Buddhist Practitioners Should Skillfully Use Meditative Concentration

Some say that meditative concentration (dhyāna-samādhi) is shared with non-Buddhist paths, and that practicing it leads to bondage. But while non-Buddhists enjoy the bliss of meditative concentration, Buddhist practitioners use it to develop wisdom—there is nothing wrong with using it to liberate oneself from the suffering of birth and death. For example, take a sharp knife: non-Buddhists use it to kill living beings, while Buddhist practitioners use it to cut vegetables and peel fruit for the benefit of others and their own livelihood. One cannot say that because non-Buddhists use it, Buddhists must avoid it entirely—that is the thinking of a fool. The same principle applies: non-Buddhists use it for evil purposes, while Buddhists use it for good—how could this not be convenient? All dharmas may be used by sentient beings for evil purposes, yet the Buddha uses them skillfully for good. Would it not be excellent for learning Buddhism to be used likewise?