On to Lines of Experience Verse 23I do not see how you can cut the root of samsara with merely single-pointed
meditative concentration alone. Moreover, divorced from the path of mental
quiescence meditation (43)
(to develop single-minded concentration,) I do not see how you can turn
away from your defilements by merely examining them as much as possible
with wisdom alone. Therefore, on the horse of mental quiescence meditation
which trains your mind never to wander, the masters have mounted wisdom
which cuts all doubts about how things exist and what is to be practiced
or abandoned. Thus they have tried to expand their intelligence to understand
Sunyata with the all-encompassing wisdom which examines things according
to the way they actually exist. Armed in this way with the sharp weapon
of the reasoning of the Middle Path, devoid of extremes, they have destroyed
all traces of the idea that there can be such a thing as something that
exists truly independently.
I, who actually have traveled a true path that leads to Enlightenment,
have had the experience of doing just that. If you would also seek Liberation,
please cultivate yourself in the same way.
Once you have developed single-minded concentration by having built
up the habit of single-pointedness of thought (through mental quiescence
meditation,) then, when (you direct this concentration towards an analysis
of the nature of) all conceptual thoughts -- (which entails) a proper examination
(of them with the wisdom of Sunyata) -- you will witness the development
of a very firm state of single-minded concentration focused unwaveringly
on the actual way in which all things exist. (Keeping in mind how) admirable
all efforts are to establish the union of both mental quiescence and penetrative
insight into Sunyata (44),
(you should make the initial effort to enable you to achieve such a union)
by offering as many prayers and wishes for this as possible.
I, who actually have traveled a true path that leads to Enlightenment,
have had the experience of doing just that. If you would also seek Liberation,
please cultivate yourself in the same way.
