The Meaning of Similar Samadhi and Similar Anutpattika-dharma-ksanti

Similarity means resemblance, approximation—having formal likeness but not true essence, not being genuine yet resembling the genuine. The "similar samādhi" has not yet reached the level of true samādhi; it is close to samādhi, resembles samādhi, seems like samādhi, yet is not genuine samādhi. Similarly, the "similar anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti" and "anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti" likewise have not yet attained the level of true anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti; they are merely similar to and resemble anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti, not the genuine anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti.

Once the conceptual meanings of Chinese nouns are clarified, the general idea of a sentence or paragraph becomes clear. If one is not mentally indolent but diligent in contemplation, gradually, some Dharma principles will become comprehensible on one's own. Simply waiting for others or ready-made answers is a manifestation of unwillingness to think deeply; this will not increase wisdom. One must learn to rely on one's own mental wisdom, with the prerequisite being diligent cultivation of merit (puṇya) and meditative concentration (dhyāna).