Practicing the Great Practice

B. Practicing the Great Practice: This part defines Samadhi

It then explains the four kinds of Samadhi practices.  Each of these Four Samadhis is explained in terms of the three creators of spiritual destiny, which are also known as the three karmas:

• The body - that which is permitted & that which is forbidden
• The mouth - that which is spoken & that which is silent
• The thinking mind - that which is calm & that which is observation

The first Three Samadhis each include these three parts a then a section on 'Encouragement of the Practice'. The Fourth Samadhi does not have a section on encouragement of the practice, but instead has a section on how it is different from the other three Samadhi practices. The Four Samadhis:

1. Always Seated - Seated Meditation, attaining Samadhi and spiritual awakening - a primer on Meditation practice.

A. The Method

1. The body - that which is permitted & that which is forbidden
2. The mouth - that which is spoken & that which is silent
3. The thinking mind - that which is calm & that which is observation

B. Encouragement of the Practice

2. Always Walking - Worship of the Buddha Amitabha (‘Infinite Light’), attaining Samadhi and spiritual awakening - a primer on Pure Land practice.

A. The Method

1. The body - that which is permitted & that which is forbidden
2. The mouth - that which is spoken & that which is silent
3. The thinking mind - that which is calm & that which is observation

B. Encouragement of the Practice

3. Half Seated & Half Walking - Two comprehensive Samadhi practices are outlined. These two practices are explained in greater detail in other works by Chih-I.

A. First the ritual practice of an early esoteric Sutra (The Vaipulya Dharani Sutra) is explained. This was the primary liturgical practice of Chih-I’s spiritual teacher, Nan-Yueh.

1. The Method

1. The body - that which is permitted & that which is forbidden
2. The mouth - that which is spoken & that which is silent
3. The thinking mind - that which is calm & that which is observation

2. Encouragement of the Practice

B. Then Chih-I’s own liturgical practice (The Confessional Samadhi of the Lotus Sutra) is outlined.

1. The Method

1. The body - that which is permitted & that which is forbidden
2. The mouth - that which is spoken & that which is silent
3. The thinking mind - that which is calm & that which is observation

2. Encouragement of the Practice

4. Neither Seated nor Walking - This is following one’s own thinking mind, and attaining Samadhi and spiritual awakening. This is also in four parts - the first being a ‘Pure Land’ (Sutra based) practice, and the last three being ‘Meditation’ (non-Sutra based) practices:

1. In terms of observing different Sutras - The worship of The Bodhisattva ‘Observing the Sounds of the World’ (S. Avalokitesvara, C. Kuan-Shi-Yin, J. Kanzeon) is described as an example of the one of different practices of Samadhi one can follow.
2. In terms of observing good spiritual capacities and spiritual awakening. This section explains the Paramitas, in terms of both sensory perception and acts of will.
3. In terms of observing evil and spiritual awakening, in terms of both sensory perception and acts of will.
4. In terms of observing that which is unaccountable as good or evil and attaining spiritual awakening; again, in terms of both sensory perception and acts of will.

After explaining the Four Samadhis, through questions & answers Chih-I explains:

1. The difference between the methods (techniques) used and the principle of observation
2. The difference between the last of the Four Samadhis and the previous three, and the risks associated with the improper observation of evil.
3. Why there are different kinds of Samadhi practice and not just one.
4. The difference between keen & dull spiritual capacities and light and heavy karmic obstacles

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