The Theoretical and Practical Cultivation Methods for Entering the Path as Expounded by Bodhidharma

"Cease external entanglements, let the inner mind be without panting; make the mind like a wall, and you may enter the Way." This is a statement spoken by Patriarch Bodhidharma. This phrase can be interpreted in two ways. The first describes a state of concentration attained during cultivation; the other subtly points to the Supreme Meaning Truth. From the perspective of the Supreme Meaning Truth, the true suchness substance, the Tathāgatagarbha, has neither external nor internal. It does not grasp at external conditions and does not cling to any dharma. It does not perceive or distinguish any dust-like sensory objects; it does not know the good or evil, right or wrong of any state. Therefore, it has no thoughts, no ideation, no knowledge-views, and no opinions within itself. Consequently, no external dharmas can enter the mind, and no thoughts, viewpoints, or understandings emerge from within. The mind of Tathāgatagarbha is like a wall, neither external nor internal, with no passage between inside and out. Thus, upon realizing such a nature of the Tathāgatagarbha, one can investigate it and attain realization of it, thereby entering the Way. This is entering the Way through principle-based cultivation.

On the other hand, there is entering the Way through practice-based cultivation. Practice-based cultivation means cultivating concentration and then, within that concentration, investigating Chan to realize the Tathāgatagarbha. This concentration can be the first dhyāna of the form realm or the preliminary concentration of the desire realm before reaching the first dhyāna. When this concentration is attained and the mind is focused, one can investigate Chan, investigate a huatou (critical phrase), and upon penetrating it, attain enlightenment. Specifically, cultivate concentration until one no longer grasps at external objects of form, sound, smell, taste, or touch, and the mind no longer grasps at other dharma-dust objects. Do not indulge in false thinking, do not reminisce, and do not engage in scattered thoughts. Cultivate the mind until it is like a wall, where afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion cannot enter, and irrelevant sensory dust cannot enter, enabling one to focus on a single dharma, contemplating and investigating the dharma of true suchness, the dharma of Tathāgatagarbha, investigating a gong'an (koan) or a huatou. When the causes and conditions are ripe, one will find the answer, comprehend the principle of the dharma, and realize the true suchness mind-substance.

Huatou can be: "Who is dragging this corpse?" "Who is reciting the Buddha's name?" "Who is eating?" "Who is walking?" One can also contemplate and investigate a phrase from the Buddhist scriptures, such as the Buddha's statement in the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra: Like a puppet manipulated by strings, when the mechanism is activated, the appearance arises. This phrase can test whether a practitioner has truly attained enlightenment and whether the enlightenment is correct or not. If the enlightenment is mistaken, the meaning of this phrase cannot be understood, nor can one understand the meaning of the phrase from the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra: "Every step the Bodhisattva lifts or lowers the foot comes from the place of enlightenment." There are many huatou; the one that best fits one's own capacity is best. In any case, this type of concentration is quite difficult to cultivate in the present age. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the vast majority of people possessed this concentration, so enlightenment was attained very quickly.

Investigating Chan does not necessarily require sitting. One can investigate Chan while walking, standing, sitting, or lying down; it can be done anytime, anywhere. With the mind focused and undistracted, one can awaken at any moment when encountering circumstances or conditions. From ancient times to the present, the vast majority of enlightened patriarchs did not attain enlightenment while sitting; it is also difficult to attain enlightenment while sitting. Some attained enlightenment upon hearing someone speak a phrase; some attained enlightenment upon hearing a sound; some attained enlightenment upon seeing a form; others attained enlightenment upon smelling a fragrance. All of them had investigated Chan to a certain degree and were triggered by a chance circumstance to have an inspiration and attain enlightenment. Many also attained enlightenment upon hearing their master's instruction; others attained enlightenment because their master struck them with a fist, a staff, or a shout. Each person's cause for enlightenment seems different. Investigating Chan also requires having cultivated to a certain level; it cannot be forced if the power of concentration is insufficient, as forced investigation is of no benefit. Only when the power of concentration has reached the preliminary concentration of the desire realm, and the mind remains undisturbed by thoughts whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, able to focus on a single state, is it the best time to investigate Chan. At this point, investigating Chan can generate doubt; resolving this doubt leads swiftly to the enlightenment of the mind.