How to Eradicate Various Sensations

The sensations of body consciousness must be cultivated to the level of the fourth dhyāna before they can become unaffected. Even non-Buddhists can overcome and eliminate the sensations of the physical body; as long as they possess meditative concentration, it is sufficient. The sensations of mental consciousness must involve severing the view of self before they can be subdued and eliminated. The sensations arising from the five consciousnesses can be eliminated by relying on meditative concentration alone, whereas the sensations of mental consciousness must rely on wisdom to be eliminated. The sensations of the five consciousnesses can also be temporarily suppressed by methods such as diverting attention, which is also related to meditative concentration. If attention is not focused on the place of pain, the pain cannot be felt.

Some dharmas can be resolved solely through meditative concentration, while others must rely on the wisdom gained from severing the view of self and the wisdom of realizing the mind to be resolved. Still other dharmas must be resolved through a combination of both meditative concentration and wisdom.