Samdhinirmocana-sutra

The Scripture on the Explication of Underlying Meaningwho removes a large wedge by means of a small wedge, so thesebodhisattvas banish internal images by the method of relying uponthis [meditation] as the small wedge to remove the large wedge[of all their images]. All images that pertain to defilement areabolished, and, being so abolished, weakness is also abolished. Sincethey destroy forever that weakness in all its images, afterwardsin all the stages they gradually refine their thoughts as one refinesgold until they realize supreme awakening, until they realize theobjective they set out to accomplish. Good son, thus because thesebodhisattvas have well cultivated meditation within themselves,they realize supreme awakening."The Bodhisattva Maitreya addressed the Buddha and said:"World-honored One, how does this cultivation [of meditation]produce the great majesty of a bodhisattva?""Good son, when the bodhisattvas become aware of the sixsupports, they are able to produce that great majesty of abodhisattva. The first is that they know well the arising of thought.The second is that they know well the abiding of thought. Thethird is that they know well the departure of thought. The fourthis that they know well the increasing of thought. The fifth is thatthey know well the diminution of thought. The sixth is that theyknow well the methods. They know well the arising of thought,for they truly know the differences that engender thought inits sixteen activities, and this is what is meant by knowing wellthe arising of thought."These sixteen activities of thought are as follows. The first isthe arising of conscious construction as the unconscious, foundationalreceptacle, that is, the appropriating consciousness. Thesecond is the arising of conscious construction in tandem with itsnumerous different objects, that is, the imaginative thought consciousnessthat immediately apprehends all the object realms ofmaterial forms, etc.; the understanding which immediately apprehendsinternal and external objects; or, alternately, the imaginativethought consciousness which in an instant, a single moment,enters into concentration and sees many Buddha lands and many72