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 hearing and reflection. If a contemplative practitioner, with regard to the four noble truths, repeatedly engages in correct observation in this way, then through the sixteen aspects, regarding the reasoning that establishes the four noble truths, the mind has already attained certainty. Furthermore, with regard to the exhaustive nature (尽所有性) and the suchness nature (如所有性) of the four noble truths, one transcends the mixed mental engagement of hearing and reflection, and consistently gives rise to the determination (adhimokṣa) of cultivation practice—this is called the mental engagement of determination (胜解作意). Such mental engagement takes only the realm of the truths as its object and is constantly in meditative concentration. Because of cultivating and repeatedly cultivating this, one obtains unbounded wisdom with regard to the two realms of the truth of suffering and the truth of the origin of suffering.

The contemplation of aspects prior to attaining certainty regarding the four noble truths is mixed with hearing 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 certainty regarding the four noble truths. Only after the mind attains certainty can determination arise; only after determination can realization occur. The exhaustive nature of the four noble truths refers to the scope covered by the four noble truths; the suchness nature refers to the exhaustive nature that accords with the principle of the four noble truths. If the observation is uninterrupted correct observation, one can transcend the mixed stage of hearing and reflection; at this time one can give rise to determination regarding the four noble truths, which is called the mental engagement 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 mental engagement and observation can obtain unbounded wisdom.