Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 34 (82)

Original Text: The cultivation of the Path of Accumulation (Prayoga-mārga). It is so called because, through this cultivation, one initiates the preparatory practices (prayoga) to eradicate the afflictions (kleśa). The cultivation of the Path of Seeing (Anantarya-mārga). It is so called because, through this cultivation, one truly and permanently severs the afflictions. The cultivation of the Path of Liberation (Vimukti-mārga). It is so called because, through this cultivation, one eradicates the afflictions without interval and attains liberation. The cultivation of the Path of Further Practice (Viśesa-mārga). It is so called because, through this cultivation, one thereafter cultivates superior wholesome dharmas until the afflictions pertaining to other stages (bhūmi) no longer arise, the remedial practices (pratipakṣa) and preparatory efforts may or may not arise, and one advances toward the stage of ultimate realization (niṣṭhāgata), never again taking birth in the three realms (traidhātuka). It should be understood that these are the eleven kinds of cultivation, classified according to their categories.

Explanation: The cultivation of the Path of Accumulation means that, due to this type of cultivation, one initiates the preparatory practices to eradicate the afflictions. The cultivation of the Path of Seeing means that, due to this type of cultivation, one truly severs the afflictions, and severs them permanently; hence it is called the Uninterrupted Path. The cultivation of the Path of Liberation means that, due to this type of cultivation, one eradicates the afflictions without interval and attains liberation. The cultivation of the Path of Further Practice means that, due to this type of cultivation, one thereafter cultivates superior wholesome dharmas, until the afflictions pertaining to the other stages no longer arise, the remedial practices and preparatory efforts may or may not arise, and one advances toward the stage of ultimate realization of the Four Noble Truths (catvāri āryasatyāni), never again taking birth in the threefold world. This is the classification of the eleven kinds of cultivation according to their categories.