DESCRIPTION

The focus of the first session is the fundamental practice of counting breaths (數 shǔ). According to Zhiyi and the Tientai Buddhism tradition, one breath is specifically defined as an inhalation followed by an exhalation, and ideally one should spend several days practicing each of the Six Gates.

TECHNICUM: Suitability

Part One: Choosing a Gate

The third chapter is an excellent example of Zhiyi’s constant deference to upāya.

“If the mind finds ‘counting’ to be suitable, then one should avail oneself of the dharma of ‘counting’ in establishing the mind in calmness. One accords with what is found to be suitable and thus proceeds with using that.”

If one has difficulty with one of the gates, one should use a different gate.

“It is the establishment in tranquility which qualifies as good here. One may take that as an enduring standard.”

Part Two: The Six Gates as Dhyānas

• Counting dhyāna - employ a subtle mind in the cultivation of ‘counting,’
• Following dhyāna = which, if one has trouble with, one should engage in skillful cultivation of: following, stabilization, contemplation, turning, purification, and back to counting.
• Stabilized dhyāna = which one, nonetheless, realizes is something produced solely from conditions and, as such, it is devoid of any inherently-existent nature
• Contemplation dhyāna = One abides in a state wherein one is aware only of all of the dharmic characteristics of his own mind.
• Turning dhyāna = one reverses the direction of one’s focus to illuminate the very source of the mind itself.
• Purification dhyāna = conceptual contemplations have already been gotten rid of and the dharmas of words and speech have already perished. The immeasurable multitude of offenses are gotten rid of and the purified mind remains eternally unified.

“If practitioners encounter the arising of inward or outward obstacles during the midst of this and so desire to get rid of them, in this case as well, they should select a corresponding method from among the six gates. They should try each one of the gates, one after the other, utilizing them to get rid of such obstacles.”