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Category：Prajñā Sūtras Reads：
This book mainly discusses the content of the five dharma gates of Chan, namely the contemplation of impurity, the contemplation of loving-kindness, the contemplation of causes and conditions, the contemplation of counting the breath, and the contemplation of recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti), using these five contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) methods to counteract afflictions such as greed, anger, delusion, and distraction; among them, the contemplation of impurity and the contemplation of counting the breath are most valued by the Hīnayāna Chan methods and are called the two gates of amṛta. The latter part mainly explains the states attained through cultivating Chan methods, namely the four dhyānas and eight meditative concentrations (samādhi), as well as the relationships between the four dhyānas and eight concentrations and the four foundations of mindfulness, the five superknowledges, and the contemplation of the Four Noble Truths. Those who wish to cultivate and attain the four dhyānas and eight concentrations may contemplate the faults of the desire realm, while those who wish to tend toward nirvāṇa should cultivate the four foundations of mindfulness in śamatha and vipaśyanā. At the same time, the sūtra explains the specific methods for cultivating various meditative concentrations/meditative absorptions (samādhi), and points out the step-by-step path of progressive cultivation and realization ascending from ordinary beings to bodhisattvas. This book is an indispensable book of reliance for Buddhist sons who wish to truly cultivate and genuinely realize; it is difficult to encounter and rare to meet. It is hoped that all Buddhist sons will rely on this book to cultivate and realize in accordance with reality and principle, practice according to the teachings, and attain the fruit of the Path soon.
