The Shurangama Sutra, Volume V: The Twenty-Five Sages' Dharma Doors of Perfect Penetration - Aniruddha

Original Text: Aniruddha immediately rose from his seat, prostrated at the feet of the Buddha, and addressed him, saying: "When I first left home, I was constantly fond of sleep. The Tathagata reproached me as being beast-like. Hearing the Buddha's reproach, I wept in remorse and blamed myself. For seven days I did not sleep, ruining both my eyes. The World-Honored One then taught me the Luminous Vajra Samadhi. Not relying on physical eyes, I perceive the realms of the ten directions—utterly refined, profoundly clear, as if observing an amala fruit in my palm. The Tathagata then confirmed me as an Arhat. When the Buddha inquired about perfect penetration, according to what I have realized—turning the seeing faculty back to follow its source—this is foremost."

Explanation: Aniruddha rose from his seat, prostrated at the Buddha's feet, and then said to the Buddha: "When I first left home, I was always fond of sleep. The Tathagata reproached me, saying I was like a beast in my sleepiness. Hearing the Buddha's reproach, I felt ashamed and blamed myself. For seven days I did not sleep, ruining both my eyes. Then you, World-Honored One, taught me to cultivate the Luminous Vajra Samadhi."

"After cultivating the Vajra Samadhi, I could perceive the scenes of the ten-direction worlds without using physical eyes—utterly refined, profoundly clear, and unobstructed, just like observing an amala fruit in my palm. The Tathagata then confirmed me as an Arhat. When the Buddha asked about the method of perfect penetration, according to what I have realized—turning the seeing faculty, which originally looked outward, back inward to observe the source of perception, thereby realizing the emptiness of form and self, and attaining the fourth fruition of non-learning—this is the foremost method I have cultivated and realized."

"Aniruddha cultivated this Luminous Vajra Samadhi, daily using his mind's eye to introspect on what exactly perceives form and how form is perceived. As his samadhi deepened and his contemplative wisdom grew, he finally found the source. The samadhi manifested, the divine eye immediately appeared, and he attained the fourth fruition."

"During cultivation, precepts, samadhi, and wisdom were fully present, marked by utmost diligence. The Vajra Samadhi inevitably manifested. This is a model of genuine practice—not like some who are content merely to diligently study some knowledge, thinking they have reached the goal, while arrogance blazes yet they accomplish nothing. Knowledge accumulated through the conscious mind is like a castle in the air; after death, nothing remains. The utterly destitute manas-root proceeds to the next life together with the Tathagatagarbha—what can there be?"