On Śamatha and Vipaśyanā (Calming and Contemplation)

Original text of the Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra: “世尊！此奢摩他、毘钵舍那以何为因？善男子！清净尸罗，清净闻思所成正见，以为其因。世尊！此奢摩他、毘钵舍那以何为果？善男子！善清净戒、清净心、善清净慧，以为其果。复次，善男子！一切声闻及如来等，所有世间及出世间一切善法，当知皆是此奢摩他、毘钵舍那所得之果。”

Explanation: Question: World-Honored One, what are the prerequisites for śamatha and vipaśyanā? The World-Honored One said: Good son, the prerequisites for śamatha and vipaśyanā are pure moral conduct (śīla) and pure right view in the Buddha's Dharma, established through hearing and reflection. Only on this foundation can one speak of the mind coming to rest; only when the mind has come to rest can contemplation arise.

Question: What fruit is attained by cultivating śamatha and vipaśyanā to completion? The World-Honored One said: Once śamatha and vipaśyanā have been accomplished and the mind abides in meditative absorption (samādhi), moral conduct naturally becomes even purer, because the power of meditative concentration grows more evident; wisdom becomes purer still, because authentic wisdom is attained. Thus precepts, concentration, and wisdom all become more diligent and pure. The Buddha said: Good son, for all four kinds of noble ones—śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and Tathāgatas—all wholesome dharmas, whether worldly or supramundane, are accomplished by this śamatha and vipaśyanā.

Therefore, without upholding the precepts and without right view, one cannot attain śamatha; without śamatha, there is no vipaśyanā; without śamatha and vipaśyanā, neither precepts, concentration, nor wisdom can be accomplished, and there would be no four noble fruits of śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, bodhisattva, and Buddha, nor any fruits and virtues of wholesome dharmas.