Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

Buddhist Society in London—a letter from their
good Secretary telling me of a Buddhist Summer
School and of another week devoted to meditation
practice, organized by the Sangha Association. It is
good, very good," approved Mr. Chen.
D. Why We Discuss Only These Five Meditations
Mention has already been made (Ch. III) of the twelve
dhyanas described very often in Hinayana texts. Why
are these not included here? The first group of these, the
four rupa-dhyanas, were a subject of the last chapter.
The four arupa-dhyanas are also not specifically
Hinayana but, as with the first group, are the common
attainment of Buddhists and non-Buddhists. Before one
hears the preaching of the Buddha and comes to know
the Four Noble Truths, one may practice these
concentrations, though they will have but limited value.
After one hears the Hinayana teachings and obtains as a
result right view, then there will be no questions in the
mind about the whereabouts of consciousness or the
infinity of space. The practice of the Hinayana
concentrations leads one to go beyond them, for the
result of such practice is the ninth stage (Arhatship), not
merely the eighth (the realm of neither perception nor
non-perception, the highest arupa-dhyana). This
attainment lies outside the subject of the present chapter
so we must move on.
What of the four boundless minds? These are infinite in
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