The Samadhi State of Interdependent Arising between Samadhi and Prajna

This state arises from preliminary meditative concentration, which gives rise to wisdom; wisdom then gives rise to profound concentration, and profound concentration gives rise to profound wisdom. Entering samadhi, one thereby opens the gateway to the great wisdom state.

After sitting down, cross your legs and take several deep breaths, allowing the qi to sink to the dantian. Once the mind settles into stillness, empty the brain and contemplate the emptiness within the already empty mind. As the mind settles further, give rise to the "doubt sensation" — this doubt is the very question you currently need to resolve, such as: why the form aggregate is empty, why the supreme meaning faculty is empty, why the six sense objects are illusory, why the six consciousnesses are unreal, and so on. Bring forth only one simple question at a time. When the power of concentration and wisdom is insufficient, do not greedily pursue too many or overly profound questions, lest concentration diminish and wisdom fail to arise.

Carrying this doubt sensation, do not rush to investigate immediately. Keep the consciousness still — do not engage in thinking, simply fixate on the doubt. By fixating intently like this, the power of concentration grows deeper and deeper. At a certain point, a mental stirring will naturally arise — a desire to understand this question. This is the manas (mind-root) gathering momentum to act. If there is obvious movement, it is the stirring of the conscious mind — this must be stopped, as shallow thinking by the conscious mind is of no benefit. The stirring of the manas is extremely subtle, difficult to observe, profound beyond measure, yet it can resolve actual problems and unveil profound wisdom.

The stirring of the manas has no language, no words, no sound — it is silent and mysterious. Slowly, it seems as if a spark of clarity is about to emerge, faintly stirring. The screen of the brain is about to become luminous; the answer to the question is on the verge of appearing. Then, vaguely and hazily, a little appears, then a little more, until more and more answers seem ready to emerge, yet they remain unclear, still hazy. Nevertheless, light has already appeared, and confidence has arisen.

Continue to investigate subtly and secretly within deep concentration. The line of thought grows clearer and clearer; the mind grows brighter and brighter, purer and purer, more and more illuminated. The brain becomes clear and transparent; the inner mind is joyful, entering into samadhi. Finally, when the answer is fully revealed and the mind is certain without doubt, emerge from samadhi. Hand the entire process over to the conscious mind to contemplate, organize, and clarify the content with rigorous logic. Let the manas reconfirm it. Once this matter is concluded, concentration and wisdom merge seamlessly without obstruction.

By the power of this samadhi, one exhaustively investigates all difficulties and doubts, shattering all ignorance. The time for Buddhahood is assured — how much more so for becoming a Bodhisattva or an Arhat! The only fear is that sentient beings lack sufficient merit. The less merit one has, the harder it is to generate merit, the harder it is to generate concentration, and the harder it is to generate wisdom. This is a vicious cycle. How to break through it? Ponder this individually.