What Is the Summit?

Therefore, in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, mindfulness of dharmas is the summit. In the Four Right Efforts, the ability to generate unarisen wholesome dharmas is called the summit. In the Four Bases of Psychic Power, the tranquility of body and mind is called the summit. Among the Five Roots and Five Powers, the root of wisdom and the power of wisdom are called the summit. In the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the discrimination of dharmas is the summit. In the Noble Eightfold Path, right view is the summit. All the śamatha and vipaśyanā possessed by external paths are called the summit. Among the Four Noble Truths, the truth of cessation is the summit. Among the Four Reliances, reliance on meaning is the summit. Among the Four Unobstructed Wisdoms, the unobstructed wisdom of meaning is called the summit. Among the Six Supernormal Powers, the exhaustion of defilements is the summit. Among the Four Immeasurable Minds, the mind of compassion is the summit. In cultivating the holy life, wisdom is the summit. Among the pāramitās, prajñā is the summit. Among all skillful means, knowing the minds of sentient beings is called the summit. Among all powers, the power regarding what is and is not the case is called the summit. Among the fearlessnesses, the first is called the summit. Among the unshared dharmas, unobstructed wisdom is the summit. Among the thirty-two marks, the mark of the invisible summit is called the summit. Among the eighty excellent characteristics, the non-empty teaching of the Dharma is called the summit. Adorning the mouth, understanding all languages is called the summit. Adorning the mind, destroying arrogance is the summit. Among all dharmas, wisdom is the summit.

Explanation: What is the summit? The summit is the best, the highest, the most wonderful, the most supreme within its kind, with nothing surpassing it. In the Śrāvaka vehicle, there is a summit before attaining the fruit, and a summit after attaining the fruit; the summit after attaining the fruit is the great Arhat with complete liberation. In the Mahayana, there is a summit before realizing the mind, and a summit after realizing the mind; the summit after realizing the mind is the Tathāgata.

There is a summit of dharmas, a summit of persons, a summit of precepts, a summit of concentration, and also a summit of wisdom. There is also a summit of the Sangha. Who is the summit of the Sangha? It is the Buddha, for the Buddha is also counted within the Sangha.