Yogācārabhūmi Śāstra, Volume 34 (56)

Original text: 又即如是了相作意。当知犹为闻思间杂。若观行者于诸谛中。如是数数正观察故。由十六行。于四圣谛证成道理。已得决定。复于诸谛。尽所有性。如所有性。超过闻思间杂作意。一向发起修行胜解。此则名为胜解作意。如是作意。唯缘谛境。一向在定。于此修习多修习故。于苦集二谛境中得无边际智。

Explanation: The contemplation of aspects (了相作意) described above still belongs to the mixed wisdom of study and reflection. If a contemplative practitioner, with respect to the four noble truths, repeatedly engages in correct observation in this way, then through the sixteen aspects, regarding the principle of establishing and verifying the four noble truths, the mind has already attained decisiveness. Furthermore, with respect to the exhaustiveness (尽所有性) and suchness (如所有性) of the four noble truths, having transcended the mixed contemplation of study and reflection, one unceasingly gives rise to the determination (adhimokṣa) of cultivating practice — this is called the contemplation of determination (胜解作意). Such contemplation takes only the realm of the truths as its object and remains constantly in meditative concentration. Because of cultivating and repeatedly cultivating this, one attains unbounded wisdom with respect to the two realms of the truth of suffering and the truth of origination.

The contemplation of aspects prior to attaining decisiveness regarding the four noble truths is mixed with study and reflection; it is not purely correct observation, nor is it uninterrupted observation. Only if one can engage in correct observation without interruption can one attain decisiveness regarding the four noble truths. Only after the mind has attained decisiveness can determination arise, and only after determination can realization occur. The exhaustiveness of the four noble truths refers to the scope covered by the four noble truths, while suchness refers to the exhaustiveness that accords with the principle of the four noble truths. If the observation is uninterrupted correct observation, one can transcend the stage of mixed study and reflection; at this time one can give rise to determination regarding the four noble truths, which is called the contemplation of determination. If one can continuously maintain meditative concentration without losing it, and the mind takes only the four noble truths as its object with no other object, then such contemplative observation can attain unbounded wisdom.