On the Practice of Meditative Concentration (Dhyāna)

The first contemplation in the Contemplation of the Buddha of Infinite Life Sūtra (Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra), if it can be accomplished, means that meditative concentration has already surpassed preparatory concentration (anāgamya-samādhi), and may even reach the first dhyāna. This is genuine cultivation—is it easy? It is extremely difficult. Very, very few people can accomplish preparatory concentration, for one must give up a great deal of worldly dharma to achieve it. To cultivate to the first dhyāna requires subduing an immense amount of greed and afflictions, having few desires toward worldly pursuits—who can accomplish this? Let alone laypeople, whose worldly habits are so deeply entrenched. Therefore, do not believe that this person has attained the fourth dhyāna or that person has attained the fourth dhyāna; preparatory concentration is already a great test.

Only when one has subdued worldly desires in the human realm can one attain preparatory concentration. Only when the desires of the desire-realm devas have been subdued can one attain the first dhyāna. If one cannot subdue even the lowest desires, do not expect to have a fairly good preparatory concentration. When people want to gain everything—power, money, influence, and fame all desired—and still want to show off and display themselves, how can they have meditative concentration? With fine food, fine drink, fine clothing, and fine enjoyments, how can they have meditative concentration? Caring about every worldly matter, how can they have meditative concentration? Only by linking cultivation to one's own body and mind, linking it to all of one's bodily, verbal, and mental actions, constantly examining and reflecting, constantly cultivating and realizing oneself, can one subdue the self, can one cultivate meditative concentration, and only then can one's progress on the Path advance continually.