The Realm of Meditative Concentration (Samādhi) Is an Image-Only Object

(Two accompanying images below) When the recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) samādhi is accomplished, the Buddhas of the ten directions stand before you, seen clearly and distinctly by the eye consciousness, yet others cannot see them. What kind of state is this?

After the contemplation of the white skeleton (white-bone contemplation) is accomplished, one sees everyone as rows of white bones, very distinctly, yet others cannot see it. What kind of state is this? In the Contemplation Sutra (Amitāyus Contemplation Sūtra), after the first contemplation—the contemplation of the sun—is accomplished, whether with eyes open or closed, the setting sun appears before one and in one's mind like a suspended drum, invisible to others. What kind of state is this? After each of the sixteen contemplations is accomplished, a corresponding state appears, seen by the eye consciousness, yet invisible to others. What kind of state is this?

Seeing stars before the eyes—dots of light dancing in front of one—yet others cannot see them: what kind of state is this? A mirage can be seen by everyone—what kind of material form is that? For instance, when one sees stars before the eyes, can the eyes actually see golden stars or black stars? And the white bones in the white-bone contemplation, the brilliant red of the setting sun, and so on—what is going on here?

The eye consciousness sees colors: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, black, and white. Whatever is seen with the participation of the eye consciousness cannot be an Image-Only Object. But the material form seen in any kind of meditative concentration (samādhi) is seen by the solitary mental consciousness, without the eye consciousness. The colors that appear in recollection, and the colors seen in dreams, are all seen by the solitary mental consciousness, not by the eye consciousness—there is no eye consciousness involved here.