The shurangama mantra The shurangama mantra | Page 231

【THE SHURANGAMA SUTRA _ EXTRACTION.】
mind so that it does not go to
extremes. Suddenly the space in the
ten directions may take on the colors
of the seven precious things or the
colors of a hundred precious things,
which simultaneously pervade
everywhere without hindering one
another. The blues, yellows, reds, and
whites will each be clearly apparent.
This state is called ‘excessively
subduing the mind.’ It is a temporary
state and does not indicate sagehood.
If he does not think he has become a
sage, then this will be a good state.
But if he considers himself a sage,
then he will be vulnerable to the
demons’ influence. 8:37
make his limbs hot and even when
his flesh is cut, it will be like wood
being whittled. This state is called
‘the merging of external states and
the blending of the four elements into
a uniform substance.’ It is a
temporary state and does not indicate
sagehood. If he does not think he has
become a sage, then this will be a
good state. But if he considers
himself a sage, then he will be
vulnerable to the demons’ influence.
8:40
”Further, when his mind
accomplishes such purity that his
skill in purifying the mind has
reached its ultimate, he will suddenly
see the earth, the mountains, and the
rivers in the ten directions turn into
Buddhalands replete with the seven
precious things, their light shining
everywhere. He will also see
Buddhas, Tathagatas, as many as the
sands of the Ganges, filling all of
space. He will also see pavilions and
palaces that are resplendent and
beautiful. He will see the hells below
and the celestial palaces above, all
without obstruction. This state is
called ‘the gradual transformation of
concentrated thoughts of fondness
and loathing.’ It does not indicate
sagehood. If he does not think he has
become a sage, then this will be a
good state. But if he considers
himself a sage, then he will be
vulnerable to the demons’ influence.
8:41
”Further, as the person uses his mind
to investigate with clear discernment
until the pure light no longer
disperses, he will suddenly be able to
see various things appear in a dark
room at night, just as if it were
daytime, while the objects that were
already in the room do not disappear.
This state is called ‘refining the mind
and purifying the vision until one is
able to see in the dark.’ It is a
temporary state and does not indicate
sagehood. If he does not think he has
become a sage, then this will be a
good state. But if he considers
himself a sage, then he will be
vulnerable to the demons’ influence.
8:38
”Further, when his mind completely
merges with emptiness, his four
limbs will suddenly become like
grass or wood, devoid of sensation
even when burned by fire or cut with
a knife. The burning of fire will not
”Further, as the person uses his mind
to investigate what is profound and
far away, he will suddenly be able to
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