The Samadhi Realm Is the Solitary Image Realm

(Illustration II follows below) When the Samadhi of Buddha-Recitation is attained, all Buddhas of the ten directions stand before you, clearly perceived by the visual consciousness, yet others cannot see them. What kind of state is this?

After the White Skeleton Contemplation is perfected, one sees all people as interconnected white bones, with utmost clarity, yet others cannot perceive this. What kind of state is this? In the Contemplation Sutra, after the first contemplation, the Sun Contemplation, is achieved, whether eyes are open or closed, the setting sun appears like a suspended drum before one's eyes and in the mind, yet others cannot see it. What kind of state is this? After each of the Sixteen Contemplations is perfected, corresponding states manifest, perceived by the visual consciousness, yet others cannot see them. What kind of state is this?

Seeing golden stars dancing before the eyes, shimmering and flickering, yet others cannot see them—what kind of state is this? A mirage is visible to everyone—what kind of form is that? For instance, when seeing golden stars, can the eyes perceive black stars? The white bones in the White Skeleton Contemplation, the fiery red color of the setting sun, and so forth. How should this be understood?

The visual consciousness perceives colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, black, and white. Any perception involving the visual consciousness cannot be a shadow-only state. However, any form perceived within any meditative state is seen by the exclusive mental consciousness alone, without the involvement of the visual consciousness. Colors appearing in recollections, colors seen in dreams—all are perceived by the exclusive mental consciousness, not by the visual consciousness. Here, there is no visual consciousness involved.