Will Contemplation of Dharma Principles in Buddha-Recitation Samadhi Diminish Meditation.

Shi Ruyuan explained: When one genuinely cultivates profound samadhi, the contemplation of any Buddha Dharma will not vanish; the contemplation of the Dharma's meaning is all accomplished within samadhi. When cultivating Buddha-recitation samadhi, one should think of the Buddha during all matters, great or small, encountered in the mundane world, with the heart constantly mindful of the Buddha. In this way, the mind engaged in Buddha-recitation will not fade. If concentration is insufficient or absent, causing the Buddha-recitation mind to scatter, the samadhi state will certainly vanish, making it impossible to continue reciting the Buddha's name.

Commentary: Because Shi Ruyuan possesses relatively deep meditative concentration, she contemplates the meaning of the Dharma within Buddha-recitation samadhi, and her samadhi state does not vanish. Others may not necessarily maintain such a state. If the Buddha-recitation samadhi is relatively shallow, prolonged contemplation of the Dharma's meaning will cause concentration to diminish or even disappear entirely. After attaining Buddha-recitation samadhi, one must also carefully and diligently sustain it. The time spent contemplating the Dharma should not be excessively long; concentration and wisdom must be balanced appropriately. Especially when mundane affairs increase in the mind, the Buddha-recitation samadhi will weaken or vanish.

The Buddha instructed his disciples to cultivate with balanced concentration and wisdom. When wisdom is applied extensively, one must strengthen the cultivation of concentration. When concentration deepens and the mind sinks into torpor, one must urgently cultivate wisdom. Leaning too heavily towards either side is detrimental. If one leans excessively towards concentration, the mind becomes dull and ignorant. If one leans excessively towards wisdom, it becomes wild wisdom, which is unbeneficial. Only by cultivating both together is it the correct practice, leading to the swiftest progress in cultivation. Some past accounts of contemplative experiences were observations made in states of shallow concentration or even without concentration. In essence, they were merely intellectual understanding and analysis of the Dharma's meaning, with little inner resonance. Consequently, the mind's conduct underwent no real change, and after years, practitioners remained the same as before.

This issue should concern those who are on the verge of attaining Buddha-recitation samadhi or have already attained it. However, those for whom Buddha-recitation has not yet yielded results, or who haven't even found a starting point, should first focus on how to recite the Buddha's name effectively. They should examine why their recitation is ineffective, identify the reasons, and resolve the problems hindering their practice. They should not expend energy inquiring about issues that only arise after achieving success in Buddha-recitation. Being unaware of how to resolve the immediate predicament yet being interested in matters that follow attainment, oblivious to the imminent crisis, is a manifestation of failing to recognize the suffering of the world. Many people are in suffering yet unaware of it, lacking the wisdom of discernment.