The Principle of Cultivating Meditative Concentration (Samādhi)

When the mind consciousness first sits on the cushion, it prepares for meditation, yet after sitting for a long time it still cannot settle into concentration, and remains gloomy and frustrated. Only after the manas is tethered so that it no longer runs about wildly can the mind consciousness gradually settle into concentration. How does the mind consciousness tether the manas?

When the mind consciousness wants to cultivate concentration, it forcibly gathers the mind at one point, thereby contending against the manas' wild grasping at objects. Over time, the manas comes to realize that such wild grasping is useless and that the six consciousnesses are unwilling to comply with it, so the manas slowly settles down; only then can the mind consciousness truly attain concentration.

The mind consciousness has very strong discriminating wisdom; it knows the various faults of a scattered mind, and thus gives rise to the desire to cultivate concentration. At this point, it can tether the manas by forcibly gathering the mind at one point, gradually making the manas obedient and tamed. Only when the manas first attains tranquility can the mind consciousness truly settle into concentration; but for the manas to become tranquil, it must first rely on the mind consciousness' permeation and the gathering of the mind at one point. The two complement each other—without the cooperation of either, the mind cannot settle into concentration.

Only after the manas-bull has been slowly tamed by the mind consciousness—no longer eating grass indiscriminately or trampling on others' crops—can the mind consciousness be at ease. The mind consciousness is the herd-boy riding on the back of the manas-bull. When the herd-boy of the mind consciousness points from afar to the Apricot Blossom Village, the manas-bull carries the herd-boy slowly toward the Apricot Blossom Village. Learning Buddhism is just like this. The mind consciousness subdues the manas in order to let the manas lead oneself along the right path, because the mind consciousness, riding on the back of the manas-bull, cannot act on its own and cannot get down to walk alone; it must rely on the manas to reach its destination.