Example:
Further, as the person uses his mind to intently investigate inside
and outside, his physical and spiritual souls, intellect, will,
essence, and spirit will be able to interact with one another
without affecting his body. They will take turns as host and
guests. Then he may suddenly hear the Dharma being spoken in space,
or perhaps he will hear esoteric truths being pronounced
simultaneously throughout the ten directions. This state is called
"the essence and souls alternately separating and uniting, and the
planting of good seeds." 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.
Further, when the person's mind becomes clear, unveiled,
bright, and penetrating, an internal light will shine forth and
turn everything in the ten directions into the color of Jambu-river
gold. All the various species of beings will be transformed into
Tathagatas. Suddenly he will see Vairochana Buddha seated upon a
platform of celestial light, surrounded by a thousand Buddhas, who
simultaneously appear upon lotus blossoms in a hundred million
lands. This state is called "the mind and soul being instilled with
spiritual awareness." When he has investigated to the point of
clarity, the light of his mind will shine upon all worlds. This 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.
Further, as the person uses his mind to intently
investigate that wondrous light, he will contemplate without pause,
restraining and subduing his 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.
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.
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 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 demon's influence.
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.
Further, as the person uses his mind to investigate what is
profound and far away, he will suddenly be able to see distant
places in the middle of the night. He will see city markets and
community wells, streets and alleys, and relatives and friends, and
he may hear their conversations. This state is called "having been
suppressed to the utmost, the mind flies out and sees much that had
been blocked from view." 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.
Further, as the person uses his mind to investigate to the utmost
point, he may see a Good and Wise Advisor whose body undergoes
changes. Within a brief interval, various transformations will
occur which cannot be explained. This state is called "having an
improper mind which is possessed by a Li-ghost, a Mei-ghost, or a
celestial demon, and without reason speaking Dharma that fathoms
wondrous truths." It does not indicate sagehood. If he does not
think he has become a sage, then the demonic formations will
subside. But if he considers himself a sage, then he will be
vulnerable to the demons' influence.
Ananda, these ten states may occur in Dhyana as one's mental effort
interacts with the form Skandha.
Dull and confused living beings do not evaluate themselves.
Encountering such situations, in their confusion they fail to
recognize them and say that they have become sages, thereby
uttering a great lie. They will fall into the Relentless
Hells.
In the Dharma-ending Age, after the Tathagata enters Nirvana, all
of you should rely on and proclaim this teaching. Do not let the
demons of the heavens have their way. Offer protection so all can
realize the unsurpassed Way.