The Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 34 (Chapter 60)

Original:

For these reasons, although one deeply aspires and delights in Nirvāṇa, the mind cannot enter into it, for the coarse ego-conceit acts as an obstruction. Having understood that such ego-conceit is an obstacle, one swiftly penetrates it with wisdom, thereby abandoning the spontaneously arising conceit that previously dominated the mind. Subsequently, one directs mental application, subdues all externally perceived objects, and shifts to contemplative mental application. Following this mental application, one diligently and uninterruptedly observes the Four Noble Truths. As the arising conceit subsides, the mind arises uninterruptedly in contemplative observation, with the continuous outflow of consciousness focused on observing the Four Noble Truths. By thus directing the mind toward the mind with unwavering diligence, one ensures that the mental application of entry prevails, leaving no opportunity for the coarse ego-conceit—which obstructs direct realization—to arise.

Exegesis:

Due to these conditions within the practitioner’s mind, although they deeply cherish and aspire toward Nirvāṇa, the mind cannot enter it because the heavy ego-conceit creates an obstruction. After recognizing that the aforementioned ego-conceit obstructs entry into Nirvāṇa, the practitioner swiftly penetrates it with wisdom, thereby removing this obstruction. They then relinquish the previously unrestrained, spontaneously arising ego-conceit and subsequently engage mental application to subdue all externally perceived objects. Shifting to contemplative mental application, they follow this application single-mindedly, observing the Four Noble Truths with uninterrupted diligence. As the arising conceited mind subsides, the mind arises uninterruptedly in contemplative observation, with consciousness flowing continuously toward the observation of the Four Noble Truths. By thus focusing the wisdom-mind on uninterrupted mental application with exclusive diligence—fully immersed in the mental application of the Four Noble Truths—the practitioner leaves no opportunity for the heavy ego-conceit, which obstructs direct realization, to arise.

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