Buddhists Should Skillfully Utilize Meditative Concentration

Some say that meditative concentration is practiced by non-Buddhists and that cultivating it leads to bondage. However, while non-Buddhists enjoy the bliss of meditative concentration, Buddhists use it to develop wisdom and liberate themselves from the suffering of birth and death—there is nothing wrong with that. Take a sharp knife, for example: non-Buddhists use it to kill, while Buddhists use it to cut vegetables or peel fruit to benefit others and sustain themselves. One cannot say that just because non-Buddhists use something, Buddhists must avoid it—that is foolish thinking. Similarly, when non-Buddhists misuse something, Buddhists use it skillfully; isn't that expedient? All phenomena are misused by sentient beings, yet the Buddha uses them skillfully—isn't it excellent to learn from the Buddha?