Meditative Concentration Paramita: Don't Stop Halfway When You Encounter Beautiful States

Have you ever been sitting in meditation when your mind became still and empty, and you thought, "Oh, I must have attained something!"? If so, be careful. In a dharma talk on Meditative Concentration Paramita, Thay Thich Chan Quang warned that the beautiful states along the path of practice can make you believe you have arrived, when in truth you have only traveled a short distance.

Paramita: A Completeness That Does Not Stop Halfway

Paramita means ultimate, complete, whole. Usually this meaning applies to a bodhisattva, one who has deep and extensive cultivation and spiritual powers. But for us ordinary beings, Paramita is understood more simply: the firm resolve to reach absolute meditative concentration, without stopping halfway, without becoming complacent at the midpoint.

"When we practice meditative concentration paramita, we must have the resolve to reach absolute concentration, without stopping along the way."

This is easy to say but hard to do. Because on the path of meditative concentration, we will encounter novel states and beautiful experiences that seem like the destination. Without a heartfelt aspiration, it is very easy to stop midway and be satisfied with what we have attained.

The Starting Point Is Ethics, the Destination Is Liberation

Thay Thich Chan Quang emphasized that many methods of calming the mind can lead to states similar to Buddhist meditative concentration. But the starting point and the final purpose are different. A Buddhist sets out from ethics, refining each thought, each conduct, each word. The destination is to break through attachment to self, transcend ignorance, and escape samsara (cycle of rebirth).

"At that middle stage, the concentration is similar, Buddhism and non-Buddhist paths are alike, but the starting point is different, and the final destination is different."

Therefore, do not take the similarity at the middle stage as the standard. What matters is that you practice from virtue, and direct your mind toward complete enlightenment, not worldly power or supernatural abilities.

The Trap of Beautiful States

To illustrate, Thay told of a person traveling from Saigon to a certain nunnery, having never made the trip before. Along the way, they came upon a beautiful scene with three young nuns who matched the description exactly, and the person assumed this was the destination. But in truth, it was still very far away! Similarly, in meditative concentration, when the mind begins to grow calm and clear, you may think you have "finished the work." But little do you realize the road still stretches far ahead.

This is why Thay advised:

"We must have the aspiration not to stop halfway, even though we have no idea where the destination is, no idea where the halfway point is, no idea where the end is. And yet we must still hold that aspiration."

Along with this comes humility. If you become complacent, you will stand still and lose your blessings from merit. Prepare the mindset of "never considering myself to have enough" from the very start of the journey.

Testing the Destination: Perfection in Every Aspect

In Buddhism today there are many schools, each with its own way of certification. Some say that a breakthrough insight is the end, yet the three knowledges and six powers have not been attained. Some have spiritual powers but compassion and wisdom have not yet manifested. So what is the true standard?

"The Buddha's path must be perfect in every aspect; it cannot be gaining one side while losing the other."

We need to measure ourselves against the standard of the Buddha and the bodhisattvas: ethics, compassion, wisdom, and spiritual powers brought to perfection. That is precisely the destination we aim for.

Practicing Today

So how do we walk the full path of Meditative Concentration Paramita?

Take ethics as the foundation: refine each action, word, and thought. Do not look down on those who have faults, but have compassion for them as a bodhisattva would.

Aspire to reach the shore of liberation: earnestly pray for the blessings of the Three Jewels, and never allow complacency at the halfway point.

Always remain humble: recognize that we still have many shortcomings, that we are not yet complete.

Illuminate the path by the Buddha's standard: test the destination by the completeness of ethics, compassion, and wisdom.

"If we become complacent and stand still, we will immediately lose our blessings from merit."

Keep walking in the spirit of never stopping halfway, for the destination is the shore of complete enlightenment.

Homage to our original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.