Enlightenment Is Attained Opportunistically Only When Dhyana Is Perfected

Patriarchs throughout the ages have taught disciples to cultivate meditative concentration. The meditation halls established in monasteries of the past were precisely for practitioners to sit in meditation, cultivate concentration, and engage in Chan practice. Practitioners during the Tang and Song dynasties each possessed meditative concentration. At that time, sutras were exceedingly rare and difficult to encounter; few had the opportunity to read them. Buddhists could only sit in meditation to cultivate concentration, hence their power of samadhi was exceptionally strong. They were fully endowed with meditative concentration both in stillness and in motion; their minds did not grasp at external objects and they constantly abided in samadhi. Therefore, when they encountered Chan masters expounding the true meaning of the Dharma, they were able to awaken swiftly. They could also depart from this world and take rebirth at will, anytime and anywhere, choosing parents and families suitable for their Buddhist study and practice.

Endowed with such excellent power of concentration, when Chan masters ascended the dharma seat to teach opportunistically, some in the assembly would awaken right then and there. Buddhists of the past engaged in Chan inquiry and contemplated the Dharma throughout the twelve two-hour periods of the day and night. Thus, upon encountering a condition, they would awaken immediately. They did not possess extensive knowledge or theories about Chan methods or Buddhist doctrine at that time. They merely knew some essential characteristics of the Tathagatagarbha true suchness mind, and with unwavering faith and acceptance, they began their Chan inquiry, seeking the Tathagatagarbha. Consequently, their awakening was faster and easier compared to people today—precisely because they were fully endowed with both concentration (samadhi) and wisdom (prajna), as well as sufficient wholesome roots and merit. The language used by Chan masters of the past when teaching the Dharma was relatively obscure and indirect, not explicitly revealed. If practitioners lacked the complete set of precepts, concentration, and wisdom, it was very difficult for them to attain realization. This is unlike the present time, where the Dharma has been explained very clearly, yet practitioners still fail to grasp the underlying principles.

Meditative concentration is common to non-Buddhist paths. Having meditative concentration does not necessarily mean one has attained the Way (Dao), but without meditative concentration, one certainly cannot attain the Way. Separated from meditative concentration, it is impossible to accomplish the path of practice.

Those without power of concentration have coarse and scattered minds; they cannot penetrate the profound principles of the Buddhadharma. Consequently, it is impossible for them to truly and completely sever the view of self and realize the mind. Therefore, Chan inquiry requires excellent power of concentration. Before engaging in Chan inquiry, one must first cultivate meditative concentration well, and only then proceed with Chan inquiry.