Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

7. If one waits to accomplish all the many
preparations in the meditations of the three yanas
listed here, many lives will pass and it is not certain
that one will not fall down into the states of
suffering before accomplishing any realization. On
the other hand, your instructions in this book state
quite clearly that firm foundations in all the three
yanas are necessary and that one should not start too
soon upon either Vajrayana or Chan. What,
therefore, is to be done?
8. How can one achieve a state from which there
can be no fall at the time of death to rebirth in the
realms of suffering? How far has one to go along the
path until these unhappy states are automatically
closed so that rebirth in them is impossible (unless
voluntarily desired)?
9. How is it possible to be able to choose one's
rebirth and what attainments in meditation will be
necessary before this can be done? (See also Ch.
XVII, B, 3.)
These three questions may be rather quickly dealt with
together.
First, get a quick renunciation—this means a short
course in the Hinayana. Secondly, develop the
bodhi-heart quickly, thus shortening one's career in the
Mahayana. Thirdly, be reverent, gentle, and humble
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