Without meditative concentration, none of the various contemplative practices can pass.

Without meditative concentration (samādhi), not a single contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) can be passed. Even if one believes that all dharmas are like dreams and illusions, even if the mind consciousness has realized that all dharmas are like dreams and illusions, the manas absolutely cannot realize this; then one says it while doing another—moreover, the mind consciousness has not truly realized these principles either, as the evidence is insufficient.

Starting from the third gate of the Chan school, subsequent contemplations such as the contemplation of dreams and the contemplation of realms all require the full attainment of the first dhyāna in order to pass. All prior contemplative practices, including the eradication of the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi-prahāṇa), require the full attainment of preparatory concentration (anāgamya-samādhi); otherwise, no gate can be passed. If someone believes they have eradicated the view of self but has not yet attained preparatory concentration, then they should carefully deliberate on whether this is reliable. The time of death is a major juncture of birth-and-death, and not the slightest ambiguity can be allowed.