The Practice of

Tranquillity & Insight

A Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation

Kfienchen Thrangu

T he

P ractice
a n d

of

T ranquillity

Insight

T he
P ractice
T ranquillity

of

a n d

Insight

A Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation

A commentary on the eighth chapter

o f the T

r e a s u r y of

nowledge

by J a m g o n K o n g tru l

h e n c h e n

h r a n g u

Translated by
P eter R oberts

SHAMBHALA
BOSTON & LONDON

1993

Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Horticultural Hall
300 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
1993 by Khenchen Thrangu
All rights reserved. N o part o f this book may be reproduced in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
or by any information storage and retrieval system, w ithout permission
in writing from the publisher.
9

First Edition
Printed in the United States o f America on acid-free paper
Distributed in the United States by Random House, Inc., and in Canada
by Random House o f Canada Ltd.
Library o f Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thrangu, Khenchen.
The practice o f tranquillity and insight: a guide to Tibetan Buddhist meditation:
a com m entary on the eighth chapter o f the Treasury o f k now ledge by Jamgon
Kongtrul / Khenchen Thrangu; translated by Peter Roberts. 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-87773-943-9 (alk. paper)
1. Meditation Buddhism. 2. Koii-sprul B lo-gros-m th a-yas, 1813-1899. Ses
bya kun khyab. 3. Buddhism China Tibet Doctrines. I. Koii-sprul
B lo-gros-m th a-yas, 1813-1899. Ses bya kun
khyab. Selections. English. 1993. II. Title.
B Q 7805.T 47 1993 93-20223
294.3'443 dc20
CIP

Frontispiece photo Marvin Moore. All rights reserved

C ontents
Foreword vii
Acknowledgments xi
1.

In t r o d u c t i o n
In s i g h t M

to

editation

ranquillity

and

W hy One Should Practice Meditation 3

The Essential Nature o f Samatha and Vipayan 7
E tym ology o f Samatha and Vipasyana 11
The Necessity o f Both Samatha and Vispayan 12
The Progressive Order o f Meditation 13

PART O N E
2.

Sam atha: T r a n q u illity

M editation

The Prerequisites for Practicing Samatha 17

Categories o f Samatha 19
Posture 21
Four Objects o f Meditation 25
Four Obstacles to Meditation 29
The Specific Stages o f Meditation 31
3.

Identifying

E x p e r ie n c e s in S a m a t h a

M editation

39

The Five Faults 39

The Eight Antidotes 42
The Six Powers, N ine Levels, and Four
Engagements 46
The Tradition o f Oral Instruction 55
The Accomplishment o f Samatha 58
The Purpose o f Accomplishing Samatha 61
v

17

C ontents
PART TW O
4.

VipaSyana: I n s ig h t M e d i t a t i o n

65

The Prerequisites for Practicing Vipasyana 65

The Different Forms o f Vipasyana 69
Categories o f Vipasyana 84
Methods o f Vipasyana 93
The Accomplishment o f Vipasyana 104

PART T H R E E
5.

he

i p a Sy a n a

nion

of

Samatha

and

III

The Practice o f This Union 111

The Tim e o f the Union 119
The Result o f the Union 125
Different Kinds o f Samatha 129
Levels and Results o f Meditation 135

Notes 143
Glossary 149
Transliteration and Pronunciation o f
Tibetan Terms 159
Bibliography 163
About the Author 165
Index 167

VI

Foreword

T h e f o u n d a ti o n o f B u d d h is t p ra c tic e h as alw ay s b e e n
th e tw o f o ld d e v e lo p m e n t o f g a in in g an u n d e r s ta n d i n g
o f th e B u d d h a s te a c h in g s , o n th e o n e h a n d , a n d devel
o p in g lib e r a tio n f r o m e m o t i o n a l a n d c o g n itiv e o b s c u r a
tio n s t h r o u g h th e p ra c tic e o f m e d ita tio n , o n th e o t h e r
h a n d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , th e r e have b e e n fe w b o o k s e x
p la in in g th e la tte r p ro c e s s o f w h y a n d h o w o n e m e d i
tates. T h is b o o k b y K h e n c h e n T h r a n g u , R in p o c h e , lays
o u t in d e ta il h o w o n e d ev e lo p s th e tw o p rin c ip a l k in d s
o f m e d i t a t i o n s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a f r o m th e s ta g e
o f b e g in n e r to th a t o f c o m p le te e n lig h te n m e n t.
T h e r e are, o f c o u rs e , m a n y m a n u a ls o n m e d ita tio n ,
b u t T h r a n g u R in p o c h e c h o s e th e Treasury o f K nowledge
f o r th e b asis o f th e s e te a c h in g s b e c a u s e its a u th o r ,
J a m g o n K o n g triil, is w id e ly k n o w n f o r s y n th e s iz in g th e
k n o w l e d g e a n d e x p e rie n c e o f m a n y lin eag e s in T i b e t
a n d f o r h e lp in g to f o u n d th e R i - m e (e cu m en ica l) m o v e
m e n t. H e is also k n o w n fo r w r i t i n g a n d c o m p ilin g o n e
h u n d r e d v o lu m e s o f N y i n g m a a n d K a g y ii te a c h in g s .
W h e n T h r a n g u R in p o c h e re fers to th e t e x t , h e is
a c tu a lly r e f e r r in g to th e e ig h th c h a p te r o f th e first o f th e
five b o o k s o f th e Treasury o f K nowledge. T h is c h a p te r h as
b e e n tr a n s la te d b y K ik i E d k e liu s a n d C h r y s s o u la Z e r b in i as T h e Treasury o f K nowledge. B u t th e c h a p te r is
e n c y c lo p e d ic in th a t it e n c o m p a s s e s th e v ie w a n d p r a c V ll

Foreword
tice o f m e d ita tio n n o t o n ly f r o m th e s u tra t r a d itio n b u t
also f r o m th e m a h a y a n a a n d v a jra y an a tra d itio n s . B e in g
e n c y c lo p e d ic , it c o n d e n s e s a v a s t a m o u n t o f i n f o r m a ti o n
in ea ch s e n te n c e a n d a s s u m e s th a t th e re a d e r h as h a d
e x te n siv e tr a in in g in B u d d h is m . So, fo r W e ste rn e rs to
u n d e r s ta n d th is g re a t w o rk , th e y n e e d an e x te n siv e
c o m m e n t a r y f r o m an a c c o m p lis h e d s c h o la r a n d B u d
d h is t p ra c titio n e r. K h e n c h e n T h r a n g u is b o t h o f th ese.
T h r a n g u R i n p o c h e t a u g h t tw o s e m i n a r s o n th is
te x t o n e at W o rc e s te r C o lle g e in O x f o r d , E n g la n d , in
1988 a n d th e o t h e r in K a th m a n d u , N e p a l, in 1989. To
d ev elo p th is te x t, th e s e tw o s e m in a rs w e re r e c o rd e d ,
tra n s c rib e d , a n d c o m b i n e d in to o n e b o o k . T h e re a s o n
fo r c o m b i n i n g th e tw o d iffe re n t s e m in a r s w a s th a t
T h r a n g u R in p o c h e w o u ld e m p h a s iz e c e rta in p o in ts in
o n e s e m in a r a n d o t h e r p o in ts in th e o th e r s e m in a r.
E x te n s iv e e d itin g w a s th e re fo re n e c e ssa ry , a n d it is
h o p e d th a t th e r e s u ltin g te x t is a t h o r o u g h y e t re a d a b le
a n d u n d e r s ta n d a b le e x p la n a tio n o f th is v e ry p r o f o u n d
a n d c o m p le x to p ic .
W h a t m a k e s th is c o m m e n t a r y so v a lu a b le is th a t
T h r a n g u R in p o c h e is o n e o f th e f o r e m o s t T i b e t a n s c h o l
ars o f th e s a m e K a g y ii lin e a g e to w h ic h J a m g o n K o n g triil b e lo n g e d . T h r a n g u R in p o c h e w a s tra in e d in T ib e t,
a n d u p o n lea v in g T i b e t in 1959 h e c o n tin u e d his s tu d ie s
in In d ia. H e w as t h e n e x a m in e d a n d g iv e n th e h ig h e s t
geshe d e g r e e b y H is H o lin e s s th e D a la i L am a . F o llo w in g
th is h e w a s a s k e d b y H is H o lin e s s th e s ix te e n th K a r m a p a to e s ta b lis h th e c u r r ic u lu m fo r tr a in in g th e K a g y ii
lin e a g e a n d w a s th e t u t o r fo r th e f o u r m a jo r re g e n ts : Tai
S itu p a R in p o c h e , G y a lts a p a R in p o c h e , S h a rm a p a R in
p o c h e , a n d J a m g o n K o n g t r u l R in p o c h e ( w h o w a s a
r e in c a rn a tio n o f th e a u t h o r o f th e Treasury o f K n o w led g e).
v iii

Foreword
T h r a n g u R in p o c h e is also w id e ly re c o g n iz e d as b e in g
s p iritu a lly realized , a n d h as ta u g h t th o u s a n d s o f s tu d e n ts
in o ver t h i r t y c o u n trie s . A s a re s u lt, th is c o m m e n t a r y
c o n ta in s p ra c tic a l e x a m p le s a n d in s ig h ts f r o m his e x p e
rie n c e a n d tr a in in g ra th e r th a n j u s t a n e r u d ite e x p la n a
t io n o f th e te x t.
F in a lly , to m a k e this b o o k m o r e re a d a b le , T i b e t a n
te r m s have b e e n sp e lle d a c c o rd in g to th e p h o n e tic s y s
te m . In te r e s te d re a d e rs ca n fin d th e o rig in a l T i b e t a n a n d
t ra n s lite ra tio n s in th e b a c k o f th e b o o k .
Clark Johnson,

ix

P h .D.

Acknowledgm ents
T h e a u t h o r w o u ld lik e to th a n k th e m a n y p e r s o n s w h o
m a d e th is b o o k p o ssib le : P e te r R o b e rts f o r tra n s la tin g
th e te a c h in g s o f T h r a n g u R in p o c h e f r o m T i b e t a n in to
E n g lis h ; S u san R o e a n d G a b y H o l m a n n f o r tr a n s c r ib in g
th e a u d io tap e s o f th e s e te a c h in g s ; J e a n J o h n s o n fo r
h e lp in g to e d it th e m a n u s c r ip t; a n d C o r n e lia H w a n g fo r
o r g a n iz in g th e s e te a c h in g s .

T he

P ractice
a n d

of

T ranquillity

Insight

I
T

n t r o d u c t i o n

r a n q u i l l i t y

hi s

a n d

t o

n s i g h t

e d i t a t i o n

t e a c h in g o n m e d ita t io n c o m e s f r o m a te x t

c alled th e Treasury o f K now ledge, o r th e Sheja

D z o in T ib e ta n . T h is te x t is called a tr e a s u r y
b e c a u s e th e te x t h as g a th e r e d to g e t h e r i n f o r m a ti o n f r o m
th e sutras a n d tantras a n d p r e s e n te d it in a co n c ise f o r m .
It c o n ta in s n o t o n ly th e a c tu a l te a c h in g s o f th e B u d d h a s ,
b u t also te a c h in g s o n g r a m m a r , m e d ic in e , p o e t r y , as
t r o lo g y , a n d o t h e r s u b jects. B e c a u s e th e te x t covers so
m u c h , it is also called th e Sheja K iin kya b , w h ic h m e a n s
th e te x t th a t covers all k n o w l e d g e .
T h e a u t h o r o f th e Treasury o f K nowledge w a s J a m g o n
K o n g triil (1 8 1 3 -1 8 9 9 ). H e w as b o r n to a p o o r fa m ily ,
a n d his f a th e r d ie d at th e tim e o f h is b irth , so h is fa m ily
c o n s is te d o f j u s t h i m s e l f a n d h is m o th e r . A t th e tim e
th e re w a s a v ery p o w e rfu l k in g o f th e k i n g d o m o f D e r g e
w h o m a d e h is su b jects d o h a r d m a n u a l la b o r fo r h im .
J a m g o n K o n g t r u l s m o t h e r to ld h im , T h e r e is n o p o i n t
in le a d in g th is k i n d o f life, w h i c h w ill b e m o s t ly s u ffe r
in g . It is m u c h b e tte r i f y o u e n te r th e dharma a n d b e c o m e
a m o n k . H is m o t h e r th u s s e n t h i m to a m o n a s te r y ,
w h e r e h e b e c a m e o r d a in e d a n d s tu d ie d h a r d a n d b e c a m e
a p u p il o f th e n i n t h Tai S itu p a , P e m a N y in g je W a n g p o .
J a m g o n K o n g triil w as a g o o d s tu d e n t a n d w r ite r , a n d

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

w h e n th e k in g o f D e r g e h e a rd o f his skills, h e w a n te d
to m a k e h i m his p e r s o n a l s e c re ta ry . B u t P e m a N y in g je
t h o u g h t , I f h e is j u s t an o r d i n a r y m o n k , th e k in g w ill
b e ab le to ta k e h i m away, a n d h e w ill w a s te his tim e
w i t h te m p o r a l m a tte r s as a se c re ta ry . H o w e v er, i f h e is
d e c la re d a tiilku, th e k in g w ill n o t b e ab le to have h i m as
a s e c r e t a r y . T h e p r o b l e m w a s th a t h e h a d to b e th e
r e in c a rn a tio n o f s o m e o n e to b e id e n tifie d as a tiilk u . So
P e m a N y in g je t h o u g h t it w o u ld b e a g o o d id e a to call
h i m th e tiilk u o f K o n g p o P a m d e n . T h is w o u l d b e c o n
v e n ie n t b e c a u s e K o n g p o P a m d e n h a d b e e n s u c h a g o o d
m e d ita to r . T h e r e f o r e , th e y gave J a m g o n K o n g triil th e
n a m e K o n g p o P a m d e n T iilk u , a n d th is w a s s h o r te n e d
to K o n g triil. T h a t is h o w J a m g o n K o n g triil g o t his
nam e.
S o J a m g o n K o n g triil w a s d e c la re d a tiilk u a n d liv ed in
a c a b in o n a la rg e ro c k ab ov e P a lp u n g . T h is r o c k is
called T s a d r a R in c h e n D ra k . Rinchen drak m e a n s p r e
cio u s r o c k o r je w e l r o c k , a n d tsadra m e a n s s im ila r
to T s a r i . T s a r i a n d M o u n t K a ila sh are tw o v e ry s a c re d
places in T ib e t. T s a d r a R in c h e n D r a k w a s r e c o g n iz e d
b y th e terton C h o j y u r L in g p a , so th is is a v e ry sp ecial
place. W h e n o n e lo o k s at th e n o r t h e r n face o f th e ro c k ,
o n e can see th e f o r m o f th e d e ity D o r je P h u r b a (Skt.
Vhjrakilaya) o n th e ro c k . J a m g o n K o n g triil h a d a little
h o u s e b u ilt in th e area o f th e h e a rt o f this f o r m o f D o rje
P h u r b a , a n d h e sta y e d th e re m e d ita tin g in re tre a t. In his
life s to r y h e says th a t h e w as th e re a lo n e in a s ta te o f
p o v e rty , w i t h n o t h i n g o th e r th a n o n e b a g o f tsampa
(ro a s te d b a rle y ) a n d a sin g le b ric k o f tea.
A t th e tim e th e re w e re m a n y lin eag e s in T i b e t s o m e
w i t h m a n y lin e a g e h o ld e rs a n d s o m e w i t h o n ly a fe w
h o ld e rs . To p re v e n t th e se lin eag e s f r o m d y in g o u t,
2

Introduction
J a m g o n K o n g triil c o lle c te d th e te a c h in g s o f all th e s e
lin eag e s a n d a s s e m b le d t h e m in to five te x ts called th e
Five Treasuries. T h e Treasury o f K nowledge, th e w o r k w e
are d e a lin g w i t h h e re , is j u s t o n e of* th e five, j a m g o n
K o n g triil a s s e m b le d th e se tre a s u rie s g ra d u a lly . B u t th e n
it w a s d is c o v e re d th a t a s u tr a says, T h e r e w ill c o m e a
g u id e called L o d r o w h o w ill te a c h th e five k in d s o f
k n o w l e d g e . T h e w o r d lodro m e a n s in te llig e n c e in
T ib e ta n , a n d th is w a s a c tu a lly J a m g o n K o n g tr iils n a m e .
T h e five k in d s o f k n o w l e d g e re fe r to th e five tre a s u rie s .
S o J a m g o n K o n g triil c o m p o s e d th e se five tre a s u rie s , a n d
g re a t s c h o la rs have r e c o g n iz e d th e p r o p h e c y o f th e s u tra
as in d e e d b e in g a b o u t J a m g o n K o n g triil.
J a m g o n K o n g triil b e c a m e th e te a c h e r o f th e fifte e n th
K a r m a p a , K h a k h y a b D o rje , w h ic h is a v ery special
d is tin c tio n . In th e Treasury o f K nowledge are te a c h in g s o n
all levels, in c lu d in g th e s u tra s a n d th e ta n tra s . T h e r e are
also te a c h in g s o n w h a t to d o a t ea ch o f th ese levels, h o w
to d ev e lo p o n e s m e d i t a t i o n at th e s e levels, a n d so o n .

W h y O n e S h o u ld Practice M ed ita tio n

J a m g o n K o n g triil b e g in s b y a n s w e rin g th e q u e s tio n o f
w h y o n e m e d ita te s . In S a n s k rit m e d ita tio n is samadhi, a
w o r d tra n s la te d as ting nge d z i n 1 in T ib e ta n . T h e s y lla b le
d z in m e a n s to h o l d , a n d th e s y llab le nge is an a d v e rb
m a k i n g th e m e a n in g to h o ld s o m e t h i n g u n w a v e rin g ly ,
f irm ly , so th a t th e re is n o m o v e m e n t . T h is m e a n s th a t
d u r i n g m e d ita tio n th e m i n d d o e s n o t fall u n d e r th e
in flu e n c e o f th o u g h t s , o b s c u r a tio n s , o r m e n ta l n e g a tiv
ity (Skt. klesa, T ib . nyonm ong). In s te a d it is c o m p le te ly
s ta b le a n d u n w a v e rin g . S a m a d h i is tra n s la te d as gom in
T ib e ta n . T h is w o r d is v e ry clo se to k o m , 2 w h i c h m e a n s
3

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

to b e c o m e a c c u s to m e d to d o in g s o m e t h i n g , so th a t it
b e c o m e s a p a r t o f o n eself. M e d ita tio n is v e ry s im ila r to
fa m ilia riz a tio n b e c a u s e o n e c o n tin u e s m e d ita tin g even i f
it s o m e tim e s d o e s n t g o w ell. O b s ta c le s a n d p r o b le m s
o fte n arise, b u t o n e c o n tin u e s a n d h a b itu a te s o n e s e lf to
m e d i t a t i n g u n t i l it b e c o m e s e a s y a n d n a t u r a l . S o
t h r o u g h h a b itu a tio n o n e is ab le to r e m a in in th e s ta te o f
m e d ita tio n .
S a m a d h i in c lu d e s tr a n q u illity m e d ita tio n , o r samatha,
a n d in s ig h t m e d ita tio n , o r vipasyana. A f te r re c e iv in g th e
te a c h in g s f o r th e s e tw o ty p e s o f m e d ita tio n , o n e n e e d s
to an a ly z e t h e m w i t h o n e s in te llig e n c e in o r d e r to g a in
a d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e m . A fte r g a in in g an
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e s e tw o , it is n e c e s s a ry to p ra c tic e
a n d m e d ita te so th a t w h a t o n e h as le a rn e d b e c o m e s
a b s o r b e d b y th e m in d . E v en i f o n e k n o w s a g r e a t deal
a b o u t d h a r m a , it w ill b e o f n o h e lp i f o n e d o e s n o t
u n d e r s ta n d s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n . T h e r e
fo re, o n e m u s t p ra c tic e m e d ita tio n so t h a t w h a t is
c o n c e p tu a lly l e a r n e d , b e c o m e s a p a r t o f o n ese lf. T h u s
w e m u s t e x a m in e m e d ita tio n first.
T h e r e are several levels o f u n d e r s ta n d in g . F r o m h e a r
in g th e B u d d h is t te a c h in g s o n e d ev elo p s th e understand
ing o f listening; f r o m th i n k in g a b o u t th e s e te a c h in g s o n e
d ev e lo p s th e understanding o f contemplation. T h e s e tw o are
n o t e n o u g h to d ev e lo p fu ll u n d e r s ta n d i n g b e c a u s e o n e
m u s t t u r n o n e s m i n d i n w a r d to g a in th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g
th a t c o m e s f r o m m e d ita tio n . In s te a d o f fo c u s in g th e
m i n d e x te rn a lly b y lis te n in g to th e te a c h in g s , o n e fo
cu ses o n e s a tte n tio n in te rn a lly o n th e m i n d its e lf to
d ev e lo p understanding o f meditation. O n e c a n n o t b e n e fit
m u c h f r o m fo c u s in g o n e x te rn a l p h e n o m e n a b e c a u s e
th e m i n d is b o u n d u p b y th e k lesas, a n d th e o n ly w a y
4

Introduction
to free o n e s e lf f r o m th e b o n d a g e o f k lesas is to t u r n
i n w a r d t h r o u g h m e d ita tio n .
J a m g o n K o n g triil gives tw o e x a m p le s illu s tr a tin g th e
n e c e s s ity f o r m e d ita tio n . O n e is th e e x a m p le o f a
f a rm e r. F o r a f a r m e r to b e h a p p y a n d w ell fed, h e m u s t
p la n t a field, w o r k h a r d , a n d g e t a g o o d h a rv e s t. To have
a g o o d c r o p in th e field is n o t e n o u g h ; h e m u s t h a rv e s t
it a n d eat it. S im ila rly , j u s t lis te n in g to th e te a c h in g s
a n d c o n t e m p l a ti n g t h e m is n o t e n o u g h ; o n e m u s t m e d
ita te to d is p e l th e n e g a t iv i t y in o n e s m i n d a n d d ev e lo p
in n e r w i s d o m . In th e s e c o n d e x a m p le , b o r r o w e d f r o m
S an tid e v a , a d o c t o r m u s t have k n o w le d g e o f th e m e d i
cines a n d th e ir p r o p e r a p p lic a tio n , w h ic h is g a in e d
t h r o u g h th e s tu d y o f m e d ic a l b o o k s . B u t j u s t re a d in g
m e d ic a l b o o k s w ill n o t e lim in a te disease; th e p a tie n t
m u s t ta k e th e m e d ic in e s d e s c rib e d in th e te x ts . S im i
la rly , j u s t lis te n in g to a n d c o n te m p la tin g th e d h a r m a is
n o t e n o u g h b e c a u s e it w ill n o t q u ell th e klesas a n d c a lm
th e m in d . To d ev e lo p th e q u alities o f w is d o m , o n e m u s t
p ra c tic e m e d ita tio n . To p ra c tic e m e d ita tio n m e a n s to
h a b itu a te o n e s e lf to m e d ita tio n . I f o n e s m i n d is p ea c e fu l
a n d h a p p y in o r d i n a r y life, all e x te rn a l th in g s a p p e a r
p le a s a n t a n d attra c tiv e ; i f o n e s m in d is d is tu r b e d a n d
u n h a p p y , all th e s e e x te rn a l th in g s s e e m u n p le a s a n t a n d
n o t r ig h t. O n e n e e d s to m a k e th e m i n d p e a c e fu l a n d
h a p p y to d ev e lo p in n e r w i s d o m , a n d th is is d o n e b y
m e d ita tio n .
S a m a d h i, th e sta te o f d ee p m e d ita tio n , is c o m p o s e d
o f tw o e le m e n ts : s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . T h e r e are, in
fact, a g r e a t n u m b e r o f m e d i t a t i o n te c h n iq u e s , b u t th e y
can all b e in c lu d e d in th ese tw o c a te g o rie s . In th e
D efinite E xp la n a tio n o f the View s u tra th e B u d d h a says
th e re are th e s a m a d h is o f th e sravakas, w h o are th e
5

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

fo llo w ers o f th e hnayna, a n d th e re are th e s a m d h is o f

th e bodhisattvas, w h o a re th e fo llo w ers o f th e m ahyna,
a n d th e re are th e s a m d h is o f th e tathdgatas (th e b u d d h as), w h o have fo llo w e d m e d ita tio n to its c o m p le tio n .
A ll th e s e can b e in c lu d e d in tw o k in d s o f s a m d h is :
s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n . H a v in g u n d e r s t o o d th a t all
m e d ita tio n c o m e s f r o m s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n , o n e
s h o u ld p r e p a r e o n e s e lf to d o th ese m e d ita tio n s . O n e
s h o u ld also see k o u t sp ecific in s tr u c tio n s t o p ra c tic e
t h e m . T h e p u r p o s e o f p ra c tic in g s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n
in th e h n a y n a is to achieve h a p p in e s s a n d v a rio u s
sp ecial q u alities. In th e m a h y n a th e p u r p o s e o f m e d i
ta tio n is to b e n e fit all b e in g s , so th is v ie w h a s a w i d e r
v i e w p o in t a n d r e q u ir e s g r e a te r m o tiv a tio n . T h is is w h y
th e m a h y n a is called th e g r e a te r vehicle. In B u d
d h is m th e re s u lts o f th e h n a y n a a n d th e m a h y n a
c o m e f r o m th e p ra c tic e o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n . T h e
a tta in in g o f d a y - to - d a y h a p p in e s s is also th e r e s u lt o f
s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n .
M a n y in d iv id u a ls w h o m I have m e t in m y e x te n siv e
travels in E u r o p e a n d N o r t h A m e r ic a have to ld m e th e ir
p riv a te p ro b le m s m e n ta l p ro b le m s , p h y sic a l p r o b
le m s , a n d u n h a p p in e s s w i t h th e ir p o s s e s s io n s o r th e ir
w o rk . T h e a n s w e r to th e m u l ti t u d e o f th e s e p r o b l e m s is
alw ay s th e sa m e : to m a k e o n e s m i n d p e a c e fu l a n d c a lm
a n d d ev e lo p u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d w is d o m . S o o r d i n a r y
w o r ld ly h a p p in e s s c o m e s d o w n to p ra c tic in g s a m a th a
a n d v ip a s y a n . T h e D efinite E xp la n a tio n o f the V iew s tra
says th a t th e r o o t o f th e a c c o m p lis h m e n t o f th e g o a l o f
all w o r ld ly a n d s p iritu a l a c tiv ity is s a m a th a a n d v ip a
sy an m e d ita tio n . T h is s tra consists o f the B u d d h a a n d
M a itre y a c o n v e rs in g in th e f o r m o f q u e s tio n s a n d a n
sw ers. In th is s tra th e B u d d h a says to M a itr e y a th a t
6

Introduction
w h a te v e r w o r ld ly o r s p iritu a l q u a litie s are p o s s e s s e d b y
th e s ra v a k a s , th e b o d h is a ttv a s , o r th e ta th a g a ta s are all
t h e re s u lt o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . T h is e x p la in s th e
i m p o r t a n c e o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a b e c a u s e th e y a re
th e r o o t o f all m e d ita tio n . K n o w i n g th is, o n e s h o u ld
d e v e lo p a g r e a t in te r e s t in p ra c tic in g th e s e tw o k in d s o f
m e d ita tio n .

T h e E ssential N a tu re o f S a m a th a and V ip a sya n a

S a m a th a is a c tu a lly th e m i n d r e s tin g o n e - p o in t e d ly o n
a n o b je c t so th a t n o t m a n y t h o u g h t s arise a n d th e m i n d
b e c o m e s v e ry s ta b le a n d c a lm . T h e m i n d re sts in p eace.
T h e T i b e t a n f o r samatha is shi-ne, m e a n in g p e a c e . 3 So
s a m a th a is r e s tin g in p e a c e . S im p ly k e e p in g th e m i n d
o n e - p o in t e d is n o t s a m a th a m e d i t a t i o n b e c a u s e in t r u e
s a m a th a , th e o b je c t o n e fo c u ses o n s h o u ld b e s o m e t h i n g
p o s itiv e . A n e g a tiv e o b je c t w o u ld b e s o m e t h i n g t h a t
cau ses a tta c h m e n t, a g g r e s s io n , o r ig n o r a n c e to arise in
th e m in d , m a k i n g it u n a b le to re s t c a lm ly o n s o m e th in g .
R e s tin g o n s o m e t h i n g g e n u in e ly p o s itiv e allo w s th e
m i n d to re s t in peace. S a m a th a is p ra c tic e d to p re v e n t
th e a ris in g o f so m a n y t h o u g h t s . O n e m i g h t t h i n k t h a t
s a m a th a is a s ta te o f n o th o u g h t s , p e r h a p s lik e th a t o f a
s to n e . T h is is i n c o r r e c t b e c a u s e in s a m a th a m e d i t a t i o n
th e m i n d is v e ry c a lm a n d s ta b le a n d also v e ry clear so
th a t it ca n d is tin g u is h a n d d is c rim in a te b e tw e e n all
p h e n o m e n a a n d see e v e ry th in g as v e ry d is tin c t. T h i s
c la rity is called v ip a s y a n a , o r insight, a n d is d e v e lo p e d
t h r o u g h s a m a th a .
T h e n a t u r e o r id e n tity o f s a m a th a is d e s c rib e d in th e
C loud o f Jewels s u tra . It says th a t i f o n e s m i n d has m a n y
t h o u g h t s , o n e c a n n o t fo c u s o n th e o b je c t o f a tte n tio n .
7

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r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

T h e m i n d c a n n o t fo c u s o n s o m e t h i n g b e c a u s e o f th e
d is tr a c tio n o f th o u g h t s . I f th e m i n d can fo c u s o n e p o in te d ly w i t h o u t th is d is tra c tio n , o n e h a s s a m a th a
m e d ita tio n . T h e s u tr a also says th a t v ip a s y a n a h a s th e
c la rity o f u n d e r s ta n d i n g in w h i c h e v e ry th in g is see n
cle arly a n d d is tin c tly ; th e relativ e is see n as re la tiv e , th e
a b s o lu te as a b s o lu te . S o th e ac tu a l n a t u r e o f th in g s is
seen as it is, a n d th is is w h a t is m e a n t b y v ip a s y a n a . A
c o m m e n t a r y o n t h e C loud o f Jewels s u tra w a s c o m p o s e d
b y V a s u b a n d h u , w h o w a s a g re a t m a s te r o f th e abhidharma. V a s u b a n d h u said th a t in g e n u in e s a m a th a th e
m i n d is ab le to re s t in th e m in d . T h e m i n d b e c o m e s so
re la x e d th a t it re sts in itself, j u s t as it is, in a n a tu ra l
w ay , u n d is tr a c te d b y th o u g h t s . D i s t r a c t e d in T ib e ta n
is yengwa, w h ic h m e a n s s w e p t a w a y . T h e w o r d dis
tracted in th is c o n te x t has in it th e c o n n o t a ti o n o f b e in g
c a rrie d aw ay w i t h n o c o n tr o l b y a s t r o n g riv er. In th e
s a m e w a y , o n e s m i n d c a n n o t stay still a n d is j u s t c a rrie d
aw ay. I f th e m i n d is re s tin g in th e m in d , it is j u s t w h e r e
it is, a n d th e m i n d b e c o m e s s ta b le a n d p e a c e fu l a n d
re la x e d . T h e C loud o f Jewels s u tra says, S a m a th a is th e
o n e - p o in t e d m i n d , a n d V a s u b a n d h u s c o m m e n t a r y e x
p lain s th a t v ip a s y a n a is th e d is c r im in a tio n o f p h e n o m
e n a , m e a n in g th a t all th in g s a p p e a r as v e ry clear a n d
d is tin c t f r o m o n e a n o th e r. S o th is is th e n a t u r e o f
v ip a s y a n a . W ith s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a o n e has a g e n
u in e s ta te o f m e d ita tio n w i t h th e m i n d r e s tin g in m i n d
a n d b e in g a b le to d is tin g u is h all p h e n o m e n a . W i t h o u t
s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a o n e d o e s n o t have a g e n u in e
s a m a d h i o r m e d i t a t i o n state.
T h e t h ir d te x t c ite d b y J a m g o n K o n g triil c o m e s f r o m
K a m a la sila . In th e e ig h th c e n tu r y S a n ta ra k s ita c a m e to
T i b e t a n d t a u g h t th e stag es o f m e d ita tio n . O w i n g to his
8

Introduction
cla irv o y an ce , h e k n e w th a t h e w o u ld s o o n p ass aw ay. So
h e said, I have g iv e n th e s e te a c h in g s . In th e fu tu re ,
p r o b l e m s m a y o c c u r a n d th in g s m i g h t g o w r o n g . W h e n
th is h a p p e n s , in v ite m y p u p il K a m a la s lla f r o m In d ia.
H e w ill b e ab le to e x p la in m e d i t a t i o n c le arly a n d re m o v e
a n y e r r o r s in i n t e r p r e t a t i o n th a t m i g h t a r is e . T h is w a s
h is last w is h , a n d t h e n h e p a s s e d away.
T h e n f r o m C h i n a a C h in e s e m a s te r n a m e d H a s h a n g
M a h a y a n a c a m e to T i b e t a n d said, Y o u 'h a v e b e e n
re c e iv in g th e s e te a c h in g s f r o m S a n ta ra k s ita , b u t th e se
te a c h in g s are o n th e g ra d u a l p a th . T h is is n o t th e
p r o f o u n d w a y a n d is v e ry d iffic u lt to d o a n d ta k e s a
l o n g tim e . M y te a c h in g s a re th e in s ta n ta n e o u s w a y a n d
a re e a sie r a n d fa s te r th a n th e g ra d u a l w a y . W h e t h e r a
g o o d t h o u g h t o r a b a d t h o u g h t c o m e s to m i n d m a k e s
n o d iffe re n c e . I f o n e h as a w h ite c lo u d , it o b s c u re s th e
su n ; i f o n e h a s a b la c k c lo u d , it also o b s c u re s th e s u n . I f
o n e is b itte n b y a w h i t e d o g , o n e w ill have te e th m a rk s ;
i f o n e is b itte n b y a b la c k d o g ; o n e w ill also have te e th
m a r k s . I f a g o o d t h o u g h t arises, it is n o t g o o d ; i f a
b a d t h o u g h t arises, it is n o t b a d . In s te a d o n e n e e d s to
re s t in a s ta te o f n o t h o u g h t s w h a ts o e v e r . S u ch are th e
te a c h in g s h e gave, a n d th e p e o p le o f T i b e t b e c a m e
c o n f u s e d a n d d id n o t k n o w th e c o r re c t w a y to m e d ita te .
T h e n t h e y r e m e m b e r e d w h a t S a n ta ra k s ita h a d said a n d
i n v ite d K a m a la s lla f r o m In d ia to clear u p th e s e m i s u n
d e r s ta n d in g s .
In fact, th e re is n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h H a s h a n g s te a c h
in g s e x c e p t th a t t h e y d id n o t in c lu d e th e d e v e lo p m e n t
o f love a n d c o m p a s s io n a n d th e a c c u m u la tio n o f m e r i t
t h r o u g h g o o d a c tio n s . In his s y s te m , o n e j u s t s t o p p e d
all th o u g h t s a n d m e d ita te d . W h e n K a m a la s lla a rriv e d in
T ib e t, h e w a n te d to k n o w w h e th e r H a s h a n g w a s in te l
9

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r a c t i c e

lig e n t o r n o t.

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

I f h e w a s n t in t e l l ig e n t ,

n s i g h t

th e n th e re

w o u l d n t be a n y p o i n t in d e b a tin g w i t h h im . N o w ,, n e a r
S a m y e M o n a s te r y in T ib e t is th e g re a t T s a n g p o R iv er,
w h i c h is a c tu a lly th e u p p e r p a r t o f th e B r a h m a p u tr a
R iv er. It is v e ry w id e . O n o n e side o f th e riv e r s to o d
K a m a la s ila a n d o n th e o th e r side, H a s h a n g M a h a y a n a .
To d e te r m in e h o w in te llig e n t H a s h a n g w a s, K a m a la s ila
t o o k his s ta f f a n d w h ir le d it above his h e a d th r e e tim e s .
T h is w a s to s y m b o lic a lly ask th e q u e s tio n , W h e r e d o
th e th re e re a lm s o f samsara c o m e f r o m ? H a s h a n g M a
h a y a n a w a s in te llig e n t a n d h e ld u p h is tw o h a n d s , w h ic h
w e re co v e red b y th e lo n g sleeves o f his clo a k . T h is
m e a n t, T h e y c o m e f r o m ig n o ra n c e , w h ic h g ra s p s th e
d u a lis m o f p e rc e iv e r a n d p e r c e p tio n . W h e n K a m a la s ila
saw th is a n sw e r, h e set u p a d e b a te to b e h e ld at S a m y e
M o n a s te r y . T h e k in g o f T i b e t p re s id e d over th e d e b a te
a n d b r o u g h t flo w er g a rla n d s . T h e k in g said th a t p re v i
o u s ly th e mahapandita S a n ta ra k s ita h a d c o m e a n d g iv e n
te a c h in g s ; l a t e r H a s h a n g M a h a y a n a c a m e a n d gave
te a c h in g s th a t w e re n o t th e s a m e as S a n ta ra k s ita s. T h e
k in g th e n said, I a m j u s t an o r d in a r y b e in g a n d c a n n o t
tell w h o is c o rre c t, so w e w ill have a d e b a te in w h i c h
y o u w ill ask each o t h e r q u e s tio n s . I f s o m e o n e is d e fe a te d
in th e d eb a te , h e s h o u ld give th e s e g a rla n d s to th e
v ic to r. H e s h o u ld th e n ac c e p t d efeat g ra c e fu lly a n d leave
q u ie tly w i t h o u t a n y fuss o r r e s e n t m e n t . T h e y th e n
h e ld a d e b a te a s k in g each o th e r q u e s tio n s . In th e e n d
H a s h a n g M a h a y a n a lo s t th e d e b a te a n d p r e s e n te d th e
flo w er g a rla n d s to K a m a lasila . W h e n th is w a s d o n e ,
K a m a la s ila gave te a c h in g s o n m e d ita tio n th a t can b e
f o u n d in his Stages o f Meditation. In th e Treasury o f
K nowledge th e e x p la n a tio n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a
fo llo w s th e te a c h in g o f K a m a la s ila .4
10

Introduction
T h e s e c o n d v o lu m e o f th e Stages o f Meditation d e
s c rib e s th e n a t u r e o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . In s a m a th a th e
m i n d is c o n tin u o u s ly fo c u s e d in w a r d so th a t it b e c o m e s
v e ry p e a c e fu l a n d all e x te rn a l d is tra c tio n s are p ac ified .
T h e o b s ta c le to s a m a th a is e x te rn a l d is tra c tio n s s u c h as
s ig h t, s o u n d , a n d taste. T h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f s a m a th a
o c c u rs w h e n th e m i n d is c o n tin u o u s ly t u r n e d i n w a r d
a n d n a tu r a lly re sts in th a t state. K a m a la s lla says th a t
th e r e are tw o c h a ra c te ris tic s th a t arise f r o m s a m a th a .
T h e firs t c h a ra c te ris tic is a ttr a c tio n to s a m a th a b e c a u s e
o n e feels it is i m p o r t a n t a n d n a tu ra lly d o e s it b e c a u s e o f
a s ta te o f j o y . T h e s e c o n d is th a t th e m i n d is c o m p le te ly
t r a i n e d / w h i c h m e a n s o n e is n t b a ttlin g w i t h th o u g h t s
o r d is tra c tio n s . O n e can re s t o n e s m i n d o n w h a t o n e
w is h e s w i t h o u t a n y co n flict. So th e s e are th e tw o q u a li
ties o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n .
In s u m m a r y , w h e n o n e achieves s a m a th a , o n e is n o t
in a s ta te o f d u lln e ss o r s tu p o r . W h e n s a m a th a is devel
o p e d , o n e e lim in a te s d is tra c tin g t h o u g h t s th a t k e e p o n e
f r o m b e in g ab le to e x a m in e o r an a ly z e th in g s . R e m o v
i n g th e d is tr a c tio n o f t h o u g h t s leads to p e r c e iv in g th in g s
v e ry c le arly a n d d is tin c tly , w h ic h is v ip a y a n . T h is is
h o w K a m a la s lla d e sc rib e s th e n a tu r e o f s a m a th a a n d
v ip a y a n .

E ty m o lo g y o f S a m a th a and V ip a ya n
T h e S a n s k rit w o r d f o r samatha w as tra n s la te d in to T i
b e ta n as shi-ne. T h is w a s a lite ra l tra n s la tio n b e c a u s e th e
firs t tw o sy llab les, sam a, m e a n p e a c e , a n d th e T i b e t a n
shiwa also m e a n s p e a c e . T h is p eace m e a n s th a t th e
m i n d is n o t d is tra c te d b e c a u s e w h e n th e m i n d is o v er
c o m e w i t h a n g e r, sad n e ss, re g re t, o r crav in g , it b e c o m e s

T h e

P r a c t i c e

of

T r a n q u i l l i t y

& I n s i g h t

d is tra c te d . B u t in s a m a th a th e m i n d is v e ry re la x e d a n d
at ease w i t h o u t a n y d ifficu lties o r h a r d s h ip s . T h e t h ir d
syllab le, tha, m e a n s to d w e ll o r s ta b i l i ty . In T i b e t a n
to d w e ll is tiepa. In th is c o n te x t it m e a n s th a t th e
m i n d is n o t in v o lv e d in fo r c e d a c tiv ity o r d iffic u ltie s b u t
d w e lls in a sta te o f peace. In T ib e ta n th is is th e ne in shi
ne. T h e r e are m a n y d iffe re n t k in d s o f s a m a d h is , o r
m e d ita tiv e states, b u t s a m a th a is th e b asis o f all th e
m e d ita tiv e states in w h ic h th e m i n d is r e s tin g o n e p o in te d ly o n s o m e t h i n g a n d re m a in s c o m p le te ly fo
c u s e d o n th a t o b jec t.
T h e S a n s k rit w o r d vipasyana is m a d e u p o f tw o p a rts .
T h e first p a rt, vi, is s h o r t fo r visesa, w h i c h m e a n s
s p e c ia l, s u p e r i o r , o r p a r tic u la r . T h e s e c o n d p a r t,
pasyana, m e a n s to se e o r to l o o k . S o vipasyana
m e a n s to lo o k a t th in g s in a v e ry d ire c t w a y , in an
e sp e cially clear w a y . It is see in g w i t h th e ey e s o f
w is d o m . T h is w as tra n s la te d in to T i b e t a n as hlagtong,
w h e r e hlag m e a n s sp e c ia l a n d tong m e a n s to s e e .

T h e N ecessity o f B o th S am a th a and V ip a sya n a

O n e m i g h t th in k th a t it is p o s s ib le to p ra c tic e s a m a th a
a lo n e o r p ra c tic e v ip a s y a n a w i t h o u t d o in g a n y s a m a th a .
B u t in fact, w h a te v e r B u d d h is t p ra c tic e s o n e d o e s, o n e
m u s t p ra c tic e b o t h s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a m e d i t a t i o n
to g e th e r . T h is is illu s tra te d b y th e e x a m p le o f a b u t t e r
la m p , w h ic h T ib e ta n s u s e d in th e p a s t to illu m in a te th e
d a rk n e s s . A b u t t e r l a m p s lig h t is v e ry cle ar a n d b r ig h t.
F o r a l a m p to give lig h t it m u s t have th e q u a litie s o f
b e in g s te a d y a n d n o t b lo w n b y th e w in d . I f th e flam e is
n o t b r i g h t o r s te a d y , o n e w o n t see th in g s in th e d a rk .
In th e s a m e w ay , t o see th e tru e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a ,
12

Introduction
o n e h as to have a cle ar u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d b e ab le to
fo c u s th e m i n d o n th e o b je c t fo r as lo n g as is n e c e ssa ry .
I f e ith e r o f th e s e is m is s in g , th e n th e tru e n a tu r e o f
th in g s c a n n o t b e p e rc e iv e d . O n e n e e d s to have b o t h
s a m a t h a (th e u n w a v e r i n g l ig h t) a n d v ip a s y a n a ( th e
b r i g h t flam e). W ith b o th , o n e h as c o m p le te f r e e d o m to
fo c u s o n a n y t h i n g a n d is a b le to e lim in a te all k lesas a n d
d e v e lo p th e w i s d o m th a t o n e n e e d s. I f o n e p ra c tic e s
s a m a th a m e d i t a t i o n w i t h o u t v ip a s y a n a , o n e w ill n o t b e
ab le to u n d e r s ta n d th e tr u e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a ; o n e
w ill j u s t b e a b le to re st th e m i n d o n s o m e th in g . It is lik e
b e in g o n a v a c a tio n ; o n e e x p e rie n c e s p eace o n a v ac a
tio n , b u t o n e d o e s n o t g e t a n y la s tin g re s u lts f r o m it.
I f y o u p ra c tic e v ip a s y a n a w i t h o u t s a m a th a , y o u w ill
n o t b e ab le to e lim in a te w h a te v e r n e g a tiv ity n e e d s to b e
e lim in a te d , b e c a u s e v ip a s y a n a w i t h o u t s a m a th a is u n s t a
ble. S o even i f y o u have th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f v ip a s y a n a ,
y o u r m i n d w ill b e a g ita te d . T h e r e f o r e , y o u n e e d to have
b o t h s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . T h is h as b e e n said b y th e
B u d d h a in th e s u tra s a n d also in th e vajrayana te a c h in g s .

T h e Progressive O rder o f M ed ita tio n

T h e n e x t q u e s tio n is: D o e s o n e s ta rt w i t h s a m a th a , o r
w i t h v ip a s y a n a , o r w i t h b o t h at th e s a m e tim e ? T h e
a n s w e r is th a t o n e s ta rts w i t h s a m a th a a n d t h e n d o e s
v ip a s y a n a p ra c tic e b e c a u s e s a m a th a is th e b asis o f m e d i
t a tio n a n d v ip a s y a n a is b a s e d u p o n s a m a th a . In th e
e x a m p le o f th e b u t t e r la m p , s a m a th a is lik e th e b u t t e r
o r o il a n d v ip a s y a n a is lik e th e w ic k p la c e d in th e oil. I f
o n e d o e s n t have a n y oil a n d tries to lig h t th e la m p , o n e
w o n t g e t a g o o d flam e. B u t i f o n e has oil in th e la m p ,
o n e g ets a g o o d s te a d y , b r i g h t flam e. S im ila rly , o n e
13

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r a c t i c e

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n s i g h t

n e e d s to e s ta b lis h s a m a th a m e d ita tio n a n d t h e n d ev e lo p

v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n .
S a n tid e v a w a s a g r e a t s c h o la r a n d siddha in In d ia w h o ,
b e in g b le s s e d b y M a n ju s ri, c o m p o s e d A G uide to the
Bodhisattvas Way o f L ife. In th is w o r k h e d e s c rib e s each
o f th e six p e rfe c tio n s , o r paramitds. S a n tid e v a says o n e
n e e d s to have v ip a s y a n a th a t is b a s e d o n s a m a th a m e d i
ta tio n a v e ry p e a c e fu l s a m a th a to w h i c h o n e h as b e
c o m e c o m p le te ly fa m ilia riz e d a n d a c c u s to m e d . I f w e
have v ip a s y a n a th a t p o ssesses th is v e ry g o o d s a m a th a
m e d ita tio n , w e w ill b e ab le to o v e r c o m e th e klesas.
T h e r e f o r e , w e n e e d to b e g in first w i t h s a m a th a m e d i t a
tio n . In th e c h a p te r o n th e p a r a m ita o f m e d ita tio n ,
S a n tid e v a says th e essence o f v ip a s y a n a is se e in g all
th in g s u n d is tr a c te d ly a n d v e ry clearly . T h is d is c r im in a t
in g w i s d o m (Skt. pratyaveksanapm jha) sees re la tiv e p h e
n o m e n a as b e in g relativ e.
So w i t h d is c r im in a tin g w i s d o m w e can see th e ac tu al,
tru e n a t u r e o f m in d , j u s t as it is. B u t b e f o r e th is can
h a p p e n , o u r m i n d m u s t b e w o rk a b le , w h i c h m e a n s th a t
w e can d o w h a te v e r w e w a n t w i t h th e m i n d i f w e w a n t
to s e n d it s o m e w h e r e , it w ill g o ; i f w e w a n t to leave it
in a p a r tic u la r s p o t, it w ill stay th e re . A s w e k n o w f r o m
e x p e rie n c e , o u r m i n d n o r m a l l y acts as i f it b e lo n g s to
s o m e o n e else it j u s t w a n d e rs o f f s o m e w h e r e b y itself.
So w e n e e d to have c o m p le te c o n tr o l o f o u r m i n d in
o r d e r to see th e n a t u r e o f th in g s w i t h th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g
o f v ip a s y a n a .

14

P art

O ne

TRANQUILLITY

[zhi gnas]

/
S

_
a m a t h a

: T

r a n q u i l l i t y

e d i t a t i o n

T h e Prerequisites f o r Practicing S a m a th a
T h e r e are fa v o rab le c o n d itio n s fo r m e d ita tio n , a n d i f
th e s e are p re s e n t, s a m a th a w ill d ev e lo p . I f th e y are
a b s e n t, n o s a m a th a w ill dev elo p .
W h e n th e d h a r m a w a s firs t i n t r o d u c e d in to T i b e t in
t h e s e v e n th c e n tu r y , th e r e w a s a g o o d u n d e r s ta n d i n g
a n d p ra c tic e o f th e d h a r m a . L a te r L a n g d a r m a , a k i n g o f
T ib e t, s u p p r e s s e d th e d h a r m a in th e te n t h c e n tu r y a n d
d e s tr o y e d m u c h o f th e B u d d h is t te a c h in g s . A fte r th is
d e s tr u c tio n , s o m e o f th e d h a r m a w a s p re s e rv e d , b u t
s o m e o f th e p re s e rv e d te a c h in g s w e re in c o r r e c tly p ra c
ticed . A s a re s u lt th e T ib e ta n s w e re n o l o n g e r s u re w h o
w a s g iv in g th e c o r r e c t te a c h in g s . S o in 1042 A tisa w a s
in v ite d to T i b e t f r o m In d ia b e c a u s e h e w a s b eliev ed to
b e th e m o s t q u a lifie d p e r s o n to te a c h th e c o r re c t w a y o f
p ra c tic in g . A tisa also re ceiv e d a re v e la tio n a n d p r o p h e c y
f r o m T a r a s a y in g th a t i f h e w e n t to T ib e t, th is w o u ld b e
o f g r e a t b e n e fit to th e d h a r m a .
U p o n a r r iv in g in T ib e t, A tisa gave te a c h in g s o n th e
m e t h o d s o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n m e d ita tio n . T h e s e
te a c h in g s can b e f o u n d in h is b o o k L a m p fo r the Path to
E nlightenm ent. In th is te x t h e says th a t to d o s a m a th a
m e d i t a t i o n o n e n e e d s to have fav o rab le c o n d itio n s . E v en

17

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r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

i f o n e is d ilig e n t a n d ap p lies o n e s e lf fo r m a n y y e a rs to
s a m a th a m e d ita tio n , i f th e s e fav o rab le c o n d itio n s are
la c k in g , o n e w ill fail to d ev elo p real s a m a th a m e d ita tio n .
H o w e v er, h e also says th a t i f all th e fa v o rab le c o n d itio n s
are p re s e n t a n d o n e c o n c e n tra te s th e m i n d o n s o m e t h i n g
g o o d a n d p o sitiv e , th e n o n e w ill b e ab le to a c c o m p lis h
s a m a th a m e d ita tio n a n d b e ab le to d ev e lo p c la irv o y a n t
p o w e rs .
In his s e c o n d v o lu m e o f th e Stages o f M editation K a m a la slla says th a t (i) o n e s h o u ld re sid e in a fa v o rab le
p lace a p lac e w h e r e o n e can o b ta in th e m a te ria ls o n e
n e e d s. In te r m s o f m in d , (2) o n e s h o u l d n t have a g re a t
d eal o f d esire, th in k in g , O h , I n e e d th is to m e d ita te ;
n o , I n e e d tw o o r th r e e th in g s to m e d i t a t e , a n d so o n .
T h is k i n d o f th i n k in g w ill o n ly create an o b s ta c le . (3)
O n e m u s t also b e c o n te n t, w h i c h m e a n s w h a te v e r o n e
h as is fin e a n d all r ig h t. (4) O n e s h o u ld also g ive u p
ac tiv itie s s u c h as b u s in e s s o r b u y i n g a n d s e llin g so th a t
(5) o n e can have p u re , g o o d c o n d u c t. So, (6) w h e n o n e
stays a n d m e d ita te s in th is place, it is c o m p le te ly c o rre c t.
(7) O n e s h o u ld also avo id a n y d is tra c tio n s o r d e sire s th a t
a p p e a r as w ell as id eas a n d c o n c e p ts . T h is , th e n , is a list
o f seven c o n d itio n s n e c e s s a ry fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
s a m a th a .
In th e O rnam ent o f the M a h a y ana Sutras, M a i t r e y a says
th a t w e s h o u ld p ra c tic e w h e r e w e can easily o b ta in th e
n ec essitie s s u c h as c lo th in g , fo o d , a n d so o n . T h e p lace
w h e r e w e stay s h o u ld b e free f r o m thieves o r a n y fe a r o f
d a n g e r. We s h o u ld b e in a h e a lth y p lac e th a t is n o t
e x tr e m e ly c o ld o r h o t o r d a m p a n d w ill n o t im p a i r o u r
h e a lth . We also n e e d g o o d c o m p a n io n s w h o have th e
s a m e v ie w a n d b e h a v io r as o u rse lv e s. I f t h e y have a
d iffe re n t v ie w o r w a y o f life, th e y w ill p re v e n t u s f r o m
18

Sam atha: Tranquillity M editation

g a in in g s ta b ility o f m in d . T h e p lac e w h e r e w e stay
s h o u l d also b e free f r o m a lo t o f a c tiv ity a n d a la rg e
n u m b e r o f p e o p le . T h e s e are th e o u t e r c o n d itio n s o f
w h e r e w e s h o u ld stay. T h is s u tra also d e sc rib e s th e in n e r
c o n d itio n s o f m in d , n a m e ly , lack o f d esire, c o n t e n t
m e n t, a n d r e d u c in g in v o lv e m e n t in to o m a n y ac tiv ities.
F in a lly , it d e s c rib e s th e p o i n t b e tw e e n m i n d a n d th e
o u t e r w o rld , w h i c h is o u r c o n d u c t o r b e h a v io r. We
s h o u ld have p e a c e fu l a n d g e n tle c o n d u c t in a c c o rd a n c e
w i t h th e pratim oksa v o w s o r th e b o d h is a ttv a v o w . T h e
p r a ti m o k s a v o w s are p r o h i b i t i o n s a g a in st s u c h acts as
k illin g , ste a lin g , a n d a d u lte r y . T h e m a in id e a is th a t i f
w e d o a n y o f th e s e n e g a tiv e a c tio n s , o u r m i n d w ill n o t
b e a b le to re s t in a n a tu r a l p e a cefu l state. In te r m s o f th e
b o d h is a ttv a v o w , i f w e have a n g e r, je a lo u s y , aversion,
a n d so o n , t h e n o u r m i n d w ill n o t b e ab le to re s t in a
p e a c e fu l state. In s te a d , w e n e e d to d ev e lo p love a n d
c o m p a s s io n f o r all s e n tie n t b e in g s . So i f th is in te rfa c e
b e tw e e n in n e r a n d o u t e r lea d s to b e n e fitin g o t h e r b e
in g s , t h e n fa v o rab le c o n d itio n s fo r s a m a th a w ill d ev elo p .

C ategories o f S a m a th a
T h e r e are f o u r k in d s o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . T h e first is
ca lle d desire realm s a m a th a . O n e m a k e s th e m i n d so
re la x e d th a t it b e c o m e s c o m p le te ly s ta b le a n d p ea cefu l.
N e x t is dhyana s a m a th a , o r s a m a th a o f m e n ta l s ta b ility
o f th e fo rm realm. O n e h as an in te n s e e x p e rie n c e o f jo y
o r b liss w i t h th is k in d o f m e d ita tio n . T h e t h ir d k in d is
form less realm s a m a th a , in w h i c h e v e ry th in g d is a p p e a rs .
T h e f o u r t h k in d is th e cessation s a m a th a , w h i c h is n t
p ra c tic e d v e ry m u c h to d a y , b u t in p re v io u s tim e s s o m e
s ra v a k a s o f th e h in a y a n a u s e d to d o th is p ra c tic e a n d
19

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re a c h a sta te w h e r e m i n d ceases a n d m e n ta l c o n t i n u i t y
s to p s .
M o r e p re c is e ly , th e re are n in e stag es o f s a m a th a .
F irst, in th e d e sire re a lm , th e re is th e one-pointed s a m a
th a, w h ic h m e a n s th a t o n e d o e s n o t have c o m p le te
m e n ta l s ta b ility , b u t o n e has a c e rta in a m o u n t o f m e n ta l
s ta b ility so th a t o n e is n o t d is tra c te d b y e x te rn a l ob jects.
N e x t, in th e f o r m re a lm , th e re are f o u r successiv e
levels o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . T h e first is s a m a th a w i t h
exam ination and analysis. T h e s e c o n d is s a m a th a w i t h jo y
and bliss. T h e t h i r d is s a m a th a w i t h inhalation and exh a
lation. A n d th e f o u r th level is s a m a th a th a t is free fro m
the eight defects. T h e first tw o d efects are (i) th e p h y s ic a l
s u ffe rin g o f th e d e s ire re a lm a n d (2) th e m e n t a l s u ffe rin g
o f th e d e s ire re a lm . T h e r e m a in in g six are d efects o f th e
p re v io u s th re e levels o f s a m a th a in th e f o r m re a lm : (3)
an aly sis, (4) e x a m in a tio n , (5) jo y , (6) b liss, (7) in h a la
tio n , a n d (8) e x h a la tio n . F re e d o m f r o m in h a la tio n a n d
e x h a la tio n m e a n s th a t in th a t s ta te o n e is c o m p le te ly
still w i t h o u t a n y b r e a th in g . So th e re are th e s e fo u r levels
o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n in th e f o r m re a lm .
T h e r e are f o u r states o f m e d ita tio n th a t b e l o n g to th e
fo rm le s s re a lm , w h i c h is a sta te lik e th a t o f e m p tin e s s ,
b u t n o t th e e m p tin e s s (siinyata) o f th e M a d h y a m a k a . It
is j u s t a v o id o r b la n k in w h ic h n o t h i n g is p e rc e iv e d o r
fo c u s e d o n . T h e r e are f o u r stag es o f s a m a th a in th is
fo rm le s s re a lm . T h e s e are th e s a m a th a o f infinite space,
th e s a m a th a o f infinite consciousness, th e s a m a th a o f nei
ther existence nor nonexistence, a n d th e s a m a th a o f nothing
whatsoever. A ll t o g e th e r , th e n , th e re are n in e stag es o f
s a m a th a m e d ita tio n : o n e in th e d e sire re a lm , f o u r in th e
f o r m re a lm , a n d f o u r in th e fo rm le ss re a lm .
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Sam atha: T ra n q u illity M editation

Posture
T h e r e are tw o w ay s to d e s c rib e p o s tu r e d u r in g m e d ita
tio n : th e seven asp e cts o f p o s tu r e o f V a iro can a a n d th e
five asp e cts o f d h y a n a m e d ita tio n . In th is s e c tio n I sh all
d e s c rib e th e seven asp e cts o f V airo can a. - Vairocana m e a n s
w h a t illu m in a te s , w h a t m a k e s c le a r. So V a iro can a is
th e p h y s ic a l p o s t u r e o f s ittin g th a t h elp s o n e d ev e lo p a
m e d ita tiv e s ta te a n d m a k e s th e m i n d s ta b le a n d clear.
W h e t h e r th e m i n d b e c o m e s u n s ta b le d e p e n d s o n w h a t
are called th e airs o r s u b tle w in d s (Skt. vayii, T ib . lung).
T h e r e is th e g ro s s air, w h ic h is th e b r e a th o n e in h ales
a n d e x h a les. B u t th e re is also a s u b tle air, w h i c h is
in v o lv e d w i t h th e m o v e m e n ts o f th e b o d y a n d th e
m o v e m e n t o f th o u g h ts . B o d y a n d m i n d are re la te d , so
w h e n th e s e s u b tle airs b e c o m e still in th e b o d y , th e
m i n d also b e c o m e s still. O n e m a k e s th ese s u b tle airs
s ta b le b y w o r k i n g o n th e i n n e r ch a n n e ls (Skt. nadT, T ib .
tsa) t h r o u g h w h i c h th e airs m ov e. I f th e s e ch a n n e ls are
s tr a ig h t a n d stab le, th e s u b tle airs w ill b e c o m e stab le,
a n d th e n th e m i n d w ill b e c o m e stable. To m a k e th e s e
c h a n n e ls s tr a ig h t a n d stab le, o n e m u s t have p r o p e r p o s
t u r e d u r i n g m e d ita tio n .
T h e r e are several d iffe re n t k in d s o f s u b tle airs, o r
vayus. T h e s u b tle air th a t m a k e s th e b o d y sta b le a n d
f ir m is th e subtle air o f earth. T h e s u b tle air th a t k e e p s th e
b o d y w a r m is th e subtle air o f fire. T h e s u b tle air t h a t
k e e p s th e b o d y f r o m d r y i n g u p is th e subtle air o f water.
T h e s u b tle air th a t sp re a d s w a r m t h t h r o u g h o u t th e
w h o l e b o d y a n d causes p h y s ic a l m o v e m e n t is called th e
subtle air o f air (th e lung o f lung in T ib e ta n ) . So o n e h as a
s u b tle air fo r ea ch o f th e f o u r e le m e n ts. T h e r e is also a
fifth , downward-eliminating air, w h ic h t r a n s f o r m s th e

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

fo o d in th e s to m a c h , se p a ra te s th e w a s te m a t t e r f r o m
th e f o o d , a n d ex p e ls th e w a s te t h r o u g h th e a n u s .5
T h e first asp e c t o f th e V airo can a p o s t u r e is ( i) k e e p in g
th e s p in e s tr a ig h t so th a t th e c e n tra l e n e r g y c h a n n e l is
s tra ig h t. T h e life -fo rc e v ay u is called prana (T ib . soklung)
a n d flow s in th e c e n tra l c h a n n e l. P ra n a m a k e s o n e s
b o d y s tab le a n d firm . It is also called th e e a r th v a y u
b e c a u s e it gives s ta b ility a n d e n d u r a n c e to th e b o d y . I f
th e b o d y is b e n t f o r w a r d in m e d ita tio n , o r le a n in g to
t h e left, r ig h t, o r b a c k w a r d , t h e n th is c e n tra l c h a n n e l is
g o in g to b e b e n t a n d th e p ra n a flo w in g w i t h i n it w ill b e
c o n s tric te d . T h e r e f o r e i f o n e k ee p s th e sp in e s tra ig h t,
th e e a rth v ay u w ill flo w s tra ig h t, a n d th is w ill r e s u lt in
e n d u r a n c e a n d s ta b ility .
T h e w a te r v ay u p e r m e a te s th e b o d y a n d k e e p s it
m o is t. I f th e s e w a te r v ay u s flo w in th e c e n tra l c h a n n e l,
t h e y w ill n a tu ra lly b e stab le. In o r d e r to cause th e w a te r
v ay u to flo w in th e c e n tra l c h a n n e l, (2) o n e p laces th e
h a n d s in a m e d ita tiv e p o s t u r e (3) w i t h th e e lb o w s
s lig h tly s tic k in g o u t. T h e fire v ay u n a tu r a lly g o e s u p
w a r d , w h ile th e e a r th a n d w a te r v ay u n a tu r a lly g o
d o w n w a r d . F o r th e fire v ay u to e n te r th e c e n tra l c h a n
n el, (4) o n e lo w ers th e c h in s lig h tly , w h ic h h as th e effec t
o f p r e v e n tin g th e fire v ay u f r o m ris in g u p w a r d .
To in t r o d u c e th e a ir v ayu in to th e c e n tra l c h a n n e l, (5)
o n e s ey es s h o u ld b e u n w a v e rin g . T h e air v ay u is c o n
n e c te d w i t h m o v e m e n t o f th e b o d y , a n d th e ey es n a t u
ra lly have a g re a t d eal o f m o v e m e n t a s s o c ia te d w i t h
t h e m . T h e m o v in g o f th e ey es w ill ca u se th e m i n d to
m o v e. S o o n e k e e p s th e eyes still, fo c u s e d o n th e sp ace
b e y o n d th e tip o f th e n o se . T h is w ill ca u se th e m i n d to
b e c o m e still a n d th e a ir v ay u to e n te r th e c e n tra l c h a n n e l.
(6) T h e lips are also le ft to re s t q u ite n a tu ra lly , w i t h th e
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t o n g u e r e s tin g a g a in s t th e p ala te . To stab ilize th e d o w n
w a r d - e l i m i n a t i n g v ay u , (7) o n e sits w i t h o n e s leg s in
th e vajra (fu ll-lo tu s ) p o s tu re .
T h e firs t five a sp e cts o f p o s tu r e re la te to th e five
v ay u s, b u t th e air v ay u h as tw o asp ects, th e eyes a n d th e
lip s. T h e w a te r v ay u also h as tw o asp ects, w i t h th e
h a n d s in th e m e d ita tio n p o s t u r e a n d th e u p p e r a r m s
b e in g e x te n d e d , to ta lin g seven asp e cts o f m e d i t a t i o n
p o s tu r e . M a n y in s tr u c tio n s say th a t o n e s h o u ld e x p e l
th e d e a d air th r e e tim e s b e f o re b e g in n in g m e d i t a t i o n
b e c a u s e w i t h n o r m a l b r e a th in g , o n e s b o d y a c c u m u la te s
i m p u r e o r n e g a tiv e air. To g e t r id o f th is, o n e ex h a le s
w i t h m o r e fo rc e t h a n u su a l, b u t n o t w i t h a g r e a t d eal o f
fo rc e . W h ile d o in g this, o n e th in k s th a t all th e m e n ta l
n e g a tiv itie s , th e k lesas, are b e in g e x h a le d w i t h th e
b r e a th , a n d o n e in h ales in a v e ry re la x e d w a y . T h is is
d o n e th re e tim e s: first w i t h s lig h tly g re a te r s t r e n g t h
t h a n n o r m a l , s e c o n d w i t h still g re a te r s tr e n g th , a n d
t h i r d w i t h even m o r e s tr e n g th . A fte r th is o n e b re a th e s
n o r m a l l y , v e ry re la x e d , th i n k in g th a t o n e has e x p e lle d
all th e n e g a tiv itie s .
T h e h a n d s in m e d i t a t i o n s h o u ld b e r e s tin g in th e
m e d i t a t i o n p o s t u r e o r lite ra lly r e s tin g in th e e q u a lity
p o s t u r e . Y ou ca n re s t th e r i g h t h a n d o n to p o f th e left
h a n d b e c a u s e re s tin g e q u a lly m e a n s y o u r h a n d s are at
th e s a m e level, so th a t i f o n e h a n d is o n th e k n e e , th e n
th e o t h e r s h o u ld b e o n th e o t h e r k n e e at th e s a m e level.
It d o e s n t m a k e a n y d iffe ren c e; u se w h ic h e v e r o n e y o u
f in d c o m f o r ta b le .
In th e mahdmudra t r a d itio n o f th e v ajra y an a , th e seven
a s p e c ts o f th e p o s t u r e o f V a iro can a j u s t d is c u s s e d are
u s u a lly giv en . B u t J a m g o n K o n g triil u ses th e e ig h t as
p e c ts o f p o s t u r e g iv e n b y K a m a la s ila in h is Stages o f

23

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M editation. To b e g in w ith , y o u s h o u ld sit c o m f o r t a b l y

a n d fo llo w th e s e e ig h t p o in ts .
F irst, y o u r leg s s h o u ld b e fu lly c ro s se d in th e v ajra
p o s tu r e o r in th e s e m i-c ro s s e d (h a lf-lo tu s) p o s tu r e . You
s h o u ld b e re la x ed ; y o u d o n t have to fo rc e y o u r s e l f in to
th e v a jra p o s tu r e . In th e W est n o t e v e ry o n e ca n sit c ro s s le g g e d . S o m e p e o p le sit w i t h th e k n e e s s tic k in g u p , b u t
e v e n tu a lly th e k n e e s w ill c o m e d o w n . T h is is a c c o m
p lis h e d w i t h th e a c h ie v e m e n t o f s u p p le n e s s o f b o d y . It
is b e tte r to sit c o m f o r ta b ly th a n to sit in p ain .
S e c o n d , y o u r e y e s s h o u l d b e h a lf - c lo s e d ,

w h ic h

m e a n s th e y s h o u ld b e n e ith e r w id e o p e n a n d s ta rin g
a h e a d n o r fu lly c lo se d so th a t e v e ry th in g is d a rk . T h e y
are k e p t h a lf-c lo s e d w i t h o u t a n y e f fo rt o r te n s io n so
th a t th e y are c o m p le te ly re la x e d a n d y o u d o n t have to
th in k a b o u t th e m .
T h i r d , th e u p p e r b o d y s h o u ld b e s tra ig h t. S ince th e
body

a n d m in d

are in te rc o n n e c te d ,

i f th e b o d y

is

s tra ig h t, th e se c h a n n e ls are s tra ig h t, th e s u b tle e n e rg ie s

w ill flo w s m o o t h ly in th e m , a n d th e m in d w ill b e c o m e
still a n d stab le. I f th e b o d y is b e n t, th e c h a n n e ls b e c o m e
b lo c k e d a n d th e m i n d is a d v e rse ly affec te d b e c a u s e s o m e
c h a n n e ls w ill have little e n e r g y m o v in g in t h e m a n d
o th e r c h a n n e ls w ill have ra p id ly m o v in g e n e rg y , w h i c h
re su lts in a h o s t o f t h o u g h t s a ris in g in th e m in d .
F o u rth , th e s h o u ld e rs s h o u ld b e level a n d th e b o d y
u p r ig h t, a n d y o u s h o u ld n o t lean to th e left o r rig h t.
F ifth , y o u s h o u ld b e lo o k in g d o w n w a r d to w a r d th e
n o se. Y o u r gaze s h o u ld b e to w a r d th e n o s e so th a t y o u
are aw are o f y o u r n o se. T h e classical d e s c rip tio n is th a t
th e g az e s h o u ld b e f o u r f m g e r - w i d t h s b e y o n d th e n o se .
S ix th , th e re s h o u ld b e a s lig h t g ap b e tw e e n th e lips
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Samatha: Tranquillity M editation

a n d te e th b e c a u s e i f th e te e th are h e ld a g a in st o n e
a n o th e r , th e y ca n cre a te g r i n d i n g s o u n d s .
S ev en th , th e t o n g u e s h o u ld b e a g a in s t th e p alate.
O t h e r w i s e , saliva w ill a c c u m u la te in th e m o u t h a n d y o u
w ill b e d is tra c te d b y s w a llo w in g .
F in a lly , th e b r e a th in g s h o u ld b e effo rtless a n d n a tu ra l.
Y ou s h o u l d n o t tr y to s u p p re s s th e b r e a th o r fo rc e d e e p
b re a th s .
E a c h o f th e s e e ig h t asp e cts o f p o s tu re , s u c h as k e e p in g
th e eyes h a lf-c lo s e d , m a y in d iv id u a lly s e e m r a th e r u n
i m p o r t a n t , b u t to d ev e lo p c o m p le te c la rity a n d s ta b ility
o f m in d , all th e s e asp e cts o f p o s tu r e are a c tu a lly i m p o r
ta n t b e c a u s e ea ch has a sp ecial p u r p o s e in b r i n g i n g a b o u t
s ta b ility a n d c la r ity .6

Four Objects o f M editation

T h e r e are tw o e x p la n a tio n s o f h o w to h o ld th e m i n d in
m e d ita tio n . T h e first is a g e n e ra l d e s c rip tio n , a n d th e
s e c o n d is a sp ecific set o f stag es o f m e d ita tio n .
In th e g e n e ra l e x p la n a tio n , th e B u d d h a ta u g h t th a t
th e re are f o u r classes o f o b je c ts o f m e d ita tio n . T h e first
is th e all-pervasive object o f m e d ita tio n . It is so called
b e c a u s e it a p p lies to all p h e n o m e n a . T h is o b je c t can be
f o c u s e d o n w i t h o u t an aly sis, w i t h th e m i n d s im p ly
r e s tin g , o r w i t h an aly sis, w h e r e o n e is lo o k in g at e ith e r
th e a c tu a l n a t u r e o f p h e n o m e n a o r th e ir relativ e m u l t i
p lic ity .
T h e s e c o n d class o f o b jec ts o f m e d ita tio n is th e paci
fication o f behavior. T h is is m e d ita tio n th a t p u rifie s faults.
W h e r e d o th e s e n e g a tiv e p a tte r n s c o m e fro m ? In th e
B u d d h is t te a c h in g , o u r p re s e n t life o rig in a te s f r o m a
p re v io u s life. T h a t p re v io u s life c a m e f r o m a life b e fo re
25

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th a t, a n d so o n . D u r i n g o u r p re s e n t life, w e can e x p e ri
en ce p h y s ic a l p a in a n d m e n ta l s u ffe rin g , o r w e can
e x p e rie n c e h a p p in e s s a n d bliss. T h e s e e x p e rie n c e s c o m e
f r o m o u r a c tio n s in a p re v io u s life. T h e y a re th e re s u lt
o f karma. H o w e v er, n o t e v e ry th in g is d u e to k a r m a .
S o m e p e o p le have g re a t d e sire o r g re a t a n g e r, a n d th is
m i g h t c o m e f r o m th e p o w e r o f h a b itu a tio n in a p re v io u s
life a n d n o t as a re s u lt o f k a r m a . O n e m i g h t have
b e c o m e h a b i t u a t e d to d e sire o r a n g e r, a n d th e s e e m o
tio n s b e c o m e g r e a te r a n d g re a te r, so th a t in th e n e x t life
th e re w ill b e g r e a t d e sire o r g re a t a n g e r. O r in o n e
life tim e w e m a y e n c o u n t e r a r e m e d y fo r th is d e s ire o r
a n g e r, a n d th is w ill lessen o u r fau lts, w h i c h m a y c o n
tin u e to lessen t h r o u g h successiv e life tim e s . S o i f w e
w e re a c c u s to m e d t o a lo t o f d e sire in o u r p re v io u s lives,
th e n th e re w ill b e a lo t o f d e sire in o u r p r e s e n t life. I f
w e w e re a c c u s to m e d to a lo t o f a n g e r in o u r p re v io u s
lives, w e w ill e x p e rie n c e a lo t o f a n g e r in th is life tim e .
I f w e w e re a c c u s to m e d to h a v in g m a n y t h o u g h t s in o u r
p re v io u s lives, o u r p re s e n t m i n d w ill n o t b e ab le to
r e m a in stab le; th o u g h t s w ill ta k e o ver o u r m i n d , a n d w e
w ill b e u n d e r th e ir p o w e r. F in ally , i f w e h a d s t r o n g
ig n o r a n c e in o u r p re v io u s life tim e , w e w ill have b e c o m e
a c c u s to m e d to th is, a n d o u r p r e s e n t m i n d w ill c o n ta in a
lo t o f ig n o ra n c e . So th e s e p a tte r n s d e s c rib e th e five
ty p e s o f p e r s o n s (th o s e w i t h g re a t a tta c h m e n t, a n g e r,
ig n o ra n c e , je a lo u s y , a n d p rid e ), a n d m e d i t a t i o n is d o n e
to r e m e d y th e s e five k in d s o f m e n ta lity .
I f w e have s t r o n g d esire a n d a tt a c h m e n t to o u r o w n
b o d y o r to e x te rn a l th in g s , w e can p ra c tic e m e d ita tio n
o n u g lin e ss. We n o r m a l l y see o u r b o d y as s o lid , la s tin g ,
a n d im p o r t a n t ; b u t th e B u d d h a t a u g h t th a t w e have a
p re c io u s h u m a n ex iste n c e , w h ic h allo w s us to p ra c tic e
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Samatha: Tranquillity M editation

th e d h a r m a a n d b e n e fit o t h e r b e in g s . It is a p re c io u s
h u m a n e x is te n c e , b u t th e b o d y its e lf is n o t p re c io u s . W e
m e d ita te o n th e o b je c t o f o u r a tta c h m e n t, se e in g t h a t
it is n o t b e a u tifu l, so lid , o r la s tin g . T h is lessen s o u r
a tta c h m e n t.
I f w e have a g re a t d eal o f a n g e r, w e m e d ita te o n love
o r c o m p a s s io n , w h i c h w ill lessen o u r a n g e r. A n g e r
n o r m a l l y is th e d e sire to h a r m s o m e o n e else. In s te a d w e
d o th e m e d i t a t i o n o f ta k in g o u r o w n b o d y as an e x a m p le
f o r all o t h e r b e in g s . N o r m a ll y , i f w e e x p e rie n c e th e
s lig h te s t a m o u n t o f p ain , it is u n d e s ira b le , a n d i f w e
e x p e rie n c e th e s lig h te s t p le a s u re o r c o m f o r t, it is d e
sire d . So, in th is m e d i t a t i o n w e s h o u ld th in k th a t all
o t h e r b e in g s are lik e o u r o w n b o d y : d is lik in g s u ffe rin g
a n d d e s irin g th e e x p e rie n c e o f p le a su re a n d h a p p in e s s .
T h e r e i s n t a n y o n e w h o likes to e x p e rie n c e s u ffe rin g .
So th i n k in g o f th e s a m e n e s s o f o t h e r b e in g s to o u r o w n
b o d y , w e w ill d ev e lo p love f o r b e in g s , a n d lo se th e w is h
to cau se h a r m o r p a in to o th e rs , w h i c h w ill lessen o u r
a n g e r.
T h e r e are tw o k in d s o f ig n o ra n c e : d is tin c t a n d in d is
tin c t ig n o ra n c e . In d is tin c t ig n o r a n c e is alw ay s th e re a n d
p r e s e n t w i t h o t h e r m e n ta l events. It a c c o m p a n ie s th e
a ris in g o f all th e n e g a tiv ity o f m i n d s u c h as a n g e r, p rid e ,
a tta c h m e n t, a n d so o n . B e in g ig n o r a n t, o n e is n o t aw are
o f w h a t is g o o d a n d w h a t is h a r m f u l. A s th e se d iffe re n t
m i n d p o is o n s arise, th e ir n a t u r e is n o t u n d e r s to o d , a n d
o n e d o e s n t k n o w i f th e y are g o o d o r b a d . A s a re s u lt
t h e y are e v e r-p re s e n t, b u t th e y are n o t d is tin c t f r o m
i g n o r a n c e itself. T h e s e c o n d k in d o f ig n o ra n c e , d is tin c t
i g n o ra n c e , is an is o la te d ig n o ra n c e , an ig n o r a n c e re s u lt
in g f r o m n o t h a v in g re c e iv e d o r c o n te m p la te d th e B u d
d h is t te a c h in g s . T h r o u g h le a rn in g a n d c o n te m p la tio n ,
27

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& I

n s i g h t

g r a d u a lly th is ig n o r a n c e can b e re m o v e d . I f o n e h as a
g re a t d ea l o f ig n o ra n c e , th e r e m e d y in te r m s o f s a m a th a
m e d ita tio n is c o n te m p la tio n o n th e tw e lv e lin k s o f d e
p e n d e n t o r ig in a tio n . O n e c o n te m p la te s h o w all th in g s
arise a n d d e p e n d o n s o m e t h i n g else. F o r e x a m p le , b y
b e in g a c c u s to m e d to d o in g g o o d a c tio n s a n d h a v in g
g o o d th o u g h t s , th e p o w e r o f h a b it w ill ca u se g o o d
th o u g h t s a n d a c tio n s to o c c u r. S im ila rly , w h e n th e
m i n d is a c c u s t o m e d to n e g a t i v i t y a n d b a d t h i n g s ,
t h r o u g h th e p o w e r o f th a t h a b it n e g a tiv e t h o u g h t s a n d
a c tio n s o c c u r. S o all th in g s are i n t e r d e p e n d e n t a n d
c o n te m p la tio n o n d e p e n d e n t o r ig in a tio n is th e r e m e d y
f o r ig n o ra n c e .
T h e r e m e d y fo r p rid e is to m e d ita te o n th e e le m e n ts
th a t m a k e u p a b e in g . W ith p rid e o n e th in k s o f o n e s e lf
as s u p e r io r o r special. T h e r e m e d y is to m e d ita te o n th e
five a g g r e g a te s (Skt. skandhas). B y th i n k in g o f o n e s e lf as
special o r s u p e r io r , o n e sees o n e s e lf as s o lid a n d d efin ite.
I f o n e e x a m in e s th e a g g re g a te s , one. disco v ers th a t th in g s
are n o t so lid , b u t alw ay s c h a n g in g . O n e is j u s t an
a g g r e g a tio n o f d iffe re n t e le m e n ts . F o r e x a m p le , a p e r
s o n is m a d e u p o f th e five a g g re g a te s c o lle c te d t o g e t h e r
o r j u s t an a g g r e g a tio n o f d iffe re n t p a rts . So, b e in g aw are
o f th e five a g g r e g a te s w ill d im in is h o n e s p rid e .
T h e r e m e d y f o r h a v in g to o m a n y th o u g h t s is to
m e d ita te o n o n e s b re a th . B y m e d ita tin g o n th e b re a th ,
w h i c h is q u ite s u b tle a n d c h a n g in g all th e t i m e w i t h th e
i n - a n d - o u t m o v e m e n ts , o n e s th o u g h t s b e c o m e less a n d
less s t r o n g . S o th is is t h e r e m e d y f o r t o o m a n y
t h o u g h ts .
T h e t h i r d class o f o b jec ts o f m e d ita tio n is th e objects o f
the learned a n d is th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e five a g g r e
g ates. F o r e x a m p le , o n e le a rn s th a t th e b o d y is a m ass
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o f p a rts ; it is m a d e u p o f th e five a g g r e g a te s o f f o r m ,
s e n s a tio n , id e n tific a tio n , m e n ta l a c tiv ity , a n d c o n s c io u s
n ess. O n e le a rn s th a t th e m i n d is n o t j u s t a s in g le
in d iv is ib le u n it, b u t a c o m p o s ite . T h e r e are th e e ig h te e n
e le m e n ts th a t have to d o w i t h its o rg a n iz a tio n . F o r
e x a m p le , th e ey e o rig in a te s f r o m th e e y e o f a p re v io u s
m o m e n t . T h e n t h e r e is th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e tw e lv e
y a ta n a s th a t are in v o lv e d in o r g a n iz a tio n a n d d e v e lo p
m e n t. F o r e x a m p le , o n e le a rn s h o w th e ey e a n d v isu a l
c o n s c io u s n e s s c o n n e c t w i t h s o m e e x te rn a l o b je c t a n d
h o w v is u a l p e r c e p tio n o c c u rs t h r o u g h th is c o n n e c tio n .
So th e sen se o rg a n , th e o b jec t, a n d th e c o n s c io u s n e s s
m u s t c o m e t o g e t h e r f o r p e r c e p tio n to o c c u r. O n e th e n
le a rn s h o w th e tw elv e ste p s o f d e p e n d e n c e o r ig i n a t i o n
w o r k . F in a lly , o n e le a rn s th e s tu d y o f th e a p p r o p r ia te
a n d th e i n a p p r o p r ia te , w h i c h is a list o f th in g s th a t c o u ld
a n d c o u ld n o t h a p p e n d u e to c e rta in causes. S o th e
c o n t e m p l a ti o n o f th e s e th in g s is called th e c o n t e m p l a
t i o n o f th e le a rn e d .
T h e f o u r t h class o f o b je c ts o f m e d ita tio n is th e p u rifi
cation o f the klesas. O n e c o n te m p la te s th e p e a c e fu l s ta te
in w h i c h s a m a th a is p re s e n t a n d th e o p p o s ite s ta te in
w h i c h s a m a th a is a b s e n t. T h r o u g h v ip a s y a n th e re is
th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e causes o f s a m s ra a n d th e
causes o f n irv a n a . A ll t o g e t h e r th e re are s ix te e n asp e cts
re la te d to th e f o u r n o b le tr u th s .

Four Obstacles to M editation

T h e r e are f o u r k in d s o f th o u g h t s th a t ca u se o b sta c le s to
o n e s m e d ita tio n . T h e s e are m a lic io u s th o u g h t s , w h i c h
are th e w is h to h a r m s o m e o n e , th o u g h t s o f je a lo u s y ,
t h o u g h t s o f d o u b t a n d u n c e r ta in ty , a n d th o u g h t s o f
29

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a t ta c h m e n t a n d c ra v in g . F o r e x a m p le , i f t h o u g h t s o f
a g g r e s s io n c o m e u p , o n e n e e d s to r e c o g n iz e t h e m b e
cause th e y w ill r e tu r n c o n tin u o u s ly in o n e s m e d ita tio n .
O n e m u s t re c o g n iz e th a t a g g re s s io n , w h e n o n e b e c o m e s
a tta c h e d to it, is c a u s in g h a r m to o n e s m e d ita tio n . T h e
m a in th in g is th a t o n e s h o u ld n o t b e in v o lv e d in o r
a tta c h e d to th e th o u g h t s . I f o n e is n o t a tta c h e d to th e
th o u g h t s , it w ill b e easy to g e t rid o f th e m . B u t i f o n e
is a tta c h e d to th e s e th o u g h t s , it w ill b e v e r y d iffic u lt to
g e t rid o f th e m .
T h e r e are tw o d iffe re n t k in d s o f t h o u g h t s : g ro s s a n d
s u b tle . W h e n g ro s s th o u g h t s arise in m e d ita tio n , o n e
fo rg e ts th a t o n e is m e d ita tin g a n d loses o n e s m i n d f u l
ness a n d aw are n ess. T h e n o n e r e m e m b e r s , O h , I a m
m e d i t a t i n g a n d r e tu r n s to m e d ita tin g . T h e s e g ro s s
th o u g h t s are called an ac tu a l d is tra c tio n . T h e w a y to
p re v e n t th e s e g ro s s th o u g h t s is to re ta in m in d fu ln e s s
a n d aw aren ess. T h e s e c o n d k in d are s u b tle th o u g h t s ,
called th o u g h t s th a t c o m e f r o m b e lo w . W i t h th e s e o n e
d o e s n o t fo r g e t th a t o n e is m e d ita tin g , b u t re m a in s th e re
th in k in g , T h e s e little t h o u g h t s are o c c u r r i n g . T h e s e
th o u g h t s are so s m a ll th a t o n e c a n n o t u s u a lly d o v e ry
m u c h a b o u t t h e m a n d th e y are v e ry d iffic u lt to g e t rid
of. T h e s e t h o u g h t s d o n t p a r tic u la rly h a r m m e d ita tio n ;
th e y j u s t c o m e u p in o n e s aw are n ess a n d o n e j u s t leaves
t h e m as th e y are a n d ev e n tu a lly o n e w ill b e ab le to
e lim in a te th e m . T h e s e little t h o u g h ts , h o w e v er, can
s o m e tim e s g ra d u a lly g r o w la rg e r a n d la rg e r, a n d o n e s
m e d ita tio n is lo st. So, firs t o n e is a w are o f th e s e little
t h o u g h t s , t h e n o n e g ets d is tra c te d b y t h e m a n d o n e s
m in d fu ln e s s is lo st. O n e s h o u ld t r y to p re v e n t th is f r o m
h a p p e n in g b y h a v in g a v ery s tab le a n d e n d u r in g m i n d
fu ln ess a n d aw are n ess b e c a u se th is aw a re n e ss is n e c e s
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s a ry w i t h e a ch su ccessiv e in s ta n t. I f o n e can d o th a t, o n e
w ill n o t b e d is tra c te d .

T h e Specific Stages o f M ed ita tio n

T h e r e are th r e e b asic k in d s o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n in
re la tio n to th e o b je c t o f m e d ita tio n . F irst is meditation
w ith an external object, s e c o n d is meditation w ithout an
external object, a n d th ir d is meditation on the essential nature
o f things.
Y o u b e g in s a m a th a m e d ita tio n b y t r y i n g to m a k e
y o u r m i n d s ta b le a n d clear. B u t y o u are n o t a c c u s to m e d
to m e d ita tio n , so y o u lo se th e m e d ita tio n . T h e r e f o r e in
th e b e g i n n i n g y o u n e e d an o b je c t to m e d ita te o n . In th e
s a m e w a y th a t a c h ild n e e d s to le a rn th e a lp h a b e t b e f o re
r e a d in g a b o o k , so in th e b e g in n in g y o u m e d ita te w i t h
an o b je c t a n d g ra d u a lly m o v e o n to m e d ita te w i t h o u t an
o b ject. T h e firs t m e d i t a t i o n is o n an o bject: p lace in
f r o n t o f y o u a p iec e o f w o o d o r s to n e th a t is s m a ll a n d
fo c u s y o u r m i n d o n it. In d o i n g th is m e d ita tio n , y o u
s h o u l d have th e p r o p e r te n s io n , th a t is, th e p r o p e r
a m o u n t o f fo c u s in g . It s h o u ld n o t b e to o te n se o r to o
lo o s e . A s S a ra h a says, m e d ita tio n s h o u ld b e lik e a
B r a h m i n s th re a d . In th e p a s t it w a s th e B r a h m i n c a s te s
j o b to m a k e th re a d . To m a k e th e th r e a d p r o p e r ly , o n e
h a d to have th e p r o p e r te n s io n . I f th e te n s io n w a s to o
tig h t, th e th r e a d w o u ld k n o t u p ; i f it w a s to o lo o se, it
w o u l d easily b re a k . To d ev e lo p m e n ta l s ta b ility y o u
b e g in w i t h y o u r a tte n tio n o n an o b je c t firs t an i m p u r e
o b je c t, a n d la te r y o u in t r o d u c e a p u r e o b je c t s u c h as a
s ta tu e o f th e B u d d h a o r a d e i t y s in s ig n ia o r a sp ecial
sy llab le. T h e p u r p o s e o f m e d i t a t i o n o n a p u r e o b je c t is
n o t to d ev e lo p d e v o tio n o r c o m p a s s io n ; y o u j u s t re s t
3i

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n s i g h t

y o u r m i n d o n it to d ev elo p c o n c e n tra tio n . You s h o u ld

also n o t t h in k a b o u t th e fa u lts o r th e g o o d q u alities o f
th e o b je c t y o u are fo c u s in g o n . You b e g in w i t h a s to n e
o r p iece o f w o o d b e c a u s e it d o es n o t have a n y fe atu res.
A B u d d h a im a g e , h o w ev er, h as m a n y d iffe re n t fea
tu re s eyes, ears, a n d so o n to d is tra c t y o u .
T h e s e c o n d t y p e o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n is meditation
w ithout an external object. T h e m in d tu rn s i n w a r d a n d
fo c u ses o n a m e n ta l im a g e o f th e B u d d h a in th e f o r m o f
a y id a m d e ity s u c h as A v a lo k ite sv a ra (T ib . C h e n re z i).
Y o u e ith e r p lace th e im a g e m e n ta lly ab o ve y o u r h e a d ,
v isu alize it in f r o n t o f y o u , o r v isu alize t h a t y o u r o w n
b o d y is th e d e ity . B e c a u s e y o u are u n a b le to im a g in e
th e e n tire f o r m a t first, y o u first im a g in e th e d e i t y s
h a n d , th e n th e eyes, th e n th e c lo th es, a n d so o n . I m a g
in in g j u s t th e p a rts is called p a rtia l m e d ita tio n w i t h o u t
an o b je c t. B y d o in g this a g a in a n d a g a in y o u ev e n tu a lly
b e c o m e fa m ilia r w i t h th e v is u a liz a tio n a n d e v e n tu a lly
y o u are ab le to im a g in e th e e n tire f o r m o f th e d e ity .
N e x t y o u see all p a r ts o f th e d e ity in a g e n e ra l w a y so
y o u have a g e n e ra l p ic tu re o f th e e n tire b o d y . T h is is
called h a v in g v is u a liz a tio n o f th e c o m p le te o b j e c t.
S o m e in d iv id u a ls e x p e c t to g e t a v e ry clear im a g e o f th e
d e ity in th e ir m e d ita tio n , a n d w h e n th is d o e s n o t o c c u r,
t h e y b e c o m e d is a p p o in te d . T h e ey e o r v is u a l fa c u lty has
th e v is u a l c o n s c io u s n e s s th a t see s th in g s e x tr e m e ly
clearly . H o w e v er, in m e d ita tio n y o u u se th e m e n ta l
c o n s c io u s n e s s , w h i c h has a g e n e ra l i m p r e s s io n o f th in g s
o r a g e n e ra l id e a o r m e a n in g o f th in g s so y o u d o n t g e t
as clear a p e r c e p tio n as w i t h v is u a l c o n s c io u s n e s s . So
y o u s h o u l d n t have th e e x p e c ta tio n o f v is u a liz in g th e
d e ity as cle arly as i f y o u w e re ac tu a lly lo o k i n g at a
p ic tu re o f th e d e ity . You s h o u ld n o t b e c o n c e rn e d w i t h
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th e cle a rn e ss o f th e im a g e b e c a u s e th e p u r p o s e o f m e d i
t a tio n is n o t to g e t a cle ar im a g e , b u t to fo c u s th e m i n d
o n th e im a g e so th e m i n d w ill b e c o m e still a n d stab le.
T h e m a s te r B o d h i b h a d r a says th e re are tw o k in d s o f
s a m a th a : s a m a th a th a t is fo c u s e d e x te rn a lly a n d s a m a th a
th a t is fo c u s e d in te rn a lly . T h e e x te rn a lly fo c u s e d s a m a
th a is th e o r d i n a r y k in d th a t fo c u ses o n a s to n e o r o t h e r
o b jec t, a n d th e sp ecial k i n d o f s a m a th a is th e k in d th a t
fo c u se s o n a s ta tu e o r im a g e o f th e B u d d h a . T h e i n t e r
n a lly fo c u s e d s a m a th a h as tw o k in d s v is u a liz a tio n o f
th e b o d y a n d v is u a liz a tio n b a s e d o n th e b o d y . V is u a li
z a tio n o f th e b o d y is lik e fo c u s in g o n s o m e t h i n g in th e
b o d y s u c h as th e b r e a th o r th e s u b tle c h a n n e ls o r lig h t
rays w i t h i n th e b o d y o r th e fe e lin g o f bliss. T h e r e a re
m a n y ty p e s o f m e d ita tio n i n s tr u c tio n g iv e n b y th e m a s
ters, b u t o n e can classify t h e m in to e ith e r m e d ita tio n
w i t h e x te r n a l o b jec ts o r m e d ita tio n w i t h o u t e x te rn a l
o b jec ts.
T h e t h ir d k in d o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n is resting in the
essence. A f te r m e d ita tin g o n an e x te rn a l o b jec t, t h e n a n
in te r n a l o b je c t, w e m e d i t a t e b y j u s t re s tin g in th e es
sen ce. T h e m i n d is n o t fo c u s e d o n a n y th in g , b u t re sts
in a c o m p le te ly s ta b le a n d u n w a v e rin g state. W h e n w e
say m i n d w e t h i n k o f it as b e in g j u s t o n e th in g , b u t
th e B u d d h a d e s c rib e d m i n d as b e in g a c o lle c tio n o f six
o r s o m e tim e s e ig h t d iffe re n t k in d s o f c o n s c io u s n e s s .
H o w e v e r, th e five sen se c o n s c io u s n e s s e s c o n s is t of: v i
su al c o n s c io u s n e s s ,

w h i c h p erceiv es a n d e x p e rie n c e s

v is u a l fo r m s ; a u d i t o r y c o n s c io u s n e s s , w h i c h p erceiv e s
s o u n d s b a s e d o n th e ear; o lfa c to ry c o n s c io u s n e s s , w h ic h
p erceiv e s sm e lls a n d is b a s e d o n th e n o se ; ta s te c o n
s c io u s n e s s , f o r ta s te b a s e d o n th e to n g u e ; a n d b o d ily
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c o n s c io u s n e s s , w h i c h perceiv es to u c h a n d p h y s ic a l s e n
s atio n s.
T h e s e five s en se c o n s c io u s n e s s e s are said to b e n o n c o n c e p tu a l. T h e y j u s t see, h e a r, sm ell, taste, a n d feel
a n d are n o t in v o lv e d w i t h th o u g h t s s u c h as T h is is
g o o d o r b a d . T ilo p a , in h is in s tr u c tio n s to N r o p a ,
said th a t a p p e a ra n c e s d o n o h a r m , b u t a t t a c h m e n t to
t h e m causes p r o b le m s . T h e ac tu a l se e in g a n d h e a r in g o f
th in g s d o e s n o t h a r m m e d ita tio n in a n y w a y b e c a u s e
th e s e c o n s c io u s n e s s e s are n o n c o n c e p tu a l. W h a t ca u ses
an o b s ta c le to m e d ita tio n is d e v e lo p in g a t t a c h m e n t to a
f o r m , s o u n d , etc. S o th e re is n o n e e d to e lim in a te th e se
s e n s a tio n s in o n e s m e d ita tio n .
In In d ia b e f o re th e B u d d h a it w a s t a u g h t th a t th e re
w as j u s t o n e c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h e e x a m p le f o r h o w th is
o n e c o n s c io u s n e s s w o rk s is an e x a m p le o f a h o u s e w i t h
five o r six w i n d o w s a n d a m o n k e y in sid e. T h e m o n k e y
w o u ld s o m e tim e s l o o k o u t o n e w i n d o w , th e n l o o k o u t
a n o t h e r w i n d o w , so th a t o n th e o u ts id e it w o u ld a p p e a r
as i f th e r e w e re d iffe re n t m o n k e y s at d iffe re n t w i n d o w s .
B u t all th e t im e it w a s j u s t o n e m o n k e y . T h e p h ilo s o
p h e rs said th a t th e h o u s e w as lik e th e m i n d a n d th e
w i n d o w s w e re lik e th e d iffe re n t s e n s o ry c o n s c io u s
nesses, a n d th e re w a s j u s t o n e c o n s c io u s n e s s j u s t as th e re
w a s j u s t o n e m o n k e y . B u t th e B u d d h a said th e r e w a s n t
j u s t o n e c o n s c io u s n e s s b e c a u s e i f th e re w e re, t h e n w h e n
o n e w as s e e in g s o m e th in g , o n e w o u l d n t b e ab le to h e a r
a s o u n d , o r i f o n e h e a r d a s o u n d , o n e w o u l d n t b e ab le
to sm ell, a n d so o n . B u t in fact, o n e can see, h e a r, taste,
sm ell, a n d feel p h y s ic a l se n s a tio n s at th e s a m e tim e . So
th e re are five d is tin c t co n s c io u s n e s s e s , n o t j u s t o n e .
W h e n o n e m e d ita te s , o n e d o e s n o t u se a n y o f th e five
n o n c o n c e p tu a l c o n s c io u s n e s s e s th a t are u s e d to e x p e r i
34

S am atha: T ranquillity Meditation

en c e a s ig h t, s o u n d , sm e ll, taste, o r b o d y s e n s a tio n . In
m e d i t a t i o n o n ly tw o m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s e s are in
v o lv ed , a n d th e s e are th e u n s ta b le a n d s ta b le m e n ta l
c o n s c io u s n e s s e s . In th e u n s ta b le c o n s c io u s n e s s (o fte n
called th e m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s ) all k in d s o f t h o u g h t s
arise a n d at tim e s o n e feels a ttr a c tio n a n d h a p p in e s s ,
o t h e r tim e s d islik e a n d u n h a p p in e s s , a n d so o n . T h is is
o u r n o r m a l c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h e n th e re is th e sta b le
c o n s c io u s n e s s th a t re m a in s c o m p le te ly u n a ffe c te d b y
g o o d o r b a d th o u g h t s , p le a sa n t o r u n p le a s a n t e x p e ri
ences. T h e c la rity o f sta b le c o n s c io u s n e s s re m a in s th e
s a m e m o r n i n g , n o o n , a n d n i g h t a n d is also called th e
g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s , o r laya c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h e r e is
a t h i r d m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s called afflicted c o n s c io u s
n ess th a t h as n o c la rity a n d is in th e s ta te o f d e lu s io n o f
a lw a y s h a v in g th e t h o u g h t o r fe elin g o f I . T h is
t h o u g h t o f e g o is alw ay s p r e s e n t w h e t h e r th e m i n d is
d is tra c te d o r n o t. It is a v e ry s u b tle c lin g in g to th e s e lf
a n d o n e h as it all th e t im e w h e t h e r o n e is aw are o f it o r
n o t, even w h e n o n e is sle e p in g . W h a te v e r o n e is d o in g ,
th is s u b tle e g o - c lin g in g is alw ay s p re s e n t, th is t h o u g h t
o f a m e . I f o n e h e a rs a s o u n d , th e re is th e s u b tle
re a c tio n , O h , th is is d a n g e r o u s to m e . So, it is p re s e n t
all th e t i m e a n d u n til th e a t t a i n m e n t o f th e s ta te o f an
a r h a t o r o f B u d d h a h o o d , all b e in g s have th is s u b tle e g o c lin g in g . It is th e r e f o r e called th e la s tin g c o n s c io u s n e s s
b e c a u s e th e five s e n s o ry c o n s c io u s n e s s e s c h a n g e c o n tin
u ally . In all th e re are five s e n s o ry c o n s c io u s n e s s e s a n d
th r e e m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s e s to m a k e a to ta l o f e ig h t.
O n e m e d ita te s w i t h th e s ix th c o n s c io u s n e s s , called
th e m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s b e c a u s e th is c o n s c io u s n e s s
d eals w i t h c o n c e p ts . It is in v o lv e d w i t h th e p ast, p re s e n t,
a n d f u tu re ; g o o d a n d b ad ; all th e d iffe re n t klesas; a n d so
35

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n s i g h t

o n . T h e r o o t o f all th e se is m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s , so th is
s ix th c o n s c io u s n e s s is th e r o o t o f all t h o u g h t s a n d
c o n c e p ts . In m e d ita tio n o n e c o n tro ls th is c o n s c io u s n e s s
th a t e x p e rie n c e s all th o u g h t s , d e lu s io n s , a n d feelin g s. In
m e d ita tio n o n e c o n tro ls it so th a t it stays still a n d th e se
ty p e s o f th o u g h t s d o n o t arise. T h is m e n ta l c o n s c io u s
ness has tw o asp ects: k n o w le d g e o f o t h e r a n d k n o w le d g e
o f o n eself. T h e k n o w le d g e o f o th e r o c c u rs w h e n th e
m i n d tu r n s o u t w a r d a n d th in k s , O h , th is is g o o d o r
th is is b a d . I n e e d th is o r I d o n t n e e d t h i s . E x te r n a lly
o r ie n te d k n o w le d g e is c o n c e p tu a l. T h e k n o w l e d g e o f
o n e s e lf is v e ry d ire c t k n o w le d g e o f w h a t o n e is t h in k in g .
T h is se lf-a w a re n e ss is n o n c o n c e p tu a l; w i t h o u t th is selfaw are n ess, o n e w o u l d n t k n o w w h a t o n e is t h i n k in g
a b o u t. It is a m in d fu ln e s s th a t gives us clear k n o w le d g e
o f w h e t h e r o n e is m e d ita tin g o r n o t. S o in m e d i t a t i o n
th e re is th is m in d fu ln e s s a n d aw aren ess.
W h e n o n e is m e d ita tin g , th e m i n d o r th e g e n e ra l
m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s is b e in g a b s o r b e d i n to th e g r o u n d
c o n s c io u s n e s s . F o r e x a m p le , i f o n e th in k s o f w aves as
th o u g h t s a n d g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s as th e o ce a n , th e n
th e waves o rig in a te f r o m th e o c e a n a n d t h e n m e r g e o r
d is a p p e a r i n to th e o ce an . In th e s a m e w a y , th o u g h t s
arise f r o m th e u n c e a s in g , u n i m p a i r e d c la rity o f g r o u n d
c o n s c io u s n e s s a n d t h e n m e r g e a n d d i s a p p e a r i n t o
g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s . A lso , w h e n it is w in d y , th e
w aves in th e o c e a n in cre ase; w h e n it is c a lm , th e w aves
s u b s id e a n d th e o c e a n b e c o m e s s ta b le a n d c a lm . In th e
s a m e w a y , t h o u g h t s a p p e a r in th e m i n d th a t are lik e a
w i n d c o m in g f r o m th e g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h is
causes all th e m o v e m e n t o f t h o u g h ts in th e m in d . So i f
th is w i n d f r o m th e g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s s u b s id e s a n d
m e rg e s in to itself, th e th o u g h t s s u b s id e a n d th e m i n d
36

Sa m a th a : Tranquillity Meditation
b e c o m e s still. T h is is d e s c rib e d b y M ila re p a in o n e o f
his s o n g s in w h i c h h e talk s a b o u t th e m a n ife s ta tio n s o f
th e m i n d in th e s a m e w a y th a t th e waves are a m a n ife s
ta tio n o f th e sea. T h e s e waves c o m e to re s t in th e sea
j u s t as t h o u g h t s c o m e to re s t in th e m in d . So t h o u g h t s
are j u s t th e p lay o r m a n ife s ta tio n o f th e m in d . T h e r e
fo re, th o u g h t s arise f r o m t h e m i n d b e c a u s e th e y c o m e
f r o m th e m in d . S o w h e n th e w i n d a ris in g f r o m th e
g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s is stilled , th e m i n d b e c o m e s still.
S o th e u l t im a te f o r m o f s a m a th a is h a v in g t h o u g h t s
d is a p p e a r i n to th e g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s w i t h th e m i n d
b e c o m in g s ta b le a n d v ery re la x e d . In o t h e r w o rd s , o n e
h as a g r e a t n u m b e r o f th o u g h t s c o m i n g o u t o f th is
g r o u n d c o n s c io u s n e s s a n d in m e d ita tio n th e re is in
c re a se d e f fo rt to a b s o r b th e s e th o u g h t s b a c k in to th e
u n c e a s in g a n d u n c h a n g i n g c la rity o f g r o u n d c o n s c io u s
n ess. In s u c h a w a y o n e w ill have a re la x e d a n d still
m in d .
T h e s ix th c o n s c io u s n e s s h as to re la x in to th e g r o u n d
c o n s c io u s n e s s b e c a u s e it arises o u t o f th e g r o u n d c o n
s c io u s n e s s a n d th e r e f o r e m u s t r e tu r n to it. In m e d i t a t i o n
o n e n e e d s th e s ix th c o n s c io u s n e s s to b e c o m e still a n d
c a lm w i t h o u t a n y th o u g h t s a risin g . T h e g r o u n d c o n
s c io u s n e s s in it s e l f d o e s n o t create an o b s ta c le to m e d i
ta tio n . B u t th e sev e n th , o r afflicted, c o n s c io u s n e s s is
c h a ra c te riz e d b y e g o - c lin g in g . It is alw ay s th e re . It d o e s
n o t c re a te an o b s ta c le to m e d ita tio n b u t it d o e s c re a te
a n o b s ta c le to lib e ra tio n . N e v e rth e le ss, as o n e g ra d u a lly
b e c o m e s m o r e a c c u s to m e d to th e re a liz a tio n o f selfless
n ess, th is afflicted c o n s c io u s n e s s , th is s u b tle e g o - c lin g
in g g ra d u a lly d is a p p e a rs . I f th e s ix th m e n ta l c o n s c io u s
n ess b e c o m e s in v o lv e d in th e five sen se c o n s c io u s n e s s e s ,
t h e n it b e c o m e s a n o b s ta c le to m e d ita tio n . B u t i f th e
37

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m i n d re sts c a lm ly a n d s ta b ly in its e lf a n d d o e s n o t
b e c o m e in v o lv e d in sense p e r c e p tio n s , th e n th e sen se
p e r c e p tio n s d o n o t c reate a n o b s ta c le to m e d ita tio n .
H o w e v er, sin ce th e o r d i n a r y m i n d is h a b itu a te d to in
v o lv e m e n t w i t h sen se p e r c e p tio n s , it is b e t t e r f o r th e
b e g in n e r to p ra c tic e in a q u ie t, is o la te d place.

38

I d e n t i f y i n g

a m a t h a

E x p e r i e n c e s
M

in

e d i t a t i o n

n th e Treasury o f K now ledge th e p ra c tic e o f m e d ita

t io n is d e s c rib e d in te r m s o f th e te x tu a l tr a d i t i o n a n d
also in te r m s o f th e o ra l in s tru c tio n s o f th e g re a t
m e d ita to r s . T h e te x ts are i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e th e y d e
s c rib e a n d e x p la in th e m e a n in g o f th e te a c h in g s o f th e
B u d d h a , a n d th e in s tr u c tio n s are i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e th e y
c o m e f r o m th e a c tu a l e x p e rie n c e o f m e d ita tin g . F irst,
let u s b e g in w i t h th e te x tu a l tr a d itio n th a t d e s c rib e s
m e d i t a t i o n in te r m s o f th e five th in g s th a t can cau se
m e d i t a t i o n to g o w r o n g a n d th e e ig h t w a y s to e lim in a te
th e s e faults.

T h e F ive Faults
W h e n m e d ita tin g , o n e has to re c o g n iz e w h ic h e x p e r i
en c es c o m e o u t o f m e d ita tio n a n d w h i c h fa u lts have to
b e e lim in a te d . T h e r e are five fa u lts th a t have to b e
e lim in a te d t h r o u g h e ig h t k in d s o f a c tio n s o r a n tid o te s .
T h e s e five fa u lts o r d efects p re v e n t th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
m e d i t a t i o n a n d are d e s c rib e d b y A s a n g a in th e te a c h in g s
o f M a i t r e y a in th e D ifferentiation o f the M iddle Way fro m
the E xtrem es. T h is te x t says t h a t i f th e m i n d can re s t o n
an o b jec t, th e n th e m i n d b e c o m e s w o r k a b le a n d v e ry
s ta b le so w e ca n d o w h a te v e r w e w is h w i t h th e m in d . In
39

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c o n tra s t, o u r n o r m a l m in d is lik e r id in g a w i l d h o rs e ;
w h e n w e are o n a w ild h o r s e w e c a n n o t stay in o n e s p o t
a n d w e c a n n o t g o w h e r e w e w a n t to g o . B u t i f th e m i n d
b e c o m e s ta m e a n d w o rk a b le , w e can d o w h a te v e r w e
w a n t. W e can u se o u r m i n d to in c re a se o u r w i s d o m a n d
u n d e r s ta n d in g , o r i f w e n e e d m ira c u lo u s p o w e rs a n d
cla irv o y an ce , w e ca n d ev elo p th ese. T h e w a y to o b ta in a
w o rk a b le m i n d is t h r o u g h e lim in a tin g th e five fa u lts to
m e d ita tio n .
T h e firs t fa u lt is laziness. L azin ess p re v e n ts th e a p p li
c a tio n o f m e d i t a t i o n b e c a u s e o n e d o e s n t even b e g in
a fte r re c e iv in g in s tr u c tio n s in m e d ita tio n . T h e r e are
a c tu a lly th r e e k in d s o f laziness. F irst is le th a r g y , in
w h i c h o n e is n t in te re s te d in d o in g a n y t h i n g e x c e p t
sle e p in g . S e c o n d is a t ta c h m e n t to w o rld ly a c tiv ity re
s u ltin g in n o d e s ire f o r d h a r m a p ra c tic e o r m e d ita tio n .
In s te a d o n e d ev o te s o n e s e lf to w o rld ly ac tiv itie s s u c h as
h u n t i n g a n im a ls, ly in g a n d d e c e iv in g o th e rs , a n d so o n .
T h e s e are a c tiv ities o n e enjoys, o n e is u s e d to , o r th in k s
a b o u t a lo t. In o n e s en se o n e has d ilig e n ce , b u t it is an
o b s ta c le to p ra c tic in g th e d h a r m a . T h is is also called
a tt a c h m e n t to n e g a tiv e a c tiv ity . T h e t h ir d is d e s p o n
d e n c y a n d s e lf-a c c u s a tio n , w h i c h re s u lt in t h in k in g ,
O t h e r s can m e d ita te , b u t I c a n t; o th e r s w ill u n d e r
s ta n d th e d h a r m a , b u t I w o n t . T h e fa ct is th a t all
b e in g s are ab le to m e d ita te a n d w o r k o n th e p a th , b u t i f
t h e y u n d e r e s tim a te th e ir cap ab ilitie s, th is is also called
s e lf- re p u d ia tio n .
T h e s e c o n d fa u lt is forgetting the instructions, w h i c h is
a la c k o f m in d fu ln e s s o n h o w to m e d ita te p ro p e r ly .
W h ile m e d ita tin g , o n e s h o u ld b e v e ry clear a b o u t w h a t
o n e is d o in g , w h a t fa u lts m u s t b e e lim in a te d , a n d w h a t
40

Identifying Experiences in Sam atha

re m e d ie s m u s t b e ap p lie d . So o n e n e e d s to r e m e m b e r
th e i n s tr u c tio n s f o r m e d ita tio n .
T h e t h i r d fa u lt is th e obstacle o f stupor and agitation.
T h e s e are classified as a s in g le fa u lt. In s t u p o r th e m i n d
is c l o u d y a n d d u ll. In its o b v io u s f o r m th e re is a lo ss o f
c la rity o f m in d . In its s u b tle f o r m th e re is s o m e c la rity ,
b u t it is v e ry w e ak . T h e r e are also tw o k in d s o f a g ita
tio n . T h e r e is an o b v io u s k in d in w h i c h o n e k e e p s
t h i n k in g a b o u t w h a t o n e h as d o n e o r w h a t fu n o n e h a s
h a d , so o n e is u n a b le to re s t th e m i n d u p o n a n y th in g .
In its s u b tle f o r m o n e h as a p p a r e n t s ta b ility o f m in d ,
b u t th e r e a re still s u b tle t h o u g h t s th a t k e e p c o m i n g u p .
S o th e r e are tw o k in d s o f s t u p o r a n d tw o k in d s o f
a g ita tio n th a t ca u se an o b s ta c le d u r i n g m e d i t a t i o n b y
c a u s in g th e m i n d to lo se its c la rity a n d sta b ility .
T h e f o u r t h fa u lt is underapplication, w h ic h o c c u rs
w h e n d u lln e s s o r a g ita tio n a p p e a r in o n e s m e d ita tio n
a n d o n e re c o g n iz e s th e s e th o u g h t s , b u t d o e s n t a p p ly a
r e m e d y . I f o n e d o e s n o t a p p ly th e r e m e d y , m e d i t a t i o n
w ill n o t d ev elo p .
T h e fifth fa u lt is overapplication. F o r e x a m p le , d u lln e s s
o r a g ita tio n m a y a p p e a r in o n e s m e d ita tio n , th e r e m e d y
is a p p lie d , a n d th e d u lln e s s o r a g ita tio n is e lim in a te d .
Vet o n e c o n tin u e s to a p p ly th e r e m e d y even t h o u g h it is
n o l o n g e r u sefu l. T h is is th e fa u lt o f o v e ra p p lic a tio n .
T h e re m e d ie s s h o u ld b e u s e d o n ly w h e n a g ita tio n a n d
d u lln e s s a p p e a r; w h e n th e y a re e lim in a te d , o n e s h o u ld
j u s t re s t in e q u a n im ity .
A l t h o u g h d u lln e s s a n d a g ita tio n have th e ir in d iv id u a l
c h a ra c te ris tic s , th e ir effects as an o b s ta c le to m e d i t a t i o n
are th e s a m e so th e y can b e c o u n te d as j u s t o n e fa u lt.
T h i s s y s te m y ield s five fa u lts, w h e re a s i f o n e c o u n ts
4 i

he

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n s i g h t

th e s e as s e p a ra te , o n e g ets six fa u lts, w h i c h is th e s y s te m

u s e d in th e Stages o f M editation b y K a m a la s ila .

T h e E ig h t A n tid o te s
To d e v e lo p o n e s m e d ita tio n , o n e h as to e lim in a te th e
five faults. F irs t o n e m u s t b e ab le to re c o g n iz e w h a t
th e s e fau lts are, th e n o n e n e e d s to a p p ly th e re m e d ie s
th a t e lim in a te th e m . T h e s e re m e d ie s are called th e e ig h t
re m e d ie s th a t e lim in a te th e five faults.
A s d e s c rib e d b e fo re , th e re are e ig h t c o n s c io u s n e s s e s
a n d th e s e e ig h t are called th e p rin c ip a l m in d . W ith in
th e s e c o n s c io u s n e s s e s o c c u r t r a n s f o r m a tio n s o r c h a n g e s .
T h e s e c h a n g e s a re called m e n ta l events th a t can b e
s o m e tim e s g o o d a n d s o m e tim e s b a d . T h e s e m e n ta l
events can also b e d e s c rib e d in te r m s o f th e five a g g r e
g ates. T h e r e are th e a g g r e g a te s o f f o r m , s e n s a tio n ,
id e n tific a tio n , m e n ta l events, a n d c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h e s e
d e s c rib e th e c h a n g e s th a t o c c u r w i t h i n th e p rin c ip a l
m in d . In th e a n a ly sis o f th e a g g r e g a te o f m e n ta l even ts,
th e r e are f if ty - o n e d iffe re n t k in d s o f m e n ta l ev en ts s u c h
as laziness, f o r g e t t in g in s tru c tio n s , a n d so o n . T h e s e
five fa u lts are m e n ta l events, a n d th e e ig h t a n tid o te s are
also a m o n g th is list o f fifty - o n e m e n ta l events.
T h e firs t fa u lt m e n t i o n e d w a s laziness, a p a r tic u la rly
p o w e rfu l o b s ta c le to m e d ita tio n . T h e r e are f o u r m e n ta l
ev ents th a t r e m e d y th is laziness. T h e firs t o f th e se
re m e d ie s is h a v in g a s p ira tio n o r in te re s t in m e d ita tio n ,
m e a n in g th a t o n e lik es to m e d ita te a n d is h a p p y m e d i
ta tin g . O n e c o u ld say th a t o n e is a tta c h e d to m e d ita tio n ,
b u t th is a tt a c h m e n t is p o sitiv e , so w e u s e th e w o r d
aspiration b e c a u s e th e a tta c h m e n t is to s o m e t h i n g th a t is
n e g a tiv e a n d h a r m f u l. In T i b e t a n th e r e are tw o w o r d s
42

Identifying Experiences in S am atha

f o r a t t a c h m e n t chagpa, w h i c h is n e g a tiv e a t t a c h m e n t
u s u a lly tr a n s la te d as a t t a c h m e n t , a n d mopa, w h i c h is
p o s itiv e a t t a c h m e n t u s u a lly tra n s la te d as a s p i r a t io n . I f
s o m e o n e likes ste a lin g , th e n t h e y are a tta c h e d t o s te a lin g
a n d th is is chagpa n e g a tiv e a tta c h m e n t. I f s o m e o n e
w a n ts to h e lp s o m e o n e else o r w a n ts to p ra c tic e th e
d h a r m a a n d t h e y are a tta c h e d to th a t, t h e n th is is mopa
b e c a u s e it is b e n e ficial to o n e s e lf a n d o th e rs . T h e m e a n
in g o f th e s e w o r d s a p p e a rs to b e th e s a m e in th a t o n e is
t h i n k in g , I have to d o th i s b u t w i t h mopa o n e w a n ts
to h e lp a n d w i t h chagpa o n e w a n ts to h a r m . T h e w o r d
chagpa also has th e m e a n in g o f b e in g s t u c k so th a t
o n e stays w h e r e o n e is a n d c a n t g o a n y h ig h e r. S o th is
w o r d m e a n s a b lo c k to o n e s d e v e lo p m e n t. I f th is a tta c h
m e n t w e re s o m e t h i n g p o s itiv e lik e m e d ita tio n , t h e n it
w o u l d b r i n g a p o s itiv e re s u lt. I f o n e likes m e d ita tin g ,
t h e n o n e w ill m e d ita te , w h i c h w ill n a tu r a lly e lim in a te
t h e lazin ess as an o b s ta c le . S o m e tim e s , h o w e v er, a tta c h
m e n t is n o t p o s itiv e a n d w ill n o t b r in g a n y b e n e fit. F o r
e x a m p le , I re c e iv e d a le tte r f r o m S o u th A fric a in w h i c h
th e p e r s o n said th a t she lik e d h e r cat v e ry m u c h a n d
th e n sh e lo s t h e r cat. It w a s a v e ry b e a u tifu l cat, b u t th e
p e r s o n w a s alw ay s th i n k in g a b o u t th e cat a n d c o u l d n t
f o r g e t it. T h is is a n e x a m p le o f a t ta c h m e n t th a t is n o t
b en e ficial. W h a t o n e n e e d s is a t ta c h m e n t to s o m e t h i n g
th a t is b en e ficial, w h i c h w e can call a s p i r a t io n .
T h e s e c o n d r e m e d y is zeal. I f o n e h a s in te re s t a n d
m o t iv a t io n to p ra c tic e , t h e n o n e d o e s n t have to fo rc e
o n e s e lf to p ra c tic e m e d ita tio n ; th e re w ill b e a n a tu r a l
zeal to p ra c tic e .
T h e t h i r d r e m e d y f o r lazin ess is fa ith . A l t h o u g h th is
is s im ila r to th e first r e m e d y , a s p ira tio n m e a n s th a t o n e
43

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

has s o m e t h i n g to a s p ire to , w h ile fa ith m e a n s a b e lie f in

s o m e t h i n g v ery v alu a b le .
T h e f o u r th r e m e d y is lite ra lly called w e ll tr a i n e d
a n d is also tra n s la te d as fle x ib le o r s u p p l e . T h is
m e a n s th a t o n e s m i n d is re a d y at a n y m o m e n t to
m e d ita te . O n e d o e s n t have to th in k , O h , n o w I m
g o in g to have to m e d ita te h o w d iffic u lt, w h a t a s tra in
m e d i t a t i o n i s . W i t h o u t th is s u p p le n e s s o f th e w e llt r a i n e d m i n d a n d b o d y , o n e d o es n o t have tru e s a m a th a, b u t ju s t a o n e - p o in t e d s ta te o f m in d . W e can fo rc e
o u r m i n d to b e o n e - p o in t e d w i t h e ffo rt, b u t w h e n w e
have th e s u p p le n e s s o f m e d ita tio n , th e m i n d n a tu r a lly
re sts o n e - p o in t e d ly w i t h o u t e ffo rt. T h is r e m e d y a n d th e
p re v io u s th r e e w ill e lim in a te th e d e fe c t o f laziness.
T h e fifth r e m e d y is m in d fu ln e s s , w h i c h re m e d ie s
f o r g e t t in g th e in s tr u c tio n s o f m e d ita tio n . O n e h as a
m e d ita tiv e s ta te in w h ic h o n e d o e s n t f o r g e t th e i n s t r u c
tio n s. M in d fu ln e s s h as th re e c h a ra c te ris tic s . F irst, o n e
h as a s h a rp n e s s a n d clearness o f m i n d in w h i c h th e
in s tr u c tio n s are n o t f o r g o tte n . S e c o n d , a l t h o u g h th e
m i n d is v ery s h a r p a n d fo c u s e d , th e re are n o t m a n y
t h o u g h t s a ris in g b e c a u s e m e d ita tio n is n o n c o n c e p tu a l,
so th e r e are n o t m a n y t h o u g h t s a ris in g a n d th e m i n d is
n a tu ra lly fo c u s e d o n e - p o in te d ly o n an o b jec t. T h i r d ,
b e c a u s e o n e h as t r u s t a n d fa ith a n d h as th e s u p p le n e s s
o r flex ib ility o f h a v in g b e c o m e w ell tra in e d , m e d ita tio n
b e c o m e s p le a sa n t w i t h a sen se o f c o m f o r t a n d p le a su re .
T h e s e th re e q u alities in o n e s m e d ita tio n ca u se th e m e d i
ta tio n in s tr u c tio n s n o t to be fo r g o tte n .
T h e t h ir d fa u lt is s t u p o r o r a g ita tio n . F irst, o n e m u s t
re c o g n iz e th a t a g ita tio n o r s t u p o r is a p p e a rin g w h ile
m e d ita tin g . W h e n o n e fin d s e ith e r o f th e s e p re s e n t, th e n
o n e s h o u ld a p p ly a r e m e d y to it. T h e r e are th re e m e t h
44

Identifying Experiences in Samatha

o d s to e lim in a te s t u p o r o r a g ita tio n . F irst, w h e n o n e
e x p e rie n c e s s t u p o r , o n e can v isu alize in o n e s h e a r t a
f o u r - p e t a l e d w h i t e lo tu s w i t h a w h ite s p h e r e in its
c e n te r. T h e n im a g in e th is g o in g u p to th e c r o w n o f th e
h e a d to th e level o f th e h a ir a n d t h e n to a d is ta n c e o f
f o u r f m g e r - w i d t h s ab o v e th e h ea d . W h e n th e r e is a g ita
t i o n o r to o m a n y th o u g h t s , v isu alize a n u p s id e - d o w n
fo u r - p e ta le d b la c k lo tu s in th e h e a r t w i t h a little b la c k
s p h e r e in its c e n te r. I m a g in e it g o in g d o w n to th e level
o f o n e s seat a n d f o u r f m g e r - w i d t h s b e lo w th a t in to th e
g r o u n d . A s e c o n d r e m e d y f o r s t u p o r is to k e e p o n e s
ey e s w i d e o p e n a n d l o o k u p w a r d a n d te n s e o n e s b o d y .
Fo^ r e m o v i n g a g ita tio n o n e lo o k s d o w n w a r d w i t h ey es
h a l f c lo sed , a n d re la x es th e b o d y . T h e t h i r d r e m e d y fo r
d u lln e s s is to b e in a b r i g h t p lace. O n e o p e n s all th e
w i n d o w s a n d m a k e s th e r o o m b r i g h t a n d c o o l a n d also
w e a rs l ig h t c lo th in g . F o r a g ita tio n th e r o o m s h o u ld b e
w a r m a n d d a r k e n e d a n d o n e s h o u ld w e a r th ic k c lo th in g .
T h e f o u r t h fa u lt is in a c tiv ity in w h ic h o n e e x p e rie n c e s
d u lln e s s o r a g ita tio n in o n e s m e d ita tio n b u t d o e s n o t h
in g a b o u t it. W h e n th is h a p p e n s , o n e w ill fall u n d e r its
p o w e r a n d o b v io u s ly n o t b e ab le to w o r k to w a r d e n
li g h te n m e n t . W h e n o n e re c o g n iz e s th a t th e re is d u lln e ss
o r a g ita tio n d u r i n g m e d ita tio n , o n e s h o u ld r e m e m b e r
a n d a p p ly th e re m e d ie s w i t h d ilig e n ce . S o p e r f o r m
in g th e p r o p e r r e m e d y w ill e lim in a te th e d e fe c t o f
in a c tiv ity .
T h e fifth fa u lt is th e d e fe c t o f o veractivity ^ w h ic h
m e a n s th a t w h e n o n e is m e d ita tin g w i t h n o n e o f th e five
fa u lts, o n e s h o u l d n t d o a n y t h i n g b u t re s t in th a t m e d i
ta tiv e state. D o i n g th is w ill e lim in a te th e d e fect o f
o v e ra c tiv ity .
45

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

In s u m m a r y , th e r e are e ig h t m e n ta l re m e d ie s th a t ca n
e lim in a te th e five fau lts.

T h e S i x Powers, N in e L evels, and Four E n g a g em en ts

In th e Treasury o f K now ledge tw o d iffe re n t k in d s o f
te a c h in g s are g iv e n f r o m tw o d iffe re n t tra d itio n s . T h e
firs t is th e s a m a th a in s t r u c t i o n in th e te x tu a l tr a d itio n ,
w h i c h c o m e s f r o m th e g re a t sc h o la rs a n d s id d h a s o f th e
p a s t w h o c o m p o s e d te x ts o n th e in s tr u c tio n s f o r m e d i
ta tio n in w o rd s th a t are easy to u n d e r s ta n d . T h e s e c o n d
k in d is th e s a m a th a in s tr u c tio n s f r o m th e p ra c tic e tr a d i
tio n , w h ic h c o m e s f r o m s id d h a s d e s c rib in g th e e x p e r i
en ce th a t c o m e s f r o m m e d ita tio n a n d h o w o n e e lim i
n a te s th e faults a n d d ev elo p s th e g o o d q u a litie s o f
m e d ita tio n . W h a t fo llo w s is m e d ita tio n f r o m th e te x tu a l
tra d itio n .
T h e r e a re six p o w e rs th a t e lim in a te d efects in s a m a th a
m e d i t a t i o n a n d b r i n g a b o u t m e n ta l s ta b ility . T h e six
p o w e rs b r i n g a b o u t n in e levels o f m e n ta l s ta b ility . T h e s e
n in e levels o f m e n ta l s ta b ility are c re a te d b y six p o w e rs
a n d f o u r k in d s o f m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n ts .
T h e firs t o f th e s ix p o w e rs is th e s t r e n g t h o f th e pow er
o f listening, o r h e a rin g , o r re c e iv in g th e te a c h in g s . T h is
d ev e lo p s th e first s ta g e o f m e n ta l s ta b ility o r s a m a th a ,
w h ic h ' is called th e s e ttlin g o r re s tin g o f th e m in d .
N o r m a ll y o n e s m i n d is d is tra c te d b y t h o u g h t s , so o n e
h as to s e ttle th e m i n d a little in o r d e r n o t to b e to o
d is tra c te d b y e x te rn a l th in g s . T h is is d o n e t h r o u g h th e
p o w e r o f lis te n in g . O n e h e a rs th e te a c h in g s o f th e
B u d d h a , th e te a c h in g s in th e c o m m e n ta r ie s , a n d th e
e x p l a n a t i o n s g iv e n b y t h e s c h o la r s a n d s id d h a s .
T h r o u g h th e s e o n e u n d e r s ta n d s w h a t m e d ita tio n is like.
46

Ide ntifying E xperiences in Sam atha

H e a r in g th e se , o n e is ab le to u n d e r s ta n d s e ttlin g th e
m i n d a n d le a rn s h o w to m e d ita te . M a r p a said th a t
h e a r in g a n d c o n te m p la tin g th e te a c h in g s is lik e a t o r c h
t h a t illu m in a te s th e d a rk n e s s b e c a u s e i f o n e h as th is
s o u r c e o f lig h t, o n e can see w h e r e o n e is g o in g , w h a t is
th e re , a n d w h a t m i g h t b e d a n g e r o u s a n d h a r m f u l. In
T ib e t, th e r e is also a sa y in g , I f o n e d o e s n o t have a
la m p a n d w a lk s in th e d a rk , th e n o n e s h e a d m i g h t
c o n n e c t w i t h a p i l la r . In th e s a m e w a y h e a r in g a n d
c o n t e m p l a ti n g th e te a c h in g s is lik e a la m p it d isp els
th e d a r k n e s s a n d o n e sees w h a t it is o n e m u s t d o a n d
h o w o n e h as to d o it.
T h e s e c o n d p o w e r is th e pow er o f contemplation o r
re fle c tio n , w h i c h m e a n s t h a t o n e g o e s t h r o u g h th e re a
s o n a n d th e lo g ic o f th e te a c h in g s to c o m p le te th e
c o n t i n u i t y o f te a c h in g s . W i t h th is p o w e r o n e d ev e lo p s
th e s e c o n d s ta g e o f m e n ta l s ta b ility , w h ic h is ca lle d
c o n tin u e d s e ttle m e n t. In th e firs t sta g e o n e can re s t th e
m i n d b riefly , say fo r five m in u te s , a n d in th e s e c o n d
s ta g e o n e c a n d o it lo n g e r, say fo r te n m i n u te s .7 T h e s e
firs t tw o s ta g e s o f lis te n in g to th e te a c h in g s a n d c o n tin
u a lly c o n te m p la tin g t h e m a re th e first tw o p o w e rs a n d
a c c o m p lis h th e firs t m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n t, w h ic h is ca lle d
d is c ip lin e d o r c o n tr o lle d e n g a g e m e n t. T h is first e n g a g e
m e n t in v o lv es th e p o w e rs o f h e a rin g th e te a c h in g s a n d
c o n t e m p l a ti n g th e m . In th is first m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n t
th e m i n d is c o n tr o lle d a n d fo c u s e d w i t h d iscip lin e.
T h e th i r d p o w e r is th e pow er o f mindfulness. T h is is
s im ila r to th e r e m e d y f o r n o t f o r g e ttin g o n e s m e d ita
tio n in s tr u c tio n s d is c u s s e d above. T h is p o w e r o f m i n d
fu ln ess d ev e lo p s th e th ir d level o f m e n ta l s ta b ility called
th e re e s ta b lis h e d s e ttle m e n t. T h is m e a n s th a t w h e n o n e
is m e d ita tin g , th o u g h t s w ill arise a n d o n e b e c o m e s
47

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

a w are th a t o n e h as b e c o m e d is tra c te d b y th e m . O n e
re tu r n s to th e s ta te o f m e d ita tio n , so o n e re a p p lie s
o n e s e lf to it, re e s ta b lis h in g th is s e ttlin g in m e d ita tio n .
W h e n th e re is a d is tra c tio n th a t tak e s o n e aw ay f r o m
r e s tin g in m e d ita tio n , o n e is ab le to r e tu r n to o n e s s ta te
o f m e d ita tio n re p e a te d ly . T h is is r e a p p ly in g a s ta te o f
s e ttlin g th e m in d . T h is p o w e r c o m e s f r o m th e p o w e r o f
m in d fu ln e s s b e c a u s e o n e b e c o m e s a w are o f th e m i n d
b e in g d is tra c te d b y s o m e th o u g h t . W ith m in d fu ln e s s
o n e th in k s , Im n o t g o in g to b e fu lly u n d e r th e in flu
en c e o f th is d is tra c tin g t h o u g h t a n d m e n ta lly r e tu r n s
to w h a t o n e is d o in g . T h is p o w e r o f m in d fu ln e s s also
d ev e lo p s th e f o u r th s ta g e o f m e n ta l s ta b ility , called
in te n s ifie d s e ttle m e n t, in w h ic h th e m i n d t h a t h a s b e e n
b r o a d ly fo c u s e d is n o w fo c u s e d v e ry n a r r o w ly . T h e
m in d , fo r e x a m p le , is n a r r o w ly fo c u s e d o n an o b jec t.
T h e p u r p o s e o f th is k in d o f m e d ita tio n is to fo c u s th e
m in d o n s o m e t h i n g v e ry su b tle .
W h a t can w e d o to p re v e n t this c o n tin u o u s a ris in g o f
th o u g h ts ? T h e t e x t says th a t th e m i n d is v e ry v ast a n d
t h o u g h t s c o n tin u o u s ly arise a n d g o e v e ry w h e re . T h e
m i n d h as to b e d r a w n in w a r d a n d m a d e m o r e n a r r o w ,
m o r e c o n s tric te d . S o th is is th e s ta te called th e c o n c e n
tr a te d o r in te n s ifie d s e ttle m e n t, w h ic h is th e f o u r th s ta g e
o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . T h e p o w e r n e c e s s a ry fo r th is is
th e th i r d p o w e r o f m in d fu ln e s s a n d m e m o r y . W e n e e d
to r e m e m b e r te a c h in g s g iv e n b y th e B u d d h a , th e c o m
m e n ta rie s , a n d th e a c tu a l m e d ita tio n in s tr u c tio n s . We
also n e e d to b e m i n d f u l o f d is tra c tio n s so t h a t w h e n w e
b e c o m e d is tra c te d w e k n o w th is s ta te allo w s u s n o t to
b e c o m e a tta c h e d o r in v o lv e d w ith th a t th o u g h t , so w e
can leave it a n d r e tu r n to re s tin g in m e d ita tio n . S o m e
tim e s w h e n w e are m e d ita tin g a n d a t h o u g h t arises, w e
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Identifying Experiences in Sam atha

th in k , T h is is a n i m p o r t a n t t h o u g h t. T h is o n e I re a lly
have to t h i n k a b o u t! S in ce w e s p e n d s u c h a s h o r t tim e
in m e d ita tio n , w e s h o u ld tell o u rse lv e s th a t w e can th in k
a b o u t th e t h o u g h t all th e re s t o f th e d ay w h e n th e
m e d i t a t i o n s e s s io n is over.
S n tid e v a gives an e x a m p le o f w h y it is n e c e s s a ry to
have m in d fu ln e s s . H e says t h a t t h o u g h t s a n d k lesas a re
lik e r o b b e r s o r th iev es b e c a u s e a t h i e f w ill l o o k a t th e
p e r s o n to see w h e th e r t h a t p e r s o n is s t r o n g o r p o w e rfu l.
I f h e th in k s h e is n o t s tr o n g , h e w ill r o b h im . I f a t h i e f
believes s o m e o n e is s t r o n g a n d h as w e a p o n s a n d lo ts o f
re in f o r c e m e n t, th e t h i e f w ill n o t steal f r o m h im . In th e
s a m e w a y , i f a m e d i t a t o r h as m in d fu ln e s s a n d a w are n ess,
th e n h e w o n t lo se h is m e d ita tio n o r p ra c tic e o f g o o d
a c tio n s . B u t, i f s o m e o n e d o e s n o t have m in d fu ln e s s a n d
aw are n ess, t h e n t h o u g h t s a n d k lesas w ill arriv e a n d steal
aw ay th e m e d ita tio n a n d d e s tro y th e p ra c tic e o f g o o d
a c tio n s . T h e r e m e d y t h a t p re v e n ts th e a tta c k o f m in d
p o i s o n s a n d t h o u g h t s is h a v in g m i n d f u l n e s s a n d
a w are n ess.
T h e m i n d is lik e a d o o r. W h a te v e r c o m e s in, w h e th e r
it b e a t h i e f o r a g re a t d eal o f w e a lth , m u s t c o m e t h r o u g h
t h a t d o o r . S im ila rly , i f a n y n e g a tiv e o r p o s itiv e q u a litie s
c o m e in, th e y c o m e in t h r o u g h th e m in d . L ik ew ise , i f
o n e g o e s in to a b a n k , fo r e x a m p le , th e re is n o r m a lly a
g u a r d at th e d o o r w i t h a g u n to p re v e n t thieves f r o m
e n te r in g . In th e s a m e w ay, th m in d is lik e a d o o r a n d
o n e n e e d s m in d fu ln e s s as a g u a r d p re s e n t all th e tim e .
J u s t as a g u a r d is n o t e n o u g h , o n e n e e d s th e w e a p o n o f
aw are n ess. I f m in d fu ln e s s a n d aw are n ess are th e re all th e
tim e , th e n th e th o u g h t s a n d k lesas w o n t b e ab le to
c o m e in a n d steal w h a t is p o sitiv e . To c a rry th e e x a m p le
f u r th e r , In d ia n b a n k s p u t a g u a r d w i t h a g u n to g u a r d
49

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& In

s i g h t

th e d o o r. B u t sin ce th e y are a fraid th a t th e re is n o t h i n g

to k e e p th e g u a r d f r o m r o b b i n g th e b a n k , th e ir s o lu tio n
is to c h a in th e g u a r d to a p illa r o u ts id e . So In d ia n b a n k s
have a g u a r d w i t h a rifle c h a in e d to a p illa r to s to p
thieves f r o m c o m in g in a n d th e g u a r d f r o m r o b b i n g th e
b a n k . In th e s a m e w a y , to p r o te c t o n e s m e d i t a t i o n o n e
n e e d s to have m in d fu ln e s s g u a r d in g th e d o o r o f th e
m i n d a n d in o r d e r to p re v e n t th e m in d fu ln e s s f r o m
lo s in g c o n tr o l, o n e c h a in s it th e re w ith a w are n ess.
T h e f o u r th p o w e r is th e power o f awareness, w h ic h
m e a n s o n e k n o w s e x a c tly w h a t is o c c u r r in g a n d w h a t
o n e is d o in g . N o r m a lly , o n e is n t a w are o f w h a t is
h a p p e n in g , b u t th is p o w e r o f aw are n ess d e v e lo p s tw o
levels o f m e n ta l s ta b ility , n a m e ly , th e fifth level called
ta m i n g a n d th e s ix th level called p a c ific a tio n . N o r m a lly ,
o u r m i n d c a n n o t b e m o tiv a te d to m e d ita te a n d so it is
v e ry d iffic u lt to m e d ita te . W ith th e p o w e r o f ta m in g ,
h o w e v er, w e b e c o m e aw are o f th e q u a litie s a n d b e n e fits
o f m e d ita tin g : th a t it b e n e fits o u rse lv e s a n d o th e rs ; th a t
th is m e d ita tio n can h e lp us d ev elo p c la irv o y a n c e a n d
m ira c u lo u s p o w e rs a n d in c re a s e o u r u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d
w i s d o m . B e in g aw are o f all th e q u alities t h a t re s u lt f r o m
m e d ita tio n w ill ca u se u s to b e a ttra c te d to m e d ita tio n
a n d e n c o u r a g e u s to m e d ita te so o u r m i n d b e c o m e s
ta m e d . T h u s th is p o w e r o f aw are n ess th a t d e v e lo p s th e
level o f t a m i n g lead s to th e s ix th level o f m e n ta l s ta b ility
called p a c ific a tio n . A f te r s a m a th a m e d i t a t i o n w h a t is
i m p o r t a n t in th e p o s tm e d ita tio n s ta te is m in d fu ln e s s
a n d aw are n ess. W ith m in d fu ln e s s w e d o n t f o r g e t th e
c o n d itio n o f o u r m i n d a n d w i t h a w are n ess w e are v e ry
clear a b o u t w h a t is h a p p e n in g all th e tim e . To th o s e
w h o w a n t to c o n tr o l th e ir m in d , S a n tid e v a said , I ask
w i t h h a n d s cla sp e d to g e th e r to m a k e m in d fu ln e s s a n d
50

Identifying Experiences in Sam atha

a w a re n e ss v e ry i m p o r t a n t . D u r i n g m e d ita tio n sessio n s,
m in d fu ln e s s a n d a w are n ess are also im p o r t a n t , a n d a fte r
m e d i t a t i o n sessio n s o n e s h o u ld m a in ta in m in d fu ln e s s
a n d aw a re n e ss as m u c h as p o ss ib le .
In T i b e t a n drenpa m e a n s m i n d f u l n e s s , a n d sheshin
m e a n s a w a re n e s s . D renpa also m e a n s m in d fu ln e s s
a n d m e m o r y . It m e a n s t h a t o n e is m in d f u l o f w h a t o n e
is d o i n g a n d r e m e m b e r s w h a t o n e h as to d o w h e th e r
o n e is m e d ita tin g , w h e th e r o n e h as lo s t th e p o w e r o f
c o n c e n tr a tio n , a n d so o n . M in d fu ln e s s is lik e a cau sal
c o n d itio n a n d aw a re n e ss is lik e th e re su lt. I f o n e h as
v e ry c o n c e n tr a te d m in d fu ln e s s , o n e im m e d ia te ly n o tic e s
a t h o u g h t a ris in g a n d th is b e c o m e s aw are n ess, w h ic h
b e c o m e s s h e s h in , a n d o n e k n o w s w h a t is o c c u rrin g .
N o r m a ll y , o n e d o e s n o t k n o w w h a t is in o n e s m i n d o r
w h a t o n e is th in k in g , so th e re is n o aw are n ess. B u t i f
o n e h as m in d fu ln e s s , th e n it is said to th e e x te n t th a t
m in d fu ln e s s b r in g s m e n ta l s ta b ility , o n e h as aw are n ess.
S o w h e n o n e h as m in d fu ln e s s , it is t h r o u g h o n e s aw a re
n ess o f w h a t is h a p p e n in g .
A t th is level o f p a c ific a tio n w e b e c o m e aw are o f th e
n e g a tiv e q u a litie s o f d is tra c tio n . S an tid e v a e x p la in s th is
b y s a y in g t h a t w h e n th e m i n d is d is tra c te d , it is b e tw e e n
th e fa n g s o f th e w ild a n im a l o f th e k lesas, a n d f r o m
m e n ta l d is tra c tio n s c o m e all th e d iffic u lties a n d m e n ta l
h a r d s h ip s o f th is a n d f u tu r e lives. B e in g in a s ta te o f
d is tr a c tio n w ill in c re a se th e n e g a tiv e q u alities o f th e
m i n d m o r e a n d m o r e . H o w e v er, b e in g a w are o f th e
n e g a tiv e q u a litie s m o tiv a te s us to m e d ita te .
T h e fifth p o w e r is th e pow er o f diligence. T h is p o w e r
c re a te s th e se v e n th level o f m e n ta l s ta b ility , w h ic h is
c o m p le te p a c ific a tio n . In th e p re v io u s level o f p ac ifica
tio n o n e c o n te m p la te s th e q u a litie s o f m e d ita tio n a n d
5i

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

th e fa u lts o f d is tra c tio n a n d e lim in a te s th e se . S o m e

tim e s, h o w ev er, w i t h v e ry s t r o n g o b s ta c le s s u c h as
u n h a p p in e s s , re g re t, o r a g g re s s io n , j u s t th i n k in g o f th e
g o o d q u a litie s o f m e d ita tio n w ill n o t e lim in a te t h e m
ri g h t aw ay. In s te a d , o n e n e e d s th e p o w e r o f d ilig e n c e so
th a t o n e can e lim in a te all s t r o n g o b sta c le s s u c h as a tta c h
m e n t, a g g re s s io n , a n d ig n o ra n c e a n d can c re a te th e
s e v e n th level o f m e d i t a t i v e s t a b i l i ty o f c o m p l e t e
p a c ific a tio n .
T h e p o w e r o f d ilig e n c e also creates th e e ig h th level o f
m e n ta l sta b ility , w h ic h is called o n e - p o in te d n e s s b e
cau se all p o w e rfu l d is tra c tio n s o f m in d have b e e n e lim i
n a te d a n d th e m i n d can re st o n e - p o in te d ly . A t th e level
o f o n e - p o in te d n e s s o n e can m e d ita te w i t h o u t m u c h
e ffo rt, a n d th is p o w e r o f d ilig e n c e is u s e d to m a in ta in
this o n e - p o in t e d state.
T h e firs t m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n t is called th e t ig h tly
c o n tro lle d e n g a g e m e n t a n d is a s s o c ia te d w i t h th e firs t
tw o levels o f m e n ta l sta b ility . T h e s e c o n d m e n ta l e n
g a g e m e n t, called in t e r r u p te d e n g a g e m e n t, is a sso c ia te d
w i t h th e th ir d t h r o u g h se v e n th levels o f s ta b ility . I n t e r
r u p te d e n g a g e m e n t m e a n s th a t o n e re sts th e m i n d in a
s ta te o f sta b ility ; th e n it is in t e r r u p te d b y s o m e d e fe c t
a n d o n e th e n a p p lies th e re m e d y . O n e c o n tin u e s th is
r e p e a te d ly so th a t o n e s s ta b ility is c o n tin u a lly in te r
ru p te d . A t th e level o f th e e ig h th m e n ta l s ta b ility o f o n e p o in te d n e s s o n e d ev e lo p s th e th ir d m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n t
called th e u n i n t e r r u p te d m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n t. A t th is
p o i n t th e m i n d fo c u ses o n o n e p o in t a n d re m a in s th e re
w i t h o u t i n te r r u p tio n .
T h e s ix th p o w e r is th e pow er o f fam ilia riza tio n . A t th is
level th e m i n d is n a tu r a lly s e ttle d w i t h o u t th e n e e d fo r
e f fo rt o r d iscip lin e. T h e f o u r th m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n t as
52

Identifying Experiences in Sam atha

s o c ia te d w i t h th is p o w e r is th e n a tu ra lly p re s e n t m e n ta l
e n g a g e m e n t. T h e n i n t h level o f m e n ta l s ta b ility is called
r e s tin g in e q u a n im ity . S o a t th e n i n t h level o f m e n ta l
s ta b ility w i t h th e s ix th p o w e r a n d th e f o u r th m e n ta l
e n g a g e m e n t, th e m i n d ju s t re s ts in e q u a n im ity , re la x e d
w i t h o u t e ffo rt. T h is is th e fin al s ta g e o f m e n ta l s ta b ility .
T h e five d efects a n d e ig h t re m e d ie s a re t a u g h t in th e
D ifferentiation o f the M iddle Way fro m the E xtrem es, w h i c h
is b y A s a n g a a n d is o n e o f th e five w o rk s o f M a itre y a .
T h e B u d d h a s te a c h in g s are d iv id e d in to th e su tra s , th e
v in ay a , a n d th e a b h id h a r m a . T h e D ifferentiation o f the
M iddle Way fro m the E xtrem es is a c o m m e n t a r y o n th e
a b h id h a r m a . T h e n in e levels o f m e n ta l s ta b ility are
t a u g h t in M a i t r e y a s O rnam ent o f the M ahayana Sutras b y
A s a n g a . T h is te x t e x p la in s a n d clarifies th e te a c h in g s o f
th e s u tra s . T h e six p o w e rs a n d f o u r m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n ts
are f o u n d in o n e o f th e five trea tise s o f A s a n g a called
th e Levels o f the Srdvakas.
To s u m m a r iz e , w h e n w e m e d ita te , fau lts arise th a t
p re v e n t u s f r o m d e v e lo p in g o u r m e d ita tio n (see ta b le i ) .
W h e n th e b o d h is a ttv a s m e d ita te d , th e y saw th e fa u lts
th a t a ro s e a n d th e n id e n tifie d t h e m a n d w e re ab le to fin d
r e m e d ie s t h a t c o u ld e lim in a te th ese fau lts. B u t i f w e
d o n t re c o g n iz e th e s e fa u lts w h e n m e d ita tin g , w e w ill
n o t p ro g r e s s to w a r d B u d d h a h o o d . T h r o u g h th e te a c h
in g s w e can id e n tify th e s e d efects a n d k n o w h o w to
a p p ly th e c o r re c t re m e d y . T h is p a r tic u la r te a c h in g is
o n e th a t s h o u ld b e e x p e rie n c e d d ire c tly , n o t j u s t s tu d ie d
in te lle c tu a lly . A s th e five d efects arise in o u r m e d ita tio n ,
w e s h o u ld a p p ly th e e ig h t re m e d ie s a n d u s e th e six
p o w e rs a n d th e f o u r m e n ta l e n g a g e m e n ts in o u r m e d i
ta tio n . A lso , t h r o u g h o u r m e d ita tio n w e s h o u ld b e ab le
to id e n tify w h i c h level o f m e n ta l s ta b ility w e have
53

TABLE ONE

Summary o f the Powers, Levels,

and Engagements

P ower

1. Hearing the
teachings

2 . Contemplating
the teachings

3 . M emory or
mindfulness

L e v e l s of
S t ability

1. Resting the
mind

2 . Resting in the
mind longer

E ngagement

1. Tightly focused
or controlled
engagement

3 . Continuously
resettling the
mind

4 . Intensely settled
mind

4 . Awareness

5 . Taming the

2 . Interrupted
mental
engagement

mind

6 . Pacification o f
the mind

5 . Diligence

7 . Com plete
pacification o f
the mind

8 . One-pointed

3 . Uninterrupted
mental
engagement

mind

6 . Familiarization

9 . Resting in
equanimity

54

4 . Naturally
settled
engagement

Ide n tifyin g Experiences in Sam atha

re a c h e d . T h e r e f o r e , th e s e m e d i t a t i o n in s tr u c tio n s are
v e ry i m p o r t a n t a n d w e n e e d to u n d e r s ta n d t h e m t h o r
o u g h ly .

T h e Tradition o f O ra l Instruction
T h e i n s tr u c tio n o f s a m a th a h as b e e n p a s s e d o n o ra lly
f r o m o n e in d iv id u a l to a n o th e r. O n e firs t receiv es i n
s t r u c t i o n o n s a m a th a m u c h lik e th e in s tr u c tio n in th is
b o o k . T h is firs t s ta g e is called th e experience o f instability.
W h e n o n e b e g in s to m e d ita te , o n e firs t e x p e rie n c e s th e
m i n d as v e ry u n s ta b le w i t h m a n y , m a n y th o u g h t s aris
in g . T h e r e a re g o o d th o u g h t s a n d b a d th o u g h t s a n d th is
is lik e n e d to a w a te rfa ll r u s h in g o f f a cliff. W h e n th e
w a te r h its th e b o t t o m , it sp la sh e s u p w i t h a g re a t d eal
o f a g ita tio n a n d m a k e s m a n y w aves. In m e d ita tio n it
se e m s o n e h as n e v e r h a d so m a n y th o u g h t s a n d o n e
th in k s , I a m g e ttin g w o rs e b e c a u s e o f m y m e d i t a t i o n .
B u t, in fact, o n e is n o t d e v e lo p in g m o r e t h o u g h ts ;
ra th e r, b e f o re o n e h a d b e g u n to m e d ita te , o n e d i d n t
th i n k a b o u t h o w m a n y th o u g h t s o n e h a d . O n e d i d n t
a n a ly z e t h e m a n d so o n e w a s n t aw are o f th e n u m b e r o f
t h o u g h t s . A c tu a lly , m e d ita tio n is th e b e g in n in g o f d e a l
in g w i t h o n e s m i n d b e c a u s e o n e b e c o m e s aw are o f
o n e s t h o u g h ts .
W h e n w e b e g in to m e d ita te c o n tin u a lly , w e b e g in to
have a s e c o n d e x p e rie n c e called th e experience o f attain
m ent. W ith th is e x p e rie n c e w e b e g in to feel th a t w e have
a c c o m p lis h e d g o o d m e d ita tio n . T h is e x p e rie n c e is lik
e n e d to a m o u n t a i n s tr e a m o r a riv er in a g u lly . T h e
riv e r is still r o u g h w i t h m a n y w aves, b u t it is n t as
p o w e rfu l a n d fierce as a w a te rfa ll.
T h e n e x t level o f m e d ita tio n b e c o m e s ea sie r a n d is
55

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

lik e n e d to a s lo w -flo w in g riv er. T h e m e d ita tio n is easier

b u t n o t to th e e x te n t th a t it is a c o n tin u o u s s ta te o f
m e d ita tiv e s ta b ility w i t h n o t h o u g h t s a ris in g . B u t it is
n o t as r o u g h a n d u n c o n n e c te d as th e s e c o n d s ta g e o f
a tta in m e n t. S o n o w th e re is a k in d o f s m o o th n e s s a n d
g e n tle n e s s b e c a u s e th e p o w e r o f t h o u g h t s h as d e c re a s e d .
T h is t h ir d level is called th e experience o f fam iliarization.
T h e f o u r th level is k n o w n as th e experience o f stability
b e c a u s e th e re is a c o n tin u o u s s ta te o f s ta b ility w i t h o u t a
flow o f d is tu r b in g th o u g h ts . A t th is s ta g e o n e h a s
r e a c h e d th e d e g re e o f s ta b ility in w h ic h o n e h a s c o n tr o l
o v er o n e s m in d . T h is is c o m p a r e d to an o c e a n t h a t is
c a lm a n d w i t h o u t w aves.
T h e fifth level is called th e experience o f complete stabil
ity a n d is th e fin al s ta g e in w h ic h o n e is n o t d is tu r b e d
b y a n y k in d o f e x p e rie n c e . T h e e x p e rie n c e s t h a t arise in
th is fifth level are b liss, cla rity , a n d th e a b s e n c e o f
th o u g h ts . F o r e x a m p le , w h ile m e d ita tin g o n e m i g h t
e x p e rie n c e a g re a t s e n s a tio n o f bliss a n d la te r th is b liss
d is a p p e a rs . O r o n e d a y s u d d e n ly a g re a t c la rity arises in
o n e s m e d ita tio n a n d o n e m i g h t th in k , W h a t is th is
c la rity Im e x p e rie n c in g ? O r o n e m i g h t e x p e rie n c e a
s ta te d e v o id o f c o n c e p tu a l th o u g h ts . T h e s e are th e th re e
k in d s o f e x p e rie n c e s th a t can arise in s a m a th a m e d ita
tio n . A t th is level w h a te v e r arises d o e s n o t affect o n e s
m e n ta l s ta b ility a n d o n e is u n a ffe c te d b y c o n d itio n s
s u c h as th o s e th a t c re a te cra v in g o r a n g e r o r even love
a n d c o m p a s s io n . A s a re s u lt o n e d ev elo p s g re a t c la rity
a n d b rig h tn e s s o f m i n d th a t is d e v o id o f d u lln e s s o r
s tu p id ity . T h e e x a m p le fo r this e x p e rie n c e is a c a n d le
flam e b u r n i n g in still air; it is v e ry b r i g h t a n d gives g o o d
lig h t, b u t i f it is in m o v in g air, it j u s t gives i n t e r m i t t e n t
lig h t. O n c e th e m i n d is s ta b le a n d b e c o m e s u n a ffe c te d
56

Identifying E xperiences in Sam atha

b y t h o u g h t s , th e n o n e is ab le to have a clear u n d e r s ta n d
in g o f th in g s . T h e r e are tw o asp e c ts o f th is p e rfe c t
u n d e r s ta n d in g : th e a s p e c t o f c la rity a n d th e asp e c t o f
p u r ity . C la r ity is w h e n e v e ry th in g is see n w i t h s h a rp
v is io n , e v e ry th in g is u n d e r s to o d v e ry clearly , v iv id ly ,
a n d in d etail. T h e a sp e c t o f p u r i t y is w h e n th e m in d is
n o t s ta in e d b y u n c e r ta in ty a n d th e re is n o flu c tu a tio n in
th is c la rity . It is c o m p le te ly p u r e a n d u n p o llu te d u n d e r
s ta n d in g .
N o r m a ll y , w h e n w e d ev e lo p s o m e m e n ta l s ta b ility
a n d have a g o o d m e d ita tiv e e x p e rie n c e , w e th in k , T h is
is w o n d e r f u l, I m u s t b e b e c o m in g a s i d d h a . W h e n w e
have a b a d m e d ita tiv e e x p e rie n c e , o n th e o t h e r h a n d , w e
th in k , T h is is te rrib le , I m o b v io u s ly d o in g e v e ry th in g
w r o n g . B u t w h a te v e r e x p e rie n c e o c c u rs g o o d o r
b a d w e s h o u ld j u s t c o n tin u e m e d ita tin g . I f a g o o d
e x p e rie n c e arises, w e s h o u ld n o t feel w e are b e tte r th a n
e v e ry o n e else a n d feel p r o u d ; w e s h o u ld j u s t c o n tin u e
m e d ita tin g . I f a b a d e x p e rie n c e arises, w e s h o u ld n o t
b e c o m e d e p r e s s e d b e c a u s e t h a t w ill ju s t ca u se u s to fall
in to a lo w e r e x iste n c e ; w e s h o u ld ju s t p ro c e e d w i t h o u r
m e d ita tio n a n d m a in ta in th e p ra c tic e c o n tin u a lly . W h e n
G a m p o p a h a d th e e x p e rie n c e o f h a v in g th e H e v ajra
m a n d a la a p p e a r b e f o re h im o r saw th e w h o le C h a k r a s a m v a r a m a n d a la o r m e t his y id a m d e ity in his m e d ita
tio n , h e w o u ld g o to his te a c h e r M ila re p a a n d ask h im
w h a t it m e a n t. M ila re p a w o u ld alw ays say it w as n o t h
in g at all a n d th a t th e r e w a s n o t h i n g g o o d o r b a d in it
a n d t h a t h e s h o u ld g o b a c k a n d c a rry o n m e d ita tin g .
S o m e tim e s G a m p o p a w o u ld have v ery b a d e x p e rie n c e s
w h ile m e d ita tin g . O n e tim e th e w h o le w o rld b e g a n to
sp in u n til h e th r e w u p ; a n o th e r tim e e v e ry th in g w e n t
c o m p le te ly d a r k so t h a t G a m p o p a h a d to feel h is w a y
57

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of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

a r o u n d o n h is h a n d s a n d k n e e s a n d t h o u g h t th is m u s t
have b e e n c a u se d b y a d e m o n . S till a n o t h e r tim e h e
h e a rd a l o u d s h o u t i n g f r o m n o w h e r e a n d t h o u g h t th a t
h e h a d g o n e in san e. W h e n h e w e n t a n d a s k e d M ila re p a
a b o u t it, M ila re p a j u s t said it w a s n o t h i n g a t all, n o t
g o o d o r b a d , a n d to ld h i m to j u s t c a rry o n m e d ita tin g .
L ik ew ise , w e s h o u ld j u s t c a rry o n w i t h o u r m e d i t a t i o n
w h e th e r w e have g o o d o r b a d e x p e rie n c e s.

T h e A cco m p lish m en t o f S a m a th a
So far th e n a tu r e o f m e d ita tio n in th e s c h o la s tic a n d o ra l
tra d itio n s h as b e e n d iscu ssed . N o w let u s d isc u ss th e
re s u lt o f m e d i t a t i o n o r th e sig n s o f a c c o m p lis h m e n t in
m e d ita tio n . T h e re s u lt o f m e d ita tio n is th e e x p e rie n c e
o f bliss o f m i n d a n d b o d y . T h is bliss o f m i n d a n d b o d y
is called lite ra lly w ell t r a i n e d . In T ib e ta n it is shinjang,
w h ic h is a c tu a lly a d e s c rip tio n o f th e ca u se o f th e re su lt;
th e n a m e o f th e cause, b e in g w ell t r a i n e d , is u s e d f o r
th e a c tu a l re su lt. S o a c tu a lly b e in g w ell tra in e d is th e
cause, b u t th e n a m e is g iv e n to th e re su lt. S hintu m e a n s
a g re a t d e a l o r v e ry m u c h a n d ja n g p a m e a n s
t r a in e d o r th e m a s te r y o f s o m e th in g . So shintu jan gp a
m e a n s th a t o n e is w e ll tra in e d in s o m e t h i n g . T h e te x t
says t h a t i f o n e h as n o t a tta in e d th is s ta te o f b e in g w ell
tra in e d in b o d y a n d m in d , th e n o n e h as n o t re ally
re a c h e d th e fu ll a tta in m e n t o f s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . E v en
i f o n e has a tta in e d th e h ig h e s t (th e fo u r th ) m e n ta l e n
g a g e m e n t a n d th e fin al (n in th ) sta g e o f m e n ta l s ta b ility ,
i f o n e d o e s n t have th e w e ll-tr a in e d b o d y a n d m in d , o n e
h a s n t ac h iev ed fu ll s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . T h is is e x
p la in e d in th e D efin ite E xp la n a tio n o f the V iew . In th is
s u tra M a itre y a asks w h a t th e m e d ita tio n o f a b o d h is a ttv a
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is lik e w h e n h e o r s h e h as d e v e lo p e d all th e m e n ta l
e n g a g e m e n ts , b u t still d o e s n t have a w e ll-tr a in e d b o d y
a n d m in d . M a itr e y a also asks i f o n e h as ac h iev ed s a m a
th a m e d ita tio n w h e n o n e h a s n t d e v e lo p e d th is w e lltr a in e d b o d y a n d m in d . T h e B u d d h a a n s w e re d , N o .
So to have v alid s a m a th a m e d ita tio n o n e m u s t b e w ell
tra in e d so t h a t th e m i n d a n d b o d y are c o m p le te ly w o r k
a b le a n d o n e h as th e o n e - p o in te d level o f m e n ta l s ta b ility
o f th e d e s ire re a lm .
A d e s c r ip tio n o f th is sta te is g iv e n b y A s a n g a in h is
C o m pendium o f the A bhidharm a. H e s ta te d th a t o n e n e e d s
to a tta in th is w e ll-tr a in e d m i n d a n d b o d y th a t cu ts
t h r o u g h th e c o n t i n u u m o f th e fa c to rs t h a t lea d to n e g a
tive states. I f o n e can re m o v e th e s e n e g a tiv e p ro p e n s itie s ,
t h e n th e m i n d b e c o m e s w o rk a b le a n d u sa b le . W ith
m e d i t a t i o n a n d th is w o r k a b ility o f m i n d o n e c a n e lim i
n a te all th e o b s c u r a tio n s o f th e klesas. A s a n g a th e n g o e s
o n to d e s c rib e th e s e n e g a tiv e p ro p e n s itie s o f b o d y a n d
m in d . T h e n e g a tiv e p r o p e n s ity o f th e b o d y is to re s is t
in v o lv e m e n t in g o o d a c tio n s a n d m e d ita tio n so th a t a
g re a t d e a l o f e ffo rt is n e e d e d to d o th e s e th in g s . T h e
n e g a tiv e p r o p e n s ity o f th e m i n d m a k e s m e d ita tio n d if
fic u lt so th a t th e m i n d c a n n o t re s t n a tu ra lly o r easily in
m e d ita tio n . N e g a tiv e p ro p e n s itie s o f th e b o d y re s u lt in
a s lig h t re s is ta n c e to d o in g p o s itiv e a c tio n s, a n d o n e
feels p h y s ic a lly v e ry h e a v y a n d u n c o m f o r ta b le w h e n
m e d ita tin g . F irst, o n e d ev e lo p s m e n ta l s u p p le n e s s in
w h i c h th e m i n d b e c o m e s sta b le , p le a sa n t, a n d re la x e d .
T h e n o n e d ev e lo p s p h y s ic a l s u p p le n e s s b e c a u s e w h e n
th e m i n d b e c o m e s v e ry c o m f o r ta b le a n d still, th e n th e
life air (Skt. prana) b e c o m e s u n o b s t r u c t e d a n d u n d is
t u r b e d so it p e r m e a te s th e b o d y . W ith th is flo w o f life
air th e b o d y feels v e ry lig h t a n d c o m f o r ta b le a n d th e
59

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n s i g h t

n e g a tiv e p ro p e n s itie s o f th e b o d y are e lim in a te d . T h is

fe elin g is n o t j u s t m e n ta l, b u t is an a c tu a l p h y s ic a l
s e n s a tio n .
H o w d o th e s e p h y s ic a l a n d m e n ta l s e n s a tio n s o f sam a th a o cc u r? T h is q u e s tio n is a n s w e re d in A s a n g a s
Levels o f the Sravakas. F irst, o n e e x p e rie n c e s a v e ry s u b tle
s e n s a tio n a n d o n e d o e s n t k n o w i f it is in th e b o d y o r
m in d . O n e j u s t feels a v e ry s u b tle , p le a sa n t s e n s a tio n .
L a te r o n it b e c o m e s s tr o n g e r a n d m o r e o b v io u s a n d o n e
k n o w s it is a d e fin ite p le a s u ra b le s e n s a tio n . Still la te r o n
it b e c o m e s v e ry s t r o n g a n d o n e e x p e rie n c e s bliss a n d
c o m f o r t. O n e b e c o m e s v ery c o n f id e n t o f o n e s m e d ita
tio n a t this p o in t, b u t o n e s h o u ld n o t b e c o m e a tta c h e d
to o r p r o u d o f th is s e n s a tio n a n d th in k th a t it is special.
In ste a d , o n e s h o u ld r e m a in in a s ta te o f e q u a n im ity a n d
th in k , T h is s e n s a tio n can c o m e o r g o , b u t it d o e s n t
m a t t e r . I f o n e can re s t at th is tim e in e q u a n im ity , th e n
o n e can achieve a v e ry d e e p sta te o f peace. T h is bliss is
said to b e lik e a s h a d o w b ec a u se w h e n a s h a d o w a p p e a rs
i t is d e fin ite ly th e re ; b u t it h as n o s u b s ta n c e . In th e s a m e
w a y w h e n th is e x p e rie n c e o f bliss is p re s e n t, it is d efi
n ite ly th e re , b u t it h as n o s u b s ta n c e . O n e s h o u l d n t
c lin g to th is s e n s a tio n o f p le a su re o r o n e w ill fall u n d e r
its p o w e r.
W h e n o n e h as fu lly a tta in e d a w e ll-tr a in e d m i n d a n d
b o d y , th e n th e re is n o e x te rn a l o r in te rn a l d is tr a c tio n o r
d is tu rb a n c e a n d th e m i n d is c o m p le te ly stab le. A t th is
level all th e o b v io u s k lesas are e lim in a te d a n d p acified .
I f o n e has fu lly d e v e lo p e d a w e ll-tr a in e d b o d y a n d m in d ,
th e n o n e s m e d ita tio n w ill b e an e x p e rie n c e o f bliss. I f
th is w e ll-tr a in e d s ta te is s tr o n g , o n e e x p e rie n c e s th e s e
se n s a tio n s b e fo re , d u r in g , a n d a fte r m e d ita tio n as w ell.
T h e p o w e r o f th is w e ll-tra in e d s ta te create s a g re a t
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c la rity o f p e r c e p tio n so th a t o n e sees e v e ry th in g d o w n
to th e s m a lle s t d e ta il d o w n to th e s m a lle s t p a rtic le s. In
fact, th e r e a re th r e e p a r tic u la r q u alities o f a w e ll-tr a in e d
m i n d a n d b o d y th e s e n s a tio n o f bliss, g re a t c la rity o f
p e r c e p tio n , a n d th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o f th e s e n s a tio n o f
th e te n c h a ra c te ris tic s . T h e te n ch a ra c te ris tic s are th e
s e n s o r y s e n s a tio n s o f v is io n , s o u n d , sm ell, taste, a n d
b o d ily s e n s a tio n ; th e tim e p e r c e p tio n o f p a s t, p re s e n t,
a n d f u tu re ; a n d th e g e n d e r p e r c e p tio n o f m a s c u lin e a n d
fe m in in e . W h e n re s tin g in m e d ita tio n , it is as i f o n e h as
b le n d e d w i t h sp a c e a n d th e r e is n o c o n c e p tio n o f th e s e
te n q u a litie s, as i f e v e ry th in g h as d is a p p e a re d . T h e n
a fte r th e m e d i t a t i o n sessio n , it is as i f th e b o d y s u d d e n ly
re a p p e a rs .

T h e P urpose o f A ccom p lish in g S a m a th a

In th e s u tra s a n d th e ta n tra s it is said t h a t s a m a th a is th e
b asis fo r all m e d ita tio n . A ll m e d ita tiv e states, in c lu d in g
v ip a s y a n a , c o m e f r o m a n d d e p e n d o n th e d e v e lo p m e n t
o f s a m a th a . F o r e x a m p le , i f o n e w a n ts to g r o w p la n ts ,
o n e m u s t have g o o d soil, a n d i f o n e h as g o o d soil o n e
d o e s n t n e e d to p u t a lo t o f e ffo rt in to g a r d e n in g b e c a u s e
th e p la n ts w ill g r o w q u ic k ly a n d easily in g o o d soil.
H o w e v er, w i t h p o o r soil, n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h e f fo rt
o n e p u ts in to g a r d e n in g , o n e c a n n o t g r o w g o o d p la n ts .
In th e s a m e w ay , i f o n e h as g o o d s a m a th a , th e n o n e can
ea sily d ev e lo p c la irv o y a n t a n d m ira c u lo u s p o w e rs, v ip a
s y a n a , a n d w is d o m . G o o d s a m a th a m e d ita tio n w ill also
d im in is h all th e n e g a tiv itie s o f th e m i n d b y c re a tin g a
s ta te o f p ea ce. T h e n n o m a t t e r w h a t p h y s ic a l p a in ,
h a r d s h ip s , o r m e n ta l o b sta c le s a n d c o n f u s io n o c c u r, th e
61

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of

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& In

s i g h t

s u ffe rin g d o e s n o t h a r m o n e b e c a u s e all th e s e th in g s are

s u p p re s s e d a n d d im in is h e d b y m e n ta l s ta b ility .
K a m a la s lla in th e firs t b o o k o f his Stages o f M editation
says th a t i f o n e is a b le to re s t in a s ta te o f e q u a n im ity ,
o n e is ab le to g a in a n u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e tr u e n a tu r e
o f th in g s . T h e B u d d h a also g a in e d his a tta in m e n ts b y
re s tin g in th is sta te o f e q u a n im ity . I f o n e c a n n o t re s t in
e q u a n im ity , o n e w ill n o t g a in th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e
tru e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a . T h e m i n d w ill b e lik e a
b i r d s fe a th e r b lo w n in th e w in d , u n a b le to stay in o n e
p lace.

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INSIGHT

[lhag mthong]

4
V

i p a s y a n a

: I

n s i g h t

e d i t a t i o n

e x p la n a tio n o f v ip a s y a n a , o r in s ig h t m e d ita
tio n , is d iv id e d in to five p a rts . T h e s e are th e
p re re q u is ite c o n d itio n s f o r v ip a s y a n a , th e d iffe r
e n t f o r m s o f v ip a s y a n a , th e c a te g o riz a tio n s o f th e n a tu r e
o f v ip a s y a n a , th e m e t h o d s o f m e d ita tio n , a n d th e m e a
s u re o f a c c o m p lis h m e n t. T h e firs t s e c tio n deals w i t h
th e c o n d itio n s n e c e s s a ry fo r v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n .
K a m a la s lla in h is s e c o n d b o o k o f th e Stages o f M edita
tion d e s c rib e s th r e e c o n d itio n s n e c e s s a ry to d ev e lo p
v ip a s y a n a .

he

T h e Prerequisites f o r Practicing V ip asya n a

F irs t o f all o n e n e e d s to le a rn h o w to d ev e lo p v ip a s y a n a
m e d i t a t i o n b e c a u s e o n e d o e s n t n a tu r a lly p o ssess th is
k n o w le d g e . T h e r e f o r e , o n e m u s t re ly o n a p u r e b e in g
to g iv e d h a r m a te a c h in g s , a n d th is b e in g s h o u ld b e v e ry
le a rn e d a n d have s tu d ie d a n d u n d e r s to o d th e te x ts a n d
th e c o m m e n ta r ie s o n th e B u d d h a s te a c h in g s . It s h o u ld
b e s o m e o n e w i t h a c tu a l e x p e rie n c e o f th e te a c h in g s a n d
s o m e o n e w h o in his o r h e r c o m p a s s io n w ill ta k e care o f
th e p u p il. In th is ag e th e re are m a n y d h a r m a b o o k s a n d
m a n y p e o p le re a d th e m a n d m e d ita te a c c o rd in g to w h a t
th e y have re a d . T h is lea d s to v a rio u s d iffic u lties s u c h as

65

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fin d in g th e ir b o d ie s s h a k in g o r w o r k in g v e ry h a r d w i t h
o u t g e ttin g a n y s ig n s o f a c c o m p lis h m e n t f r o m th e ir
m e d ita tio n . O n e re ally n e e d s to d e p e n d o n a sp ec ia l a n d
le a rn e d te a c h e r b e c a u s e a b o o k c a n n o t a d a p t th e in s tr u c
tio n to o n e s o w n n a tu r e a n d ca p ab ilitie s. T h e r e f o r e ,
o n e n e e d s to re ly o n a sp ecial b e in g w h o is ab le to te a c h
in a c c o rd a n c e w i t h o n e s sp ecific ab ilities.
T h e r e are d iffe re n t k in d s o f te a c h e rs. S o m e are v e ry
s c h o la rly a n d give t h o r o u g h e x p la n a tio n s b a s e d o n th e
c o m m e n ta r ie s o n v a rio u s te x ts . O t h e r s m a y n o t b e v e ry
s c h o la rly b u t give in s tr u c tio n s b a s e d o n a g re a t d ea l o f
p e r s o n a l e x p e rie n c e o f m e d ita tio n so h e o r sh e ca n
e x p la in w h a t w ill h a p p e n in m e d ita tio n . T h e r e is also
w h a t is called th e o ld l a d y s p o i n t in g in s tr u c tio n . T h is
is lik e a n i n s tr u c tio n f r o m an o ld la d y w h o re a lly d o e s n t
k n o w v e ry m u c h , b u t is ab le to p o i n t o u t th e k e y th in g s
to l o o k fo r. T h e c o m m e n ta r ie s o n m e d ita tio n d o n o t
g iv e p o in ts o n th e d ire c t e x p e rie n c e o f m e d i t a t i o n o r
th e se p o i n t in g o u t in s tru c tio n s . It is th e r e f o r e i m p o r
ta n t f o r m e d ita to r s to re ceiv e d ire c t i n s tr u c tio n f r o m an
e x p e rie n c e d tea ch er.
T h e b e n e fits o f a g e n u in e te a c h e r c o m e n o t j u s t f r o m
b e in g w i t h a n d h a v in g c o n v e rs a tio n s w i t h th e te a c h e r,
b u t f r o m re c e iv in g in s tru c tio n s th a t are b e n e fic ia l to
o n e s p ro g r e s s . A g e n u in e te a c h e r also gives th e a c tu a l
te a c h in g s o f th e B u d d h a o r th e e x p e rie n c e s o f th e b o d h is a ttv a s a n d g re a t s id d h a s , a n d n o t te a c h in g s o f his
o w n p e r s o n a l c re a tio n . T h e te a c h in g s t h a t are th e m o s t
b en e fic ia l are th o s e t h a t c o m e f r o m a p u r e o r g e n u in e
te x t, t h a t is, th e a c tu a l te a c h in g s (sutras) o f th e B u d d h a
o r th e c o m m e n ta r ie s (sastras), w h ic h c o m e f r o m th e
g re a t b o d h is a ttv a s o r th e g re a t s id d h a s . T h e te a c h e r
s h o u ld b e a b le to re a d a n d u n d e r s ta n d th e s e te a c h in g s
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a n d b e ab le to pass t h e m o n to h is o r h e r p u p ils.
T h e r e f o r e , o n e s h o u ld re ceiv e th e te a c h in g s f r o m o n e s
te a c h e r a n d c o n te m p la te t h e m so th a t o n e d ev elo p s a n
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e m . T h e s e c o n d p o in t, th e n , is th a t
o n e m u s t receiv e te a c h in g s f r o m th e te a c h e r.
In g e n e ra l, B u d d h is t p ra c tic e in v o lv es th e c o rre c t
v ie w , m e d ita tio n , a n d p r o p e r c o n d u c t. W i t h th e c o r re c t
v ie w w e are ab le to m e d ita te a n d t h r o u g h m e d ita tio n
w e d e v e lo p p r o p e r c o n d u c t. T h e r e f o r e th e r o o t o f th e se
is th e v ie w . To d ev e lo p th e c o r re c t v ie w , w e d o n t j u s t
re ceiv e th e s e te a c h in g s , b u t r a th e r w e m u s t a n a ly z e a n d
e x a m in e t h e m c o n tin u o u s ly . We s h o u l d n t a c c e p t te a c h
in g s w i t h b lin d fa ith , h o w e v er, b u t w e s h o u ld a n a ly z e
a n d e x a m in e t h e m so th a t w e can c u t t h r o u g h o u r
u n c e r ta in ty a n d d o u b t t h a t th e te a c h in g s f r o m o u r
te a c h e r are c o r re c t a n d w ill le a d u s o n th e p a th . F r o m
th is d e v e lo p s a d e fin ite v ie w th a t th e te a c h e r s in s tr u c
tio n s are g e n u in e , a n d th is is called th e d e fin itiv e o r
c o r r e c t v ie w p o in t. C o r r e c t v ie w p o in t is th e p rin c ip a l
ca u sal c o n d itio n f o r v ip a s y a n a . T h e s e th re e asp e c ts o f
d e p e n d in g o n a te a c h e r, re c e iv in g th e te a c h in g s , a n d
a n a ly z in g th e m d ev e lo p th e c o r r e c t v ie w o f v ip a s y a n a .
To d ev e lo p th e c o r re c t v ie w p o in t, w e m u s t re ly n o t
o n th e p ro v is io n a l m e a n in g , b u t o n th e d e fin itiv e m e a n
in g . P ro v is io n a l m e a n in g s a re te a c h in g s g iv e n b y th e
B u d d h a to p e r s o n s o f lesser c a p ab ilitie s w h o w e re n o t
ab le to believ e o r g ra s p th e a c tu a l te a c h in g s . T h e d e fin i
tiv e m e a n in g s are th o s e th a t d e s c rib e th in g s as th e y
a c tu a lly are. To have a g e n u in e v ie w o n e m u s t d e p e n d
o n th e d e fin itiv e m e a n in g . O n e h as to re c o g n iz e d ire c tly
w h a t is th e tr u e m e a n in g o f p h e n o m e n a a n d d is tin g u is h
it f r o m th e p ro v is io n a l m e a n in g . W h e n th e te a c h in g s o f
th e v a jra y a n a w e re tr a n s m i t t e d to T ib e t, th e p ra c tic e o f
67

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c o n te m p la tin g th e te a c h in g s b y re ly in g o n th e c o m m e n
taries w a s d e v e lo p e d . S o m e C h in e s e a n d s o m e W e ste rn
s c h o la rs s ta te th a t th is is a d e fe c t in th e T i b e t a n B u d d h is t
tr a d itio n b e c a u s e it relies so h ea v ily o n c o m m e n ta r ie s
in s te a d o f re ly in g o n th e a c tu a l w o rd s o f th e B u d d h a .
T h e re lia n c e o n c o m m e n ta r ie s , h o w e v er, h a s a v e ry
sp ecial p u r p o s e b e c a u s e w h e n th e B u d d h a gave te a c h
in g s , h e gave p a r tic u la r te a c h in g s to v a rio u s in d iv id u a ls
a c c o rd in g to th e ir p a r tic u la r n a tu r e so t h a t s o m e o f his
te a c h in g s w e re th e p ro v is io n a l t r u th s a n d s o m e w e re th e
d e fin itiv e tru th s .
I f o n e h as to g o t h r o u g h th e B u d d h a s te a c h in g s
d e c id in g w h ic h te a c h in g s are p ro v is io n a l a n d w h ic h a re
d e fin itiv e w i t h lo g ic a l an aly sis, o n e c o u ld m a k e m a n y
m is ta k e s . B u t th e B u d d h a p r o p h e s ie d th a t v a r io u s m a s
ters w o u ld c o m e in th e f u tu r e a n d w r ite c o m m e n ta r ie s
o n th e te a c h in g s to s h o w w h ic h te a c h in g s a re p r o v i
sio n a l a n d w h ic h d efin itiv e. In p a rtic u la r, th e Treasury o f
K now ledge m e n tio n s tw o lo n g , p u r e tra d itio n s : th e tr a
d itio n o f N a g a r ju n a w h o f o u n d e d th e t r a d itio n o f th e
p r o f o u n d v ie w , a n d th e t r a d i t i o n o f A s a n g a w h o
fo u n d e d th e t r a d itio n o f v a s t c o n d u c t. T h e s e tw o g re a t
m a s te rs w e re ab le to cle arly d is tin g u is h th e p ro v is io n a l
a n d d e fin itiv e te a c h in g s o f th e B u d d h a w i t h th e ir c o m
m e n ta rie s . O n e s h o u ld re ly o n th e c o m m e n ta r ie s o f
th e s e tw o g re a t m a s te rs n o t o n ly f o r d iffe re n tia tin g
b e tw e e n th e s e tw o m e a n in g s , b u t also f o r th e ir v ast
c o n te n t. T h e Prajndpdramitd te a c h in g s , f o r e x a m p le ,
c o n ta in tw elv e v o lu m e s , a n d it w o u ld b e d iffic u lt to g o
t h r o u g h th e s e d e c id in g th e d e fin itiv e a n d p ro v is io n a l
m e a n in g o f ea ch p assa g e. H e n c e th e s e c o m m e n ta r ie s
s u m m a r iz e th e v a s t te a c h in g s o f th e B u d d h a a n d g ive
th e ir real m e a n in g s . F o r e x a m p le , A s a n g a in th e O rn a
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m ent o f C lear R ealization c o n d e n s e d th e Prajhaparamita
in to j u s t t w e n t y p ag e s. T h e r e are also te a c h in g s o f th e
B u d d h a t h a t have o b s c u r e o r h id d e n m e a n in g s o r th e re
a re te a c h in g s t h a t are v e ry s h o r t a n d co n c ise . So th e re
a re c o m m e n ta r ie s th a t e lu c id a te a n d e x p a n d th e m e a n
i n g o f th e s e te a c h in g s in d eta il. F o r th is re a s o n c o m m e n
tarie s a re v e ry i m p o r t a n t a n d th e ir u n d e r s ta n d in g is a
n e c e s s a ry c o n d itio n f o r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f v ip a s y a n a .

T h e D iffe r e n t Forms o f V ip a sya n a

T h e r e are f o u r m a in fo r m s o f v ip a s y a n a . T h e firs t k i n d
o f v ip a s y a n a is th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e T i r t h i k a ( n o n B u d d h is t) tra d itio n s a n d is f o u n d p r im a r ily in In d ia.
T h e s e n o n - B u d d h i s t tr a d itio n s p ra c tic e s a m a th a m e d i
ta tio n to p a c ify a n d e lim in a te m o s t o f th e o b v io u s
k lesas. T h e s e c o n d k in d o f v ip a s y a n a is th e v ip a s y a n a
te a c h in g s th e B u d d h a gave to th e sra v a k a s a n d p r a ty e k a b u d d h a s w h o c o u ld n o t u n d e r s ta n d th e v e ry p r o f o u n d
o r v a s t m e a n in g . T h e th i r d k in d o f v ip a s y a n a is th e
v ip a s y a n a o f th e b o d h is a ttv a s w h o fo llo w th e six p a r a m ita s . T h e s e te a c h in g s are v e ry p r o f o u n d a n d v ast. T h e
f o u r th k i n d o f v ip a s y a n a is th a t w h ic h u ses bliss as a
sp ec ia l m e t h o d f o r q u ic k ly a tta in in g re a liz a tio n , o r th e
v ip a s y a n a o f th e m a n tra y a n a .
In th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e T i r t h i k a tra d itio n , o n e c o n
te m p la te s th e p e a c e fu l a n d th e c o a rs e asp e cts. F o r
e x a m p le , o n e m i g h t c o n te m p la te a c o a rse k lesa s u c h as
a n g e r in o n e s m e d ita tio n . O n e can realize th a t a n g e r is
h a r m f u l to o n e s e lf a n d o th e r s a n d th a t w i t h o u t a n g e r
th e m i n d w o u l d b e p e a c e fu l a n d h a p p y . S o it is easy to
see th e b e n e fits o f th e a b s e n c e o f th is o b v io u s k lesa o f
a n g e r, w h i c h is p eace. So w i t h th is m e d ita tio n o n e ca n
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th e n o v e rc o m e a n g e r. O n e m a y w o n d e r i f th e r e is
s o m e t h i n g w r o n g w i t h th is n o n - B u d d h i s t f o r m o f v i
p a s y a n . A c tu a lly , th e re is n t a n y th in g w r o n g w i t h th is
tra d itio n , w h ic h is called th e c o m m o n t r a d i t i o n b e
ca u se it is c o m m o n to B u d d h is ts a n d n o n - B u d d h is ts . In
th e B u d d h is t t r a d itio n th is v ip a s y a n is k n o w n as th e
w o rld ly level o f v ip a s y a n b e c a u s e o n e re c o g n iz e s th e
m i n d p o is o n s a n d th e ir fau lts a n d trie s to m a k e th e m in d
still a n d stab le. T h e p ra c tic e is p e r f o r m e d to c a lm th e
m i n d a n d s u b ju g a te th e m i n d p o is o n s r a th e r th a n to
u n d e r s ta n d e m p tin e s s o r th e ab se n c e o f self. C a lm in g
th e m in d e lim in a te s th e fa u lts o n th e level o f th e d e s ire
re a lm so th a t o n e c a n a tta in th e firs t level o f m e n ta l
s ta b ility in th e f o r m re a lm .
T h e v ip a s y a n o f th e sr v a k a s a n d p r a ty e k a b u d d h a s
(th e s o lita ry b u d d h a s ) is fo r th o s e w h o are w i t h o u t th e
n e c e s s a ry f o r titu d e to a c c o m p lis h c o m p le te B u d d a h o o d .
T h e s e tw o k in d s o f re a liz e d b ein g s , th e s r v a k a s a n d th e
p r a ty e k a b u d d a s , are fo u n d w i t h i n th e h n a y n a tra d i
tio n . T h e d iffe re n c e b e tw e e n t h e m is th e a c c u m u la tio n
o f m e rit. I f th e re is s o m e a c c u m u la tio n o f m e rit, th e n
o n e is a sr v ak a; i f th e re is a g re a t a c c u m u la tio n o f
m e rit, th e n o n e is a p r a ty e k a b u d d h a . H o w e v er, in te r m s
o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n m e d ita tio n th e r e is o n ly a
s lig h t d iffe re n c e b e tw e e n t h e m b e c a u s e b o t h m e d ita te
o n th e f o u r n o b le tru th s . T h e p ra c tic e o f s r v a k a s a n d
p r a ty e k a b u d d h a s is b a s e d o n th e fo u r n o b le tr u th s ,
w h ic h are d iv id e d i n to s ix te e n asp e cts (see ta b le 2). W ith
th is ty p e o f v ip a s y a n , p ea ce is b a s e d o n th e f o u r n o b le
t r u th s as a d e s c r ip tio n o f s a m s ra a n d n irv n a . T h e first
n o b le t r u t h is a d e s c rip tio n o f sa m s ra , w h ic h is ca lle d
th e t r u t h o f s u ffe rin g . T h e s e c o n d t r u t h o f o r ig in a tio n
lo o k s at th e cau se o f sa m s ra , w h ic h o rig in a te s f r o m
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TABLE T W O

The Sixteen Aspects o f the

Four Noble Truths

T he T r u t h

of

S uffering

(Duhkhasatya)

Suffering
Im p e rm a n e n c e

(duhkha)
(anitya)

E m p tin e ss
Selflessness

(.snyata)
(antmaka)

T he T r u t h

of

O rigin

(Samudayasatya)
O r ig in
S tro n g p ro d u c tio n
C au se
C o n d itio n
T he T r u t h

of

(samudaya)
(prabhava)
(hetu)
(pratyaya)
C essation

(Nirodhasatya )
C essatio n

(nirodha)

Pacification
E xcellence
D e fin ite e m e rg en c e
T he T r u t h

(sdnta)
(pranta)
(nihsarana)

of the

P ath

(Mrgasatya)

P ath
S uitability

(mdrga)
(nydya)

A chievem ent
D eliv eran ce

(pratipatti)
(nairydnika)

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k a r m a a n d th e k leas. T h e t h ir d t r u t h o f c e s s a tio n o c c u rs
i f k a r m a a n d th e k leas are e lim in a te d a n d th is re su lts in
n irv a n a . T h e f o u r th t r u t h is f o llo w in g a n d p ra c tic in g
th e t r u t h o f th e p a th . In th e v ip a y a n o f r v a k a s a n d
p ra ty e k a b u d d h a s th e a c tu a l n a tu r e o f th e s e f o u r tr u th s
has to b e u n d e r s to o d a lo n g w i t h th e ir s u b c a te g o rie s .
T h e t r u t h o f s u ffe rin g is d iv id e d in to im p e r m a n e n c e ,
s u ffe rin g , ab se n c e o f self, a n d e m p tin e s s . T h e t r u t h o f
o rig in a tio n , th e t r u t h o f ce ssatio n , a n d th e t r u t h o f th e
p a th are also d iv id e d in to fo u r p a rts , m a k in g a to ta l o f
s ix te e n s u b d iv is io n s .
W h a t are th e f o u r n o b le tru th s ? T h e r e is s a m s ra ,
f r o m w h ic h o n e seek s to g a in lib e ra tio n , a n d th e re is
n irv a n a , w h ic h o n e seek s to a tta in . O n e w is h e s to a tta in
lib e ra tio n f r o m sa m s ra , th e n a tu r e o f w h ic h is s u ffe r
in g . S o th e firs t t r u t h o f su ffe rin g is th a t o n e w is h e s to
a tta in lib e ra tio n f r o m th e s u ffe rin g o f s a m s ra . O n e
w is h e s to a tta in n irv n a , a n d th is is th e th i r d t r u t h o f
ce ssatio n . H o w ev er, o n e c a n n o t s im p ly say o n e w a n ts to
a tta in lib e ra tio n a n d achieve it. T h is is b e c a u s e all p h e
n o m e n a arise f r o m causes, so s a m s ra a n d n ir v n a also
arise f r o m a cause. T h is cau se is th e s e c o n d t r u t h o f
o rig in a tio n , w h ic h is k a r m a a n d th e k leas. T h e r e f o r e ,
o n e n e e d s to e lim in a te th e cau se o f s a m s ra , w h ic h is
k a r m a a n d th e m i n d p o is o n s . W h e n th e s e are e lim i
n a te d , o n e h as a tta in e d fr e e d o m f r o m th e t r u t h o f
s u ffe rin g , f r o m sa m s ra . To b e ab le to a tta in f r e e d o m
f r o m th e t r u t h o f s u ffe rin g a n d s a m s ra , o n e m u s t b e
ab le to e lim in a te th e o r ig in o f su ffe rin g . O n e c a n t
e lim in a te k a r m a a n d th e k leas d ire c tly b e c a u s e th e ir
s o u rc e is e g o - c lin g in g th a t h as to b e e lim in a te d . T h e
w a y to e lim in a te th is is th e f o u r th n o b le t r u t h o f p a th
w h ic h is th e m e d ita tio n o n selflessness, th a t is, to m e d -

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ita te o n th e five a g g r e g a te s a n d o n e s a s s o c ia tio n o f th e
id e a o f s e l f o r m i n e to th ese five a g g re g a te s .
T h r o u g h re a liz a tio n o f selflessness, o n e can e lim in a te
th e c lin g in g to a self, a n d th e m i n d p o is o n s w ill n a t u
ra lly s u b s id e . W h e n th e s e s u b s id e , o n e w ill b e ab le to
p ra c tic e th e p a th , w h ic h is th e f o u r th t r u th , a n d fin ally
a tta in th e t r u t h o f ce ssatio n .
In th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e T ir th ik a s th e re is th e p a rtia l
e lim in a tio n o f th e o b v io u s m e n ta l n e g a tiv itie s , b u t th e y
are n o t c o m p le te ly e lim in a te d . In th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e
sra v a k a s th e ca u se o f th e k lesas is id e n tifie d as th e
c lin g in g to th e id e a o f s e lf o r o f I o r m i n e . A b e lie f
in a s e lf is a d e lu s io n b e c a u s e a c tu a lly th e re is n o s e lf o r
th in g s th a t b e lo n g to a self. W h e n o n e is ab le to realize
th e a b s e n c e o f s e lf in v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n , th e n th e
n a tu ra l c lin g in g to s e lf j u s t v an ish es. S o th e m a in m e d i
ta tio n o f th e sra v a k a s is th e m e d ita tio n o n th e a b se n c e
o f self. A n e x a m p le o f th is e g o - c lin g in g h a p p e n e d to
m e th e o t h e r d ay w h e n I n o tic e d th a t o n e o f th e lin k s in
th e m e ta l s tra p o f m y w a tc h w a s b r o k e n . W h e n I saw
th a t, I th o u g h t , O h n o , th e s tra p m i g h t b r e a k a n d I
w ill lo s e m y w a tc h ! I w a s w o rr ie d even t h o u g h o n ly a
tin y b it o f m e ta l w a s m is s in g . W h e n o n e e x a m in e s th e
w a tc h , o n e c a n n o t finjd a n y m i n e a s s o c ia te d w i t h th e
w a tc h it w as m a d e in a fa c to ry a n d it is ju s t a p iec e o f
m e ta l t h a t d i d n t o r ig in a te f r o m m e in a n y w ay . I f I
w e re w i t h o u t th e d e lu s io n o f m y a s s o c ia te d w i t h th e
w a tc h , I w o u l d n t have e x p e rie n c e d th e d is c o m f o r t a n d
s u ffe rin g o f s e e in g th e b r o k e n lin k .
A l o t o f p e o p le t h i n k t h a t B u d d h is m is an u n p le a s a n t
p ra c tic e th a t m a k e s u s u n h a p p y . B u d d h is m tea ch es th e
n a tu r e o f s u ffe rin g , th e a b s e n c e o f self, arid i m p e r m a
n e n c e . W e m a y th in k t h a t to m e d ita te o n th e s e can m a k e
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us u n c o m f o r ta b le , a n d m a k e u s lo se o u r fe elin g o f
c o n fid e n c e a n d so o n . B u d d h is m d o e s te a c h th e se , b u t
it is t a u g h t b e c a u se w e n e e d th is i n f o r m a ti o n to a tta in
lib e ra tio n f r o m s u ffe rin g . O n c e w e u n d e r s ta n d th e n a
tu re o f s u ffe rin g , w e c a n b e lib e ra te d f r o m it. T h r o u g h
th is u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e n a tu r e o f s u ffe rin g , o u r w is
d o m w ill also' in c re a se a n d d ev elo p .
O r d i n a r y b e in g s have an in n a te e g o - c lin g in g . T h is
c lin g in g to a s e lf o c c u rs in a child; n o o n e n e e d s to te a c h
it. A n im a ls also have th is c lin g in g to self. B u t w h a t is
th is c lin g in g ? T h e r e is re a lly n o sta b le o b je c t fo r th is
c lin g in g ; it is a d e lu s io n . S o m e tim e s o n e th in k s th is s e lf
is th e m in d . B u t w h e n o n e e x a m in e s th e s e l f m o r e
clo sely , o n e d isco v ers th a t it is n o t in th e h a ir, n o t in th e
b o n e , th e ey es, th e n o s e , th e b ra in , a n d so o n . O n e
fin d s th a t th e se are o n ly b o d y p a r ts w i t h n o s e lf id e n ti
fied w i t h th e m . O n e s b o d y is ju s t a p h y s ic a l a g g r e g a te
o f f o r m a n d th e s e lf is n o w h e r e to b e fo u n d .
P e rc e iv in g th e b o d y as n o t b e in g th e self, o n e m a y
t h in k t h a t th e m in d is th e self. B u t th e m i n d is j u s t a
su c c e s s io n o f in s ta n ts , lik e th e flo w o f a riv e r w i t h each
in s ta n t b e in g a n e w in s ta n t o f m in d . T h e r e a re t h o u g h t s
o n e h a d y e s te rd a y , th o u g h t s o n e h as n o w , a n d t h o u g h t s
o n e w ill have in th e fu tu re . O n e m a y w o n d e r i f a
p re v io u s t h o u g h t w ill ever c o m e b a c k ag a in . It d o e s n o t
c o m e b ac k . W h e n o n e w a s a ch ild , o n e h a d a c h ild s
m in d ; w h e n o n e g r o w s u p a n d b e c o m e s o ld , th e m i n d
is d iffe re n t. T h e m i n d h as d iffe re n t c h a ra c te ris tic s , d if
fe re n t th o u g h ts , a d iffe re n t p ro c e s s o f th in k in g , a n d a
d iffe re n t d e g re e o f u n d e r s ta n d in g . E v en th e m i n d b e
tw e e n y e s te rd a y a n d to d a y is d iffe re n t. T h e r e is a c o n tin
u o u s s u c c e s s io n o f d iffe re n t k in d s o f th o u g h t s a n d states
o f m in d . S o o n e ask s, Is th e s e lf o f to d a y , th e m i n d o f
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y e s te r d a y ? N o , it is g o n e . T h e n , Is th e s e lf o f to d a y ,
th e m i n d o f n o w ? N o , b e c a u s e th e m i n d o f n o w is
g o i n g to d is a p p e a r, so th a t c a n t b e o n e s s e lf eith e r. In
a f u r th e r a n a ly sis th e r e is v is u a l c o n s c io u s n e s s , a u d ito r y
c o n s c io u s n e s s , m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s , a n d so o n . E v en
m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s is a m ix tu r e o f d iffe re n t th in g s .
T h e r e is th e g r a s p in g at s o m e t h i n g th a t is re d , a c o n c e p
t i o n th a t s o m e t h i n g is w h ite , e tc ., so th e m e n ta l c o n
s c io u s n e s s is a n a c c u m u la tio n o f d iffe re n t p a r ts a n d
t h e r e f o r e is n o t a sin g le e n tity th a t o n e c o u ld say is o n e s
self. H a v in g u n d e r s to o d th e ab se n c e o f a self, o n e m e d
ita te s o n selflessness a n d g a in s u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e f o u r
n o b le tr u th s . T h r o u g h th is p ro c e s s o n e a tta in s th e v ip a
s y a n a o f th e s ra v a k a s a n d p r a ty e k a b u d d h a s .
T h e m e d ita tio n o f v ip a s y a n a o f th e b o d h is a ttv a o f th e
m a h a y a n a p a th is th e m e d ita tio n o n th e selflessness o f
p h e n o m e n a . A b o d h is a ttv a p ra c tic e s m e d ita tio n b a s e d
o n th e six p a r a m ita s . T h e r e is th e selflessness o f th e
in d iv id u a l a lre a d y d is c u s s e d a n d th e selflessness o f p h e
n o m e n a . T h is s e c o n d k in d o f selflessness is th e re a liz a
tio n th a t in n e r c o n s c io u s n e s s a n d e x te rn a l p h e n o m e n a
are n a tu r a lly p e a c e fu l a n d e m p ty . S o th e m a h a y a n a
m e d i t a t o r believes th a t th e r o o t o f sa m s a ra is th e k lesas
a n d th a t th e r o o t o f th e k lesas is e g o -c lin g in g ., E l im in a t
in g c lin g in g to a s e lf is th e w a y to b e lib e ra te d f r o m
s a m s a ra .
To e lim in a te k lesas, th e m a h a y a n a m e d ita to r s m e d i
ta te o n th e n a t u r e o f e x te rn a l a n d in te rn a l p h e n o m e n a
in d e ta il to d isc o v e r th a t th e y are c o m p le te ly in s u b s ta n
tial, lik e b u b b le s in w a te r. W ith th is re a liz a tio n th e
k lesas n a tu r a lly d is a p p e a r. T h e b e lie f in th e re a lity o f
e x te rn a l p h e n o m e n a is called th e o b s c u r a tio n o f k n o w l
e d g e , a n d w h e n th is o b s c u r a tio n is e lim in a te d th e r e is
75

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& In

s i g h t

lib e ra tio n f r o m sa m s a ra . T h e b o d h is a ttv a s th e r e f o r e

m e d ita te o n e m p tin e s s (sunyata). In th e Heart Sutra th e
B u d d h a says th e re are n o eyes, n o ears, n o n o s e , n o
t o n g u e , [e tc .] a n d th a t th e re is n o f o r m , n o s o u n d ,
n o sm ell, n o taste, [e tc .] O n e m i g h t i n te r p r e t th is as
th e B u d d h a say in g th e r e are lite ra lly n o ey es, a n d so o n .
W h e n th e B u d d h a gave th is te a c h in g , h e w a s e x p la in in g
w h a t o n e e x p e rie n c e s w h e n o n e re sts in th is s ta te o f
s a m a d h i m e d ita tio n . H e d i d n t e x p la in th is in th e s u tra
b e c a u s e at th e tim e his p u p ils w e re in a m e d ita tiv e sta te
a n d th e re fo re w e re ab le to u n d e r s ta n d th e te a c h in g
w i t h o u t e x p la n a tio n . T h e B u d d h a t a u g h t th is w a y in th e
H eart Sutra a n d th e o t h e r Prajnaparamita s u tra s . T h e s e
te a c h in g s are e x p la in e d in c o m m e n ta rie s s u c h as C h a n d r a k ir t i s Entering into the M iddle Way; b y e x a m in in g
cau se a n d effect h e d e m o n s tr a te s th e n a tu r e o f e m p tin e s s
b y e x a m in in g th e n a t u r e o f cause. T h e r e is also M a s te r
J n a n a g a r b h a w h o , in his D ifferentiation o f the 1wo Truths,
s h o w s th e n a tu r e o f e m p tin e s s t h r o u g h th e a n a ly sis o f
th e effect. T h e n th e r e is N a g a r j u n a s K now ledge o f the
M iddle Way, w h ic h d e m o n s tr a te s th e e m p tin e s s o f all
phenom ena.
In T i b e t th e re are a n u m b e r o f g re a t c o m m e n ta r ie s
o n e m p tin e s s , s u c h as th a t o f L a m a M ip a m , w h o d e
s c rib e d h o w th e In d ia n m a s te r S a n ta ra k s ita c a m e to
T i b e t a n d w r o t e th e A dornm ent o f the M iddle Way, w h ic h
e x p la in s e m p tin e s s in te r m s o f th in g s n o t b e in g o n e
th in g o r m a n y t h i n g s . M i p a m d e sc rib e s th is a p p r o a c h
as b e in g v e ry p o w e rfu l a n d easy to u n d e r s ta n d . F o r
e x a m p le , fo r th in g s to b e real, th e y m u s t b e a s in g le
th in g ; le t us say fo r a h a n d to e x is t it m u s t b e o n e
th in g : a h a n d . I f o n e lo o k s a t it, o n e sees a h a n d ; i f o n e
s h o w s it to o th e rs , th e y a g re e it is a h a n d . H o w e v er,
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e x a m in in g it m o r e clo sely , o n e sees th a t it is a th u m b , a
fin g e r, s k in , flesh a n d b o n e s , a n d so o n . S o it is n o t a
h a n d , b u t, as th e B u d d h a said, it is j u s t an a g g r e g a tio n
o f all s o rts o f p a r ts th a t have c o m e to g e th e r . S o th e h a n d
re a lly is th e a p p e a ra n c e t h a t arises f r o m th e i n te r d e p e n
d e n c e o f p a r ts th a t w e call a h a n d , b u t' th e re is n o real
h a n d th e re . It is lik e th is fo r all th in g s , a n d u s in g this
lo g ic , o n e b e c o m e s c o n v in c e d o f th e n a tu r e o f e m p t i
n ess.
T h e v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n o f th e m a h a y a n a is o n th e
re a liz a tio n o f e m p tin e s s , w h i c h is also called d e p e n d e n t
o r ig in a tio n . T h is m e a n s th a t all p h e n o m e n a th a t arise
have a d e p e n d e n c e u p o n o t h e r p h e n o m e n a a n d th e re fo re
n o tr u e e x is te n c e o f th e ir o w n . F o r e x a m p le , w i t h th e
re fle c tio n o f th e m o o n o n w a te r, th e re is n o real m o o n
in th e w a te r, b u t d u e to th e in te rd e p e n d e n c e o f th e
m o o n in th e s k y a n d th e w a te r o n th e g r o u n d , a
re fle c tio n o f th e m o o n a p p e a rs . A lso , w h e n o n e e x a m
in es th e w a te r to see w h e r e th e m o o n is, th e re i s n t a
s in g le lo c a tio n w h e r e th e m o o n s re fle c tio n is. In th is
s a m e w a y , all p h e n o m e n a o rig in a te t h r o u g h d e p e n d e n c e
u p o n s o m e t h i n g else a n d have n o tru e e x is te n c e o f th e ir
o w n . T h e re a liz a tio n o f th is fact is th e re a liz a tio n o f
e m p tin e s s , a n d w i t h th is re a liz a tio n , th e k lesas cease. So
to p u t an e n d to th e k lesas, o n e m e d ita te s o n e m p tin e s s .
T a k in g a n o th e r e x a m p le , i f o n e tak e s a p iece o f p a p e r
a n d rip s it u p , th e act d o e s n t u p s e t a n y o n e . B u t w h e n
o n e tak e s o u t a p iece o f p a p e r th a t h a p p e n s to b e a te n d o lla r b ill a n d b e g in s to rip it, th e act s u d d e n ly b e c o m e s
s o m e t h i n g im p o r t a n t . W h y is it s u d d e n ly im p o r ta n t? It
is i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e e v e ry o n e ag rees th a t a te n -d o lla r
b ill is im p o r t a n t , b u t in a c tu a l fact, it is j u s t a p iec e o f
p a p e r. W h y is s o m e th in g m a d e i m p o r t a n t b y p e o p le ?
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P r a c t i c e

o f

T r a n q u i l l i t y

& I n s i g h t

T h e r e is n o p a r tic u la r re a s o n , it j u s t h a p p e n s t h a t ev e ry
o n e th in k s th a t it is im p o r t a n t . So th is is d e p e n d e n t
o r ig in a tio n th e v a lu e o f v a rio u s th in g s is d e p e n d e n t o n
w h a t e v e ry o n e th in k s . T h is is n o t o n ly tru e w i t h p a p e r
m o n e y ; e v e ry o n e th in k s th a t g o ld is m o r e v a lu a b le th a n
iro n . W h y is g o ld m o r e v alu ab le? S im p ly b e c a u s e e v e ry
o n e th in k s so. G o ld its e lf d o e s n o t have amrita flo w in g
o u t o f it; g o ld is j u s t a m e ta l. In th is w a y , th e m i n d
clin g s to th in g s ; it p erceiv es s o m e th in g s as g o o d , o t h e r
th in g s as b a d , b u t n o t h i n g is u ltim a te ly g o o d o r b a d in
itself. It is j u s t a m e n ta l p e r c e p tio n a n d th e n a t u r e o f
th in g s is e m p tin e s s .
E v e r y th in g c o m e s in to b e in g t h r o u g h i n te r d e p e n
d en c e. F o r e x a m p le , i f o n e h as tw o p ieces o f p a p e r, o n e
t h a t is s m a ll a n d o n e th a t is b ig , th e y are s m a ll a n d b ig
b ec a u se th e y d e p e n d o n ea ch o th e r. I f o n e p u ts a la r g e r
p iec e o f p a p e r n e x t to th e m , th e n th e b ig p iec e b e c o m e s
th e m e d iu m - s iz e d p iece. In its e lf it is n o t a b ig p iec e o f
p a p e r o r a s m a ll p iec e o f p a p e r. L a rg e a n d sm all, g o o d
a n d b a d , b e a u tifu l a n d u g ly are all c re a tio n s o f th e m i n d
a n d d o n o t have a c tu a l e x isten c e. T h e r e is a fa b le to
illu s tra te th is p o in t. T h e r e w as o n c e a ra b b it w h o w as
re s tin g in th e s h a d e o f a tre e b y th e lake. S u d d e n ly th e
w i n d b r o k e o f f o n e o f th e b ra n c h e s o f th e tre e a n d it fell
in to th e w a te r, m a k i n g a b ig sp lash . T h is s o u n d f r ig h t
e n e d th e ra b b it a n d w i t h o u t t h in k in g h e ra n aw ay. W h ile
r u n n i n g h e e n c o u n te r e d tw o m ice. T h e y a sk e d h i m w h y
h e w a s r u n n i n g a n d th e r a b b it said, T h e r e w a s a g re a t
s o u n d b a c k t h e r e . T h a t fr ig h te n e d th e m ic e a n d th e y
b e g a n r u n n i n g as w ell. So, w e are lik e th e m ic e , w e
d o n t ask w h y a te n - d o lla r b ill is v alu a b le , w e s im p ly
a n s w e r, Well, e v e ry o n e th in k s s o . T h i n g s d o n t have
a n a tu ra l e x is te n c e o f th e ir o w n , b u t th e m i n d j u s t c lin g s

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to th e m . S o th e s t o r y c o n tin u e s . W h ile all th e an im a ls
w e re 'r u n n i n g , th e y m e t a lio n w h o a s k e d th e m w h y
th e y w e re r u n n i n g aw ay. T h e y a n s w e re d th a t th e re w as
a te rr ib le s o u n d in th e la k e a n d th e lio n said , Well, it
w a s j u s t a s o u n d . M a y b e w e s h o u ld in v e s tig a te w h a t th e
s o u n d w a s b e f o re r u n n i n g a w a y . T h e n th e y all w e n t
t o g e t h e r to th e la k e a n d saw th e b r a n c h flo a tin g in th e
w a te r. S im ila rly , w e are alw ay s th in k in g , T h is is g o o d ,
th is is b a d , a n d so o n . I f w e a n a ly z e th e s e t h o u g h t s a n d
see t h a t th e s e th in g s have n o e x is te n c e o f th e ir o w n , o u r
m i n d can b e c o m e p e a c e fu l w i t h o u t th e k lesas a n d w e
c a n th e n g a in f r e e d o m f r o m d e lu s io n a n d realize th e
t r u e n a tu r e o f th in g s .
F o r a n e x a m p le o f d e p e n d e n t o rig in a tio n w e m a y
th in k , I feel v e ry h a p p y in th e e n v ir o n m e n t. In o t h e r
places, I g e t d e p re s s e d a n d h o m e s i c k . T h r o u g h d e p e n
d e n t o r ig in a tio n w e e x p e rie n c e p le a sa n t a n d u n p le a s a n t
p la c e s . W h e n w e m e d i t a t e , h o w e v e r, t h e r e a re n o
t h o u g h t s o f p le a sa n t a n d u n p le a s a n t a n d w e d o n t have
th o u g h t s o f a r riv in g a t n ic e o r u n p le a s a n t places. In
s te a d , w e have th e re a liz a tio n o f th e sa m e n e s s o f all
p laces a n d so w e have a sta te o f p ea ce w i t h o u t th e
s u ffe rin g in v o lv e d in th i n k in g w e are in an u n d e s ira b le
place.
T h e r e is a s t o r y a b o u t B u d d h a s y o u n g e r b r o t h e r
N a n d a (n o t A n a n d a w h o w a s his co u sin ) w h o h a d a
w ife called P u n d a r ik a w h o m h e lik e d v e ry m u c h . T h e
B u d d h a a s k e d h i m to c o m e a n d receiv e te a c h in g s , b u t
N a n d a n e v e r w e n t b e c a u s e h e w a s w o r r ie d th a t th e se
te a c h in g s w o u ld m a k e h i m w a n t to b e c o m e a m o n k a n d
h e w o u ld have to leave his b e a u tifu l w ife . O n e day
B u d d h a w e n t to th e ir h o m e a n d to ld h im , Y ou m u s t
c o m e a lo n g w i t h m e . T h r o u g h his m ira c u lo u s p o w e rs ,
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th e B u d d h a to o k N a n d a to a j u n g l e o f m o n k e y s w i t h o u t
eyes. B u d d h a a s k e d N a n d a , W h o d o y o u t h i n k is th e
p r e ttie s t, th e s e m o n k e y s o r y o u r w ife ? N a n d a a n
s w e re d , T h e r e is n o c o m p a ris o n , P u n d a r ik a is o n e
h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d tim e s p r e ttie r th a n th e s e m o n k e y s .
T h e n th e B u d d h a w i t h his m ira c u lo u s p o w e rs to o k
N a n d a to a g o d re a lm filled w ith g o d d e s s e s. H e th e n
a sk e d h im , W h ic h is m o r e b e a u tifu l, th ese g o d d e s s e s
o r P u n d a r ik a ? a n d N a n d a a n s w e re d , Well, n o w t h a t I
lo o k at th e s e g o d d e s s e s, P u n d a r ik a a n d th e m o n k e y s
lo o k p r e tt y m u c h th e s a m e . T h a t is h o w i n te r d e p e n
d e n c e m a k e s s o m e th in g s lo o k p r e tt y a n d o th e r s lo o k
u g ly . O b je c ts are m e r e ly c re a tio n s o f th e m i n d o r m e n ta l
c o n c e p ts.
I f o n e e x a m in e s p h e n o m e n a w i t h lo g ic a n d e sta b lish e s
th a t th e y are e m p ty , o n e can g a in an u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
e m p tin e s s , b u t o n e d o e s n t g a in a d ire c t e x p e rie n c e o f
e m p tin e s s . A lso th is lo g ic a l m e t h o d tak e s a l o n g tim e .
In th e v a jra y an a a p p r o a c h o u t e r p h e n o m e n a are u n d e r
s to o d to b e e m p ty ; b u t th e p ra c tic e is to o b s e rv e th e
m in d . T h e m i n d is th e s o u rc e o f all h a p p in e s s a n d all
s u ffe rin g , th e s o u rc e o f all c rav in g a n d all a n g e r, th e
s o u rc e o f all love a n d c o m p a s s io n ; w h a te v e r o c c u rs
c o m e s f r o m th e m in d . W h e n w e firs t e x a m in e th e m in d ,
w e th in k th a t it m u s t b e v e ry p o w e rfu l to c re a te all th is.
H o w e v er, lo o k in g in w a r d , w e are c o m p le te ly u n a b le to
fin d th e m in d ; it is n o t o u ts id e th e b o d y , n o r in s id e th e
b o d y , n o r in b e tw e e n th e s e tw o . S o th e m i n d is e m p ty .
W h e n w e say th e m i n d is e m p ty , w e d o n t m e a n th a t
th e m i n d d o e s n t e x is t lik e th e h o r n s o f a r a b b i t ,
w h ic h o b v io u s ly d o n o t ex ist. N o r is th e e m p tin e s s o f
m i n d lik e e m p t y sp ac e th a t h as n o t h i n g in it. R a th e r th e
n a tu r e o f m i n d is n a tu ra l cla rity . W h e n w e t r y to fin d
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th e a c tu a l n a t u r e o f m i n d d ire c tly , w e c a n n o t d o so . It is
b o t h c la rity a n d e m p tin e s s . W h e n w e e x a m in e m in d , it
is n o t j u s t c o m p le te d u lln e s s o r u n c o n s c io u s n e s s lik e a
s to n e , b u t th e r e is an u n i n t e r r u p te d c o n t i n u u m o f clar
ity . T h e m i n d is n o r m a l l y fu ll o f t h o u g h t s a n d p r o b
le m s , b u t w h e n w e have u n d e r s to o d th e e m p tin e s s a n d
c la rity o f th e m in d , th e n e v e ry th in g b e c o m e s v ery g e n tle
a n d p ea cefu l. So th e te x t says th e v ip a s y a n a in th e
v a jra y a n a h as th e n a tu r e o f bliss.
T h e s t u d y o f e m p tin e s s in th e s u tra s is th e s t u d y o f
th e Prajndpdramita. In th e v a jra y a n a o r ta n tr a te a c h in g s
th e re a liz a tio n o f e m p tin e s s is a c c o m p lis h e d b y l o o k in g
at m i n d itself. N o r m a ll y o n e th in k s o f th e m i n d as b e in g
v ery s tro n g

a n d p o w e r f u l, e s p e c ia lly w h e n all th e

th o u g h t s a n d k lesas arise. B u t w h e n o n e c a re fu lly e x

a m in e s to see w h e r e th e m i n d a c tu a lly is, o n e fin d s th a t
th e re is n o t h i n g th e re , j u s t a s ta te o f p eace. T h is is called
th e s ta te o f g re a t bliss b e c a u s e th e re is a n a b s e n c e o f
s u ffe rin g a n d k lesas. W h ile m e d ita tin g o n e m a y th in k ,
I c a n n o t m e d ita te b e c a u s e th e re are so m a n y t h o u g h t s
c o m i n g u p . B u t w h e n o n e e x a m in e s w h e r e th e
th o u g h t s c o m e f r o m a n d w h a t th e y re a lly are, o n e fin d s
t h a t th e y d o n o t ex ist. T h e r e is j u s t th is n a tu r a l sta te o f
peace. W h e n I w a s v e ry y o u n g , m y te a c h e r w o u ld tell
m e th a t all p h e n o m e n a w e re e m p ty , b u t I t h o u g h t th a t
th is w a s im p o s s ib le a n d c o u ld n o t b e rig h t. L a te r w h e n
s t u d y i n g th e te x ts , I re alized th a t p h e n o m e n a w e re
e m p t y a fte r all, b u t I d id n o t see h o w th e m i n d c o u ld b e
e m p t y . T h e r e w e re so m a n y t h o u g h t s a n d th e re w a s a
p o w e r to all th e s e t h o u g h t s a n d feelin g s, so it w a s
im p o s s ib le fo r th e m i n d to b e e m p ty . B u t a fte r re c e iv in g
th e in s tr u c tio n s fo r m e d ita tio n a n d a n a ly z in g th e m in d ,
I re alized , O h , th e m i n d is e m p t y a fte r a ll. S o first

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

o n e d isco v ers th a t p h e n o m e n a are e m p ty , th e n o n e

an a ly zes th e m in d a n d fin d s th a t it is also e m p t y . W ith
a n a ly sis it is easy to u n d e r s ta n d th e e m p tin e s s o f m in d .
W h a t is d iffic u lt is to fa m ilia riz e o n e s e lf w i t h a n d h a b it
u a te o n e s e lf to th a t u n d e r s ta n d in g . J u s t to a n a ly z e th e
m i n d to see th a t its n a tu r e is e m p t y is n o t v e ry b e n e fi
cial. F o r in sta n c e , w h e n s u ffe rin g b e g in s it is o f little
h e lp to s im p ly th in k , T h e n a tu r e o f s u ffe rin g is e m p
tin e s s . B u t i f o n e a c c u s to m s o n e s m i n d to th e u n d e r
s ta n d in g o f e m p tin e s s , th e n th e m i n d p o is o n s w ill b e
e lim in a te d a n d s u ffe rin g w ill b e p acified .
So in th is life tim e d iffe re n t k lesas s u c h as a n g e r have
arise n a n d have b e e n a c c e p te d as real. S o m e tim e s a n g e r
b e c o m e s so s t r o n g th a t o n e falls u n d e r its p o w e r a n d
says h a r s h th in g s o r even h its o r kills s o m e o n e . In th e
v a jra y a n a i f a n g e r arises, o n e th in k s , P re v io u s ly I have
fallen u n d e r its p o w e r, b u t th is tim e I a m g o in g to lo o k
at th e a n g e r a n d d e te r m in e w h a t th is a n g e r is, w h e r e it
c a m e f r o m , a n d w h e r e it is lo c a te d n o w . W h e n o n e
e x a m in e s th e n a tu r e o f a n g e r in th is w ay , o n e fin d s th e
a n g e r is n o t th e re . O n e c a n t say, T h is is th e a n g e r o r
T h is is w h a t a n g e r is lik e o r T h e a n g e r arises f r o m
th is s p o t o r T h e a n g e r is c re a te d b y t h i s . It is lik e
se e in g s o m e o n e in a film th e re is an a p p e a ra n c e o f a
p e r s o n , b u t a c tu a lly n o o n e is th e re . In th e s a m e w ay ,
th e re is th e a p p e a ra n c e o f a n g e r, b u t it re a lly i s n t th e re .
To realize th is a b o u t a n g e r, o n e d o e s n t a n a ly z e it l o g i
cally, b u t o n e d ire c tly e x a m in e s th e n a tu r e o f a n g e r in
o n eself.
T h e r e are six r o o t afflictio n s, o r klesas. T h e firs t is
anger, so o n e lo o k s f o r w h e r e a n g e r first a p p e a rs , w h e r e
it c o m e s f r o m , w h e r e it stays, a n d so o n . O n e d o e s th e
s a m e fo r th e s e c o n d klesa, w h ic h is craving o r desire fo r
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e x te rn a l o b jec ts. T h e th i r d k lesa is ignorance a n d th e
f o u r th is pride. T h e fifth k lesa is doubt o r uncertainty,
w h i c h h as a p o s itiv e o r n e g a tiv e f o r m . T h e s ix th is
afflicted view , w h ic h m e a n s th e b e lie f in self, a c lin g in g
to a self. T h e s e are th e six r o o t m i n d p o is o n s as d e
s c rib e d in th e c o m m e n ta r ie s . W ith ea ch o f th e s e o n e
lo o k s fo r w h e r e th e y firs t a p p e a r, w h e r e th e y d w ell, a n d
w h e r e th e y g o . T h is is a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n a n d t h r o u g h
it o n e realizes th e n a tu r e o f th e p o is o n s . W h e n o n e h as
th is re a liz a tio n , o n e re s ts o n e s m i n d in th is re a liz a tio n .
In th is w a y o n e o b ta in s th e re a liz a tio n o f th e e m p tin e s s
o f th in g s o fte n d e s c rib e d as th e u n io n o f e m p tin e s s a n d
k n o w le d g e . T h is k n o w le d g e is cla rity , an a c tiv ity th a t
d o e s n t have a n y a c tu a l t r u e n a t u r e b e c a u s e it is e m p t i
n ess its e lf.8 It is j u s t a fu n c tio n , b u t n o t an a c tu a l th in g
in itself. C la r ity is lik e a q u a lity o r a ttrib u te , b u t th e re
is n o b asis to th a t q u a lity . T h e r e is a p ro c e s s o f k n o w
in g , b u t th e r e is n o k n o w e r w h o k n o w s . O t h e r th a n its
n a tu re , it is j u s t e m p tin e s s . So o n e h as th is u n i o n o f
c la rity a n d e m p tin e s s o r th is u n i o n o f k n o w le d g e a n d
e m p tin e s s . A tlsa in his m e d ita tio n in s tr u c tio n s says th a t
n o r m a l l y w e t h i n k o f m i n d as b e in g a c o m b in a tio n o f
p a s t, p re s e n t, a n d f u tu r e th o u g h ts . W e p u t th e s e t o
g e th e r a n d t h in k th a t it is m in d . I f w e a n a ly z e it,
h o w e v er, w e fin d th a t p a s t t h o u g h t s d o n t ex ist, th a t
th e y have g o n e a n d a r e n t th e re a n y m o r e , th a t is, th e y
are n o n e x is te n t. F u tu r e t h o u g h ts have n o t y e t b e e n
c re a te d so th e y are n a tu r a lly e m p ty . S o w h a t w e have is
j u s t th e p re s e n t, w h ic h is a v e ry b r i e f p e r io d o f tim e .
E x a m i n i n g th e p r e s e n t m i n d is v e ry d iffic u lt b e c a u s e w e
fin d n o t h i n g th e r e w i t h a n y c o lo r, sh ap e , f o r m , o r
n a tu re . S o w e fin d p r e s e n t m i n d is n o t re ally a n y th in g
e ith e r a n d is th e re fo re also e m p ty .
83

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H a v in g u n d e r s to o d th e n a tu r e o f e m p tin e s s t h r o u g h
a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n , w e n o w lo o k to see w h o is k n o w
in g , w h o h as th is u n d e r s ta n d in g , a n d w e fin d th e
k n o w e r d o e s n t ex ist. So w e re c o g n iz e th is in d iv is ib ility
o f k n o w i n g a n d e m p tin e s s . T h is is k n o w n as d is c rim i
n a tin g w i s d o m o r d is c rim in a tin g p ra jn a .
T h e r e are s id d h a s , th a t is, a c c o m p lis h e d v a jra y a n a
m a s te rs, w h o have said th a t w h e n o n e lo o k s d ire c tly at
a n g e r, th e a n g e r d isa p p e a rs . A n g e r h as its o w n e m p t i
ness. It a tta in s its o w n n a tu ra l e m p t y state. P re v io u s ly ,
it h as b e e n said th a t th e re is n o d ire c t r e m e d y th a t o n e
can a p p ly to a n g e r th a t is c o rre c t in th e c o n te x t o f
h in a y a n a a n d m a h a y a n a m e d ita tio n . B u t in v ajra y a n a
m e d ita tio n th e re is th e r e m e d y o f lo o k in g d ire c tly in to
th e n a tu r e o f a n g e r .9

C ategories o f V ip asyana
T h e r e are th re e m a in c a te g o rie s o f v ip a sy a n a : th e v ip a s y an a s o f th e fo u r essences, th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e three
doorways, a n d th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e six investigations.
T h e f o u r essences o f v ip a s y a n a are d e s c rib e d in th e
E xplan a tio n o f the V iew s u tra a n d in A s a n g a s C o m p en
dium o f the A bhidharm a. In th is a n a ly sis th e re are tw o
c a te g o rie s o f v ip a s y a n a d iffe re n tia tio n a n d c o m p le te
d iffe re n tia tio n . E a c h o f th e se c a te g o rie s h as tw o as
p e c ts e x a m in a tio n a n d an a ly sis so th a t th e re are ac
tu a lly f o u r c a te g o rie s . D iff e re n tia tio n in v o lv es th e u n
d e r s ta n d in g o r p ra jn a th a t can d is tin g u is h b e tw e e n all
th e v a rio u s k in d s o f p h e n o m e n a . C o m p le t e d iffe re n tia
tio n is th e u n d e r s ta n d in g th a t d is tin g u is h e s th e a c tu al
n a tu r e o f all p h e n o m e n a . E x a m in a tio n is th e g a in in g o f
an u n d e r s ta n d in g o f s o m e th in g o n an o b v io u s level.
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A n a ly s is is g a in in g a n u n d e r s ta n d in g o n a v e ry s u b tle
level.
T h e v ip a s y a n a s o f th e fo u r natures are: (i) d iffe re n tia
tio n t h r o u g h e x a m in a tio n , (2) d iffe re n tia tio n t h r o u g h
a n a ly sis, (3) c o m p le te d iffe re n tia tio n t h r o u g h e x a m in a
tio n , a n d (4) c o m p le te d iffe re n tia tio n t h r o u g h an aly sis.
B u t in th e E xp la n a tio n o f the View s u tra e a c h o f th e se
f o u r c a te g o rie s is d iv id e d a g a in to m a k e s ix te e n c a te g o
ries in all. T h e firs t c a te g o r y (d iffe re n tia tio n t h r o u g h
e x a m in a tio n ) is d iv id e d in to f o u r d e g re e s o f e x a m in a
tio n , n a m e ly (a) p e rfe c t e x a m in a tio n , w h i c h m e a n s th e
e x a m in in g is d o n e v e ry w ell, (b) d e fin itiv e e x a m in a tio n ,
in w h ic h a m o r e c o m p le te u n d e r s ta n d in g re s u lts , (c)
p e rfe c t e v a lu a tio n , w h i c h is even m o r e c o m p le te , a n d
(d) esse n tia l e x a m in a tio n , w h ic h is th e m o s t c o m p le te .
So e a c h o f th e s e f o u r essen ces o f v ip a s y a n a h as f o u r
d e g re e s , m a k i n g s ix te e n c a te g o rie s in all.
In th e C om pendium o f the Abhidharm a A s a n g a gives a
d e s c r ip tio n o f th e v ip a s y a n a w i t h fo u r essen ces in te rm s
o f th e ir effect, t h a t is, in te r m s o f th e ir a c tiv ity . A s a n g a
d e sc rib e s th e firs t tw o essen ces o f v ip a s y a n a s , th e d iffe r
e n tia tio n o f p h e n o m e n a a n d th e c o m p le te d if fe re n tia tio n
o f p h e n o m e n a , as re m e d ie s fo r n e g a tiv e p ro p e n s itie s
(Skt. dausthulya, T ib . n a g a len) a n d th e c o n c e p tu a liz a tio n
o f p h e n o m e n a . T h e last tw o essences o f v ip a s y a n a ,
t h r o u g h e x a m in a tio n a n d t h r o u g h an aly sis, e lim in a te
w h a t n e e d s to b e e lim in a te d , s u c h as th e m is ta k e n b eliefs
a b o u t p h e n o m e n a . W ith th e s e e lim in a te d o n e can re s t
in an u n m i s ta k e n u n d e r s ta n d in g .
In th e E xp la n a tion o f the V iew s u tra th e re is a d e s c rip
tio n o f th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e three doorways, o r e n tra n c e s.
In th is s u tra M a itr e y a ask s th e B u d d h a , H o w m a n y
k in d s o f v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n s are th e re ? T h e B u d d h a

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rep lies th a t th e re are th re e k in d s . F irst, th e r e is th e

v ip a s y a n a th a t arises f r o m c o n c e p tu a l c h a ra c te ris tic s . I f
o n e m e d ita te s , fo r e x a m p le , o n selflessness o n e d o e s n t
s im p ly t h i n k a b o u t selflessness b u t o n e c o n te m p la te s th e
re a s o n s , p ro o f s , a n d c h a ra c te ris tic s o f selflessness. B y
g o in g t h r o u g h th e s e a n d t h in k in g t h e m over, o n e is ab le
to d e v e lo p a c e rta in u n d e r s ta n d in g o f selflessness. O n e
d ev e lo p s th e in s ig h t th a t arises f r o m c o n te m p la tin g th e
c o n c e p tu a l c h a ra c te ris tic s o f s o m e th in g . T h e s e c o n d o f
th e v ip a s y a n a s o f th e th re e d o o rs is th e in s ig h t th a t
arises f r o m in v e s tig a tio n . O n c e o n e h as d e v e lo p e d th e
c e rta in ty o f th e firs t d o o rw a y , th e n o n e re sts o n e s m i n d
in t h a t c e rta in ty a n d th is is th e s e c o n d d o o r w a y . T h e
th ir d d o o r w a y arises f r o m an aly sis. B e c a u s e o f fa m ilia r
iz a tio n w i t h a n d h a b itu a tio n to c e rta in ty , o n e re sts
d ire c tly w i t h i n th e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f selflessness.
N e x t is th e v ip a s y a n a o f th e s ix investigations i n to th e
ch a ra c te ris tic s o f th in g s . T h r e e k in d s o f u n d e r s ta n d in g
c o m e f r o m th e s e six in v e s tig a tio n s . F irst is the investiga
tion o f meaning, in w h ic h o n e h as to in v e s tig a te th e w o rd s
o f th e d h a r m a a n d fin d o u t w h a t is th e m e a n in g b e h in d
th e w o rd s . S e c o n d is the investigation o f things o r th e
in v e s tig a tio n o f e x te rn a l p h e n o m e n a a n d in te rn a l o b
je c ts , w h ic h refers to m i n d a n d m e n ta l ev en ts. T h e
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e m in d is a rriv e d a t t h r o u g h th e
u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e e ig h t c o n sc io u s n e s s e s . T h e u n d e r
s ta n d in g o f m e n ta l events is th e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e
k lesas th e n e g a tiv itie s o f th e m in d . T h e in v e s tig a tio n
o f e x te rn a l o b jec ts is th e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e e x te rn a l
s e n s o ry e x p e rie n c e s o f s ig h t, s o u n d , sm ell, ta ste , a n d
p h y s ic a l s e n s a tio n . T h is is th e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e five
a g g r e g a t e s o f f o r m , s e n s a tio n , r e c o g n i t i o n , m e n t a l
ev en ts, a n d c o n s c io u s n e s s , th e tw elv e ay a ta n a s , w h ic h
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a re th e s o u rc e o f p e r c e p tio n a n d so o n . T h i r d is th e
investigation o f characteristics, w h ic h is e x a m in in g th e
o b je c t in m o r e d etail; f o r e x a m p le , d is c o v e rin g th a t th e
v is u a l c o n s c io u s n e s s p erceiv e s a v is u a l o b jec t, th e e a r
c o n s c io u s n e s s p erceiv e s s o u n d s , etc. O n e e x a m in e s th e
a c tu a l c h a ra c te ris tic s o f all th e d iffe re n t asp e c ts in m o r e
d eta il. O n e in v e s tig a te s , f o r e x a m p le , th e v is u a l f o r m
a n d id e n tifie s it as b e in g th e o b je c t o f v is u a l c o n s c io u s
n ess. G e n e ra lly , th e r e are tw o k in d s o f w i s d o m th e
w i s d o m o f th e t r u e n a t u r e o f th in g s a n d w i s d o m o f th e
v a r ie ty o f th in g s . F irs t o n e h as to e x a m in e all o u t e r a n d
i n n e r o b je c ts to g a in an u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e ir q u alities.
W h e n o n e h as a tta in e d th is u n d e r s ta n d in g , th e n o n e ca n
u n d e r s ta n d th e ir tr u e n a tu re .
T h e n e x t th r e e k in d s o f re a liz a tio n d eal w i t h th e
a c tu a l n a t u r e o f th in g s . T h e s e are th e investigation o f
direction, investigation o f time, a n d investigation through
reasoning. W e can ea sily U n d e rs ta n d e m p tin e s s w i t h th e
in v e s tig a tio n o f d ir e c tio n a n d tim e . W e n o r m a lly th i n k
th a t th e r e is a n o r t h , a s o u th , an east, a n d a w e st. W e
t h i n k o f d ire c tio n s as h a v in g a n a c tu a l e x iste n c e . W e also
ta lk a b o u t h e r e a n d t h e r e as i f th e re re a lly w e re a
h e r e a n d a t h e r e . B u t o n c lo se r e x a m in a tio n , fo r
e x a m p le , o n e c o u ld say th e w o o d e n ta b le in f r o n t o f m e
is o n th e ea st sid e o f th e t h r o n e . W h e n o n e m o v es th e
ta b le a little, t h e n o n e w o u ld say it is n o r t h o f th e
th r o n e . D ir e c tio n , in fact, h as n o so lid re a lity . S o th e
in v e s tig a tio n o f d ir e c tio n lea d s to a n u n d e r s ta n d in g o f
e m p tin e s s .
T h e s e c o n d in v e s tig a tio n o f th e n a tu r e o f th in g s is th e
in v e s tig a tio n o f tim e . O n e u s u a lly th in k s th a t th e re is a
p a s t, a p re s e n t, a n d a f u tu r e o r o n e th in k s in te r m s o f a
d ay, a m o n t h , a y e a r, a n d so o n . B u t w h e n o n e e x a m in e s
87

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of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

th is m o r e clo sely , o n e fin d s th a t p a s t d o es n o t re a lly

e x ist. W h e re is th e p re s e n t? O n e fin d s th a t o t h e r th a n
b e in g a c o n c e p tu a l p ro je c tio n o n th in g s , tim e h a s n o
re a lity o f its o w n .
T h e th i r d in v e s tig a tio n o f th e n a tu r e o f th in g s is
t h r o u g h re a s o n . T h e B u d d h a said t h a t h is te a c h in g s
s h o u ld b e e x a m in e d a n d n o t ta k e n o n tru s t. F o r e x a m
p le, i f o n e is b u y i n g g o ld , it w o u l d n t b e c o r re c t to
s im p ly a c c e p t th e s e lle rs w o r d th a t it is g o ld . O n e
s h o u ld te s t it b y h e a tin g it w ith a fla m e to see w h e th e r
it c h a n g e s c o lo r. T h e g o ld m i g h t have a d iffe re n t m e ta l
in s id e so n e x t o n e h as to c u t it o p e n . F in a lly , th e re
m i g h t b e s o m e fin e p a rtic le s o f n o n g o l d in th e lu m p . So
o n e h as to r u b it a g a in s t a s to n e to see i f it is p u r e g o ld .
In th e s a m e w a y , th e B u d d h a said t h a t h is te a c h in g s
s h o u ld n o t b e ta k e n o n tru s t, b u t o n e s h o u ld e n g a g e in
th e p ro c e s s o f in v e s tig a tio n so t h a t o n e can d e v e lo p a n
u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e a c tu a l n a tu r e o f th in g s . O n c e o n e
h as g a in e d th is u n d e r s ta n d in g , o n e c a n a p p ly it to
phenom ena.
T h e r e are f o u r k in d s o f re a s o n in g . T h e firs t tw o re la te
to s o m e t h i n g a ris in g f r o m a c tiv ity . T h e firs t is the
reasoning o f dependence a n d is in v o lv e d w i t h ca u se a n d
effect. U s in g th is re a s o n in g , o n e c a n d ev e lo p a n u n d e r
s ta n d in g o f h o w o n e s p re s e n t life is d u e to ev en ts in a
p re v io u s life. S in ce th is is d iffic u lt to p ro v e a n d u n d e r
s ta n d , th e B u d d h a t a u g h t cau se a n d effect b y re a s o n in g ,
s a y in g th a t i f s o m e t h i n g ex ists, it is d e p e n d e n t a n d m u s t
have a ris e n f r o m p re v io u s c o n d itio n s o r a cause. F o r
e x a m p le , a flo w er d o e s n o t a p p e a r b y i ts e lf b u t is
d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e p re v io u s c o n d itio n s o f a seed , soil,
air, w a te r, a n d so o n . M a n y th in g s have to c o m e t o
g e th e r fo r th e flo w er to c o m e in to e x isten c e. S o w h a t
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ever e x ists is d e p e n d e n t u p o n p re v io u s cau ses a n d c o n
d itio n s . T h is is tr u e o f o n e s b o d y a n d o n e s m in d ,
w h i c h a re th e effect o f p re v io u s cau ses a n d c o n d itio n s
in o n e s p re v io u s life tim e s.
T h e s e c o n d k in d o f re a s o n in g is the reasoning o f fu n c
tion. T h is is th e re a s o n in g o f d e p e n d e n t effect, w h ic h
m e a n s th a t a n effect d e p e n d s o n a p a r tic u la r cause. B y
u n d e r s ta n d i n g th e first k in d o f re a s o n in g a n d th is sec
o n d k in d , o n e is ab le to avoid s u ffe rin g b y u n d e r s ta n d
in g th a t ev e ry ca u se h as a n effect a n d ev e ry effect h a s a
cau sal c o n d itio n . F o r e x a m p le , in th e G u r u R in p o c h e
p ra c tic e th e m a n t r a o m y e d h a r m a h e t u t r a b o w a , e tc .,
c a n b e tra n s la te d as A ll p h e n o m e n a arise f r o m c a u s e s .
T h e B u d d h a t a u g h t t h a t all p h e n o m e n a are a n effect th a t
h a d to arise d u e to a c e rta in cause. T h e m a n tr a says A ll
th e cau ses have b e e n e x p la in e d b y th e B u d d h a . T h a t is
th e s e c o n d s e n te n c e in th e m a n tr a . I f o n e w is h e s to
a tta in p e r fe c t h a p p in e ss , o n e m u s t b e ab le to fin d th e
c o r re c t ca u se o f th is h a p p in e s s . To s to p s u ffe rin g , w h ic h
is th e re s u lt o f causes, o n e m u s t s to p th e cau ses o f
s u ffe rin g . T h e r e f o r e , o n e can fin d o u t h o w to e lim in a te
s u ffe rin g a n d a tta in h a p p in e s s in th e B u d d h a s te a c h in g s ,
w h i c h is d o n e t h r o u g h th e tw o k in d s o f re a s o n in g th e
r e a s o n in g o f a ca u se h a v in g a n effect a n d th e r e a s o n in g
o f a n effect b e in g d e p e n d e n t o n a cause. T h is m e a n s
t h a t w h a te v e r e x ists w ill c re a te a re s u lt. T h u s e x te r n a l
o b je c ts o r in te rn a l o b jec ts (su c h as th e m in d ) w ill cre a te
re s u lts in th e fu tu re . S o th e firs t r e a s o n in g o f p re v io u s
c o n d itio n s p ro v es p re v io u s life tim e s a n d th e s e c o n d
r e a s o n in g o f f u n c tio n p ro v es f u tu r e life tim e s.
T h e th i r d k in d o f r e a s o n in g is th e reasoning o f validity,
o r h o w o n e k n o w s s o m e t h i n g is tru e . T h e r e are th re e
s u b ty p e s o f th is re a s o n in g . F irst, o n e m a y e x p e rie n c e
89

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s i g h t

s o m e t h i n g d ire c tly t h r o u g h see in g , h e a rin g , o r o n e o f

th e o t h e r sen ses a n d th is is called d ire c tly p e rc e iv e d
v a lid ity . S e c o n d , th e re are th in g s o n e c a n n o t e x p e rie n c e
d ire c tly w i t h th e sen ses, b u t o n e u n d e r s ta n d s th e m
t h r o u g h lo g ic a l d e d u c tio n , o r d e d u c e d v a lid ity . F o r
e x a m p le , th e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e e m p tin e s s o f all
p h e n o m e n a o r th a t a p re v io u s life m u s t e x is t a re e x a m
p les o f th is s e c o n d k i n d o f k n o w le d g e . T h e th i r d k in d
o f re a s o n in g is s c r ip tu ra l a u th e n tic ity . O n e g a in s u n d e r
s ta n d in g b y s tu d y in g th e te a c h in g s o f th e B u d d h a a n d
o f sc h o la rs a n d a c c o m p lis h e d m a s te rs. T h e r e is a su b je c t
c a l le d pram ana in S a n s k rit m e a n in g v a lid k n o w l e d g e .
T h e r e w e re tw o g re a t m a s te rs o f th is in In d ia D ig n a g a
a n d D h a r m a k ir ti. D ig n a g a said th e re w e re th r e e k in d s
o f v alid k n o w le d g e : t h a t w h ic h is p e rc e iv e d d ire c tly ;
th a t w h i c h is o b ta in e d t h r o u g h d e d u c tiv e re a s o n in g ; a n d
th a t w h ic h is re ceiv e d t h r o u g h s c r ip tu ra l a u th o r ity . B u t
th e n D h a r m a k ir ti, th e o t h e r g re a t m a s te r o f th e p ra
m a n a , said th a t th e re a re o n ly tw o k in d s o f k n o w le d g e ,
d ire c t k n o w le d g e a n d d e d u c tiv e an aly sis, b e c a u s e s c rip
tu ra l a u t h o r i t y is u n d e r s ta n d in g t h r o u g h e x a m in a tio n
a n d an a ly sis, w h ic h is in fact th e re s u lt o f d ire c t e x p e r i
ence. So s c rip tu ra l a u t h o r i t y is e n c o m p a s s e d b y b o t h o f
th e o t h e r tw o k in d s o f k n o w le d g e a n d is n o t a s e p a ra te
th ir d c a te g o ry .
T h e f o u r th k in d o f re a s o n in g is th e reasoning o f intrinsic
nature. T h e r e are tw o k in d s o f in trin s ic re a so n s: re la tiv e
in trin s ic n a tu r e a n d a b s o lu te in trin s ic n a tu re . A n e x a m
ple o f th e relativ e a sp e c t is th e fact th a t fire is h o t a n d
b u rn s . O n e m a y ask, W h a t is th e re a s o n t h a t fire is h o t
a n d b u r n s ? B u t th e r e re ally is n t a n y re a s o n e x c e p t th a t
th is is th e in trin s ic n a t u r e o f fire. S im ila rly , o n e c a n n o t
ask, W h y is w a te r w e t? b e c a u s e w a te r is j u s t w e t a n d
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th a t is th e in trin s ic n a t u r e o f w a te r. S im ila rly , th e n a tu r e
o f all p h e n o m e n a is e m p t y a n d th a t is j u s t th e in trin s ic
n a t u r e o f all p h e n o m e n a . T h e r e is n o real re a s o n w h y
th is is tru e , it is j u s t s o m e t h i n g th a t h as to b e re alized .
F o r e x a m p le , in th e b e g in n in g o n e is n t c e rta in o f th e
a b s e n c e o f a s e lf o r o f th e n a tu r e o f e m p tin e s s . T h r o u g h
a p ro c e s s o f re a s o n in g , o n e can d ev e lo p a d e fin ite u n d e r
s t a n d in g o f selflessness a n d im p e r m a n e n c e u s in g lo g ic .
B y g o i n g t h r o u g h th e s e f o u r re a s o n in g s , o n e d ev elo p s
c e r ta in ty f r o m a n a ly tic a l m e d ita tio n a n d t h r o u g h th is
o n e g a in s c la rity . S o m e tim e s b y d o in g th is a n a ly tic
m e d i t a t i o n t o o m u c h , o n e s m e n ta l s ta b ility d ec rea ses.
I f th is h a p p e n s , o n e d o e s m o r e n o n a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n
in w h ic h o n e j u s t re sts th e m in d w i t h o u t a n a ly z in g .
T h is w ill b r in g a b o u t m o r e sta b ility .
T h e r e a re six k in d s o f in v e s tig a tio n s in v e s tig a tio n
o f m e a n in g , th in g s , c h a ra c te ris tic s , d ire c tio n s , tim e , a n d
re a s o n in g t h a t can b e u s e d to g a in an u n d e r s ta n d in g
o f re la tiv e a n d a b s o lu te p h e n o m e n a . V ip a s y a n a c a n also
b e s u m m e d u p in to tw o ty p e s : p r e p a r a to r y v ip a s y a n a
a n d a c tu a l v ip a s y a n a . P r e p a r a t o r y v ip a s y a n a , a ls o
k n o w n as d is c rim in a tin g v ip a s y a n a , is a p r e p a r a tio n
s ta g e d u r i n g w h i c h o n e in v e s tig a te s a n d an a ly zes in
o r d e r to d ev e lo p a d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d in g . In th e a c tu al
s ta g e , also called u n w a v e rin g s a m a d h i, o n e h as g a in e d
d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d th e m i n d is ab le to d w e ll
th e re .
T h e v ip a s y a n a o f th e f o u r essen ces, six in v e s tig a tio n s ,
a n d th r e e d o o rw a y s are all a n a ly tic a l m e d ita tio n s . In
g e n e ra l th e r e are tw o k in d s o f m e d ita tio n : th e a n a ly tic a l
m e d i t a t i o n o f th e p a n d ita w h o is a s c h o la r a n d th e
n o n a n a ly tic a l m e d ita tio n o r d ire c t m e d ita tio n o f th e
kusu lu , o r s im p le y o g i. S o th e a n a ly tic a l m e d ita tio n o f

9i

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of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& In

s i g h t

th e p a n d ita o c c u rs w h e n s o m e b o d y e x a m in e s a n d a n a
ly zes s o m e t h i n g t h o r o u g h l y u n til a v e ry cle ar u n d e r
s ta n d in g o f it is d e v e lo p ed . D o i n g th is, o n e g a in s a v e ry
d e fin ite a n d la s tin g u n d e r s ta n d in g , so th a t th e r e is n o
d a n g e r o f m a k in g a n e rro r. H o w ev er, th is p a th o f th e
p a n d ita tak e s a lo n g tim e . T h e m e d ita tio n o f th e k u s u lu
d ev elo p s f r o m k n o w i n g h o w to m e d ita te , a n d th e n
m e d ita tin g v e ry e x te n siv e ly . T h is m e t h o d is m u c h
s w ifte r, b u t th e re is a d a n g e r o f g o in g astra y a n d m a k in g
a m is ta k e . S o o n e u s u a lly b e g in s w i t h an a n a ly sis a n d
e x a m in a tio n o f th e re a s o n s a n d p ro o f s so th a t a d e fin ite
u n d e r s ta n d in g is d e v e lo p ed . T h e n o n e fa m ilia riz e s o n e
s e lf w i t h th is a n d d ev e lo p s a n u n d e r s ta n d in g a n d f r o m
th is o n e b e g in s th e k u s u lu m e d ita tio n .
In a n a ly tic a l m e d ita tio n , fo r e x a m p le , o n e m e d ita te s
o n selflessness, a n d in tr y in g to id e n tify th e s e l f o n e
fin d s th a t it d o e s n t e x is t in te rn a lly , e x te rn a lly , o r in
b e tw e e n . It is s im ila r to s a m a th a m e d ita tio n in th a t o n e
fo cu ses th e m i n d o n an o b ject, j u s t as o n e re sts th e m i n d
o n th e in - a n d o u t - b r e a t h in s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . S im i
larly , w h e n re s tin g o n th e ab se n c e o f self, th e m i n d is
k e p t fo c u s e d o n e - p o in te d ly o n th is a n d j u s t re sts, a n d
f r o m th is d ev e lo p s th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e c e rta in ty o f th e
a b se n c e o f self. It is th e s a m e m e t h o d e m p lo y e d in
s a m a th a m e d ita tio n so it is called th e a n a ly tic a l m e d ita
tio n o n th e ab se n c e o f self.
A n a ly tic m e d ita tio n is n o t j u s t h e a rin g , re c e iv in g ,
a n d c o n te m p la tin g th e te a c h in g s . In s te a d it is th e d e fi
n ite in s ig h t o n e h as g a in e d u n ite d w i t h s a m a th a m e d i
ta tio n . In s a m a th a m e d ita tio n o n e fo c u ses th e m i n d o n
b re a th in g o r fo c u ses it o n n o o b je c t w h a ts o e v e r. H e re
o n e h as d e fin ite k n o w le d g e th a t is g a in e d t h r o u g h a n a
ly tic d e d u c tio n . T h is k n o w le d g e is j o i n e d to g e t h e r w i t h
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th e s ta b ility o f m i n d in s a m a th a a n d o n e m e d ita te s o n
th e u n i o n o f th e s e tw o . T h is is w h a t is m e a n t b y a n a ly tic
m e d ita tio n .
T h e d ire c t, n o n a n a ly tic a l m e d ita tio n is called k u s u lu
m e d ita tio n in S a n s k rit. T h is w a s tra n s la te d as tromeh in
T ib e ta n , w h ic h m e a n s w i t h o u t c o m p lic a tio n o r b e in g
v e ry s im p le w i t h o u t th e a n a ly sis a n d le a rn in g o f a g re a t
s c h o la r. In ste a d , th e m i n d is re la x e d a n d w i t h o u t a p p ly
in g a n a ly sis so it j u s t re sts in its n a tu re . In th e s u tra
tra d itio n , th e re are s o m e n o n a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n s , b u t
m o s t ly th is t r a d itio n u ses a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n .

M eth o d s o f V ip a sya n a
T h e b asis o f v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n is a s ta te o f s a m a d h i,
a m e d ita tio n s ta te w i t h o u t t h o u g h t s a n d c o n c e p ts . Its
p r i m a r y q u a lity is th a t it c u ts t h r o u g h all th e m is c o n c e p
tio n s , in a c c u ra c ie s, a n d m is u n d e r s ta n d in g s w e m i g h t
have. It says in th e te x t th a t it is n e c e s s a ry to have th e
v i e w p o i n t o f th e a b s e n c e o f s e lf a n d w i t h o u t th is v ie w
p o i n t w e c a n n o t d ev e lo p g e n u in e v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n .
T h e r e f o r e , w e have to d ev e lo p th is u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e
a b s e n c e o f self. T h e te x t states th a t i f w e d o n t have an
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f w h a t th e m e d ita tio n s h o u ld b e d i
re c te d at, w e are lik e a p e r s o n w i t h o u t a r m s tr y i n g to
h o l d o n t o th e sid e o f a cliff. S o th e b asis o f m e d ita tio n
is th e d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e a b s e n c e o f self. We
n e e d to firs t re c o g n iz e th is, th e n c o n te m p la te it u n til w e
have a d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e a b se n c e o f self.
O n c e w e have d e v e lo p e d th is u n d e r s ta n d in g , th e n th e
m i n d m u s t b e ab le to re s t u p o n th is u n d e r s ta n d in g
re la x e d a n d c o m p le te ly u n a g ita te d . I f w e have th e v ie w ,
b u t j u s t t h i n k in te lle c tu a lly a b o u t it, w e w ill n o t b e ab le
93

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n s i g h t

to p r o p e r l y d ev e lo p o u r m e d ita tio n b e c a u s e w e w o n t b e
a b le to e lim in a te th e o b s c u r a tio n s . H e n c e th e t e x t says
th a t even i f w e are le a rn e d a n d have s tu d ie d a n d u n d e r
s to o d th e v ie w o f th e a b s e n c e o f self, b u t have n o t
m e d ita te d o n it, w e a re lik e a m is e r w i t h g re a t w e a lth
w h o c a n t u se a n y o f it b ec a u se o f h is s tin g in e s s . N o t
o n ly is all o f th e w e a lth o f a m is e r o f n o u se to h im , b u t
it is also o f n o g o o d to o th e rs b e c a u s e h e d o e s n t give it
to a n y o n e . S im ila rly i f w e have th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d
v ie w o f th e ab se n c e o f self, w i t h o u t m e d ita tio n w e w o n t
d e riv e a n y b e n e fit f r o m it b e c a u s e w e are n o t ab le to
d ev e lo p w i s d o m a n d e lim in a te th e k lesas. We also th e n
c a n n o t b e n e fit o th e rs b e c a u s e w e are n o t ab le to fo llo w
th e p a th a n d g a in e n lig h te n m e n t.
To s u m m a riz e , to d ev e lo p th e v ie w o f th e a b s e n c e o f
self, o n e h as to m e d ita te . O n e n e e d s to s tu d y firs t th e
te a c h in g s o f selflessness, th e n a n a ly z e a n d c o n te m p la te
t h e m so th a t o n e can d ev e lo p a d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d in g
o f th is v ie w . T h e n o n e re sts o n e s m in d o n th a t, fo c u s e d
in th a t v ie w b u t in a c o m p le te ly re la x e d state. T h is
re s tin g is lik e th e u n i o n o f s ta b ility o f m i n d a n d in s ig h t,
th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . O n e m u s t b a la n c e
th e a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n th a t d ev elo p s c la rity o f m i n d
w i t h s ta b ility o f m in d . T oo m u c h a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n
w ill re d u c e o n e s s ta b ility . T h e r e fo r e , o n e m u s t re la x
th e m i n d in a n o n a n a ly tic s ta te o f m e d ita tio n . T o o m u c h
n o n a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n w ill d im in is h th e c la rity o f m i n d
a n d o n e b e g in s to s in k in to d u lln ess. S o o n e th e n d o es
re p e a te d a n a ly tic m e d ita tio n to re g a in o n e s b a la n c e .
D e v e lo p in g b o t h c la rity a n d s ta b ility w ill m a k e th e
m i n d v e ry p o w e rfu l. G e n e ra lly , th e m a in p ra c tic e o f all
th e s c h o o ls in T i b e t w a s firs t to a n a ly z e p h e n o m e n a
re p e a te d ly to g a in a n u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e v ie w a n d
94

Vipasyana: Insight M editation

h a v in g d o n e th is, to th e n re s t th e m in d in n o n a n a ly tic
m e d ita tio n .
E m p tin e s s is th e e sse n ce o f th e d h a r m a te a c h in g s
b e c a u s e it is th e w a y w e e lim in a te all th e m i n d p o is o n s
a n d fau lts. S o selflessness a n d e m p tin e s s are v e ry i m p o r
ta n t. E m p tin e s s can b e c o m e an o b s ta c le to o u r u n d e r
s t a n d in g o f k a r m a a n d o u r p ra c tic e o f g o o d a c tio n s
b e c a u s e w e m a y th in k , E v e r y th in g is e m p tin e s s , n o t h
in g e x ists, so I d o n t have to p ra c tic e d h a r m a . S o th e re
is d a n g e r in v o lv e d in th is te a c h in g o n e m p tin e s s . N a g a r j u n a said th a t w e have to u n d e r s ta n d e m p tin e s s c o r
re c tly , o th e r w is e it w ill have a b a d effect. In In d ia
s id d h a s w o u ld p ic k u p p o is o n o u s sn ak e s. T h r o u g h th e
p o w e r o f th e ir m a n tr a s o n th e s n a k e th e y w o u ld b e ab le
to p e r f o r m m ira c le s a n d in c re a s e p r o s p e r ity b y h o ld in g
th e s n a k e . W i t h o u t th e p o w e r o f m e d ita tio n a n d th e
p o w e r o f th e m a n t r a a n y o n e h o ld in g a p o is o n o u s s n a k e
w o u ld b e b itte n . In th e s a m e w ay , i f w e have a g o o d
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f e m p tin e s s , it h e lp s to d ev elo p o u r
m e d ita tio n , b u t i f w e have a m is ta k e n id ea o f e m p tin e s s
a n d t h i n k th e r e is n o n e e d to d o g o o d a c tio n s , w e are in
d a n g e r o f d e v e lo p in g a n o b s ta c le to o u r d h a r m a
p ra c tic e .
O n e h a s th e a c c u m u la tio n o f m e r it a n d th e a c c u m u
la tio n o f w i s d o m in d h a r m a p ra c tic e . T h e a c c u m u la tio n
o f w i s d o m is s a m a th a a n d th e a c c u m u la tio n o f m e r it is
v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n . T h e a c c u m u la tio n o f m e r it is
d o n e w i t h a p u r e m o tiv a tio n . O n e h as a v e ry sp ecial
o b je c t fo r o n e s a c tio n s a n d fo r th a t o b jec t o n e d ev e lo p s
fa ith a n d m a k e s p ra y e rs o f s u p p lic a tio n s a n d o ffe rin g s .
S o m e tim e s o n e s m e d ita tio n w ill b e c o m e v e ry clear a n d
it w ill d ev e lo p . S o m e tim e s o n e s m e d ita tio n w ill n o t g o
w e ll a n d it w ill n o t m a k e p ro g r e s s . A t th a t tim e o n e
95

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

m u s t d ev elo p w i s d o m to a c c u m u la te m e rit. So o n e
d ev e lo p s fa ith a n d d e v o tio n a n d m a k e s o ffe rin g s , p ra y e rs
o f s u p p lic a tio n to th e s u b lim e o r s a c re d o b jec ts, a n d also
p ra c tic e s w h a te v e r g o o d a c tio n s o n e can to a c c u m u la te
m e rit, a sta te o f g o o d k a r m a . T h r o u g h t h a t o n e w ill
in c re a se th e a c c u m u la tio n o f w is d o m .
T h e r e is a n o th e r a p p r o a c h th a t is th e t r a d itio n o f
G a n d e n m o n a s te r y a G e lu g tra d itio n . In th is tr a d itio n
even w h e n re s tin g in m e d ita tio n , o n e th in k s o f th e
k n o w le d g e o n e h as a c q u ire d o n eg o le ssn e ss a n d o n e
m a in ta in s th is k n o w le d g e b y re p e a te d ly th i n k in g T h is
is lik e th is a n d T h a t is lik e t h a t , a n d so o n , b r i n g i n g
u p th e te a c h in g a g a in a n d ag ain .
A s m e n tio n e d b e fo re , w h e n o n e h as d e v e lo p e d s a m a th a m e d ita tio n , m a n y d iffe re n t k in d s o f th o u g h t s a n d
im a g e s f r o m in te rn a l a n d e x te rn a l events a p p e a r in th e
m in d . T h e s e are called u n e x a m in e d im a g e s . T h is m e a n s
th a t th e y are n o t a c tu a l e x te rn a l im a g e s , b u t are j u s t th e
a p p e a ra n c e o f th in g s , im a g e s th a t arise in th e m in d . In
v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n o n e tak e s th e s e im a g e s a n d an a
ly zes t h e m to d ev e lo p th e c o n v ic tio n th a t th e y have n o
tr u e e x is te n c e o f th e ir o w n . In th is m e t h o d th e m i n d is
tu r n e d in w a r d . F o r e x a m p le , o n e d o e s n t l o o k a t a p illa r
a n d th in k , Well, th is is a p illa r a n d th e p illa r h as n o
re a lity o f its o w n , a n d so o n . In s te a d o n e e x a m in e s
w h a te v e r a p p e a rs in th e m in d a n d sees th a t it h a s n o
e x is te n c e o f its o w n . W h a t o n e n e e d s in th is m e d ita tio n
is d is c rim in a tin g k n o w le d g e so th a t all th in g s are seen
as d is tin c t f r o m e a c h o th e r. O n e n e e d s d is c rim in a tin g
k n o w le d g e in m e d ita tio n b e c a u s e o n e n e e d s to b e ab le
to fo c u s o n p a r tic u la r o b jec ts in m e d ita tio n . N o t h i n g
b e c o m e s m ix e d o r o v e rla p p in g so th in g s d o n o t t u r n
o u t to b e v a g u e , in d is tin c t, o r u n c le a r.
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V ipasyana: Insight M editation

T h e r e are g o o d m e n ta l events a n d b a d m e n ta l events.
T h e r e a re also events th a t are c o n tin u o u s ly p re s e n t in
th e m i n d a n d events th a t a re tr a n s ito r y . In fact, th e re
a re f i f ty - o n e d iffe re n t m e n ta l events, o f w h ic h s a m a d h i
a n d p ra jn a a re j u s t tw o (see ta b le 3, p a g e s 9 8 -1 0 0 ). T h is
m e a n s th a t e v e ry o n e h as s a m a d h i a n d p ra jn a , b u t w h a t
d iffe rs b e tw e e n in d iv id u a ls is th e s t r e n g t h o f th e s e tw o
ev ents. O n e m u s t in c re a s e th e p o w e r o f o n e s s a m a d h i
so th a t o n e s m i n d b e c o m e s m o r e stab le. T h e m e n ta l
ev en t o f p ra jn a is also p r e s e n t in all p e rs o n s , b u t it m u s t
b e d e v e lo p e d a n d in c re a s e d w i t h s a m a d h i so th a t o n e
c a n d ev e lo p a clear a n d d e fin ite u n d e r s ta n d in g . O n e
n e e d s to have b o t h o f th e s e to d ev e lo p v ip a s y a n a , w i t h
s a m a d h i g iv in g th e s ta b ility a n d p ra jn a g iv in g th e a b ility
to a n a ly z e th e d eta ils o f e v e ry th in g a n d d e v e lo p a t h o r
o u g h u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e m .
In th e C om pendium o f the Abhidharm a A s a n g a says th a t
v ip a s y a n a p o sse sse s s a m a d h i a n d p ra jn a . T h e r e are tw o
g e n e ra l k in d s o f p h e n o m e n a : t h a t w h ic h is p e rc e iv e d (a
p e r c e p t s u c h as a s o u n d ) a n d th a t w h ic h perceiv es. T h e
s ix th c o n s c io u s n e s s c o n ta in s th in g s th a t are p e rc e iv e d .
S o w h a t is p e rc e iv e d in th e m i n d is also classified as a
p e r c e p t. T h e r e are six k in d s o f p e rc e p ts (sig h t, s o u n d ,
sm e ll, taste, b o d y s e n s a tio n s , a n d o b jec ts o f t h e s ix th
c o n s c io u s n e s s ). In te r n a lly o n e h as c o n s c io u s n e s s , w h ic h
is th e p e rc e iv e r. F o r e x a m p le , a v isu a l o b je c t is p e rc e iv e d
b y th e s e n se o r g a n a n d th e re is th e p erceiv e r, w h ic h is
v is u a l c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h e r e are five s e n s o ry c o n s c io u s
n esses a n d a m e n ta l c o n s c io u s n e s s th a t id e n tifie s w h a t is
g o o d o r b a d , r e m e m b e r s , a n d so On. S o m e tim e s th e
m i n d fo c u ses o n e x te rn a l p e r c e p ts a n d w h e n th e y a p p e a r
n o t to p o sse ss a n y re a lity , th is is k n o w n as th e e x te rn a l
in d iv is ib ility o f a p p e a ra n c e a n d e m p tin e s s . E m p t y
97

TABLE THREE

The Fifty-one Mental Factors (Chaitasika)

T he Five O mnipresent M ental Factors

(1Sarvatraga)
Feeling
D is c e rn m e n t
In te n tio n
C o n ta c t
M en tal e n g a g e m e n t
T he F ive D

e t e rm in in g

(vedana)
(.samja)
(1chetana)
(sparsa)
(manasikra)
M ental Fac to rs

( Visayaniyata)
A sp ira tio n
B elief
R ecollection
S tab ilizatio n

(chhanda)

S u p erio r k n o w le d g e

(adhimosksa)
(smriti)
(samdhi)
(p raj a)

T he E l even V i r t u o u s M ental Facto rs

(Kusala)
Faith
S ham e
E m b a rra s s m e n t
D e ta c h m e n t
N o n h a tre d
N o n b e w ild e rm e n t
Joy o u s effo rt

98

(sraddha)
(hri)
(apatrpya)
(alobha)
(advesa)
(amoha)
(vxrya)

TABLE THREE (continued )

(prasrabdhi)
(apramdda)
(upeksa)
(avihimsa)

Suppleness
C o n scien tio u sn ess
E q u a n im ity
N o n h a rm fu ln e s s
T he S i x R o o t M ental D

efilements

(Mulaklesa)
D esire
A nger
P rid e
Ig n o ran ce
D oubt
A fflicted view

{raga)
(pratigha)
(mana)
(avidya)
(vichikitsa)
(idristi)

T he T w e n t y S e c o n d a r y D efilements

(Upaklesa)
(krodha)
(upandha)
(mraksa)
(p radas a)
(irsya)
(mdtsarya)
(maya)
(sdthya)
(mada)

W rath
R e sen tm en t
C o n c e a lm e n t
Spite
Jealo u sy
Avarice
D eceit
D is h o n e s ty
S elf-im p o rtan c e
H a rm fu ln e ss
N onsham e
N o n e m b a rra s s m e n t

99

(vihimsa)
(dhrkya)
(anapatrdpya)

TABLE THREE continued)

L eth a rg y
A g ita tio n
N o n fa ith
Laziness
N o n co n sc ien tio u sn ess
F o rgetfulness
D is tra c tio n
N o n in tro s p e c tio n

(styna)
(iauddhatya)
(israddhya)
(kausdya)
(pramda)
(musitasmritita)
(viksepa)
(asamprajanya)

T he F o u r C h an g e ab le M ental Factors
(Aniyata)

C o n tritio n
Sleep
E x a m in a tio n
A nalysis

(kaukritya)
(middha)
(vitarka)
(vichdra)

h e re d o e s n o t m e a n th a t th e re is n o a p p e a ra n c e , b u t th a t
th e n a tu r e o f th a t a p p e a ra n c e is e m p tin e s s . F o r e x a m p le ,
w h e n o n e is d r e a m in g o f a n e le p h a n t, th e n a t u r e o f th a t
e le p h a n t is e m p tin e s s b e c a u s e th e re is n o re a lity to it. I f
s o m e o n e a sk e d w h e th e r y o u w e re d r e a m in g o f an ele
p h a n t, y o u w o u ld say yes, a n d th is d e m o n s tr a te s th a t
th e a p p e a ra n c e o f th e e le p h a n t w as th e re . B u t th e a c tu a l
n a tu r e o f th e e le p h a n t is still e m p tin e s s .
A n e x a m p le o f m e d ita tin g o n th e in te rn a l p e rc e iv e r is
a n g e r. A n g e r arises a n d o n e e x a m in e s it n o t w i t h o r d i
n a r y u n d e r s ta n d in g , b u t w i t h d is c rim in a tin g k n o w l
ed g e . O n e asks w h e r e d o es it c o m e f r o m o r w h a t is its
so u rc e ? T h is is n o t in te rm s o f th is p e r s o n d id th is to
m e a n d th a t m a d e m e a n g r y / b u t in te r m s o f w h e r e

ioo

V ipasyana: Insight M editation

d id th e a n g e r arise f r o m . O n e lo o k s fo r its o rig in a tio n
a n d w h e r e it is n o w . Is it in s id e th e b o d y o r o u ts id e th e
b o d y o r b e tw e e n th e s e tw o ? O n e an a ly zes w i t h d is c r im
in a tin g p ra jh a a n d tries to d isco v er its lo c a tio n a n d its
n a tu r e w h a t is it like, w h a t c o lo r, w h a t sh ap e? W ith
aw are n ess o n e fin d s th a t th e re is a c la rity in th e a n g e r
a n d at th e s a m e tim e it is e m p t y o f re a lity . W ith
d is c rim in a tin g k n o w le d g e o n e d iscovers th a t it is th e
u n i o n o f e m p tin e s s a n d a w a re n e s s .10
T h is s a m e w a y o f m e d ita tin g is also u s e d fo r th e six
p rin c ip a l m i n d p o is o n s (klesas). T h e first m i n d p o is o n
is anger a n d s e c o n d is attachment to th in g s s u c h as fo o d ,
w e a lth , o n e s b o d y , a n d so o n . W h e n a t ta c h m e n t is
e x a m in e d in th e s a m e w a y th a t a n g e r w a s e x a m in e d ,
o n e is u n a b le to fin d a n y re a lity to th e a t ta c h m e n t a n d
d isco v ers t h a t it is th e u n i o n o f e m p tin e s s a n d aw are n ess.
T h e th i r d m i n d p o is o n is pride o r s e e in g o n e s e lf as
s u p e r io r to o th e rs . O n c lo s e r e x a m in a tio n , h o w e v er, it
is also th e u n i o n o f e m p tin e s s a n d aw aren ess. T h e f o u r th
m i n d p o is o n is ignorance, a n d th is is d iffe re n t f r o m th e
o th e rs b e c a u s e it d o e s n o t arise so v iv id ly a n d is m o r e
p erv asiv e. T h e r e are tw o k in d s o f ig n o ra n c e : m ix e d
ig n o r a n c e a n d is o la te d ig n o ra n c e . I f ig n o ra n c e a c c o m
p a n ie s o n e o f th e o th e r m i n d p o is o n s s u c h as a n g e r, so
t h a t o n e is n o t aw are o f th e n a tu r e o f th e a n g e r o r d o es
n o t realize th a t o n e is g o in g to m a k e a m is ta k e b e c a u s e
o f a n g e r, th is is m ix e d ig n o ra n c e . Is o la te d ig n o r a n c e is
n o t u n d e r s ta n d i n g th e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a . O n c lo s e r
e x a m in a tio n o n e fin d s th a t ig n o ra n c e also h as n o so lid
re a lity a n d is th e u n i o n o f e m p tin e s s a n d aw aren ess. T h e
fifth m i n d p o is o n is uncertainty, w h ic h m e a n s th a t w h a t
ever o n e s m i n d is f o c u s e d o n , o n e c a n t m a k e a d e c i
sio n . T h e r e are tw o k in d s o f u n c e rta in ty : fa v o rab le
IOI

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

u n c e r ta in ty a n d u n fa v o ra b le u n c e r ta in ty . F av o ra b le u n
c e rta in ty o c c u rs w h e n o n e th in k s s o m e t h i n g p r o b a b ly
is a n d u n fa v o ra b le u n c e r ta in ty is w h e n o n e th in k s s o m e
th in g p r o b a b ly is n t. S o in a d e c isio n a p e r s o n w i t h
fa v o rab le u n c e r ta in ty w ill th in k y es a n d a p e r s o n w i t h
u n fa v o ra b le u n c e r ta in ty w ill th in k n o . O n c lo s e r e x a m
in a tio n th is m i n d p o is o n also is th e in s e p a r a b ility o f
e m p tin e s s a n d aw are n ess. T h e s ix th m i n d p o is o n is
called th e nature o f the view a n d is th e m is ta k e n v ie w th a t
I e x i s t . S o th e re is a m is c o n c e p tio n in w h a t o n e
believes a n d w h e n o n e e x a m in e s it c lo sely w i t h d is c r im
in a tin g u n d e r s ta n d in g , o n e fin d s it also d o e s n t have a n y
r e a lity a n d is t h e i n d i v is i b i l i ty o f e m p t i n e s s a n d
aw are n ess.
In v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n o n e m e d ita te s o n th e m in d
p o is o n s as b e in g th e in s e p a ra b ility o f e m p tin e s s a n d
aw are n ess. O n e c a n also m e d ita te o n n e u tr a l t h o u g h ts .
N e u tr a l th o u g h t s are t h o u g h t s th a t are n e ith e r g o o d n o r
b a d . T h e r e are tw o k in d s o f n e u tra l th o u g h ts : creativ e
n e u tra l t h o u g h t s a n d t h o u g h t s o f a c tiv ity . C re a tiv e n e u
tra l th o u g h t s are s o m e t h i n g lik e I w a n t to m a k e d in
n e r a n d n e u tra l th o u g h t s o f a c tiv ity are s o m e t h i n g lik e
I m u s t leave o r I w a n t to g o to e a t . T h e s e t h o u g h t s
are n e u tr a l b u t o n e can e x a m in e t h e m to see w h o is
t h in k in g th e t h o u g h t I w a n t to e a t a n d w h e r e th is
th o u g h t is lo c a te d . O n e disco v ers th a t th e n a tu r e o f
n e u tra l th o u g h t s is th a t th e y have n o re a lity a n d are th e
in d iv is ib ility o f e m p tin e s s a n d aw are n ess.
O n e th e re fo re e x a m in e s th e in te rn a l u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
th e in d iv is ib ility o f e m p tin e s s a n d a w are n ess a n d th e
e x te rn a l u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e in d iv is ib ility o f e m p tin e s s
a n d a p p e a ra n c e . T h e d is c rim in a tin g k n o w le d g e u n d e r
s ta n d s th is in d iv is ib ility , a n d o n e realizes t h a t th e d is
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V ipasyand: Insight M editation

c r im in a tin g k n o w le d g e also h as n o re a lity , so th a t th e
m i n d re sts in th e p e r c e p t, th e p erceiv e r, a n d th e u n 4 e r s ta n d in g o f th e s e tw o . F o r e x a m p le , in th e p a s t o n e
r u b b e d tw o s tic k s to g e t h e r to m a k e a fire a n d w h e n th e
fire w a s s ta rte d , it b u r n e d u p th e tw o stick s as w ell. In
th e s a m e w a y , th e u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e in d iv is ib ility o f
e m p tin e s s a n d a w a re n e ss, a n d o f e m p tin e s s a n d a p p e a r
an ce, also h a s th e n a t u r e o f e m p tin e s s . T h e p ra c tic e
in s tr u c tio n s o f A tisa say th e m i n d o f th e p a s t h as ceased
to e x is t a n d th e m i n d o f th e f u tu r e h as n o t c o m e in to
ex is te n c e . T h e p r e s e n t m i n d is d iffic u lt to e x a m in e
b e c a u s e it h as n o c o lo r, s h a p e , o r lo c a tio n . It is j u s t lik e
sp ace it is u n b o r n a n d it is n o t o n e o r m a n y th in g s .
E v e n t h o u g h it is e m p t y , th e c la rity o f m i n d n ev e r
ceases. T h e r e is th is c o n tin u o u s c la rity o f m i n d a n d th e
m i n d n e v e r b e c o m e s b la n k o r lik e a s to n e . O n e also
c a n t lo c a te w h e r e th is c la rity c o m e s fr o m .
T h e m e d ita tio n a l s ta te o f v ip a s y a n a is d e s c rib e d as
h a v in g n o a p p e a ra n c e s , w h ic h m e a n s t h a t th e re is th e
re a liz a tio n o f th e in s e p a r a b ility o f e m p tin e s s a n d a p p e a r
an ces d o n o t have a n y re a lity o f th e ir o w n . In s p ite o f
th is e m p tin e s s , th e re is th e u n c e a s in g c la rity o f m i n d
t h a t h a s n o re a lity o f its o w n so th e m i n d in m e d ita tio n
is fre e f r o m a n y c o m p lic a tio n s o r e la b o ra tio n s . It is n o t
e x i s t e n t a n d it is n o t n o n e x i s t e n t a n d it is n o t
n e ith e r e x is te n t n o r n o n e x i s t e n t a n d it is n o t b o t h
e x is te n t a n d n o n e x i s t e n t . It is free f r o m th e s e fo u r
c o m p lic a tio n s a n d is n e ith e r c re a te d o r s o m e t h i n g th a t
ceases. B e c a u s e i f it e x is te d , th e n it m u s t b e b o r n a n d i f
it is b o r n th e n it m u s t also d ie (cease to ex ist). B u t th e re
is n o t h i n g th e re to b e b o r n o r die. T h r o u g h th is re a li
z a tio n o n e c a n e lim in a te th e d efects o f d u lln e s s a n d
a g ita tio n in m e d ita tio n . W ith th e s e re m o v e d , th e re is n o
103

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& In

s i g h t

c lin g in g o r g ra s p in g , th e m i n d d o e s n t th in k T h is is
g o o d a n d has to b e k e p t a n d T h is is b a d a n d h as to b e
re je c te d . T h is is w h a t is m e a n t b y v ip a s y a n a m e d ita
tio n .

T h e A cco m p lish m en t o f V ip a sya n a

G a m p o p a said th a t to o b ta in th e d e fin itiv e v ie w , o n e
n e e d s to lo o k at th e n a tu r e o f th e m in d . T h e r e is n o
sen se in lo o k in g e ls e w h e re . A T ib e ta n s t o r y d e sc rib e s
th is. T h e r e w as a m a n n a m e d Je, w h ic h m e a n s s t r o n g
m a n . H e w a s v e ry s t r o n g b u t s tu p id a n d h a d a je w e l
e m b e d d e d in his fo re h e a d . W h e n h e b e c a m e tire d , th e
s k in o f his fo r e h e a d s a g g e d d o w n a n d c o m p le te ly c o v
e re d th e je w e l in h is foriehead. W h e n h e p u t h is h a n d u p
to feel th e jew e l, h e c o u ld n o t feel it b e c a u s e th e s k in
w a s c o m p le te ly c o v e rin g it a n d so h e t h o u g h t th a t h e
h a d lo s t th e jew el. H e th e n w e n t lo o k in g fo r th e jew e l,
b u t c o u l d n t fin d it a n y w h e r e . In th e s a m e w a y , it is
said th a t to o b ta in a d e fin itiv e v ie w , o n e h as to l o o k in
th e m i n d its e lf a n d th e re is n o p o i n t l o o k i n g fo r it
else w h e re .
W h e n o n e h as th e re a liz a tio n o f th e m in d , it is sa id
th e re is n o a p p e a ra n c e , w h ic h m e a n s th a t w h e n o n e
lo o k s at th e m in d o n e c a n t fin d th a t it ex ists as a n a c tu al
th in g . T h e r e is also th e a s p e c t o f cla rity , w h i c h is th e
a w are n ess o f th e a b s e n c e o f a n y tr u e e x is te n c e . T h is is
an a w are n ess th a t n e v e r ceases o r is lo st. T h e n th e r e is
th e a b s e n c e o f all e la b o ra tio n s o r fa b ric a tio n s , w h ic h
m e a n s th e re is n o c o m p lic a tio n in o n e s life b e c a u s e o n e
h as re alized th a t th e re is n o a c tu a l th in g . S o o n e can say
th e re is n t a c o m p lic a tio n o f n o n e x is te n c e b e c a u s e th e re
is th e a sp e c t o f c la rity . O n e c a n t say th a t it is c o m p le te ly
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Vipasyana: Insight M editation

v o id , a v a c u u m , b e c a u s e th e re is th e c la rity o f th is
aw are n ess. T h e r e f o r e , it h as n o e x is te n c e n o r is it n o n
e x is te n t, so it h a s n o a c tu a l n a tu re .
T h e th i r d K a r m a p a ,.R a n ju n g D o rje , in his M ahdm udrd
Prayer says th a t th e m i n d d o e s n o t e x ist b e c a u s e it c a n n o t
b e seen b y th e b u d d h a s . S o th e m i n d h as n o tru e
e x is te n c e as a th in g b e c a u s e w e c a n n o t fin d it. N o t o n ly
c a n t w e fin d th e m in d , b u t th e b u d d h a s c a n t e ith e r. We
m a y th in k th a t i f th e m i n d d o es n o t e x is t as a th in g ,
th e n it m u s t b e n o n e x is te n t. B u t th e s e c o n d lin e o f th is
v erse says th a t m i n d is n o t n o n e x is te n t b e c a u s e it is th e
b asis o f s a m s a ra a n d n irv a n a . S o it is n o t n o n e x is te n t
b e c a u s e o f all th e a p p e a ra n c e s o f s a m s a ra a n d th e w a y
s a m s a ra arises in th e m in d . T h e r e f o r e it c a n t b e n o n e x
is te n t. A ls o th e a t ta in m e n t o f n irv a n a , B u d d h a h o o d , th e
k n o w le d g e o f th e tr u e n a tu r e a n d o f th e v a rie ty o f
p h e n o m e n a d ev e lo p f r o m th e m in d . T h e r e f o r e it is n o t
n o n e x is te n t. T h e th ir d lin e says th e re is n o c o n tr a d ic tio n
in s a y in g th a t it is n e ith e r e x is te n t n o r n o n e x is te n t. In
fact th is is n o t a c o n tra d ic tio n . T h is is th e M id d le W ay,
w h ic h is free f r o m th e e x tre m e s o f e x is te n c e a n d n o n
e x iste n c e . S o th e m e a n in g in th is M ahdm udrd Prayer b y
th e K a r m a p a is th e s a m e as h as b e e n g iv e n h e re . It says
t h a t th is a w are n ess is c o m p le te ly w i t h o u t th e m in d f u l
n ess o f th i n k in g T h e r e is t h i s , T h e r e is t h a t , T h is
is g o o d , T h is is b a d , a n d so o n . T h e r e is n t a n y k i n d
o f m e n ta l a c tiv ity o r m e n ta l a tte n tio n in th in k in g . T h is
is e lim in a te d a n d th e a w are n ess is in a c o m p le te ly re
la x e d state. W e re s t in m e d ita tio n in th is w a y a n d th is is
h o w A tisa d e sc rib e s th e m e d ita tio n a n d th e w a y w e
s h o u ld p ra c tic e .
P re v io u s ly , b e in g w e ll t r a in e d w as d e s c rib e d as a
c h a ra c te ris tic o f th e a c c o m p lis h m e n t o f s a m a th a . T h e
1 05

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

a c c o m p lis h m e n t o f v ip a s y a n a is also th e s ta te o f b e in g
c o m p le te ly t r a i n e d . O n e m a y b e ab le to m e d ita te b u t
la te r n o t d o so w ell b e c a u s e o n e loses o n e s c la rity , o r
o n e s m i n d b e c o m e s d u ll, o r o n e lo ses o n e s w is h to
m e d ita te . B u t w h e n o n e h as re a c h e d th e s ta te o f th e
s u p p le n e s s o f b e in g w e ll tra in e d , t h e n th e m i n d n a t u
ra lly e n g a g e s in v ip a s y a n a a n d th is v ip a s y a n a b r in g s
c la rity a n d u n d e r s ta n d in g . So u n til o n e h a s a c c o m
p lis h e d th e s u p p le n e s s o f b e in g w ell tra in e d , o n e h as n o t
a tta in e d tr u e v ip a s y a n a . T h e t e x t says th a t th e n a t u r e o f
th is v ip a s y a n a a n d th e w a y it is c re a te d h as a lre a d y b e e n
e x p la in e d in th e s a m a th a s e c tio n . In te r m s o f th e a b h id h a r m a o n e can say b e in g w ell t r a in e d is a m e n ta l
e v en t a n d th e re fo re all b e in g s p o ssess it all th e tim e . B u t
w h a t d iffers b e tw e e n b e in g s is its e x te n t. S o m e b e in g s
n a tu r a lly e n g a g e in n e g a tiv e a c tio n s a n d s o m e n a tu ra lly
e n g a g e in g o o d a c tio n s. B u t sin ce w e h a v e n t b e e n
m e d ita tin g f r o m b e g in n in g le s s tim e , w e are n o t w ell
t r a in e d in o u r m e d ita tio n . We d o n t have th is n a tu r a l
te n d e n c y , so w e have to h a b itu a te o u rse lv e s to it as w e
d id fo r s a m a th a p ra c tic e . T h e w e ll- tr a in e d v ip a s y a n a
w ill g ra d u a lly d ev e lo p b y b e g in n in g w i t h v e ry little a n d
th e n g ra d u a lly in cre ase. S a m a d h i, u n d e r s ta n d in g , m i n d
fu ln ess, a n d a w are n ess are all m e n ta l ev en ts t h a t are
n a tu r a lly p re s e n t, b u t m u s t b e in c re a se d . S o firs t w e
d ev e lo p s a m a th a m e d ita tio n a n d th e n w e d e v e lo p v ip a
sy an a . T h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e w e ll- tr a in e d v ip a s y a n a
is d e s c rib e d in th e E xp la n a tio n o f the V iew s u tra , w h ic h
says th a t th e r e are tw o k in d s o f re a liz a tio n . T h e r e is th e
re a liz a tio n o f th e e n tire m u ltip lic ity o f p h e n o m e n a ,
w h ic h is u n d e r s ta n d in g th e re la tiv e asp e c t o f p h e n o m
ena. T h is is th e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f im p e r m a n e n c e , th e
five a g g re g a te s , a n d th e tw elv e lin k s o f d e p e n d e n t o r i g
106

Vipasyana: In sig h t M editation

in a tio n . To d e v e lo p th is w e have to have a p e r fe c tly
tra in e d m in d . S e c o n d , th e r e is th e re a liz a tio n o f th e tr u e
n a t u r e o f p h e n o m e n a a n d to have th is, o n e also n e e d s a
p e r fe c tly tra in e d m in d . I f o n e d o e s n t have a c o m p le te ly
tra in e d m in d , th e n o n e w ill n o t have th e s e tw o realiza
tio n s o r g e n u in e v ip a s y a n a . S o th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e
c o m p le te ly tra in e d m i n d is th e sig n o f th e a c c o m p lis h
m e n t o f v ip a s y a n a .
To s u m m a r iz e , th e r e is th e s ta te o f b e in g w ell
t r a i n e d in w h i c h o n e is ab le to d o v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n
w i t h o u t a n y d iffic u lty o r h a r d s h ip ; it is v e ry p le a s a n t
a n d e a sy to d o . S o w h e n d o in g v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n ,
th e re is n o m e n ta l o r p h y s ic a l d iffic u lty . T h is is th e s ig n
o f th e a c c o m p lis h m e n t o f v ip a s y a n a m e d ita tio n .

107

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U N IO N

[zung j ug)

h e

n i o n

AND

o f

a m a t h a

V lPA SY A N

c a n t achieve e n lig h t e n m e n t w i t h j u s t sa
m a t h a m e d ita tio n . O n e also c a n t ach iev e e n
l i g h te n m e n t w i t h j u s t v ip a s y a n m e d ita tio n .
N o o n e achieves w i s d o m o f B u d d h a h o o d w i t h j u s t
v ip a s y a n m e d ita tio n . W h a t is n e c e s s a ry is to s t u d y
s a m a th a b y itself, t h e n s tu d y v ip a s y a n b y itself, a n d
t h e n p ra c tic e th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n to
re a c h fin al e n lig h te n m e n t. T h e o rig in a l te x t d iv id e s this
c h a p te r i n to th re e p a rts : th e p ra c tic e o f th e u n i o n o f
s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n , th e ti m i n g o f th is u n io n , a n d
th e d iffe re n t k in d s o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n .

ne

T h e Practice o f T h is U nion
T h e u n i o n o f th e s ta b ility o f m i n d (samatha) a n d o f
in s ig h t (vipasyana) o c c u rs w h e n th e m i n d is at re s t a n d
still, n o t in th e o r d i n a r y w ay , b u t at re s t in th e w i s d o m
o f th e dharmadhdtu. In th e s tra t r a d itio n th e re a re f o u r
d iffe re n t sets o f in s tr u c tio n s o n h o w to d o th is, each o f
w h i c h is g iv e n b y a d iffe re n t In d ia n m a s te r . T h e in s tr u c
tio n s v a ry , b u t t h e y a g re e th a t o n e s h o u ld p ra c tic e th e
u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n . T h e s e f o u r m a s te r s are
B h v a v iv e k a , S n tid e v a , K a m a la sla , a n d C h a n d r a k r t i,
w h o w e re all M a d h y a m a k a m a s te rs c o n c e rn e d w i t h a
h i

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& I

n s i g h t

t h o r o u g h u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f e m p tin e s s . T h e r e are tw o
m a jo r s c h o o ls in th e M a d h y a m a k a : th e S v a ta n trik a s a n d
th e P ra s a n g ik a s . To s im p lify , th e S v a ta n trik a s c h o o l says
th a t o n th e level o f u ltim a te t r u t h n o t h i n g h a s a n y t r u e
e x is te n c e , w h e re a s o n th e relativ e level th in g s ex ist. S o
th e S v a ta n trik a s c h o o l is c o n c e rn e d w i t h c o n c e p ts o f
e x is te n c e a n d n o n e x is te n c e . T h e P r a s a n g ik a s c h o o l,
h o w e v er, believes th a t th in g s have n o a c tu a l n a tu r e a n d
p h e n o m e n a are j u s t a p p e a ra n c e s, th a t a p a rt f r o m th e s e
a p p e a ra n c e s th e y d o n t have a n y tr u e n a tu r e . A ll th in g s
are j u s t a p p e a ra n c e s . So th e P ra s a n g ik a s are n o t so
c o n c e rn e d w i t h c o n c e p ts o f e x is te n c e a n d n o n e x is te n c e .
F irst, B h a v a v iv e k a o f th e P r a s a n g ik a s c h o o l u ses th e
m e t h o d f o r d e v e lo p in g u n io n , o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a ,
w h i c h is th a t o n e firs t m e d ita te s o n u n p le a s a n tn e s s a n d
love, etc. T h is is d e s c rib e d in th e s e c tio n o n th e r e m e d y
fo r a tt a c h m e n t w h e r e , f o r e x a m p le , o n e m e d ita te s o n
love to o v e r c o m e c lin g in g to a n g e r. A p e r s o n th u s
d ev e lo p s s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . T h e n o n e an a ly z e s p h e
n o m e n a . In th e a n a ly sis o f e x te rn a l p h e n o m e n a o n e
d ev e lo p s an u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e in s e p a r a b ility o f a p
p e a ra n c e a n d e m p tin e s s . In th e an a ly sis o f in te rn a l p h e
n o m e n a o n e g a in s u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e in s e p a r a b ility
o f e m p tin e s s a n d aw are n ess o f th e p e rceiv e r.
S e c o n d , S a n tid e v a in A G uide to the B odhisattvas Way
o f L ife says th a t to d ev elo p s a m a th a o n e n e e d s to d ev e lo p
bodhichitta. T h e r e is re la tiv e a n d a b s o lu te b o d h ic h itta
a n d in th is p ra c tic e o n e d ev elo p s s a m a th a t h r o u g h re la
tive b o d h ic h itta b y w is h in g th a t all b e in g s achieve h a p
p in e ss a n d b e free f r o m s u ffe rin g . B u t b e in g s d o n o t
k n o w w h a t causes s u ffe rin g a n d so t h e y re m a in in
s u ffe rin g . T h e r e f o r e , o n e m u s t d ev elo p th e m o t iv a t io n
to h e lp all b e in g s b e c o m e free f r o m s u ffe rin g . H o w e v er,
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sin ce o n e d o e s n t have th is ab ility , o n e p ra ctices d h a r m a
b e c a u s e th e d h a r m a w ill te a c h o n e h o w to d o th is. O n e
th in k s th a t o n e is g o i n g to a c c o m p lis h th e g o a l o f
h e lp in g all b e in g s a tta in th e sta te o f B u d d h a h p o d . T h is
is th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f re la tiv e b o d h ic h itta w i t h s a m a th a .
A f te r a c h ie v in g th e c o m p le te ly tra in e d s ta te o f th is
s a m a th a , o n e m o v es o n to v ip a s y a n a . T h r o u g h th e
d e v e lo p m e n t o f v ip a s y a n a c o m e s th e re a liz a tio n o f e m p
tin ess. T h is is th e s a m e as B h a v a v iv e k a s an a ly sis o f
o u t e r p h e n o m e n a a n d in n e r p h e n o m e n a to d e v e lo p th e
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e in s e p a r a b ility o f e m p tin e s s a n d
a p p e a ra n c e ; a n d th e in s e p a r a b ility o f e m p tin e s s a n d
a w a re n e ss re s p e c tiv e ly .
T h e t h i r d s y s te m , th a t o f K a m a la sila , is w id e ly p ra c
tic e d a n d can b e f o u n d in th e s e c o n d v o lu m e o f th e
Stages o f M editation. O n e d ev elo p s s a m a th a t h r o u g h re s t
in g th e m i n d o n a n e x te rn a l o b je c t s u c h as a s ta tu e o f
th e B u d d h a , t h e n o n an in te rn a l o b je c t s u c h as th e b r e a th
a n d so o n . T h is p ra c tic e m a k e s th e m i n d still a n d ca lm .
H a v in g d e v e lo p e d s a m a th a th is w a y , o n e th e n d ev e lo p s
v ip a s y a n a b y a n a ly z in g a n d e x a m in in g th a t m i n d re s tin g
in s a m a th a . O n e b e g in s to realize th a t th e re is n o m i n d
th a t can b e id e n tifie d a n d d evelo p s a n u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
th e in s e p a r a b ility o f aw are n ess a n d e m p tin e s s . O n e re c
o g n iz e s th a t w h e n th e m i n d is e x a m in e d , th e re is n o t h
in g th e r e th a t ca n b e id e n tifie d . O n e d ev elo p s v ip a s y a n a
m e d i t a t i o n t h r o u g h th e an a ly sis o f th e six r o o t m i n d
p o is o n s , as has b e e n d e s c rib e d in th e t r a d itio n o f A tlsa
in th e s a m a th a se c tio n .
C h a n d ra k irti, a v ery g re a t M a d h y a m a k a m a ste r,
c o m p o s e d th e te x t Entering the M iddle Way, w h i c h p r e
sen ts m a n y k in d s o f r e a s o n in g a n d lo g ic a l an a ly se s o f
e m p tin e s s . N o t o n ly d id h e give re a s o n s , b u t to e lim i
ii3

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& In

s i g h t

n a te h is p u p i l s c lin g in g to p h e n o m e n a h e d id a p ra c tic a l
d e m o n s t r a ti o n . A t th e e n tra n c e o f m o s t te m p le s th e r e is
a p a in tin g o f th e W h e e l o f E x is te n c e .11 In th e p a s t a rh a ts
w o u ld g o a n d v is it th e six re a lm s , a n d w h e n th e y
re tu r n e d , th e y w o u ld d e s c rib e to o th e rs w h a t it w a s lik e
so th a t o r d in a r y p e o p le c o u ld liste n to th e s e te a c h in g s
a n d have th e s e re a lm s d e s c rib e d to th e m . S o th e B u d d h a
said th a t at th e e n tra n c e to th e te m p le s th e re s h o u ld b e
a p a in tin g o f th e b e in g s o f th e six re a lm s f o r o r d i n a r y
p e o p le to see. A n y w a y , in th e p a in tin g o f th e six re a lm s
th e re are d e p ic te d s o m e co w s in th e s e c tio n o f th e a n im a l
re a lm . O n e d ay C h a n d r a k i r t i c a m e u p to th e p a in tin g
a n d b e g a n m ilk in g o n e o f th e co w s in th e p a in tin g . H e
w a s ab le to g e t e n o u g h m ilk f o r e v e ry o n e to d rin k . H e
d id th is to d e m o n s t r a te th a t w h e th e r it w as a p a in tin g
o f a c o w o r an a c tu a l co w , n e ith e r h as a n y t r u e re a lity .
So C h a n d r a k i r t i w a s n o t o n ly a g r e a t s c h o la r, b u t also
h a d g r e a t re aliz a tio n .
C h a n d r a k i r t i s m e t h o d is d iffe re n t f r o m th e o th e rs .
In th is m e t h o d o n e liste n s to th e te a c h in g s a n d th e n
c o n te m p la te s t h e m so th a t o n e g ain s u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f
th e tr u e n a t u r e o f th in g s . B y lis te n in g to a n d c o n t e m
p la tin g th e te a c h in g s , o n e d ev e lo p s th e p ra jn a o r u n d e r
s ta n d in g o f th e t r u e n a t u r e o f all p h e n o m e n a , w h i c h
d ev e lo p s th e v ie w th a t c o m e s f r o m th e a n a ly sis o f th e
s u c h n e ss o f. th in g s . O n e firs t d ev elo p s th is p e r fe c t u n
d e r s ta n d in g o f th e tru e n a t u r e o f p h e n o m e n a , a n d h av
in g g a in e d th is, o n e d ev elo p s s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a
m e d ita tio n . T h u s th e y are p ra c tic e d o n th e b asis o f th e
v ie w , th e ac tu a l u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e n a tu r e o f m in d .
In th e s e f o u r s y s te m s th e re are s lig h tly d iffe re n t in
s tr u c tio n s o n h o w to d ev elo p s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a ,
b u t th e s e are s lig h t v a ria tio n s . T h e y a g re e th a t w e firs t
114

T h e Union o f S a m a th a & V ip a sya n

n e e d to stab iliz e th e m in d , th e n w e w ill b e ab le to
d e v e lo p th e in s ig h t o f v ip a s y a n a n d th a t th e s e tw o
p ra c tic e s a re n o t s e p a ra te , b u t are a u n io n . T h e y a g re e
th a t th e p ra c tic e o f s a m a th a is a causal c o n d itio n re s u lt
in g in v ip a s y a n , a n d th a t w e p ra c tic e th e u n i o n o f th e s e
tw o t o g e th e r . T h is m e a n s th e m i n d m u s t b e o n e p o i n t e d a n d n o t d is tr a c te d b y o t h e r th o u g h t s . T h is also
m e a n s th a t w e u s e th e m i n d as th e o b je c t o f o u r m e d i
ta tio n a n d d o n o t t h in k a b o u t s o m e t h i n g else. T h is o n e p o in te d n e s s c o m e s w h e n w e are re s tin g in m e d ita tio n ,
n o t w h ile w e are a n a ly z in g p h e n o m e n a .
T h e r e is a la m a n a m e d M e n d o n g L a m a S h era b w h o
is f r o m L ac h i, a p lac e w h e r e M ila re p a m e d ita te d . T h is
is a v e r y is o la te d p lac e n e a r th e b o r d e r o f N e p a l a n d
T ib e t. W h e n th e C h in e s e in v a d e d , th e b o r d e r w a s clo se d
a n d th e r e w a s n o p a s s a g e t h r o u g h th e re , a n d so it
b e c a m e a v e ry is o la te d p lac e to w h ic h n o o n e ever ca m e .
T h e r e w a s a cave th e r e in w h i c h L a m a S h era b m e d ita te d
f o r th re e y e a rs. W h e n I w a s ta lk in g w i t h L a m a S h era b
a b o u t h is e x p e rie n c e s , I said, You m u s t have h a d a lo t
o f re a liz a tio n s a n d e x p e rie n c e s th e re b e c a u s e th e re w a s
n o t h i n g th e r e to d is tra c t y o u . L a m a S h era b re p lie d , I f
y o u sit a lo n e in a cave, y o u r m in d still b e c o m e s dis
t r a c t e d . I f y o u d o n t c o n tr o l y o u r m in d , y o u r m i n d
w ill b e c o m e d is tra c te d . It is i m p o r t a n t w h e n m e d ita tin g
to have c o n t r o l o ver th e m i n d so th a t it w o n t b e c o m e
d is tra c te d . T h e r e f o r e , th e m e d i t a t i o n h as to b e u n d e r
f ir m c o n t r o l to p r o te c t it f r o m a ris in g t h o u g h ts .
T h e te x t d e s c rib e s all th e v a rio u s k in d s o f s a m a th a
a n d v ip a s y a n b e c a u s e it is a Treasury o f K nowledge
p r e s e n tin g all k n o w le d g e . T h e abo v e p ra c tic e s are th o s e
th a t are t a u g h t in th e s tra tra d itio n . W h a t is p ra c tic e d
in th e v a jra y n a tr a d i t i o n is th e s y s te m o f K a m a la s ila
115

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of

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& I

n s i g h t

u s in g an e x te rn a l, th e n in te rn a l o b jec t, etc. So s a m a th a
is g e n e ra lly d e v e lo p e d b y d o in g th e p ra c tic e o f w a tc h in g
o n e s b re a th .
V ip a s y a n a is n o r m a l l y p ra c tic e d u s in g th e d iffe re n t
a n a ly se s o f e x te rn a l o b jec ts a n d e m p tin e s s , in te rn a l
e m p tin e s s a n d aw are n ess, u s in g th e m a n y d iffe re n t
m e t h o d s th a t have b e e n d e s c rib e d . B u t th e w a y fo llo w e d
in th e v a jra y a n a tr a d i t i o n is th e in te rn a l in s e p a r a b ility o f
e m p tin e s s a n d aw aren ess. W h e n m e d i t a t i o n is s tab le,
th e m i n d re s ts in its n a t u r a l s t a b i l i ty . S o m e t im e s
t h o u g h t s arise a n d th e m i n d is th e n in m o v e m e n t. O n e
lo o k s to see w h a t is th e n a t u r e o f th e m o v e m e n t o f th e
m in d . T h is is n o t u s in g an a ly tic a l re a s o n in g a n d lo g ic ,
b u t h a v in g a d ire c t e x p e rie n c e o f th e n a t u r e o f m i n d at
re s t a n d in m o v e m e n t. T h is is th e u s u a l m e t h o d fo llo w e d
f o r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f v ip a s y a n a .
O n e d o e s n t have to lo g ic a lly an a ly z e th e m i n d to fin d
o u t th a t it h as n o ex iste n c e . O n e ca n j u s t l o o k a t th e
m i n d a n d see th a t it is n o t th e re . A t th e s a m e t im e th e re
is th is p ro c e s s o f k n o w i n g o r aw are n ess. T h e w o r d fo r
m i n d in T i b e t a n is sem o r shepa, w h ic h m e a n s th a t
w h ic h k n o w s . 12 S o th e r e is th is k n o w in g , b u t i f o n e
tries to fin d o u t w h a t it is th a t is k n o w i n g , o n e c a n t
fin d a n y th in g . T h e a c tiv ity o f k n o w i n g is u n c e a s in g b u t
o n e c a n t fin d a n y th in g th a t k n o w s so o n e ca n say th a t
th is is selflessness. W h e n th e re is n o m in d , th e re is
selflessness a n d th e r e is e m p tin e s s so o n e ca n call th is
th e in s e p a r a b ility o f cla rity a n d e m p tin e s s . T h is selfless
ness, o r e g o le ssn e ss, is s o m e th in g th a t w e h a v e n t re ally
t h o u g h t o f t h r o u g h o u t b e g in n in g le s s tim e th a t w e have
b e e n in s a m s a ra b e c a u s e o u r a tte n tio n h as b e e n t u r n e d
o u tw a r d . B u t t u r n i n g in w a r d , o n e sees th is selflessness
a n d th e in s e p a ra b ility o f cla rity a n d e m p tin e s s . T h is
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e m p tin e s s , h o w e v er, is n o t e m p tin e s s m e a n in g n o t h i n g
w h a ts o e v e r b e c a u s e th e r e is th e in te r d e p e n d e n c e o f p h e
n o m e n a , th e aw are n ess o f w h a t w e e x p e rie n c e ,
f o r m s w e see, th e s o u n d s w e h e a r, a n d so o n .

th e

I f o u r m i n d is n o t u n d e r c o n tro l, th e n all th e o b s c u r
a tio n s ca n arise in th e m in d . S o all th e s e th in g s a p p e a r
a n d t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e is s o m e t h i n g lik e w a t c h i n g a
m o v ie . T h e r e is n o t h i n g a c tu a lly th e re in th e th e a te r,
y e t all th e s e p ic tu re s , s o u n d s , a n d e m o tio n s a p p e a r in
o u r m in d . S o w e have a p p e a ra n c e s a ris in g in m in d , b u t
w h e n w e in v e s tig a te m o r e clo sely , w e see th a t it h a s n o
tr u e e x is te n c e , b u t is j u s t th e in te r d e p e n d e n c e o f p h e
n o m e n a (su c h as th e m o v ie p ro je c to r, th e film , th e
s c re e n , th e s p e a k e rs , e tc .).
T h e t h i r d K a r m a p a , R a n g ju n g D o rje , d e s c rib e d th e
n a t u r e o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a in th e v a jra y a n a tr a d i
tio n . In s a m a th a th e re are o b v io u s a n d s u b tle w aves o f
t h o u g h t s th a t b e c o m e n a tu r a lly p acified . H e said th a t
th e s e o b v io u s a n d s u b tle t h o u g h t s b e c o m e stilled; th e y
are lik e th e sea. T h e r e are s o m e tim e s la rg e a n d s o m e
tim e s s m a ll w aves o n th e sea. W h e n th e se w aves cease,
t h e n th e sea is c o m p le te ly still w i t h o u t m o v e m e n t. In
th e s a m e w a y , o n e has s o m e tim e s s u b tle a n d s o m e tim e s
o b v io u s t h o u g h t s . I f th e s e b e c o m e c o m p le te ly p ac ified ,
th e m i n d b e c o m e s to ta lly still, ca lm , a n d u n m o v i n g lik e
a c a lm sea. E v en w h e n th e sea is c o m p le te ly still, th e re
ca n b e s o m e p o llu tio n , so o n e n ee d s to have v e ry p u re
a n d cle ar w a te r r u n n i n g in to th e sea fo r it to b e c o m
p le te ly p u re . L ik ew ise , even t h o u g h th e m i n d h as b e e n
stille d , th e r e ca n still b e th e d e fe c t o f d u lln e s s o f th e
m in d . S o c o r re c t s a m a th a o c c u rs w h e n th e d e fe c t o f
d u lln e s s is r e m o v e d so th a t th e re is a sta te o f c a lm a n d
s ta b ility a n d also a sta te o f cla rity .
117

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R a n g ju n g D o r je also d e s c rib e s v ip a s y a n a as l o o k in g
a g a in a n d a g a in a t s o m e t h i n g th a t c a n n o t b e seen. So
th e n a tu r e o f m i n d c a n n o t b e e x a m in e d o r a n a ly z e d . H e
says th a t o n e lo o k s at th e n a t u r e o f m i n d a g a in a n d
a g a in a n d n o t h i n g w i t h tr u e e x is te n c e ca n b e f o u n d . B y
l o o k i n g at th is a n d s e e in g th e tr u e n a tu r e o f th e m in d ,
o n e b e c o m e s free o f d o u b t a n d u n c e r ta in ty o f w h a t th e
m i n d is like. In s te a d o n e d ev elo p s a c e r ta in ty t h r o u g h
see in g th e n a t u r e o f th e m in d , a n d th is is v ip a s y a n a
m e d ita tio n .
To d ev e lo p s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a y o u have to have
d ilig e n c e a n d a p p ly y o u r s e l f to m e d ita tio n w i t h o u t g o
in g f r o m o n e m e t h o d to a n o th e r. B u t d ilig e n c e a lo n e is
n o t e n o u g h w i t h o u t h a v in g th e ac tu al p ra c tic e a n d es
se n tial in s tr u c tio n s s u c h as in g u r u y o g a . In th is p ra c tic e
y o u s u p p lic a te th e g u r u a n d in th is w a y y o u d ev e lo p
d e v o tio n to th e g u r u . F o llo w in g th is s u p p lic a tio n a n d
d e v e lo p m e n t o f fa ith a n d d e v o tio n to th e g u r u , lig h t
b e a m s o f w h ite , re d , a n d b lu e c o m e f r o m t h e g u r u (w h o
is v is u a liz e d in f r o n t o f y o u ) a n d m e r g e in to y o u rs e lf;
th u s y o u receiv e th e b le s s in g f r o m th e g u r u . W h e n th a t
o c c u rs , a t r a n s f o r m a t i o n in m e d i t a t i o n can o c c u r. I f y o u
h a d n t b e e n ab le to d ev e lo p th e in s ig h t o f v ip a s y a n a
m e d ita tio n , t h e n s u d d e n ly t h r o u g h g u r u y o g a y o u can
d ev elo p th is m e d ita tio n . I f y o u have h a d t h e e x p e rie n c e
o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a , g u r u y o g a ca n h e lp in c re a s e
th e in te n s ity o f th is e x p e rie n c e . T h e p u rific a tio n s o f
y o u r b a d k a r m a a n d th e a c c u m u la tio n o f m e r i t w ill also
in c re a se y o u r s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . T h e e lim in a tio n
o f y o u r b a d k a r m a a n d o b s c u r a tio n s w ill also re m o v e
o b sta c le s to y o u r s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . T h e r e f o r e ,
y o u d o th e p ra c tic e o f V a jrasattv a fo r th e p u r if ic a tio n o f
y o u r b a d k a r m a a n d o b s c u r a tio n s a n d d o th e p ra c tic e o f
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m a n d a la o ff e rin g to h e lp y o u r e x p e rie n c e a n d re aliza
tio n . T h e f o u r p r e li m i n a r y p ra c tic e s are v e ry i m p o r t a n t
a n d th e p u r p o s e o f d o in g th e s e p ra c tic e s is to in c re a s e
y o u r s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n . Y ou n e e d d ilig e n c e to
p r a c t i c e m e d i t a t i o n , b u t d ilig e n c e b y i t s e l f is n o t
e n o u g h , so y o u g e t h e lp f r o m th e p ra c tic e o f th e p r e li m
in arie s. T h e firs t p r e lim in a r y , p r o s tr a tio n s , is ta k in g
re fu g e in th e th re e je w e ls ( o f B u d d h a , d h a r m a , a n d
sarigha) a n d th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f b o d h ic h itta , w h i c h
causes y o u to e n te r o n th e g e n u in e p a th , a n d th e o t h e r
th r e e p re lim in a r ie s in c re a s e th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f s a m a th a
a n d v ip a s y a n . T h e p r i m a r y cau se fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t
o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n is y o u r o w n d ilig e n c e a n d th e
n e c e s s a r y c o n d itio n s are th e p r e lim in a r y p ra c tic e s. H a v
in g b o t h o f th e s e e n a b le s y o u to d ev e lo p th e u n i o n o f
s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n .

T h e T im e o f the U nion
T h e te x t says th a t th e r e are tw o k in d s o f u n io n : s a m a th a
a n d v ip a s y a n w i t h a re fe re n c e p o i n t a n d s a m a th a a n d
v ip a s y a n w i t h o u t a re fe re n c e p o in t. S a m a th a w i t h a
re fe re n c e p o i n t m e a n s th a t o n e s m i n d is fo c u s e d o n
s o m e t h i n g lik e a s ta tu e o f th e B u d d h a o r th e b re a th .
V ip a s y a n w i t h a re fe re n c e p o i n t m e a n s th a t o n e a n a ly t
ically e x a m in e s a n d d iffe re n tia te s b e tw e e n p h e n o m e n a .
W h e n th a t v i p a s y a n s re a liz a tio n arises t o g e t h e r w i t h
n o n c o n c e p t u a l s a m a th a , th e r e is th e u n i o n o f th e tw o .
T h o u g h th e r e is s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n th a t d e p e n d s o n
a re fe re n c e p o in t, th e m a in k i n d o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y
a n is n o n c o n c e p t u a l s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n th a t is
w i t h o u t a re fe re n c e p o in t. T h is k in d o f s a m a th a m e d i
ta tio n is d e s c rib e d b y R a n ju n g D o r je w h e n h e talk s o f
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th e la rg e a n d s u b tle waves b e c o m in g stilled . T h is is th e

sta te w h e r e o n e re sts in th e n a tu r e o f th e m i n d w i t h o u t
a n y c o n c e p ts . It is th e state o f s ta b ility . T h e v ip a s y a n a
is se e in g th a t th e m i n d d o e s n o t have a n y re a lity o r tru e
e x isten c e. T h e p re s e n c e o f th is s ta te o f p e a c e a n d th e
re a liz a tio n o f th e n a tu r e o f th e m i n d is th e u n i o n o f
s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . S a m a th a is an aid to th e v ip a
s y a n a a n d th e v ip a s y a n a is an aid to th e s a m a th a . So it
is called th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a .
N o n c o n c e p t u a l s a m a th a m e d ita tio n is th e m i n d j u s t
re s tin g in its n a tu r a l state. N o n c o n c e p tu a l v ip a s y a n a is
u n d e r s ta n d i n g th e in s e p a r a b ility o f th e a p p e a ra n c e s a n d
e m p tin e s s o f e x te rn a l p h e n o m e n a a n d u n d e r s ta n d i n g
th e in s e p a r a b ility o f th e aw are n ess a n d e m p tin e s s o f th e
in te rn a l p e rceiv e r. B o t h are n e c e s s a ry in o r d e r to have
th e n o n c o n c e p tu a l s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a u n i t e d as a
sin g le id e n tity . S o o n e can p ra c tic e s a m a th a a lo n e o r
o n e ca n p ra c tic e v ip a s y a n a a lo n e b u t w h e n t h e y are
p ra c tic e d t o g e t h e r th e y s h o u ld b e p ra c tic e d in u n io n .
T h e u n i o n m e a n s th a t s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a are n o t
c o e x is tin g w i t h ea ch o th e r, b u t in s te a d it is im p o s s ib le
to d iffe re n tia te b e tw e e n th e m . So i f t h e r e s n o n c o n c e p
tu a l s a m a th a , th e n th e re w ill b e n o n c o n c e p tu a l v ip a
sy an a , o r i f th e re is n o n c o n c e p tu a l v ip a s y a n a , th e n th e re
w ill b e n o n c o n c e p tu a l s a m a th a .
T h e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a is e x p la in e d
clearly b y K a m a la s ila in th e first v o lu m e o f th e Stages o f
M editation. H e says th a t w h e n p ra c tic in g m e d i t a t i o n o n e
sees th e a b se n c e o f th e essen ce o f p h e n o m e n a . B e in g a
M a d h y a m a k a e x p la n a tio n , th e s ta te m e n t m e a n s th a t o n e
sees th e e m p tin e s s o f p h e n o m e n a , w h i c h m e a n s see in g
th e tru e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a e x a c tly as it is. T h is is
d e s c rib e d b y th e B u d d h a as b e in g b e y o n d w o rd s a n d
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t h o u g h t s . B e y o n d w o r d s m e a n s th a t th e sta te c o m
p le te ly tra n s c e n d s th e a b ility to b e d e s c rib e d b y w o rd s .
B e in g b e y o n d th o u g h t s m e a n s o n e c a n n o t an a ly z e it
c o n c e p tu a lly b y th i n k in g th a t it ex ists, o r d o e s n t ex ist,
o r w h a te v e r. O n e also c a n n o t say th a t p h e n o m e n a are
n o n e x i s t e n t b e c a u s e th e re is th e aw are n ess o f m in d . T h is
d ire c t in s ig h t in to th e c la rity a n d th e a b s e n c e o f a n y tr u e
esse n ce is v ip a s y a n a t r u e in s ig h t.
W h a t t h e n is th e s a m a th a asp ect? T h is is th e a b se n c e
o f d u lln e s s o r a g ita tio n in m e d ita tio n . T h e r e is also th e
a b s e n c e o f th e th re e o b sta c le s o f a g g r e s s io n a n d d o u b t
a n d re g re t, w h i c h can h i n d e r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a stab le
m e d ita tiv e state. I f o n e has re g re t, o n e th in k s , O h , I
w i s h s u c h a n d s u c h a t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d o r T h is
th in g d i d n t t u r n o u t r i g h t , w h i c h d is ru p ts m e d ita tio n .
I f o n e h as d o u b t , o n e th in k s , Is th is tr u e o r is n t it?
a n d th is u n c e r ta in ty d is ru p ts m e d ita tio n . I f o n e has
a g g r e s s io n , o n e feels a n g e r to w a r d s o m e o n e a n d th is
w ill d i s r u p t m e d ita tio n . So in m e d ita tio n o n e is free
f r o m d u lln e s s a n d a g ita tio n a n d th e th re e o b sta c le s o f
re g re t, d o u b t , a n d a g g re s s io n ; so th e re is n o d e lib e ra te
a c tiv ity . N o d e lib e ra te a c tiv ity m e a n s th a t o n e re sts
in th e n a tu r a l s ta te o f c o n c e n tr a tio n d u e to fa m ilia riz a
tio n . W i t h th is fa m ilia riz a tio n o n e d o e s n t n e e d to m a k e
a d e lib e r a te e f fo rt to stay in m e d ita tio n . T h e te x t says
th a t w h e n o n e is ab le to see th e ac tu a l n a tu r e o f m e d i t a
t io n a n d p h e n o m e n a a n d b e free f r o m th e defects o f
a g ita tio n a n d d u lln e ss, e tc ., a n d w h e n o n e can re st
e ffo rtle s s ly in m e d i t a t i o n free f r o m a n y d e lib e ra te ac
tio n , th e n o n e h as ac h iev ed th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d
v ip a s y a n a .
T h e w a y o f p ra c tic in g th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d
v ip a s y a n a m e d i t a t i o n w a s d e s c rib e d b y M ila re p a in his
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s o n g s , p a r tic u la rly th e s o n g to N y i m a P a ld a r B u m .
P a ld a r B u m h a d a lo t o f fa ith a n d w a s v e ry s k ille d in h e r
d h a r m a p ra c tic e . She w a s also v e ry g o o d a t a s k in g s h a r p
a n d in te llig e n t q u e s tio n s . M ila re p a m e t h e r o n e tim e
w h e n h e w a s g iv in g te a c h in g s to a n u m b e r o f p e o p le .
She fe lt g re a t fa ith in M ila re p a a n d in v ite d h i m i n to h e r
h o m e . She to ld h i m th a t she w a s liv in g in s a m s a ra a n d
d u r i n g th e d ay s h e w a s b u s y p r e p a r in g f o o d a n d c lo th
in g a n d in th e e v e n in g sh e slep t. B u t s h e w a n te d to
p ra c tic e th e d h a r m a a n d a sk e d M ila re p a w h a t p ra c tic e
sh e c o u ld d o th a t w o u ld lea d h e r to a tta in B u d d h a h o o d .
M ila re p a th e n s a n g h e r a s p iritu a l s o n g (doha) in
w h i c h h e u s e d a n u m b e r o f m e ta p h o r s a n d e x a m p le s .
W h e n I w a s y o u n g m y te a c h e r to ld m e th e s t o r y o f
M ila re p a lea v in g his h o m e la n d , h a v in g h is h o u s e d e
s tro y e d , a n d la te r r e tu r n i n g to his h o m e to see th e ru in s .
I h e a r d th e s o n g in w h ic h M ila re p a d e s c rib e d h is ru in e d
h o u s e as a l i o n s u p p e r j a w a n d a n e i g h b o r i n g h o u s e as
b e in g lik e a d o n k e y s ears. W h e n I h e a r d th is s o n g as a
ch ild , I t h o u g h t it w as s o m e k in d o f m e t a p h o r . L a te r
w h e n I r e tu r n e d to T i b e t a n d saw all th e r u i n e d b u i l d
in g s, I th o u g h t , T h is re ally d o e s l o o k lik e a l i o n s j a w
a n d t h a t s lik e a d o n k e y s ears w i t h b its o f th e b u ild in g s
fallen d o w n a n d pieces s tic k in g u p . M ila r e p a s m e t a
p h o r p e rfe c tly d e s c rib e d w h a t th e ru in s l o o k e d like.
R e tu r n in g to o u r s to ry , M ila re p a gave P a ld a r B u m a
te a c h in g in a s o n g in w h ic h h e u s e d f o u r m e t a p h o r s o r
s y m b o ls . H e firs t said to h e r, L o o k at th e sk y . T h e s k y
has n o c e n te r th a t y o u can p o in t to a n d y o u c a n t
d e te r m in e w h e r e th e e d g e o f th e sk y is. In th a t s a m e
w a y re st in y o u r m i n d w i t h o u t th e re b e in g a c e n te r o r
l i m i t . S e c o n d , h e said, L o o k at th e m o u n t a i n . It is
c o m p le te ly s ta b le a n d u n m o v in g . In th a t w a y y o u r m i n d
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s h o u ld b e f i r m a n d s t e a d y . T h i r d , h e said, L o o k at
t h e s u n a n d m o o n . T h e y d o n t flu c tu a te in b rig h tn e s s .
T h e y stay c o m p le te ly cle ar w i t h th e s a m e in te n s ity all
th e tim e . In th a t w a y y o u r m i n d s cla rity s h o u ld n o t
f l u c t u a te . A n d f o u r th , h e said, L o o k at a g re a t lak e
th a t h a s n o w aves a n d is c o m p le te ly c a lm a n d still. In
th a t w a y y o u r m i n d s h o u ld b e c a lm a n d s till. M ila re p a
d id n o t m e a n th a t w e s h o u ld a c tu a lly m e d ita te o n a
m o u n t a i n , su n , lak e , o r th e sk y , b u t th e s e w e re m e t a
p h o r s f o r n o n c o n c e p tu a l m e d ita tio n w e s h o u ld have.
T h e n M ila r e p a t o ld P a ld a r B u m to m e d ita te w i t h o u t
c o n c e p ts , w h i c h is th e s a m a th a asp ect. L o o k in g a t th e
e sse n ce o f th e ab se n c e o f th o u g h t s is th e v ip a s y a n a
a sp e ct. S o h e i n s tr u c te d h e r to m e d ita te w i t h th e u n i o n
o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a b y te llin g h e r to m e d ita te
w i t h o u t t h o u g h t s . To m e d ita te w i t h o u t th o u g h t s is th e
fifth in s t r u c t i o n in th is s o n g .
N y i m a P a ld a r B u m

m e d i t a t e d a n d c a m e b a c k to

M ila r e p a w i t h q u e s tio n s a b o u t th e s o n g g iv e n h e r. She

said th a t w h e n s h e l o o k e d at th e s k y , sh e w a s ab le to
m e d ita te lik e th e s k y in a c o m p le te ly re la x e d state. B u t
c lo u d s a p p e a r e d in th e s k y , a n d w h a t s h o u ld sh e d o
a b o u t th e clo u d s? She said th a t sh e w a s ab le to m e d ita te
o n th e m o u n ta in s . B u t w h e n d o in g this, sh e c o u ld see
p la n ts a n d tree s g r o w i n g o n th e m o u n ta in s , a n d w h a t
s h o u ld sh e d o a b o u t th e m ? She said th a t sh e w a s a b le to
m e d ita te lik e th e s u n a n d m o o n , b u t s o m e tim e s th e s u n
a n d m o o n w e re eclip sed , a n d w h a t s h o u ld s h e d o a b o u t
th e eclipse? She said sh e w a s ab le to m e d ita te o n a lake,
b u t s o m e tim e s waves w o u ld a p p e a r, a n d w h a t s h o u ld
sh e d o a b o u t th e waves? T h e m e a n in g o f h e r q u e s tio n s ,
o f c o u rs e , w as th a t sh e w a s ab le to m e d ita te o n m in d ,

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b u t w h e n sh e d id th is t h o u g h t s w o u ld arise, a n d h o w
c o u ld she m e d ita te o n th e s e th o u g h ts ?
M ila re p a re p lie d th a t it w a s v e ry g o o d th a t sh e c o u ld
m e d ita te lik e th e s k y w i t h th e ab se n c e o f a n y c e n te r o r
lim it. W h e n c lo u d s a p p e a re d , o n e s h o u ld n o t see t h e m
as b e in g a n y d iffe re n t f r o m th e s k y b e c a u s e th e y are j u s t
a m a n ife s ta tio n o f th e sk y . I f o n e can realize a n d u n d e r
s ta n d th a t th e n a t u r e o f th e se c lo u d s is th e s k y , t h e y w ill
n a tu ra lly d is a p p e a r. I f o n e is ab le to m e d ita te o n th e
m o u n ta in , th a t is g o o d . T h e p la n ts a n d tree s g r o w i n g
o n th e m o u n t a i n are n o t a n y d iffe re n t f r o m th e m o u n
tain ; th e y are s im p ly m a n ife s ta tio n s o f th e m o u n t a i n . I f
o n e is a b le to m e d ita te o n th e s u n a n d m o o n , th a t is
g o o d a n d an eclip se o f th e s u n o r m o o n is n o t h i n g o t h e r
t h a n th e n a t u r e o f th e s u n a n d m o o n . I f o n e is ab le to
m e d ita te o n a g r e a t lak e, waves are lik e ly to o c c u r,
w h ic h is j u s t th e m o v e m e n t o f th e la k e a n d th e r e f o r e
o n ly a m a n ife s ta tio n o f th e la k e b e c a u s e th e re are n o
w aves th a t are n o t a p a r t o f th e lake. T h e n M ila re p a said
th a t i f o n e is ab le to m e d ita te o n th e m in d , th e n s o m e
tim e s th o u g h t s w ill a p p e a r. B u t th e s e th o u g h t s are j u s t
m o v e m e n ts o c c u r r i n g in th e m in d . T h e y are n o t h i n g
o t h e r th a n th e m in d , a m a n ife s ta tio n o f th e m in d . W h e n
o n e d o e s n o t u n d e r s ta n d th e n a tu r e o f th e t h o u g h ts ,
th e y are lik e waves u p o n th e lake, b u t still p a r t o f th e
lake. W h e n o n e u n d e r s ta n d s th e n a t u r e o f th o u g h t s a n d
th a t th e y d o n o t have a n y tr u e essence, t h e y w ill n a t u
ra lly b e p acified .

S o o n e n e e d s to u n d e r s ta n d th a t

th o u g h t s are n o t s e p a ra te f r o m th e m in d .
In th is w a y M ila re p a t a u g h t th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d
v ip a s y a n a . R e s tin g w i t h o u t t h o u g h t s is s a m a th a m e d i
t a t i o n a n d s e e in g t h a t th e s e t h o u g h t s
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o t h e r t h a n a m a n if e s ta tio n o f th e m in d is v ip a s y a n a
m e d ita tio n .

T h e R esu lt o f the U nion

T h e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a is g re a te r th a n
a c h ie v in g e ith e r s a m a th a o r v ip a s y a n a , a n d th is re s u lt is
called g e n u in e s a m a d h i. W h e n o n e has g e n u in e s a m a d h i, t h e m e d i t a t i v e a n d p o s t m e d i t a t i v e p e r io d s a re
b le n d e d . S o o n e p ra c tic e s m e d ita tio n , th e n o n e arises
f r o m th e m e d ita tio n s e s s io n a n d t h r o u g h fa m ilia riz a tio n
w i t h m e d ita tio n , o n e ca n c o n tin u e o n e s d aily a c tiv ities
w h ile r e s tin g in th is s ta te o f m e d ita tio n . S o th is b le n d in g
o f m e d i t a t i o n a n d p o s t m e d i t a t i o n is g e n u in e s a m a d h i
th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a .
T h e g r e a t tr a n s la to r M a r p a b r o u g h t te a c h in g s o n
m e d i t a t i o n f r o m In d ia to T ib e t. M a r p a h a d tw o p rin c i
p al te a c h e rs N a r o p a a n d M a itrip a . F r o m N a r o p a h e
le a rn e d th e p a t h o f m e t h o d s in w h i c h th e re are v a rio u s
m e t h o d s to b e p ra c tic e d to g a in re a liz a tio n . B u t M a i t r l p a s te a c h in g e m p h a s iz e s d ire c t m e d ita tio n , w h i c h is
also v e ry i m p o r t a n t . T h is te a c h in g can b e f o u n d in th e
C om m entary on the Ten Suchnesses. In th is te x t h e said
th a t g e n u in e s a m a d h i w ill a c c o m p lis h a re s u lt. T h is
m e a n s th a t th e u n i o n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a is th e
g re a te s t th in g o n e can achieve. T h e r e is n o t h i n g h ig h e r
t h a n th is b e c a u s e w h a t n e e d s to b e re alized h as b e e n
re a liz e d a n d w h a t n e e d s to b e e lim in a te d h as b e e n
e lim in a te d . T h e s a m a d h i w i t h th e u n io n o f s a m a th a a n d
v ip a s y a n a fu lly d e v e lo p e d w ill free o n e f r o m th e b o n d
a g e o f s a m s a r a so o n e a tta in s a s ta te o f n o n a b i d i n g
n irv a n a , w h i c h is B u d d h a h o o d .
S o m e p e o p le are v e ry f o n d o f s tu d y in g th e d h a r m a
1 25

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a n d p ra c tic in g m e d ita tio n , b u t are n o t in te r e s te d in

a c h ie v in g B u d d h a h o o d . T h e y believe B u d d h a h o o d is
o p p o s e d to w o rld lin e s s a n d th a t to achieve B u d d h a h o o d
is to s o m e h o w d e p a r t f r o m this w o r ld a n d g o to s o m e
b u d d h a - r e a lm o r p a ra d is e . B u t a c h ie v in g B u d d h a h o o d
is n o t th a t at all. T h e T ib e ta n w o r d f o r B u d d h a is
sang-gye; sang m e a n s c le a r, a n d ^ y e m e a n s in c re a s e d
o r d e v e lo p e d . T h e m a in sy llab le o f th is w o r d is g ye ,
d e v e lo p e d , b u t th e tra n s la to r s w a n te d to m a k e th e
m e a n in g o f th e B u d d h a really clear, so t h e y a d d e d th e
first sy llab le, sang. T h r o u g h th is s a m a d h i o f th e u n i o n
o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a o n e is ab le to re m o v e all th e
fau lts o f th e klesas a n d d ev elo p c o m p le te u n d e r s ta n d i n g
o f th e n a t u r e o f p h e n o m e n a . O n e th e re fo re b e c o m e s
c lear o f th e s e d efects, w h ic h is th e m e a n in g o f th e
sy lla b le sang. O n c e all th e klesas have b e e n e lim in a te d ,
all th e w i s d o m a n d p o s itiv e q u alities o f th e B u d d h a
d ev elo p a n d th is is th e m e a n in g o f th e sy lla b le g ye.
B u d d h a h o o d is n t th e act o f g o in g to a p u r e re a lm , b u t
r a th e r b e in g in th e o r d i n a r y w o r ld w i t h th e a c h ie v e m e n t
o f th e u n io n o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a sy a n a .
T h e s u tra o f th e E xplanation o f the V iew says th a t
t h r o u g h s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a o n e b e c o m e s free o f th e
b o n d a g e o f th e n e g a tiv e p ro p e n s itie s . We are n o w in th e
h u m a n re a lm , w h i c h is o n e o f th e th r e e h i g h e r re a lm s
(th e g o d re a lm , je a lo u s g o d re a lm , a n d h u m a n re a lm ),
b u t i f th e m i n d p o is o n s are p re s e n t th is w ill r e s u lt in
a c c u m u la tin g n e g a tiv e k a r m a , a n d a c c u m u la tin g n e g a
tive k a r m a w ill re s u lt in b e in g r e b o r n in o n e o f th e
lo w e r re a lm s (th e a n im a l re a lm , h u n g r y g h o s t re a lm ,
a n d h ell re a lm ). W h e n o n e b e c o m e s free o f th e k lesas,
o n e also b e c o m e s free f r o m th e b o n d a g e o f c o n c e p tu a l
d e s ig n a tio n s . F o r th e o r d in a r y p e r s o n , th e m i n d g ra sp s
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a t th in g s a n d is so a tta c h e d to p h e n o m e n a th a t it d o e s n t
see th e ir tr u e n a tu re . S o th e b o n d a g e o f n e g a tiv e p r o
p e n s itie s p re v e n ts th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f m e d ita tio n , th e
e lim in a tio n o f th e k lesas, th e r e b ir t h in a h i g h e r re a lm ,
a n d th e a t t a i n m e n t o f lib e ra tio n . T h e b o n d a g e o f n e g a
tive p ro p e n s itie s a n d th e b o n d a g e o f c o n c e p tu a l c h a ra c
te ristic s (d e s c rib e d in th e E xpla n a tio n o f the V iew su tra )
are th e o b s c u r a tio n s o f th e k lesas a n d th e o b s c u r a tio n s
o f k n o w le d g e . W h e n th e s e o b s c u r a tio n s are re m o v e d ,
all th e positive, q u a litie s s u c h as w is d o m , c la irv o y an ce ,
a n d m ir a c u lo u s p o w e rs n a tu r a lly a p p e a r. T h is is s im ila r
to w h e n th e c lo u d s m o v e aw ay f r o m in f r o n t o f th e s u n
so th a t th e s u n sh in e s in its full b rillia n c e w i t h o u t
a n y t h i n g n e w h a v in g to b e cre a te d . In th e s a m e w a y ,
c le a rin g aw ay all th e o b s c u r a tio n s allo w s all th e p o s itiv e
q u a litie s to s h in e in th e ir b rillia n c e .
In b rie f, w e sit in m e d i t a t i o n a n d fo c u s o u r m i n d
u p o n th e e x te rn a l in s e p a r a b ility o f a p p e a ra n c e a n d e m p
tin e ss a n d th e in te r n a l in s e p a r a b ility o f aw are n ess a n d
e m p tin e s s . T h e n i f w e a llo w o u r m i n d to b e c o m e in
v o lv e d in m a n y d iffe re n t t h o u g h t s in th e p o s tm e d i t a t i o n
sta te , w e w ill n o t b e ab le to m a k e a n y p r o g r e s s in o u r
m e d ita tio n . S o w e n e e d to have m in d fu ln e s s a n d a w a re
n ess in th e p o s t m e d i t a t i o n state. In th e b e g in n in g th is is
d iffic u lt, b u t w h a te v e r w e are d o in g w e s h o u ld u se
m in d f u ln e s s to c o n t r o l o u r aw are n ess so th a t a n a tu r a l
c o n t r o l o f o u r a c tio n s is d ev e lo p e d . W h e n w e are w o r k
in g , e a tin g , g o i n g s o m e w h e r e , o r ta lk in g w i t h s o m e
o n e , w e c u ltiv a te th is n a tu r a l s e lf- c o n tro l o f m in d fu ln e s s
a n d aw are n ess. T h e te x t says th a t in p o s t m e d i t a t i o n w e
see all p h e n o m e n a as b e in g illu s o ry . T h is m e a n s th a t in
p o s t m e d i t a t i o n w e re ta in w h a te v e r re a lity a n d u n d e r
s ta n d in g w e have g a in e d in o u r m e d ita tio n a n d see all
127

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& In

s i g h t

p h e n o m e n a as illu s io n so th a t w e w o n t b e c o m e a tta c h e d
to p h e n o m e n a . T h is is w h a t w e s h o u ld d o in th e p o s t m e d ita tiv e state.
T h e r e are th r e e k in d s o f b e h a v io r th a t o n e s h o u ld
p ra c tic e in th e p o s tm e d ita tiv e state: (i) m a k i n g o ffe rin g s
to th e B u d d h a s a n d b o d h is a ttv a s , (2) d e v e lo p in g c o m
p a s s io n to w a r d b e in g s , a n d (3) d e d ic a tin g all o f o n e s
g o o d a c tio n s a n d k a r m a . O n e m a k e s o ffe rin g s to th e
B u d d h a s a n d b o d h is a ttv a s n o t b e c a u s e o ffe rin g s m a k e
t h e m h a p p y a n d o n c e h a p p y th e y w ill h e lp us. O n e
m a k e s o ffe rin g s b e c a u s e th e d h a r m a is v e ry i m p o r t a n t
a n d th e p ra c tic e o f d h a r m a is special. T h e B u d d h a is th e
o n e w h o t a u g h t th e d h a r m a a n d th e b o d h is a ttv a s are
special b e in g s w h o have b e e n ab le to p ra c tic e th e d h a r m a
w i t h o u t o b stacle s. M a k i n g o ffe rin g s to th e s e sp ec ia l
b e in g s in cre ases o n e s o w n m o t iv a t io n to p ra c tic e th e
d h a r m a a n d to m e d ita te . W i t h o u t th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
g e n u in e m e d i t a t i o n o n e w ill re m a in in s a m s a r a a n d
e x p e rie n c e s u ffe rin g , b e in g c o n tin u o u s ly r e b o r n . B u t i f
o n e h as g e n u in e m e d i t a t i o n o n e w ill a tta in lib e ra tio n .
O n e m u s t d ev e lo p c o m p a s s io n to w a r d o t h e r b e in g s
b e c a u s e th e y are s u ffe rin g . T h e y are s u ffe rin g b e c a u s e
t h e y h a v e n t b e e n ab le to d ev e lo p g e n u in e m e d ita tio n .
So b y m a k i n g an o ff e rin g to th e B u d d h a s a n d b o d h i s a t t
vas a n d d e v e lo p in g c o m p a s s io n to w a r d b e in g s , th is b e
c o m e s p a r t o f o n e s o w n a s p ira tio n a n d in te r e s t in th e
d e v e lo p m e n t o f s a m a d h i. T h r o u g h th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
o n e s s a m a d h i, o n e w ill b e ab le to h e lp o t h e r b e in g s .
O n e also m a k e s a v a s t d e d ic a tio n , w h i c h m e a n s d e d
ic a tin g to all b e in g s w h a te v e r re a liz a tio n a n d e x p e rie n c e
o n e h as a c q u ire d f r o m o n e s m e d i t a t i o n o r w h a te v e r
g o o d k a r m a o n e h a s a c c u m u l a t e d .13 D o e s th is m e a n th a t
w h e n o n e d o e s a g o o d a c tio n , th e n o n e ca n give it to
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s o m e o n e else? N o , b e c a u s e w h e n o n e d o e s a g o o d d ee d ,
o n e receiv es th e re s u lt o f th a t a c tio n a n d c a n t g iv e o n e s
g o o d k a r m a to o th e rs . B u t th e re is a d e d ic a tio n p ra y e r
d e d ic a tin g o n e s a c tio n s to o th e rs , so is n t it r a th e r
p o in tle s s ? L e t u s ta k e a n e x a m p le . Say w e w a n te d a
flo w e r to g r o w o n th is ta b le b e f o re us. N o m a t t e r h o w
h a r d w e p ra y , n o flo w er w ill g r o w th e re . To have a
flo w e r g r o w o n th e tab le, w e m u s t g e t a flo w er p o t, soil,
w a te r, a n d th e p r o p e r seed . In th e s a m e Way, b y m a k i n g
d e d ic a tio n p ra y e rs , w e d ev e lo p a s t r o n g m o t iv a t io n to
h e lp o th e r s , t h e n t h r o u g h th e g o o d k a r m a th a t w e
a c c u m u la te f r o m th is, w e w ill b e ab le to h e lp b e in g s . So
i f w e d e d ic a te o u r g o o d a c tio n s, th e y w ill n e v e r b e
w a s te d b e c a u s e e v e n tu a lly o u r w i s h w ill b e fulfilled .
T h a t is w h y w e s h o u l d d o a v ast d e d ic a tio n to all b e in g s
in o u r p o s t m e d i t a t i o n .

D iffe r e n t K in d s o f S a m a th a
T h e n e x t s e c tio n o f th e Treasury o f K nowledge is a re v ie w
o f th e d iffe re n t k in d s o f s a m a th a a n d v ip a s y a n a . B e g in
n i n g w i t h s a m a th a , th e re is th e s a m a th a o f th e g e n e ra l
y a n a s a n d t h e n th e r e is th e s a m a th a sp ecific to th e
v a ja ra y a n a . S a m a th a o f th e s u tra m e t h o d c o n sists o f
s a m a th a m e d i t a t i o n o n th e n in e k in d s o f u n p le a s a n tn e s s
as a r e m e d y f o r d esire, o n love a n d c o m p a s s io n as a
r e m e d y f o r a n g e r, a n d o n th e b r e a th as a r e m e d y fo r
t o o m a n y t h o u g h ts .
T h e s a m a th a o f th e v a jra y a n a uses a n u m b e r o f m e t h
o d s . T h e v a jra y a n a is o f te n b e tte r b e c a u s e it h as m a n y
d if fe re n t k in d s o f m e t h o d s th a t m a k e th e p a th m u c h
ea sie r to p ra c tic e . T h u s , th e r e are a v a rie ty o f m e t h o d s
s u c h as th e m e d i t a t i o n o h love in w h i c h o n e d ev e lo p s
129

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r a c t i c e

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& I

n s i g h t

th e w is h th a t b e in g s have h a p p in e s s . I f b e in g s are w i t h
o u t h a p p in e s s , o n e w is h e s th a t th e y can b e c o m e h a p p y
a n d can have th e c o n d itio n s th a t b r i n g h a p p in e s s . T h is
is th e m e d ita tio n o n love, w h i c h is d ire c te d a t all b e in g s .
T h r o u g h th is m e d ita tio n o n love o n e d ev e lo p s a n d in
creases o n e s s a m a th a m e d ita tio n , w h ic h its e lf in cre ases
o n e s m e d ita tio n o n love. T h e n o n e m e d ita te s o n th o s e
w h o are s u ffe rin g a n d w is h e s th a t th e y b e free f r o m
s u ffe rin g a n d th e cau ses o f s u ffe rin g . T h is m e d i t a t i o n
o n c o m p a s s io n in cre ases o n e s m e d ita tio n , w h i c h in
creases o n e s c o m p a s s io n . So in this w ay , d e v e lo p in g
love a n d c o m p a s s io n in cre ases th e s ta b ility a n d stilln ess
o f o n e s m in d .
T h e m e t h o d f o r d e v e lo p in g love a n d c o m p a s s io n is to
firs t m e d ita te o n th e sa m e n e s s o f o n e s e lf a n d o th e rs .
O n e th in k s th a t e v e ry th in g o n e e x p e rie n c e s th a t is p le a
s u ra b le is w h a t o t h e r b e in g s also like. I f o n e e x p e rie n c e s
th in g s o n e d o e s n o t like, it is th e s a m e f o r o t h e r b e in g s .
In th is w a y o n e c o n te m p la te s a n d realizes th e sa m e n e s s
o f o n e s e lf a n d o th e rs . N e x t o n e m e d ita te s o n c h e ris h in g
o th e rs m o r e t h a n o n eself. T h e r e are a c tio n s o n e d o es
f o r o n ese lf. I f o n e d o e s th is f o r o t h e r b e in g s in s te a d o f
a c tin g j u s t fo r o n eself, it is o f m u c h g re a te r b e n e fit. So
o th e rs are see n as m o r e i m p o r t a n t th a n o n ese lf. F in a lly ,
th e re is th e p ra c tic e o f e x c h a n g in g o n e s e lf fo r o th e rs ,
k n o w n as s e n d in g a n d ta k in g (T ib . tonglen). T h r o u g h
th is p ra c tic e o n e s m i n d p o is o n s b e c o m e less a n d o n e s
love a n d c o m p a s s io n f o r o th e rs in cre ase, a n d th e s ta b il
ity o f o n e s m i n d in cre ases.
T h e r e is also th e v a jra y a n a p ra c tic e o f b r e a t h i n g u s e d
w i t h i n th e K a g y ii tr a d itio n called g e n tle b r e a t h i n g in
th re e p h ase s. In n o r m a l b r e a th in g , th e re is a n in - b r e a t h
a n d an o u t - b r e a t h . In th is p ra c tic e o f b r e a t h i n g o n e
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c o u n ts th e in h a la tio n a n d e x h a la tio n o f th e b r e a th to
d ev e lo p s ta b ility o f m in d . T h e Treasury o f K now ledge
m e n t i o n s th e in - b r e a th , o u t - b r e a t h , a n d th e p a u s e b e
tw e e n th e s e w h e n th e b r e a th re m a in s in th e b o d y . T h is
is G a m p o p a s g e n tle b r e a th p ra c tic e in th re e s t a g e s .
T h is m e t h o d is n o t lik e v ase b r e a t h i n g , w h i c h is .a
s t r o n g e r a n d m o r e in te n s e m e t h o d , to o s t r o n g fo r th e
b e g in n e r . In G a m p o p a s m e t h o d firs t th e re is th e in
b re a th , t h e n th e b r e a t h is h e ld a t th e a b d o m e n f o r a
w h ile , a n d t h e n th e re is th e o u t - b r e a t h , m a k i n g th re e
d iffe re n t stag es. T h e re a s o n fo r h o ld in g th e b r e a t h is
th a t n o r m a l b r e a t h i n g i s d o n e a t th e level o f th e m o u t h
a n d th e b r e a t h d o e s n o t s p re a d t h r o u g h o u t th e b o d y .
H o w e v e r, i f o n e h o ld s th e b re a th , t h e n th e air w ill s p re a d
t h r o u g h o u t th e b o d y . I f o n e h o ld s th e b r e a th a t th e level
o f th e c h e st, o n e d o e s n o t g e t th e air t h r o u g h th e b o d y
a n d it feels u n c o m f o r t a b l e . I f o n e h o ld s th e b r e a th b e lo w
th e are a o f th e navel, th e a ir w ill s p re a d t h r o u g h o u t th e
body.
I f o n e m e d ita te s j u s t o n in h a la tio n a n d e x h a la tio n , it
is p o s s ib le to b e c o m e d is tra c te d a n d fo r g e t o n e s m e d i
ta tio n . I f o n e s m e d i t a t i o n is o n in h a la tio n , h o l d i n g th e
b re a th , a n d e x h a la tio n , t h e n i f o n e lo ses o n e s m i n d f u l
n ess o n e w ill f o r g e t to h o l d th e b r e a th a n d it w ill b e
o b v io u s th a t o n e h as lo s t o n e s aw aren ess. So d o in g
b r e a t h i n g in th r e e stag es is m o r e b e n e ficial to d ev e lo p
s ta b ility o f m i n d t h a n j u s t m e d ita tin g o n th e in - a n d
o u t-b re a th .
T h e firs t m e t h o d sp ecific to th e v a jra y a n a is th e
m e t h o d called in d iv id u a l w ith d r a w a l (Skt. prdtyahdra,
T ib . sordu), w h i c h in v o lv es c u ttin g t h r o u g h th e o b jec ts
o f m in d . T h e r e are six o b s ta c le s th a t are th e p rin c ip a l
o b s ta c le s to s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . T h e s e are d u lln e s s ,

131

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r a c t i c e

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n s i g h t

a g ita tio n , a g g re s s io n , re g re t, u n c e r ta in ty , a n d a tta c h

m e n t. O n e h as to re c o g n iz e ea c h o f th e s e o b s ta c le s
in d iv id u a lly . In m e d ita tio n o n e can in v e s tig a te ea ch o f
th ese. O n e m i g h t th in k , f o r e x a m p le , I m fe elin g
re g re t. T h is is an o b s ta c le so I have to a p p ly th e r e m e d y
to i t . It is easier to ta k e o n e p a r tic u la r k i n d o f t h o u g h t
o r o b s ta c le a n d d eal w i t h th a t, r a th e r th a n d eal w i t h all
t h o u g h t s as th e y c o m e u p . T h is is called th e in d iv id u a l
w ith d ra w a l b e c a u s e th e in d iv id u a l refers to th e in d i
v id u a l o b sta c le s th a t are c u t th r o u g h .
T h e s e c o n d s a m a th a p ra c tic e o f th e v a jra y a n a is called
th e e m p t y s tr u c t u r e o f ch a n n e ls (nadis). In th e b o d y
th e re are th re e p rin c ip a l c h a n n e ls th e c e n tra l c h a n n e l
(avaduti), th e left c h a n n e l (lolana), a n d th e r i g h t c h a n n e l
(:rasana). In this p ra c tic e o n e m e d ita te s o n th e s e th re e
c h a n n e ls a n d th e c h a k ra s.
T h e th ir d m e t h o d is th e p ra c tic e o f p ra n a y o g a o r th e
p ra c tic e o f th e v ay u s (s u b tle airs in th e b o d y ) . O n e s
m e d ita tio n is o n th e s u b tle c h a n n e ls a n d o n e m e d ita te s
o n th e s u b tle airs th a t flo w t h r o u g h th e ch a n n e ls. T h e r e
are d iffe re n t y o g a s a n d p ra ctices fo r th e s e s u b tle airs.
T h e r e is a p ra c tic e fo r b r in g in g lo n g life a n d t h e r e s a
p ra c tic e fo r m a k i n g th e b o d y feel b lissfu l a n d th e re is
th e p ra c tic e fo r in c re a s in g w is d o m , a n d so o n . T h e n
th e re is th e p ra c tic e o f th e b in d u s o r s u b tle d r o p s w h e r e
o n e m a k e s th e b in d u s p e r m e a te th e b o d y , c re a tin g
p h y s ic a l bliss a n d th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e u n i o n o f bliss
a n d e m p tin e s s .
In th e v a jra y an a te a c h in g s th e re is also th e p ra c tic e o f
m e d ita tio n o n th e y i d a m d eities. S o m e tim e s o n e i m a g
ines th e y i d a m ab o v e o n e s h e a d a n d s o m e tim e s o n e
im a g in e s o n e s e lf as th e y id a m d e ity . S o m e tim e s to m a k e
o n e s m e d ita tio n o n th e d e ity clearer, o n e m e d ita te s o n
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le tte rs a n d sy llab les o f a m a n tr a . T h e y are at tim e s
i m a g in e d as v e ry la rg e a n d s o m e tim e s v e ry sm a ll, b u t
all th is is in o r d e r to c re a te s ta b ility o f m in d . T h r o u g h
th is v is u a liz a tio n o r d e v e lo p m e n t p h a s e o f p ra c tic e o n e
is a b le to e lim in a te th e i m p u r e a p p e a ra n c e s o f p h e n o m
en a a n d d e v e lo p p u r e a p p e a ra n c e s . B y in v itin g th e w is
d o m d e ities o n e receiv es th e b le ssin g . T h e v is u a liz a tio n
p ra c tic e is a sp ecial m e t h o d f o r d e v e lo p in g a s ta b ility o f
m i n d th a t is n o t to o t i g h t o r to o lo o se . O n e j u s t re sts in
th e n a tu r a l s ta te o f th e m in d . In g e n e ra l, th e v is u a liz a
t io n (T ib . kyerim ) s ta g e o f th e p ra c tic e s act as m e t h o d s
f o r d e v e lo p in g s a m a th a m e d ita tio n . S o m e p e o p le d o
v is u a liz a tio n p ra c tic e s w i t h th e h o p e o f g e ttin g a v e ry
clear v is u a liz a tio n . W h e n th is d o e s n o t h a p p e n , th e y
b e c o m e d is a p p o in te d a n d d o n o t lik e to d o th e p ra ctice.
It is n o t th e p u r p o s e o f th e v is u a liz a tio n to g e t a clear
v is u a liz a tio n , b u t to m e d ita te o n th e n a t u r e o f th e d e ity
so o n e ca n d ev e lo p its p u r e a p p e a ra n c e s a n d c re a te
s ta b ility o f m in d . W h e n o n e b e c o m e s d is tra c te d , th e
d e ity w ill b e f o r g o tt e n a n d o n e w ill re a d ily n o tic e it.
T h e r e f o r e , v is u a liz a tio n is a sp ecial m e a n s to d ev e lo p
s ta b ility o f m i n d a n d aw are n ess.
S o m e tim e s w h e n w e b e c o m e tire d o f v is u a liz in g a
d e ity o r m e d ita tin g o n o u r b re a th , w e can t h e n d o
m a n t r a r e c ita tio n p ra c tic e . R e c itin g m a n tr a s ca n b e d o n e
w i t h a s o u n d o r w i t h o u t a s o u n d . W h e n w e re cite a
m a n t r a w i t h o u t a s o u n d , w e d o it q u ie tly so th a t n o o n e
can h e a r it. It is tra d itio n a lly d e s c rib e d as re c itin g th e
m a n t r a so th a t th e s o u n d o n ly reach es o n e s c o lla r .
W h e n r e c itin g th e m a n t r a w e s h o u ld b e aw are o f each
sy lla b le o f th e m a n t r a so th e m in d is a w are o f ea ch o f
th e s e s y llab les. I f th e m a n t r a is o m m a n i p e m e h u n g
w e d o n t j u s t re c ite it w i t h o u t b e in g aw are o f it, b u t
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of

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n s i g h t

re c ite it v e ry q u ie tly , so th a t o th e rs can b a r e ly h e a r it,

k e e p in g th e m i n d aw are o f th e s o u n d o f th e m a n t r a
w i t h o u t d is tra c tio n . T h e r e is also th e m e n ta l re c ita tio n
o f th e m a n t r a in w h i c h w e d o n o t u s e o u r voice. We
c o u n t th e m a n tra s w i t h o u r mala a n d re cite th e m a n t r a
fu lly in o u r m in d . W e u s u a lly d o o n e h u n d r e d o f th e s e
a n d t h e r e is n o p o s s ib ility o f b e in g d is tr a c te d b y m e n
tally re c itin g th e m a n t r a b e c a u s e w e are c o u n t i n g o n th e
mala. D o i n g this m a k e s o u r m i n d s ta b le a n d it also
m a k e s th e m i n d s o r ie n ta tio n to th e m a n t r a b e c o m e
m u c h clearer.
T h e n th e r e is m a n t r a re c ita tio n called re c ita tio n w i t h
c e ssatio n . T h e m e n ta l re c ita tio n is jo i n e d to th e b r e a t h
in g so th a t it is n o t j u s t a m e n ta l re c ita tio n . W e re c ite
o n e p a r t o f th e m a n t r a w h ile in h a lin g , o n e p a r t w h ile
h o ld in g th e b re a th , a n d o n e p a r t w h ile e x h a lin g . T h is
d o e s n o t in v o lv e a c tu a l s o u n d . F o r e x a m p le , w i t h th e
G u r u R in p o c h e (P a d m a s a m b h a v a ) m a n tra , o n th e in
b r e a th w e re cite o m a h h u n g a n d w i t h th e h e ld b r e a th
w e re cite b e n d z a g u r u p e m a a n d w i t h th e o u t - b r e a t h
s i d d h i h u n g . T h e re a s o n th is is called re c ita tio n w i t h
c e s s a tio n is th a t th is m e t h o d s to p s all th o u g h t s .
T h e r e are th e ab ov e m e th o d s th a t u se a re fe re n c e
p o in t, a n d th e re is also th e m e t h o d o f d ire c t o r n a k e d
r e c o g n itio n o f th e m i n d s n a tu re . A ll th ese m e t h o d s are
m e a n s to d ev elo p s u p r e m e w is d o m . T h e r e are m a n y
m e t h o d s to g a in th is w i s d o m a n d th e m e t h o d s are g iv e n
in a c c o rd a n c e w i t h th e i n d iv id u a ls c a p ab ilitie s a n d n a
tu re . S o m e m e t h o d s are fo r in d iv id u a ls w i t h s t r o n g
d e v o tio n , s o m e are fo r th o s e w i t h s t r o n g u n d e r s ta n d in g ,
a n d so o n , so o n e d o e s n t d o every m e t h o d o f s a m a th a
a n d v ip a s y a n a d e s c rib e d , b u t th e o n e th a t is s u ita b le to
o n e s c a p a c ity a n d n a tu re .
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W h a t is d e v e lo p e d b y all th e p ra c tic e s o f s a m a th a is
s ta b ility o f m in d . W ith th is s ta b ility o n e can d ev e lo p
v ip a s y a n a . I f th e m i n d is s ta b le a n d r e s tin g in its n a tu r a l
sta te , o n e can u s e s h a rp u n d e r s ta n d i n g to a n a ly z e a n d
in v e s tig a te th e te x ts o r u n d e r s ta n d th e m e a n in g o f th e
w o r d s o f th e te x ts . S o w i t h s ta b ility o f m in d , o n e can
e x a m in e a n d u n d e r s ta n d w h a te v e r o n e fo c u ses o n e s
m i n d o n , so th a t o n e s s a m a th a p ra c tic e b e c o m e s v ip a
s y a n a p ra c tic e .
S o m e tim e s a n a ly tic a l m e d i t a t i o n is d o n e b y it s e l f a n d
s o m e t i m e s n o n a n a ly tic m e d i t a t i o n is d o n e alo n e . S o m e
tim e s t h e y are d o n e a lte rn a te ly . I f d o n e c o rre c tly , e ith e r
m e t h o d c a n lea d to th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f s a m a th a a n d
v ip a s y a n a . In t e r m s o f a g o a l t h e y are th e s am e; in te r m s '
o f a p a th , h o w e v e r, th e re is a d iffe re n c e b e tw e e n t h e m .

L evels and Results o f M ed ita tio n

T h e te x t gives a n a d d e d e x p la n a tio n o f th e th re e d iffe r
e n t levels o f m e d i t a t i o n (dhyana). T h e firs t level is o f
o r d i n a r y b e in g s a n d th is is called lite ra lly the experience
o f an immature being. In te r m s o f p ra c tic e , th e p e r s o n at
th is level is ab le to re c o g n iz e to a c e rta in e x te n t w h e n a
d is tr a c tio n o c c u rs a n d is ab le to r e t u r n to m e d ita tio n .
T h r o u g h d o i n g th is, v a r io u s e x p e rie n c e s o f m e d i t a t i o n
o c c u r. T h e s e c o n d s ta g e is th e level o f th e b o d h is a ttv a
a n d th is is called th e level o f meditation that differentiates
meanings. In th is m e d ita tiv e s ta te th e re is a v e ry clear
u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f th e n a t u r e o f p h e n o m e n a s u c h as
d e p e n d e n t o r ig in a tio n , t h e illu s o r y n a t u r e o f p h e n o m
en a, a n d so o n a n d w i s d o m d ev e lo p s m o r e a n d m o r e .
T h e t h i r d s ta te is the ultim ate stage o f a Buddha in w h i c h
th e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a is seen; th is is k n o w n as th e
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o f

T r a n q u i l l i t y

&

I n s i g h t

p r im o r d ia l n a t u r e o f peace. It is n o t a n e w w i s d o m , b u t
a re a liz a tio n th a t c o m e s c o m p le te ly e ffo rtle s s ly . So th e se
are th e th r e e k in d s o f m e d ita tio n in re la tio n to th a tn e s s ,
th e tr u e n a tu r e o f p h e n o m e n a .
T h e Treasury o f K nowledge d o e s n o t d iscu ss th e e x p e
rien c es th a t c o m e f r o m m e d ita tio n in p a r tic u la r, so I
sh all o ffe r m y o w n t h o u g h t s o n th is to p ic as a s u m m a r y .
T h e re s u lt o f p ra c tic in g m e d ita tio n is re a liz a tio n a n d
e x p e rie n c e . M e d ita tio n e x p e rie n c e s are t e m p o r a r y a n d
c o m e r a th e r q u ic k ly . R ealiza tio n , h o w e v er, is a tta in e d
t h r o u g h th e g ra d u a l p ro c e s s o f m e d ita tio n a n d is la s tin g .
O n e has to w o r k o n a tta in in g re a liz a tio n , w h e re a s o n e
s h o u ld have n o a tt a c h m e n t to th e e x p e rie n c e o f m e d ita
tio n w h e t h e r g o o d o r b ad . I f o n e h as a g o o d e x p e rie n c e
in m e d ita tio n , o n e s h o u ld th in k th a t it is ju s t an a p p e a r
an c e o r m a n ife s ta tio n o f th e m i n d a n d have n o jo y th a t
o n e h as h a d it. I f o n e d o e s d ev e lo p an a t t a c h m e n t to
m e d ita tio n a l e x p e rie n c e s , o n e w ill d ev e lo p p rid e , w h ic h
w ill ca u se f u r th e r o b sta c le s to o n e s m e d ita tio n . I f o n e
h as a b a d e x p e rie n c e , o n e s h o u ld n o t b e fr ig h te n e d
b e c a u s e it also is j u s t an a p p e a ra n c e o f m in d .
T h e d iffe re n t e x p e rie n c e s o f m e d ita tio n are d u e to th e
d iffe re n c e s o f th e s u b tle c h a n n els. S o m e p e o p le g e t
e x p e rie n c e s r i g h t aw ay, o th e rs d o n t g e t a n y p a r tic u la r
m e d ita tio n a l e x p e rie n c e u n til th e ir m e d i t a t i o n b e c o m e s
f ir m a n d stab le. T h e r e is n o re a s o n to feel h a p p y th a t
o n e has h a d a g o o d e x p e rie n c e o r th in k th a t o n e is n o t
) g e ttin g a n y w h e r e b e c a u s e o n e h as h a d n o e x p e rie n c e s .
T h e r e is also n o re a s o n to th in k th a t o n e h a s a p r o b l e m
b e c a u s e o n e is h a v in g d iffe re n t e x p e rie n c e s in m e d ita
tio n , o r th a t o n e d o e s n o t have s tab le m e d ita tio n b e c a u s e
o n e is h a v in g fe w o r n o e x p e rie n c e s. T h e r e is n o r e a s o n
to b e h a p p y o r sad b e c a u s e e x p e rie n c e s in m e d ita tio n

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are j u s t a c r e a tio n o f th e m i n d d u e to d iffe re n t k in d s o f
c h a n n e ls a n d have n o t h i n g to d o w i t h m e d ita tio n .
T h e r e are th re e k in d s o f m e d ita tio n e x p e rie n c e s
bliss, cla rity , a n d th e a b s e n c e o f th o u g h t s . T h e e x p e r i
en c e o f bliss o c c u rs w h e n o n e is m e d ita tin g a n d feels
h a p p y a n d h as a fe e lin g o f p h y s ic a l bliss. I f th is o c c u rs ,
o n e s h o u l d have n o a t t a c h m e n t to it o r ta k e it as a s ig n
o f g o o d m e d ita tio n . In s te a d o n e s h o u ld j u s t i g n o r e it
a n d k e e p o n w i t h th e m e d ita tio n . T h e r e is a v e ry clear
a w a re n e ss in w h i c h o n e sees e v e ry th in g a n d k n o w s
e v e ry th in g w i t h th e e x p e rie n c e o f c la rity a n d th is is also
j u s t a f a b ric a tio n o f m in d . O n e s h o u ld n o t t h i n k th a t
th is is g e n u in e m e d i t a t i o n b u t s h o u ld have n o a tta c h
m e n t o r in v o lv e m e n t in th is e x p e rie n c e o f c la rity . W h e n
o n e e x p e rie n c e s th e a b s e n c e o f th o u g h t , o n e m a y th i n k
th a t o n e h as a tta in e d a s ta te o f c o m p le te s ta b ility in
m e d ita tio n . B u t o n e s h o u l d n t s to p th e re , o n e s h o u ld
j u s t c o n tin u e u n c e a s in g ly w i t h o n e s p ra c tic e o f m e d i
ta tio n .
W h e n o n e is p r a c tic in g th e d h a r m a a n d th e re are n o
g r e a t o b sta c le s, it is ea sy to d ev e lo p in te rn a l o b sta c le s to
o n e s p ra c tic e . T h is o c c u rs b e c a u s e o n e b e g in s to t h in k
th a t o n e h as a g re a t p ra c tic e a n d feels v e ry p r o u d . T h is
p rid e it s e l f is a g re a t o b s ta c le to o n e s d h a r m a p ra c tic e
a n d m e d ita tio n . It is sa id in T i b e t th a t in t o th e so lid
b all o f p r id e th e w a te r o f p o s itiv e q u alities c a n n o t b e
p o u r e d . T h is m e a n s th a t w h e n o n e b e c o m e s p r o u d ,
o n e is lik e a s o lid l u m p a n d th is b e c o m e s an o b sta c le .
In s te a d o n e s h o u l d have h u m i li t y , faith, a n d d e v o tio n to
th e d h a r m a . B e c a u s e p r id e is s u c h a g re a t o b sta c le , o n e
s h o u ld e x a m in e o n e s e lf to see i f p rid e is th e re o r n o t.
W h e n G a m p o p a first h e a r d th e n a m e M i l a r e p a , h e
felt g r e a t fa ith in M ila r e p a a n d w e n t to fin d h im . H e
137

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r a c t i c e

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n s i g h t

k e p t a s k in g th e w a y u n til h e fin ally g o t v e ry clo se to

w h e r e M ila re p a w a s s ta y in g . T h e p u p ils o f M ila re p a
c a m e o u t to m e e t h im , a n d o n e o f his s tu d e n ts , a
w o m a n , said s h e w o u ld ta k e h i m to h e r h o u s e to stay
th e n i g h t a n d t h e n e x t d ay sh e w o u ld ta k e h i m to see
M ila re p a . She sa id th a t sh e h a d seen M ila r e p a th a t day
a n d M ila re p a h a d to l d h e r th a t th e re w o u l d b e a m o n k
c o n f in g f r o m c e n tra l T i b e t w h o h a d g o o d q u a litie s a n d
w o u ld b e a g r e a t p u p il o f his. M ila re p a h a d also s aid
th a t th e o n e w h o i n t r o d u c e d th is m o n k to M ila re p a
w o u l d b e v e ry f o r tu n a te a n d w o u ld n o t b e r e b o r n in th e
lo w e r re a lm s . A f te r h e a rin g th is, G a m p o p a t h o u g h t ,
O h , i f M ila re p a is a g re a t s id d h a , h e h as g re a t k n o w l
e d g e . F r o m th e w a y h e ta lk e d I a m v e ry f o r tu n a t e a n d
w ill n o t have m u c h d iffic u lty w i t h d h a r m a p r a c t i c e .
G a m p o p a b e c a m e so p r o u d th a t M ila r e p a s e n t d o w n a
p u p il e a c h day f o r tw o w e e k s say in g , D o n t b e u p s e t,
b u t y o u c a n t c o m e to see M ila re p a y e t . In th is w ay ,
G a m p o p a s p r id e w a s e lim in a te d . S o w e see h o w p r id e
can b e an o b s ta c le to d h a r m a p ra ctice.
S o m e in d iv id u a ls w h o p ra c tic e in a v e ry d a r k re tr e a t
(bardo re tre a t) w ill see all s o rts o f lig h ts a n d w ill feel
th e ir b o d ie s s h a k in g a n d so o n d u r i n g m e d ita tio n s .
T h e s e are e x p e rie n c e s th a t o n e m u s t n o t b e c o m e a t
ta c h e d to b e c a u s e th e y are j u s t a p p e a ra n c e s o f th e m in d .
G o o d o r b a d , o n e j u s t c o n tin u e s w i t h o n e s m e d i t a t i o n
w i t h o u t b e c o m in g in v o lv e d w i t h th e m . S in ce d re a m s
are e x p r e s s io n s o f th e m in d , th e m e d i t a t i o n w ill c re a te
all k in d s o f d re a m s . B u t th e re is n o n e e d to b e c o m e
a tta c h e d to a g o o d d r e a m o r fix a te d u p o n a b a d d r e a m .
F o r e x a m p le , w h e n G a m p o p a w e n t to see M ila re p a to
tell h i m a b o u t h is v a rio u s d re a m s , M ila r e p a re p lie d ,
A bu w e re l y in g to m e w h e n y o u c a m e a n d said th a t

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y o u h a d d o n e a lo t o f pra c tic e . I f y o u h a d d o n e a l o t o f
p ra c tic e , y o u w o u l d n t h av e all th is a t t a c h m e n t to
d re a m s .
I f o n e h as a d r e a m a n d th in k s s o m e t h i n g g o o d is
g o i n g to h a p p e n b u t n o t h i n g a c tu a lly h a p p e n s in o n e s
p ra c tic e , t h e n o n e w ill lo se th e d e te r m in a tio n to p r a c
tice. S im ila rly , i f o n e e x p e rie n c e s bliss a n d c la rity in
o n e s m e d i t a t i o n a n d th in k s , O h , I have a v e ry g o o d
m e d i t a t i o n a n d b e c o m e s a tta c h e d to it, b u t th e n e x t
t im e o n e d o e s n o t e x p e rie n c e it, o n e m i g h t th e n th in k ,
O h , I have lo s t m y m e d i t a t i o n . S o o n e s h o u ld n o t b e
a tta c h e d to th e s e e x p e rie n c e s , b u t realize th a t th e se
e x p e rie n c e s d o n o t c h a n g e th e esse n ce o f o n e s m e d ita
tio n . E v e n i f o n e d o e s n t e x p e rie n c e a n y th in g , o n e d o es
n o t c h a n g e o n e s m e d i t a t i o n b u t j u s t p ra c tic e s w i t h th a t
s ta te o f m i n d in m e d ita tio n .
P o s tu r e o f th e b o d y is v e ry i m p o r t a n t in m e d ita tio n .
F o r e x a m p le , w h e n G a m p o p a w a s p ra c tic in g , h e h a d
th e e x p e rie n c e o f th e w h o l e valley o u ts id e h is cave
b e c o m in g filled w i t h s m o k e . W h e n th e s m o k e cle are d ,
h e b e c a m e v e ry u n c o m f o r t a b l e b e c a u s e h e h e a rd g re a t
s h o u tin g . H e t h o u g h t th a t h e m u s t have b e c o m e afflicted
b y s o m e k i n d o f d e m o n o r sp irit. W h e n h e ask e d
M ila r e p a a b o u t it, M ila re p a re p lie d th a t h is p o s tu r e w a s
n o t c o r r e c t a n d th is w a s t i g h te n in g h is in n e r c h a n n e ls ,
w h i c h t h e n c a u s e d th e s e e x p e rie n c e s . So th e seven as
p ec ts o f th e V a iro can a p o s t u r e o r th e five asp e cts o f
d h y a n a p o s t u r e are i m p o r t a n t . It is n o t esse n tia l to have
o n e s leg s in th e v ajra p o s tu r e , b u t it is v e ry i m p o r t a n t
to have o n e s b o d y s ittin g v e ry s tra ig h t. T h is s ittin g u p
s tr a ig h t is i m p o r t a n t w h e t h e r o n e is re c itin g a m a n tr a ,
d o in g a v is u a liz a tio n , o r p ra c tic in g a n y o t h e r k i n d o f
m e d ita tio n . S ittin g u p r i g h t e n a b les o n e to have m i n d f u l
139

he

r a c t i c e

of

r a n q u i l l i t y

& In

s i g h t

ness, aw aren ess, a n d a tte n tiv e n e s s to o n e s m e d i t a t i o n

p ra c tic e a n d th e v ayus w ill flo w c o r re c tly in th e s u b tle
ch a n n els.
To m e d ita te w e n e e d to have th e g r e a t d ilig e n c e called
a r m o r - lik e d ilig e n ce . It is lik e a r m o r b e c a u s e w h e n w e
w e a r a r m o r , w e 'have g r e a t c o u ra g e . T h e re a s o n w e n e e d
th is d ilig e n c e is1 b e c a u se th e v a jra y an a te a c h e s h o w to
a tta in B u d d h a h o o d in o n e life tim e , a n d w h e n p e o p le
h e a r th is th e y have th e e x p e c ta tio n o f re a c h in g th e g o a l
v e ry q u ic k ly . W h e n th e y d o n t g e t g re a t re s u lts q u ic k ly ,
th e y t h e n lo se c o n fid e n c e . S o w e n e e d to have g re a t
d ilig e n c e w i t h o u t th e e x p e c ta tio n o f a c h ie v in g q u ic k
re s u lts b e c a u se first w e have to e lim in a te all th e m i n d
p o is o n s to w h i c h w e have b e c o m e h a b itu a te d t h r o u g h
o u t b e g in n in g le s s sa m s a ra . T h e n w e have to a tta in all
th e q u alities, w i s d o m , a n d o m n is c ie n c e o f th e B u d d h a .
In o r d e r to a tta in th e s e p o s itiv e q u alities a n d e lim in a te
all th e n e g a tiv e m i n d p o is o n s , w e n e e d g r e a t d ilig e n c e .
S o w e m u s t n o t t h i n k th a t th e re w ill b e q u ic k re s u lts to
o u r p ra c tic e . W e ca n achieve B u d d h a h o o d w i t h i n o n e
life tim e in th e v ajray an a, b u t w e n e e d a g r e a t d eal o f
diligence^ lik e th a t o f M ila re p a , w h ic h is d iffic u lt fo r
m o s t p e o p le to m u s te r .
We m i g h t t h i n k th a t w e w ill achieve B u d d h a h o o d i f
w e have g re a t d ilig e n c e lik e M ila re p a a n d th a t n o t h i n g
w ill h a p p e n b y d o in g j u s t a little b it ea ch day. W e m i g h t
th in k , I d o n t have M ila r e p a s d ilig e n ce , so it is i m p o s
sib le fo r m e to achieve a n y r e s u lt s . W e s h o u l d n t believe
th a t w i t h o u t g r e a t d ilig e n c e it w o n t m a k e a n y d iffe r
en c e i f w e p ra c tic e d h a r m a o r n o t. T h e B u d d h a said th a t
d o in g a n y m e d ita tio n is v e ry g o o d . F o r e x a m p le , h e
said th a t even i f s o m e o n e j u s t has th e t h o u g h t o f w h e r e
h e is g o in g to g o a n d w h a t h e is g o in g to d o , even
140

T h e Union o f S am atha & V ipasyana

t h o u g h h e h as n o t y e t a r riv e d th e r e o r d o n e a n y th in g , it
w ill b r i n g a b e n e fic ia l re s u lt. S im ila rly , a re s u lt w ill
c o m e f r o m j u s t t h i n k in g o f f u tu r e p ra c tic e . G e n e ra lly
s p e a k in g , j u s t ta k in g a c o u p le o f ste p s to w h e r e o n e is
g o in g to m e d ita te h as n o b e n e fit in its e lf b u t a c c o rd in g
to th e B u d d h a it d o e s e v e n tu a lly b r i n g a b en e ficial re su lt.
S o o u r m e d i t a t i o n p ra c tic e is v e ry b e n e ficial a n d w e
s h o u l d n o t t h i n k th a t th e re is n o p o i n t o r p u r p o s e in
d o i n g m e d i t a t i o n b e c a u s e w e d o n t have th e k in d o f
d ilig e n c e th a t M ila r e p a h a d .
It is i m p o r t a n t to c o n tin u e s te a d ily w i t h o u r m e d i t a
ti o n p ra c tic e r a th e r t h a n have in te n s e p e r io d s o f d ilig e n c e
a n d t h e n give it u p b e c a u s e th e r e is n o re su lt. T h i s k in d
o f d ilig e n c e is called u n c h a n g in g , p e r m a n e n t d ilig e n c e
th a t e n a b le s us to m a in ta in th e c o n tin u ity o f o u r p ra c
tice. W e n e e d th is k i n d o f d ilig e n ce . It is i m p o r t a n t b o t h
to have th is d ilig e n c e a n d n o t to have a n y a t t a c h m e n t to
m e d i t a t i o n e x p e rie n c e s .

141

Notes
1. All Tibetan words are spelled phonetically. The translitera
tions for these words are given in the table on pages 158-60.
2. The word for meditation in Tibetan is transliterated as
sgom (Skt. bhavana) and pronounced gom. The word for
habituate is goms (Skt. abhyasa ), pronounced khom. These
words are similar in Tibetan because the s is silent.
3. This word is translitered as zh i gnas in Tibetan and is often
spelled shi-ne in English. It is pronounced she-mzy.
4. Som e scholars believe that Hashang Mahayanas teaching
was connected with Zen Buddhism. I do not believe so. In
the Tibetan texts there is no description o f Hashang Maha
yanas teaching. A number o f Tibetans say it was the
Chinese tradition that spread to China, but I believe that it
was som ething particular to Hashang Mahayana. Hashang
Mahayana is an individuals name, whereas Hashang is a
general name o f a person in the dharma tradition. The
history o f the sixteen arhats in Tibet says that they were
together and did many miracles and that their patron was
Hashang. Also, som e scholars describe Hashang as a sym bol
for the alaya, or ground consciousness. There are six con
sciousnesses, which can be compared to six children w ho
are a bother because they are running around all the time.
Imagine an old man sitting with six children jumping about,
never giving him any peace. So you have Hashang sitting
there w ith all these children climbing all over him, but he is
sitting there smiling and peaceful. This is a sym bol for the
ground consciousness being unperturbed by the six con
sciousnesses. In this way Hashang is a sym bol.
There is also another Hashang in Tibetan history. He is

143

Notes
called Hashang w ho is depicted iconographically as carrying
a big sack with him. He was a teacher and an emanation o f
Maitreya w ho spread the dharma in China. This Hashang
Maitreya looks like the Hashang w ho is with the sixteen
arhats. He is, however, completely different from the Ha
shang Mahayana monk w ho came to Tibet to teach medi
tation.
5. There are several kinds o f subtle airs or winds, called vayus
in Sanskrit. There is the vayu o f air or vayu o f fire. It makes
the body warm and provides the heat and well-being o f the
body. The vayu o f the element fire provides the warmth o f
the body. The vayu o f the element water keeps the body
moist, pervades the w hole body, and has the function o f the
element o f water. The vayu o f the element o f air provides
for the physical movement o f the body. The ability to move
and the suppleness o f the body come from the vayu (air) o f
the air element. The movements o f both the mind and the
body come through this vayu. The vayu o f earth provides
the stability o f the body and keeps the body from going
into a state o f change. It gives the body physical solidity. In
this way the commentaries talk o f the air o f earth, the
air o f air, and so on.
In general there are four elements: earth, fire, air, and
water. Earth is the ground beneath us, water is the material
that flows downward, fire is what burns, and air (the Ti
betan word for which also means w in d ) is what moves
around us. The earth element has the aspect o f solidity and
durability. The fire element has the aspect o f warmth and
burning. The water element has the aspect o f moistness.
The air element has the aspect o f movement. These four
qualities o f solidity, warmth, moistness, and movement are
what is meant by the four elements. The functions o f the
elements are, for example, that the earth makes something
very solid and durable and the water element causes cohe
sion and keeps things together. For instance, a finger just
doesnt disintegrate; it stays together in one piece, and this
is the function o f the water element. The function o f the fire
element is ripening, causing things to change. For example,
144

Notes

6.

7.

8.

9.

it is the aspect o f warmth that causes a flower to develop.

Things develop, mature, and go into a state o f decline and
aging, and the entire process o f change is due to the activity
o f the fire element.
Som e centers do walking meditation between sitting medi
tation periods. During walking meditation there is no par
ticular visualization. One should be aware o f each foot as it
goes up, then goes down, and so forth. One is simply aware
o f the walking movement, a process similar to resting on
the breath. This m ethod is used in the Theravadin tradition
and is described in the vinaya texts. In Tibet, however, most
meditation was traditionally done sitting down. I think
walking meditation can be very beneficial because it is good
for the mind, is good for the body, and doesnt hurt the
knees.
These times are purely illustrative and should not be taken
literally.
To be more precise, emptiness is suriyata (Tib. tongpanyi ),
knowledge is vidya (rigpa), the union o f emptiness and
knowledge is vidyasunyasambheda (riktong yerme), and clarity
is bhasvara (selwa).
There is a difference in the understanding o f emptiness
depending on whether one uses the hinayana or the mahayana viewpoint. According to Chandraklrti, the only differ
ence between these two is the degree o f realization and the
greater number o f practices that one does in the mahayana.
The quality o f the understanding o f emptiness is the same.
In the beginning o f his work Entering into the Middle Way,
Chandraklrti writes that there is little difference. However,
toward the end o f the text he talks about the two kinds o f
selflessness: the selflessness o f individuals, such as is realized
by sravakas, and the selflessness o f phenomena in the maha
yana. So there are two different viewpoints among the
Tibetans on what this means. Some say that according to
Chandraklrti the sravakas do realize the emptiness o f phe
nomena. Others interpret this to say that sravakas do not
realize the emptiness o f phenomena, only the selflessness o f
the individual. So there is a difference on this point among

145

Notes
Tibetan scholars. I believe that sravakas do not realize the
selflessness o f phenomena. I base this on studying the M a dhyamakdvatara using the commentary by Lama Mipam,
which says that the sravakas dont realize the selflessness o f
phenomena. For example, Tsongkapa disagreed w ith this
view, while the eighth Karmapa, M ikyo Dorje, for exam
ple, says that sravakas do not realize the selflessness o f
phenomena.
Once a person has reached Buddhahood, he or she has
clarity, knowing everything is emptiness. O ne cant really
look and find this wisdom , this clarity, but the power o f the
mind is still there. This w isdom is called jn a n a in Sanskrit
or yeshe in Tibetan. So there is this jnana, or perfect w is
dom, and then there is also love and power. The love has
power because it is love with power, not like the love, for
example, o f a mother w ho has no arms and is trying to save
her child w ho is being swept away by a strong current.
One may ask if the dharma itself is also empty. The
answer is that dharma teachings do not have the nature o f
true existence in themselves. When one receives dharma
teachings, one benefits from them only if one puts them
into practice. Receiving teachings without practicing is just
hearing words, or if they are written down, it is just black
ink on white paper. So they have no value by themselves.
Taking another example, what makes a precious human
existence valuable? The human body by itself has little
value, but w hen it is put to use, it can have great value. The
commentaries refer to the teachings as being like a boat.
The boats in the old days were made out o f leather, and
these were not very valuable. But the value o f a boat is that
with it one can cross over to the other side o f a river. In the
same way, dharma and precious human existence are valu
able they have no value in themselves, but one gains great
value from them when one uses them.
10. O ne might wonder about emptiness and awareness at the
time o f total liberation. Buddhahood is called liberation,
and this is not like something one gets or achieves that one
did not have before. Liberation is the realization o f the actual
146

Notes
nature o f phenomena w ithout any contrivance. Because one
doesnt realize the natural state o f phenomena, one is in a
state o f delusion believing in what doesnt exist. Once one
realizes this natural state, then one has attained liberation
from samsara. To do this, one. first analyzes phenomena
through reasoning. Through this analysis one attains the
understanding o f the true nature o f phenomena. But even
though one has this understanding, one still is not familiar
ized with or habituated to it. So one needs to become
habituated to the true nature o f phenomena before one has
attained complete liberation.
Tilopa asked, Where is the sesame oil? The sesame oil
is in the sesame seeds, but one doesnt get any sesame oil by
simply eating sesame seeds. To get sesame oil, one has to
beat, grind, or crush the seeds. It is like that with Buddhahood: it is within one, but in order to achieve liberation one
has to apply oneself to meditation to realize it. Another
example o f liberation is the analogy o f the rope and the
snake. If there is a rope in a poorly lit room and one sees it,
one m ight think that it is a snake, and the result w ill be
great fear. This fear arises because o f the illusion that the
rope is a snake. To be free o f that fear, one has to realize that
the snake is really a rope, and no other solution such as
getting a weapon or taking an antidote to the snake venom
is going to work. When one does realize that the snake is
just a rope, then all the fear naturally disappears. This
happens even though there was absolutely no change in the
rope either before or after. The only difference was that
before one was deluded, and afterward one discovered the
truth. So to achieve the complete peace o f mind o f Buddhahood, one has to receive the teachings, follow the methods
taught by the Buddha, and contemplate them, thereby
removing the delusions and attaining the realization o f the
true nature o f the mind.
ii.

This painting is a large circle divided into six pie-shaped

segments depicting the six realms o f existence: the god,
jealous god, human, animal, hungry ghost, and hell realms.

147

Notes
12. In more detail, there is the Tibetan term yeshe (Skt. jhana ),
which has been translated as w isd om in this book. In
Sanskrit jhana is not a particularly special word and simply
means to k n o w . When the Tibetan translators translated
jhana into Tibetan, they added the syllable ye to she because
ye means primordial knowledge that has always existed.
This word was then used for the knowledge o f the Buddha,
w ho knows all things in their ultimate and relative aspects.
The Tibetan word sherab, or prajha in Sanskrit, has been
translated as understanding in this book. The syllable she
means to k n o w , and the syllable rab means the best,
superior to everything, perfect in Tibetan. The terms sherab
and yeshe are often used interchangeably as know ledge
and w isd o m . But one can differentiate between them,
because yeshe is the knowledge a Buddha or enlightened
being has, which is the direct understanding o f phemonena,
whereas sherab is the understanding one gains through anal
ysis, examination, and reasoning. Sherab is related to the
differentiation o f phenomena. In ones normal experience,
all phenomena are merged together, and through the under
standing o f sherab all phenomena are differentiated so that
one knows this is this, that is that, this exists, that doesnt,
this is good, that is bad, and so on. So all phenomena are
differentiated from each other, and this is the special mean
ing o f sherab. The knowledge in meditation where one
knows the true nature o f things is rigpa in Tibetan or vidya
in Sanskrit. So this clarity, the knowledge o f the true nature
o f things, is called rigpa.
13. The dedication prayer is said by the lamas and their students
usually at the end o f each dharma teaching as well as at any
sadhana practices:
Through this merit may omniscience be attained;
Thereby may every enemy [mental defilements] be
overcome.
May beings be liberated from the ocean o f samsara,
Which is troubled by the waves o f birth, sickness, old
age, and death.

1 48

Glossary
Many o f the terms in this glossary have several different meanings.
The definitions given here are those that are relevant to the context
o f this book.
(Tib. cho ngonpa) The Buddhist teachings are
often divided into the Tripitaka: the sutras (teachings o f the
Buddha), the vinaya (teachings on conduct), and the abhidharma, which are the analyses o f phenomena that exist
primarily as a commentarial tradition to the Buddhist teach
ings. There is not, in fact, an abhidharma section within the
Tibetan collection o f the Buddhist teachings.
a fflic te d co n scio u sn ess
See consciousnesses, eight.
a g g r e g a t e s , f i v e (Skt. skatidha , Tib. pungpo nga)
Literally,
heaps ; the five basic transformations that perceptions un
dergo w hen an object is perceived. First is form, which
includes all sounds, smells, etc., or everything that is not
mind. The second and third are sensations (pleasant and
unpleasant, etc.) and identification. Fourth is mental events,
which actually include the second and third aggregates. The
fifth is ordinary consciousness such as the sensory and mental
consciousnesses.

ab h id h a rm a

c o n s c i o u s n e s s (Tib. kiinshi namshe)

According to
the \bgachara school this is the eighth consciousness and is
often called the ground consciousness or storehouse con
sciousness.
a m r i t a (Tib. dutsi)
A blessed substance that can cause spiri
tual and physical healing.

alaya

(Tib. dra chompa) Accomplished hinayana practitioners

w ho have eliminated the kies as. They are fully realized sravakas and pratyekabuddhas.

a rh a t

149

Glossary
A valokiteSvara

(Tib. Chenrezi)

(Tib. kyemeh)
their sensory objects.

D eity o f compassion.

The six sense consciousnesses and

AYATANA

(Tib. bardo) Literally, between the tw o . There are

six kinds o f bardos, but in this book the term refers to the
time between death and rebirth.

bardo

retrea t
An advanced vajrayana practice in which the
practitioner is enclosed in total darkness.

bardo

u (Tib. tig-le) Vital essence drops or spheres o f psychic

energy, often visualized in vajrayana practices.

bind

(Tib. changchub sempa) An individual com m it

ted to the mahayana path o f compassion and the practice o f
the six paramitas to achieve Buddhahood in order to free all
beings from samsara.

BO D h i s AT T v a

v o w A vow in which one promises to practice

in order to bring all other sentient beings to Buddhahood.

b o d h isa ttv a

Sakyam uni
Often called the Gautama Buddha;
refers to the latest Buddha w ho lived between 563 and 483

B u d d h a
B. C. E.

c h a n n e l (Skt. avadhuti; Tib. uma)

This is a subtle
channel o f the body roughly located along the spine.

c e n tr a l

Literally, w h eels. These are points along the cen

tral channel specifically located at the forehead, throat, heart,
etc., where there is a broadening o f channels.

ch a k ra

(Tib. khorlo gyurpa) Literally, the turner o f

the w heel; also called a universal monarch. This is a king
w ho propagates the dharma and starts a new era.

ch ak ravartin

c o n d it io n e d

existence

See samsara.

eigh t
These include the five sensory
consciousnesses o f sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
The sixth is the mental consciousness; the seventh is afflicted
consciousness; and the eighth is ground consciousness.

con sciousn esses,

dak A

(Tib. dapo)

A wrathful or semi wrathful male yidam.

(Tib. kandroma)
yidam.

dakin!

A wrathful or semiwrathful female

150

Glossary
m eaning
Teachings o f the Buddha that give the
direct meaning o f dharma and are not changed or simplified
to accom modate the capacity o f the listener. This contrasts
with the provisional meaning.

definitive

o r ig in a tio n
(Skt. pratxtyasamutpada) The
twelve successive phases that begin with ignorance and end
with old age and death.

d ep en d en t

See realms, three.

desire realm

(Tib. cho) This has two principal meanings: (i) any

truth, such as the sky is blue, (2) the teachings o f the
Buddha (also called buddhadharma).

dharm a

(Tib. choying) The all-encompassing space

that is unoriginated and beginningless from which all phe
nomena arise.

d h a rm a d h a tu

m e d i t a t i o n (Tib. sampten)
The Sanskrit refers to
meditation, but in this context it refers to mental stabil
ity in relation to samatha.

d h y a n a

(Tib. gur) A religious song spontaneously com posed by

a vajrayana practitioner, usually consisting o f nine syllables
per line.

d o h a

form

realm

See realms, three.

form less realm

g ro u n d

See realms, three.

co n scio u sn ess

See consciousnesses, eight.

The practice o f devotion to the guru culminating

in receiving his blessing and blending indivisibly with him. It
is the fourth practice o f the preliminary practices.

gu ru y o g a

(Tib. tekpa chungwa) Literally, the lesser vehicle.

The term refers to the first teachings o f the Buddha, which
emphasized the careful examination o f mind and its confu
sion; also called the Theravadin path.

hInayana

ab sorp tion
o r w i t h d r a w a l (Skt. pratyaThis is the first stage o f the completion phase o f
practice.

in d iv id u a l

hara)

in sigh t m ed itation

j n a n a (Tib. yeshe)
istic thought.

See vipasyana meditation.

Enlightened w isdom that is beyond dual-

151

Glossary
One o f the four major schools o f Buddhism in Tibet.
It was founded by Marpa and is headed by His Holiness
Karmapa. The other three schools are the Nyingm a, the
Sakya, and the Gelug.

K agyu

(Tib. lay) Literally, action. Karma is a universal law

ensuring that w hen one does a w holesom e action, ones
circumstances will improve, and when one does an unw hole
som e action, negative results will eventually occur from the
act.

karm a

(Tib. nydnmong) The emotional obscurations (in con

trast to intellectual obscurations), usually translated as poi
sons or defilements. The three main klesas are ignorance,
hatred, and desire. The five klesas include these three along
with pride and envy.

kleA

Said to be a combination o f the first syllables for

eating, sleeping, and moving around. It means one w h o leads
a very simple life dedicated to meditation and not scholastic
studies and elaborate rituals.

k u su lu

(Skt. guru) A teacher in the Tibetan tradition w h o has

reached realization.

lam a

c h a n n e l (Skt. lalana)
This subtle channel is parallel to
the central channel and is usually visualized as white. The
left, central, and right channels are the three principal chan
nels within the body that conduct the subtle airs.

le ft

A philosophical school founded by Nagarjuna in the second century. The main principle o f this school
is proving through analytical reasoning that everything is
empty o f self-nature.

M ad h yam ak a

(Tib. chagya chenpo) Literally, great seal or

great sy m b o l. This meditative transmission emphasizes
perceiving mind directly rather than through skillful means.

m aham udra

(Tib. tekpa chenpo) Literally, great vehicle.

These are the teachings o f the second turning o f the Wheel o f
Dharma that were first taught at Vulture Peak Mountain by
the Buddha and emphasized sunyata, compassion, and uni
versal buddha-nature.

m ahayan a

m ahapandita

A very great Buddhist scholar (pandita).

152

Glossary
A rosary o f beads used for mantra practice. A mala
usually has 108 beads.
m a n t r a (Tib. ngak)
Invocations to various meditation deities
that are recited in Sanskrit. These Sanskrit syllables, repre
senting various energies, are repeated in different vajrayana
practices.
m an tra y a n a
Another term for the vajrayana.
m a n d A L A (Tib. kyilkhor)
A diagram used in various vajrayana
practices, usually depicting a central deity and four directions.
m en tal co n sciou sn ess
See consciousnesses, eight.
n a d I (Tib. tsa)
Subtle channels through which the subtle
energy (vayu) flows.
m ala

(Tib. nya-ngen lay depa) Literally, extinguished.

State o f enlightenment in which all false ideas and conflicting
emotions have been extinguished.
n o b l e t r u t h s , f o u r (Tib. pakpay denpa shi)
These are the
truth o f suffering, the truth o f the cause o f suffering, the
cessation o f suffering, and the path. They are the foundation
o f Buddhism, particularly the hlnayana path.
p A r a m i t a s , s i x (Tib. paroltu chinpa)
Literally, perfections.
These are the six practices o f the mahayana path: transcendent
generosity (ddna), transcendent discipline (sila), transcendent
patience (ksanti ), transcendent exertion (virya ), transcendent
meditation (dhyana ), and transcendent w isdom (prajna). The
ten paramitas are these plus the paramita o f means, aspirational prayer, power, and pristine awareness.
path
The process o f attaining enlightenment. Path may also
refer to part o f the threefold logic o f ground, path, and
fruition.
p a t h o f m e t h o d s (Tib. tab lam)
Practice emphasizing the
techniques o f the vajrayana, particularly the six yogas o f
Naropa.
powa
An advanced tantric practice concerned with the ejec
tion o f consciousness at death.
p r a j n a (Tib. sherab)
Literally, perfect knowledge ; accord
ing to context, it can mean wisdom , understanding, intelli
gence, discrimination, or judgment. Here it refers to a higher
kind o f knowledge about phenomena.
n irvan a

153

Glossary
The Buddhist literature outlining the mahayana path and the teaching o f emptiness.

P rajnaparam ita

PR a n a

(Tib. bindu)

Life-supporting energy.

v o w s (Tib. sosortarpa) The vows o f conduct in

the hlnayana. There are seven main vows taken by lay persons
and the ordained alike.

pratim oksa

Literally, solitary realizer. A realized

hlnayana practitioner w ho has achieved the jnana o f suchness
and variety, but w h o has not committed him - or herself to
the bodhisattva path o f helping all other sentient beings.

p ratyek abu d d h a

p r a c t i c e s (Tib. ngondro)
O ne usually begins
the vajrayana path by doing the four preliminary practices,
which involve doing 100,000 refuge prostrations, 100,000
Vajrasattva mantras, 100,000 mandala offerings, and 100,000
guru yoga supplications.

prelim inary

m eaning
The teachings o f the Buddha that
have been simplified or modified to accommodate the capa
bilities o f the audience. This contrasts with the definitive
meaning.

p rovision al

th ree
The existence in samsara is in one o f three
realms: the desire realm in which beings are reborn into the six
realms o f samsara based on their karma; the form realm in
which beings, due to the power o f their meditation, are born
with immaterial bodies; and the formless realm in which beings
with meditative absorption have entered a state o f meditation
after death, where there are no bodies, no actual realms, or
locations because all the processes o f thought and perception
have ceased.

realm s,

c h a n n e l (Skt. rasona, Tib. roma)

This subtle channel
is parallel to the central channel and carries the vayu.

righ t

(Tib. drubtab) A type o f vajrayana ritual text, as well

as the actual meditation practice involved.

sad h an a

(Tib. ting-ngen dzin) Also called meditative absorp

tion or one-pointed meditation; the highest form o f medita
tion.

sam a d hi

154

Glossary
(Tib. shi-ne) Also known as tranquil
lity meditation. This is basic sitting meditation in which one
usually follows the breath while observing the workings o f
the mind.

H am ath a m e d ita t io n

(Tib. khorwa) Conditioned existence o f ordinary life

in which suffering occurs because one is still afflicted with
ignorance, hatred, and desire. It is contrasted with nirvana.

sams ra

s i x r e a l m s o f These consist o f the god or deva

realm, the jealous god or asura realm, the human realm, the
animal realm, the hungry ghost or preta realm, and the hell
realms.

sam sra,

(Tib. gendn) These are the companions on the path.

They may be all persons on the path or the holy realized ones.

san gh a

(Tib. tench) The Buddhist teachings are divided into

words o f the Buddha (stras) and the commentaries o f others
on his teachings (sstras).

Sstra

(Tib. tonglen) A meditation

practice promulgated by Atisa in which the practitioner takes
on the negative conditions o f others and gives out all that is
positive.

SENDING AND t a k i n g p r a c t i c e

siDDHA

(Tib. drubtop)

A n accom plished Buddhist practi

tioner.
(Tib. nyento) Literally, those w ho hear meaning
disciples. A type o f realized hlnayna practitioner (arhat) w ho
has achieved the realization o f the nonexistence o f a self.

Srvaka

(Tib. tongpanyi) Usually translated as voidness or

em ptiness. The Buddha taught in the second turning o f the
Wheel o f Dharma that external phenomena, internal phenom
ena, and the concept o f self or I have no real existence and
therefore are em p ty.

Snyat

s t r a (Tib. do) The hlnayna and mahyna texts, which are

the words o f the Buddha. These are often contrasted with the
tantras, which are the Buddhas vajrayna teachings, and the
sstras, which are commentaries on the words o f the Buddha.
t a n t r a (Tib. gy)
The texts o f the vajrayna practices.
t a th g atas
Literally, those w ho have gone to thusness. A
title o f the Buddha and bodhisattvas.

155

Glossary
A master in the Tibetan tradition w h o discovers
treasures (terma), which are teachings concealed by great
masters o f the past.
h eravad a
A school derived from the early schools o f Bud
dhism that primarily emphasized the hlnayana teachings.

te r to n

Religious people w h o believe in a personal self.

Also referred to as icchantikas.

T irth ik as

of p ro fo u n d view
This tradition is one o f the
principal mahayana traditions in India, which was founded
by Nagarjuna in the second century a . d . It is the Madhyamaka or Middle Way that teaches emptiness o f all external
and internal phenomena.

tr a d itio n

of vast c o n d u c t
This tradition is one o f the
two principal mahayana traditions in India founded by A sanga in the fourth century a . d . It is the Chittamatrin or
Mind O n ly school that teaches how all phenomena are
mind created. This gave rise to the mahayana traditions o f
abhidharma and logic.
ree jew els
These are the Buddha, the dharma, and the
sangha.

tr a d itio n

th

tr a n q u illity

m ed itation

See

samatha meditation.

(Skt. nirmanakdya) A manifestation o f a buddha that is

perceived by an ordinary person. The term has com m only
been used for a discovered rebirth o f any teacher.
upaya
See path o f methods.

tu lk u

(Tib. dorje) Usually translated diam ond-like. This

may be an implement held in the hand during certain vajra
yana ceremonies or it may refer to a quality so pure and
enduring that it is like a diamond.

vajra

(Tib. dorje tekpa) There are three major traditions

(or vehicles) o f Buddhism: hlnayana, mahayana, and vajra
yana). The vajrayana, practiced mainly in Tibet, is based on
the tantras and emphasizes the clarity aspect o f phenomena.
vase b r e a th in g
An advanced breathing practice that has to
be learned under the supervision o f an experienced teacher
and involves the retention o f the breath in the abdomen,
which thus becomes like an air-filled vase.

vajrayana

156

Glossary
(Tib. lung) In Sanskrit and Tibetan can mean w in d
outside or the air that is breathed as well as the subtle airs o f
the body. In this context it refers to the subtle airs or energies
that travel along the subtle channels.

vayu

v i n a y a (Tib. dulwa) These are the teachings by the Buddha

concerning proper conduct.
m e d i t a t i o n (Tib. hlagtong)
Also known as in
sight meditation. A meditation practice that develops insight
into the nature o f mind. The other main meditation is samatha meditation.

vipaSyana

visu al con sciou sn ess

See

consciousnesses, eight.

(Skt. utpattikrama) Also called devel

opmental or generation phase. This is the practice o f visual
izing a yidam deity along with retinue, palace, mantra, etc.

v isu a liza tio n

stage

(Skt. istadevatci) A tantric deity that embodies qualities

o f Buddhahood used in the practice o f vajrayana.

yidam

157

Transliteration and Pronunciation

o f T ib e ta n Terms

PRONOUNCED

SPELLED IN TIBETAN

bardo

bar do

chagpa

chags pa

chagya chenpo

phyag rgya chen po

changchub sempa

byang chub sems dpa

changpa

sbyangs pa

Chenrezi

spy an ras gzhi

cho

chos

choying

chos dbyings

cho ngonpa

chos m ngon pa

do

m do

doije

rdorje

dorje tekpa

rdo ije theg pa

drenpa

dran pa

drubtop

grub thob

dulwa

dul ba

dutsi

bdud rtsi

gendun

d g edun

TIBETAN

aw]*rr

v-'

a&-esr

O^aj-q-

159

Transliteration & Pronunciation

g om

sgom

gur

mgur

gy

rgyud

hlagthong

lhag m thong

jangm a

rkyjang ma

kandroma

mkha gro ma

sjjq q -q q y sj-

khom

gom s

p W

khorlo gyurwa

khor lo bsgyur ba

khorwa

khor bak

knshi namshe

kun gzhi rnam shes

kyeche

skye mched

kyerim

bskyed rim

kyilkhor

dkyil khor

lama

bl ama

lung

rlung

mpa

mos pa

ne ngen len

gnas ngan len

nepa

gnas pa

ngak

sngags

ngndro

sngon gro

f f 51'

|Y
a jq y s^ e;

^ g a j-q jfo *

rV

160

'v"

Transliteration & P ronunciation

nya ngen lay depa

mya ngan las das pa

nyent

nyan thos

ny n m o n g

nyon m ongs

pakpay denpa shi

phags pai bden pa

bzhi

parltu chinpa

pha rol tu phyin pa

pawo

dpa bo

pungpo nga

phung po Inga

riktong yerme

rig stong dbyer med

rigpa

rig pa

rinchen

rin chen

roma

ro ma

sampten

bsam gtan

sang-gye

sangs rgyas

selwa

gsal ba

sem

sems

shepa

shes pa

sherab

shes rab

she shin

shes bzhin

shi-ne

zhi gnas

<N 'S
^ 3j'c53jv-'

ii

'

Transliteration & Pronunciation

shinjang

shin sbyangs

shintu

shin tu

shiwa

zhi ba

soklung

srog rlung

sordu

sor sdud

sosor tarpa

so sor thar pa

tab lam

thabs lam

tekpa chenpo

theg pa chen po

tekpa chung

theg pa chung

tencho

bstan bcos

tig-le

thig le

ting ngen dzin

ting nge dzin

tonglen

gtong len

tongpanyi

stong pa nyid

trmeh

spros med

tsa

rtsa

uma

dbu ma

^ cr

'W *

yengwa

gyeng ba

yeshe

ye shes

162

Bibliography
Asaga. Compendium o f the Abhidharma. Skt. Abhidharmasamuchchaya; Tib. mngonpa kun btus.
. Levels o f Srvakas. Skt. Srvakabhmi; Tib. nyan sa.
---------- . Ornament o f Clear Realization. Skt. Abhisamaylamkra;

Tib.

mnog rtogs rgyan.

Atia. Lam p f o r the Path to Enlightenment. Skt. Bodhipathapradipa;

Tib. byang chub la m g y i sgron ma.
---------- . Quintessential Instructions on the M iddle Way. Skt. M ad h yamakopadesa; Tib. dbu ma* i man ngag.
Bodhibhadra. The Prerequisites fo r Samadhi. Skt. Samddhisambhra; Tib. ting nge d z in g y i tshogs.
Chandraklrti. Entering into the Middle Way. Skt. Madhyamkvatra;
Tib. dbu ma la ju g pa. Jamgn Kongtrl. Five Treasuries:
1. Treasury o f Knowledge (shes by a mdzod).
2. Treasury o fK a g y u Tantras (bka brgyud sngags mdzod).
3. Treasury o f Termas (rin chen geter mdzod).
4.

Treasury o f Instructions {gdams ngag mdzod).

5. Treasury o f Vast Teachings (rgya chen bka mdzod).

Janagarbha. Differentiation o f the Two Truths. Skt. Satyadrayavibhanga; Tib. bden gnyis mam p ar byedpa.
Kamalaslla. Stages o f Meditation. 3 vols. Skt. Bhvankrama; Tib.
sgom rim.

Maitreya. Differentiation o f the Middle Way from the Extremes. Skt.

Madhyntavibhga; Tib. dbu mtha mam byed.
---------- . Ornament o f the M ahyna Sutras. Skt. Mahynastrlamkara; Tib. thegpa chen p o i mdo sdei rgyan.
. Sublime Continuum o f the M ahyna. Skt. Mahynottaratantrashstra; Tib. theg pa chen po rgyud bia m a i bstan bcos.
English version: The Changeless Nature, trans. Katia and Ken
Holmes (Kagyu Samye Ling, 1979).

163

Bibliography
Maitrlpa. Commentary on the Ten Suchnesses. Skt. Tib. de kho na
nyid bcu p a i grel ba.

Milarepa. The Hundred Thousand Songs o f Milarepa. Tib. mgur

}bum. English version: 2 vols., trans. Garma C. C. Chang
(Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1977, 1989).
Nagarjuna. Knowledge o f the Middle Way. Skt. M ulamadhyamakakarika; Tib. dbgu ma rtsa bah shes rab.
Rangjung Dorje (the third Karmapa). The Mahamudra Prayer.
Tib. phyag chen smon lam.
Santaraksita. Adornment o f the Middle Way. Skt. Madhyamakalamkara; Tib. dbu mah rgyan.
Santideva. A Guide to the Bodhisattvas Way o f Life. Skt. Bodhicharyavatara; Tib. byang chub sems dpah spyodpa la 'jug pa. English
version trans. Stephen Batchelor (Dharmasala: Archives o f
Tibetan Works, 1982).
Sutras
Cloud o f Jewels. Skt. Ratnameghasutra; Tib. dkon mchog sprin g yi
mdo.

Skt. Samdhinirmochanasutra;
Tib. dgongs pa nges p ar \'grel p a i mdo.
Heart Sutra. Skt. Mahdprajndparamitahridayasutra; Tib. bcom
Definite Explanation o f the View.

Idan 'das ma shes rab kyi pha rol tu phyin p ah snying poh mdo.

164

A b o u t the A u th or

A b o u t five hundred years ago, the seventh G yalw a Karmapa

founded Thrangu m onastery. H e appointed as its abbot one
o f his m o st gifted disciples, the first Thrangu Rinpoche.
M ore recently incarnations o f Thrangu R inpoche have spent
m uch o f their lives in retreat. T h e present ninth incarnation
was recognized at the age o f four in 1937 by the G yalwa
Karmapa and Palpung Situ Rinpoche, w h o prophesied the
nam es o f his parents and his place o f birth.
In the tim e from the age o f seven to sixteen K henchen
Thrangu R inpoche learned to read and write, m em orized
pujas, and studied their practice. H e then began his formal
studies in Buddhist p h ilosop h y, p sy c h o lo g y , logic, debate,
and scriptures w ith Lama K henpo L odo Rabsel. A t the age
o f tw enty-three he received the G elong ordination along w ith
Garwang R inpoche and C h g y a m Trungpa R inpoche from
the G yalw a Karmapa.
F ollow ing this, Thrangu R inpoche engaged in a period o f
intense practice and retreat and received further instructions
from his lama, K henpo Gyangasha Wangpo. At the age o f
thirty-five he was given the degree o f Geshe R am jam w ith
honors and was appointed V ice Chancellor o f the Principal
Seat o f the K agyii Vajra U pholder o f the Three D isciplines
by H is H oliness Karmapa. He is full holder and teacher o f all
the K agy vajrayna lineages and has a special, very direct
transm ission o f the Shentong philosophical tradition. B ein g
so gifted, he was chosen to educate the four great K agyii
regents.
1 65

A b o u t the A u t h o r
Thrangu R inpoche has traveled extensively in Europe, the
U nited States, Canada, and Asia. He has a three-year retreat
center at N a m o Buddha in Nepal, is in charge o f lo n g retreats
at Sam ye Ling, Scotland, is abbot o f G am po A b b ey in
Canada, and offers yearly N a m o Buddha Seminars for b eg in
ning and advanced students o f Buddhism .
For m ore inform ation on Thrangu R in p och es activities,
contact the N a m o Buddha Seminar, 1390 Kalm ia Avenue,
Boulder, C O 80304-1813.

166

Index
abhidharma, 8
absence o f self. See egolessness

Adornment of the Middle Way

(Lama M ipam ), 76
aggregates, five, 28-29
anger, 26-27
Atisa, 17-18
attachment, positive and nega
tive, 42-43
awareness, 50-51; Tibetan for,

5i
bardo retreat, 138
Bhavaviveka, m - 1 1 2
Bodhibhadra, 33
bodhichitta, 112-113
bodhisattva vow, 19
breathing methods, 130-131
B uddha, Tibetan for, 126
Chandraklrti, 111, 113-114
channels, subtle, 132, 136-137
clarity, 83
Cloud of Jewels sutra, 7-8

Commentary on the Ten Suchnesses

definitive meaning, 67-69, 104

dependent origination, 77-79
desire, 26-27

Differentiation of the Middle Way

from the Extremes (Maitreya),
39 , 53

Differentiation of the Two Truths

(Jnnagarbha), 76
diligence in meditation, 140-141
discriminating w isd om , 14, 84
distracted (yengwa), 8
dreams, 138-139

ego-clinging, 72-75
egolessness, 73, 93-95, 116-117,
145 n.9
emptiness, 80-82, 95, 97, 100,
145 n.8
analytic vs. insight, 84
o f phenomena, 117, 120-121
engagements, mental, 52-53

Entering into the Middle Way

(Chandraklrti), 76, 113

Explanation of the View stra, 8 4 85, 106, 126

(Maitripa), 125

Compendium of the Abhidarma

(Asanga), 59, 84-85, 97
consciousness, mental, 33-38, 97
dedication prayer, 148 n.13

Definite Explanation of the View

sutra, 5, 6, 58

faults, five, 39-45

fifty-one mental factors. See
mental factors
five aggregates. See aggregates,
five
four complications, 103
167

Index
four noble truths. See noble
truths
Gampopa, 57, 131, I3 7 -I39
Ganden monastery, 96

A Guide to the Bodhisattvas Way of

Life (Santideva), 14, 105
guru yoga practice, 118
Hashang Mahayana, 9-10, 143

n*4
Heart Sutra, 76
ignorance, two types of, 27-28
individual withdrawal, 131-132
inseparability
o f emptiness and appearance,
97, 103, 120, 127
o f emptiness and awareness,
101-102, 120
o f emptiness and clarity, 116117
Jamgon Kongtriil, 1-3
Five Treasuries, 3
Je, the strongman, 104
Kamalaslla, 8-11, 18, 23, 111,

113
karma, 26
klesas, 75
six, 82-83, 101-102

Knowledge of the Middle Way (N agarjuna), 76

kusulu, 93

Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment

(Atlsa), 17
Langdarma, 17

Levels of the Sravakas (Asanga),

Madhyamaka school, m - 1 1 2
mahamudra, 23
Mahamudra Prayer (Ranjung
Dorje), 105
mantra recitation, 133-134
Marpa, 125
meditation
diligence of, 140-141
eight antidotes or remedies,
42-45
experiences of, 135-139
five faults of, 39-42
four engagements of, 47, 52-53
levels of, 135-136
necessity of, 5
nine levels of, 46-54
objects of, 25-29
obstacles of, 29-31
on an external object, 3132
on no object, 32-33
on a yidam, 132
order of, 13-14
posture, 21-25, 139-^140
resting in essence of, 3 3
six powers of, 4 6 -54
Tibetan for, 3, 143 n.2
walking, 145 n.6
mental engagements, 52-53
mental events, fifty-one, 96-99
mental factors, 52
Milarepa, 121-124, 137-141
mind
completely trained, 106-107
Tibetan word for, 116
well-trained, 58-60, 105-106
See also consciousness, mental
mindfulness, 47-50
Nanda, 79-80
noble truths, sixteen aspects of,

70-73

5 3 , 60

1 68

In d e x
oral instruction o f samatha, 55-58

Tibetan for, 7, 143 n.3

union w ith vipasyan, 111-119
in the vajrayana, 115-116, 129-

Ornament of Clear Realization

(Asanga), 68-69

Ornament of the Mahay ana Sutras

(Maitreya), 18, 53
pramits, 75
pointing instruction, old ladys,

66
postmeditation, 127-128
posture, 139-140
eight aspects of, 23-25
in meditation, 21-25
ofVairocana, 21
powers, six, 46-53
Prajhpramit teachings, 68-69,
81
prna, 22
Prsangika school, 112
pratimoka vows, 19
pratyekabuddha, 70-72
provisional meaning, 68-69

135

samadhi, 126
ofsrvakas, bodhisattvas, and
tathgatas, 6
Tibetan for, 3
samsara, six realms, 126
Sntarakita, 8
Sntideva, 14, 49, 111, 112-113
sending and taking practice (tonglen), 130
six powers. See powers, six
six realms o f samsara, 126
srvaka, 70-72
Stages of Meditation (Kamalaslla),
10-11, 18, 23-24, 42, 62, 65,
113, 120
subtle airs, 21-22, 132, 144 n .5
Svtantrika school, 112
teachers, kinds of, 66
thoughts
arising of, 48
having too many, 28
as obstacles to meditation, 2 9 -

Rangjung D oije, 117-118, 119

reincarnation, 25-26
samatha
accomplishment of, 58-61
in combination w ith vipasyan,
12-13
essential nature of, 7-8
etym o log y of, 11-12
nature of, 11
nine stages of, 20
nonconceptual, 119-120
oral instructions, 55-58
physical conditions for, 18-19
physical and mental sensations
of, 59-60
purpose of, 61-62
relating to three realms, 19
stra method, 129

3i
two kinds of, 30
Tilopa, 34
Tirthika, 69, 73
tonglen, 130
tradition o f the profound view,
68
tradition o f vast conduct, 68
Treasury of Knowledge (Jamgon
Kongtrl), 1, 3 39
understanding, three levels of, 4,
4648
union o f samatha and vipasyan,
in -1 1 9
169

In d e x
stra tradition, i n - 1 1 6
vajrayna tradition, 116-119
vajrayna approach, 80-81
vajrayna tradition, 116-119
Vasubandhu, 8
vay. See subtle airs
view, Buddhist, 67
vipayan
accomplishments of, 104-107
o f a bodhisattva, 75-80
combined w ith amatha, 12-13
etym ology of, 12
four essences, 84-85
four types of, 69-84
o f the mantrayna, 80-84
nonconceptual, 119-120

methods of, 93-104

prerequisites of, 65-69
six investigations, 86-92
o f the sravaka, and pratyekabuddha, 70-75
three categories of, 84-93
three doorways, 85-86
o f a Tirthika, 69-70, 71
union w ith samatha, m - 1 1 9
in the vaj ray ana, 118-119
visualization stage, 133

wheel o f existence, 114

wisdom , 148 n. 12

yidam, 132-133

170

his is a practical guide to the tw o types o f m editation

that form the core o f Buddhist spiritual practice.

Tranquillity (samatha) m e ditation aims at stilling the mind,

w h ile insight (vipasyana) m e d itatio n produces "clear
vision," o r insight in to the nature o f all phenom ena. W ith
masterful scholarship and the a bility to make subtle ideas
easy to understand and apply in practice, Khenchen

Thrangu Rinpoche explains this u nified system of

m e d itation fo r students both beginning and advanced.
These teachings are based on the eighth chapter o f the
Treasury o f Knowledge by the great n ine te en th-cen tury
master Jamgon K ongtriil. W ith Thrangu Rinpoche's
commentary, this com plex, encyclopedic w o rk is n o w made
accessible to Western students o f m editation.

henchen Thrangu Rinpoche is an em inent teacher o f

the Kagyu lineage o f Tibetan Buddhism w h o

has traveled and taught extensively in Asia, Europe, and

N orth America.

SHAM BHALA
Boston & London

c 1993 S h a m h h a l a P u b l i c a t i o n s , In c . P r i n t e d i n U.S.A.

978087773943251200