The shurangama mantra The shurangama mantra | Page 234

【THE SHURANGAMA SUTRA _ EXTRACTION.】
feeling skandha. His wisdom
becomes stronger than his samadhi,
and he mistakenly becomes
impetuous. Cherishing the supremacy
of his nature, he imagines that he is a
Nishyanda (Buddha) and rests
content with his minor achievement.
8:60
”This is called ‘cultivating, but not
understanding expedients.’ If he
understands, then there is no error.
This experience does not indicate
sagehood. 8:64
”But if he considers himself a sage,
then a demon of chronic depression
will enter his mind. He may take up
knives and swords and cut his own
flesh, happily giving up his life. Or
else, driven by constant anxiety, he
may flee into the wilderness and be
unwilling to see people. Lacking
proper samadhi, he will certainly fall.
8:64
”This is called ‘applying the mind,
but straying away from constant
examination and becoming
preoccupied with ideas and opinions.’
If he understands, then there is no
error. This experience does not
indicate sagehood. 8:61
”But if he considers himself a sage,
then a lowly demon that is easily
satisfied will enter his mind. As soon
as he sees someone, he will
announce, ‘I have realized the
unsurpassed absolute truth.’ Lacking
proper samadhi, he will certainly fall.
8:61
”Further, in this state of samadhi, the
good person sees the disintegration of
the form skandha and understands the
feeling skandha. As he dwells in this
purity, his mind is tranquil and at
ease. Suddenly a feeling of boundless
joy wells up in him. There is such
bliss in his mind that he cannot
contain it. 8:67
”Further, in this state of samadhi the
good person sees the disintegration of
the form skandha and understands the
feeling skandha. He has not yet
obtained any results, and his prior
state of mind has already
disappeared. Surveying the two
extremes, he feels that he is in great
danger. Suddenly he becomes greatly
distraught, as if he were seated on the
Iron Bed, or as if he has taken poison.
He has no wish to go on living, and
he is always asking people to take his
life so he can be released sooner.
8:62
”This is called, ‘experiencing
lightness and ease, but lacking the
wisdom to control it.’ If he
understands, then there is no error.
This experience does not indicate
sagehood. 8:67
”But if he considers himself a sage,
then a demon that likes happiness
will enter his mind. As soon as he
sees someone, he will laugh. He will
sing and dance in the streets. He will
say that he has already attained
unobstructed liberation. Lacking
proper samadhi, he will certainly fall.
8:68
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