Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

clearly that they can do no more and that the true
"Salvation"—delivery from samsara by the final
attainment of Nirvana—is quite different and beyond
their power to bestow, since they have not realized it
themselves. (See Appendix I, Part One, A, 7.)
This book is primarily intended for Western readers,
who when they turn to Buddhism, are often prejudiced
against Jehovah. There is, of course, in his teachings
nothing concerning final liberation, nothing that can
uproot our fundamental sorrows, but God can help us as
a heaven-and-man yana.
In China, many Confucians have gained faith in the
Buddha and taken the Buddhist refuges, but still keep
some of the rules of fine ethical conduct laid down by
the ancient Chinese teacher. This shows a just
appreciation of Confucius's good teaching, which does
not relate to ultimate salvation. Western Buddhists
should treat the Bible and its teachings in a similar way.
C. Why samatha Should Be Practiced before
samapatti
The reasons are as follows:
1. Before one gains the force of samatha, one cannot
attain samapatti, according to the Samdhinirmocana
Sutra: "If you do not attain ease and lightness, then you
cannot receive the mystic samapatti.
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