Methods for Initiating Contemplative Practice

Question: Can the sun visualization method from the Contemplation Sutra be used to practice bone contemplation?

Answer: The methods for practicing sun visualization and bone contemplation are the same, and their difficulty levels are similar—neither is excessively difficult, as all visualization methods for attaining realization are generally alike. The earth visualization and water visualization following sun visualization are comparatively more challenging. Sun visualization itself is not particularly difficult, yet visualization practice is still quite demanding, typically requiring one or two years. Many people have practiced for two years without hearing of anyone achieving success; most probably abandon the practice midway. Genuine cultivation is not easy; attaining any form of samadhi is difficult. However, abandoning practice to drift through the cycle of birth and death brings even greater suffering. Relatively speaking, practicing is easier and more joyful than not practicing. Whether practice is easy depends on the individual—it is a matter of personal effort. Those who easily give up halfway lack sufficient resolve and have never experienced any real progress in practice, often feeling lost about the path ahead. Such individuals, who lack steadfastness in worldly affairs, tend to similarly abandon the path of Buddhist practice and realization midway.

Bone contemplation requires several years of practice; the swift may achieve it in two or three years, depending on one's spiritual capacity. In the Saha world, those with truly excellent capacity are exceedingly rare. The visualization method in the Buddha-name recitation practice involving images is also similar in approach. Though the methods are comparable, samadhi arises in each case. However, because the objects of contemplation differ, the realizations attained differ. Contemplation focused on emptiness leads to realization of the Hinayana fruition, while contemplation aligned with the Mahayana may lead to Mahayana realization. Mahayana contemplation practice has a very high starting point, requiring a foundation in Hinayana contemplation practice. Success in sun visualization is not directly related to realizing fruition or awakening the mind in the short term, but the samadhi power it cultivates is excellent. With this samadhi power, achieving success in other Dharma practices becomes very rapid.

In the sixteen contemplations of the Contemplation Sutra, the mind is awakened only upon reaching the seventh contemplation. The first few contemplations do not awaken the mind, but the emergence of a samadhi state ensures rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss upon death. Success in bone contemplation can sever the view of self, leading to attainment of the first to the fourth fruition stages. Success in Buddha-image contemplation not only brings simple mind-awakening but may potentially lead to the First Bhumi. This depends on each individual's level of wisdom realization, samadhi realization, and the combination of various conditions. The initial approaches to contemplative practice are generally consistent without significant differences.