Without Samadhi, None of the Contemplative Practices Can Pass the Test

Without dhyāna (meditative concentration), none of the various contemplative practices can be mastered. Although one may believe all phenomena to be like dreams and illusions, even if the sixth consciousness (mano-vijñāna) realizes that all phenomena are dreamlike and illusory, the seventh consciousness (manas) absolutely cannot realize it. Thus, what is said and what is done remain disconnected; moreover, the consciousness has not genuinely realized these principles, as the evidence is insufficient.

Beginning from the third barrier in Zen practice, subsequent contemplations such as viewing phenomena as dreamlike and illusory must be supported by the first dhyāna to be mastered. All preceding contemplative practices, including severing the view of self, require the attainment of the state prior to the first dhyāna (anāgamya-samādhi); otherwise, no barrier can be overcome. If someone claims to have severed the view of self without having attained the state prior to the first dhyāna, they should carefully examine whether this is reliable, for the moment of approaching death is a critical juncture between life and death—there is absolutely no room for ambiguity.