Practice Requires the Equal Cultivation of Samādhi and Prajñā

Not seeking states and dissolving states—these are methods for cultivating meditative concentration, to be used during the practice of concentration. When the power of concentration is sufficient and contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) is needed, one must practice contemplation upon states. In cultivation, one should first cultivate concentration, and then cultivate wisdom by contemplating the Buddha-dharma. Only through the equal cultivation of Samādhi and Prajñā can one realize the Buddha-dharma. If one lacks the power of concentration and attempts contemplative practice, nothing contemplated will be accomplished. At best, the result would be mere intellectual understanding; but understanding is like scratching an itch through a boot, or distant water failing to quench immediate thirst, because what is understood does not become one's own attainment—the manas has not broken through ignorance—so understanding has no real practical use.