Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön | 2001 | 941,039 words
This page describes “preparation for the first dhyana” as written by Nagarjuna in his Maha-prajnaparamita-sastra (lit. “the treatise on the great virtue of wisdom”) in the 2nd century. This book, written in five volumes, represents an encyclopedia on Buddhism as well as a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita.
1. Preparation for the first dhyāna
By means of purity of discipline (śīlaviśuddhi), solitude in retreat, guarding the senses, intensive meditation during the first and last watch of the night,[1] the ascetic avoids external pleasures and takes pleasure in meditation. He avoids desires (kāma) and the bad dharmas (akuśaladharma). Depending on the anāgamya (the preliminary [186a] absorption preceding the first dhyāna),[2] he acquires the first dhyāna.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
See above, p. 1020F, n. 2.
[2]:
For this term, see Kośa, VIII, p. 179, n. 6.