Why Does Dhyana Inevitably Bring Merit?

The levels of samadhi are categorized as the samadhi of the desire realm, the samadhi of the form realm, and the samadhi of the formless realm. If the discerning mind corresponds to the states of the desire realm heavens, the form realm heavens, and the formless realm heavens, upon the end of this life, one will be reborn in the desire realm, form realm, or formless realm heavens, becoming a deva. There, one enjoys the supreme karmic retribution of the heavenly realms, abiding in the corresponding samadhi and experiencing bliss. Thus, samadhi possesses the blessings of samadhi. The blessings of samadhi are worldly blessings; they are the blessings enjoyed within the world, specifically within the three realms of existence.

Samadhi represents purity, and purity itself is a blessing. Many people desire purity but cannot attain it, indicating they lack the blessing of purity. Samadhi brings physical and mental comfort and ease, thus it possesses the blessings of samadhi. Samadhi subdues and eliminates afflictions; with afflictions absent, the mind attains liberation, thus it possesses the blessings of samadhi. Samadhi facilitates the arising of wisdom, thus it possesses the blessings of samadhi. Samadhi dispels distracting thoughts and affairs, removes disturbances, and allows one to enjoy precious moments of pure joy, thus it possesses the blessings of samadhi. Samadhi can give rise to immeasurable spiritual powers and miraculous abilities, initiate vast and supreme practices, benefit oneself and others, accomplish all worldly and transcendental endeavors, and achieve all worldly and transcendental wisdom, thus it possesses the blessings of samadhi. Samadhi can avert disasters; for instance, in the fourth dhyāna, with the purity of renouncing thoughts, the three calamities cannot reach, thus it possesses the blessings of samadhi. As long as there are mental thoughts, disasters can be attracted; significant actions, especially those tainted by afflictions, bring even greater calamities. When the mind is pure and thoughts are relinquished, free from desires and pursuits, it does not attract disasters.

However, even the four dhyānas are not ultimate. After samadhi fades, suffering will arise. Any form of samadhi is subject to arising and cessation. Without realizing the fruit of enlightenment, without seeing the true mind, and without cultivating to a sufficiently high level of wisdom and liberation, samadhi will eventually fade. Once it fades, afflictions and disasters will reappear. The blessings of samadhi attained prior to realizing the Path are tainted blessings; once exhausted, they are gone. Therefore, one must still pursue the liberating wisdom born from samadhi, for this is the supreme, permanent, and enduring karmic retribution.