Yogācārabhūmi Śāstra, Volume 34 (75)

Original Text: It should be understood that herein, by means of observational attention, throughout all cultivation of the path, one repeatedly examines what has been abandoned and what has not been abandoned. According to the path as it has been attained, one correctly cultivates and practices. Furthermore, herein, what is called the nature of cultivation? What is called the activity of cultivation? What is called the differentiation of cultivation categories? It refers to cultivating and increasing worldly and supramundane wholesome conditioned phenomena through attention within a stabilized state of mind. It is uninterrupted action, earnest action, causing the mind to be continuous, converging with its essential nature. This is called the nature of cultivation.

Explanation: During the process of cultivating the path, due to the presence of observational attention, throughout all cultivation processes, one repeatedly and frequently examines the defilements one has already abandoned and those not yet abandoned. According to the path that should be cultivated, one correctly and properly cultivates and practices. In the process of cultivation, what is called the nature of cultivation? What is called the activity of cultivation? What is called the differentiation of cultivation categories? It means cultivating and practicing within meditative concentration through applied attention, directing it towards wholesome conditioned phenomena, both worldly and supramundane. One cultivates continuously, practices diligently, performs wholesome actions without interruption, practices goodness with diligence, causing the mind to abide continuously in wholesome dharmas, so that the mind unites with the essential nature of goodness. This is called the nature of cultivation.