingness]. Therefore, the formless bsorptions re sid to pss beyond the lower level by wy of the object of observtion. Explntion of the effects of hving cultivted those [bsorptions] These [effects] re the birth concentrtions nd the birth formless bsorptions. By hving cultivted the three [types] smll, middling, nd gret with respect to ech of the bsorptions of the concentrtions, one chieves the three [types of ] birth in ech of the Four Concentrtions. Moreover, since most of the fctors of the mundne beings of the Concentrtions, which re ttined through birth there, re fruitionl effects of the concentrtions tht re [ctul] bsorptions, nd the mundne environments of [the Concentrtions] re owned effects of [the concentrtions tht re ctul bsorptions, these fruitionl nd owned effects] re birth concentrtions. Similrly, with respect to the bsorptions of the formless bsorptions, by hving cultivted the three Tsong-kh-p, Notes, 17.3, reding ming gzhi i phung po insted of ming bzhi i phung po. Jeffrey Hopkins emendtion. P6148, vol. 154, ; Ngwng Gelek Demo, vol. 27, 563.3, nd Guru Dev, vol. tsh, 816.5, gree with this text.

24 Tsong-kh-p s Notes 349 [types] smll, middling, nd gret, [18] one chieves the birth of being of the Formless Absorptions. Since most of the fctors ttined from birth by sentient beings who re born in [the Formless Absorptions] re fruitionl effects of the bsorptions of the formless bsorptions, [these fruitionl effects] re birth formless bsorptions. Concerning the mening of smll, middling, nd gret: If one hs neither intense nor continul ppliction, tht is the smll [type]; if one hs either [intense or continul ppliction, but not both, tht is] the middling [type]; if one hs both, [tht is] the gret [type]. [III.] THE ATTAINERS THE PERSONS WHO ARE THE BASIS Except for the sphere of nothingness, the other seven [bsorptions re ttined by] someone hving the bsis of either their own level or the level below them, but the sphere of nothingness [is ttined by] those hving the bsis of the three its own level, the level below it, nd the level bove it. [IV.] EXPLANATION OF THE SIGNS OF ATTAINMENT It is explined in Asṅg s Grounds of Herers tht signs rise nmely, tht the sign of the ttinment of the bsorptions of the concentrtions is, for instnce, the ppernce tht one s body is sinking nd tht the sign of the ttinment of the bsorptions of the formless bsorptions is, for instnce, the ppernce tht one s body is flying in spce. [This ws] put together by the glorious Lo-sng-drk-p [tht is, Tsongkh-p]. Best of fortune!