Surangama Sutra Exposition
by Living Buddha Lian Sheng, Grandmaster Sheng-Yen Lu
Sundarananda attains arhatship by contemplating the breath. The key to entering samadhi is one-pointedness. Samadhi lies between sleep and wakefulness—the perfect balance between complete relaxation and tension.
Sundarananda then rose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and said to the Buddha:
“When I first became a monk and followed the Buddha into the path, although I observed the precepts, my mind was constantly scattered and restless in samadhi, and I had not attained the state free from outflows.
“The World-Honored One taught me and Kausthila to contemplate the whiteness at the tip of the nose. I began to contemplate it intently, and after twenty-one days, I saw the breath entering and leaving my nostrils like smoke.
“My body and mind became luminous within, clearly illuminating the entire world. Everything became empty and pure, like crystal. The appearance of smoke gradually disappeared, and the breath from my nose became white.
“My mind opened, and all outflows ceased. Each inhalation and exhalation transformed into light that illuminated the worlds of the ten directions, and I attained arhatship. The World-Honored One predicted that I would attain enlightenment.
“The Buddha asked about perfect penetration. Through the cessation of the breath, after a long period of stillness, luminosity manifested. When the luminosity became complete, all outflows ceased. I regard this as the supreme means.”
Although Nanda observes the precepts, his mind remains restless during meditation. Grandmaster recounted that Nanda is deeply attached to his beautiful wife and initially does not wish to leave home. When the Buddha takes him to heaven, he sees heavenly maidens whose beauty far surpasses hers. He agrees to become a monk, but his thoughts then wander to the heavenly maidens.
To gather his scattered mind, the Buddha teaches him to contemplate the whiteness at the tip of his nose, focusing on the breath entering and leaving his nostrils. Grandmaster related this to the breath-counting method his own guru taught him: use the breath to bring the mind back to one focus.
After twenty-one days, Nanda perceives the breath like smoke, which gradually transforms into light. His body and mind become clear and luminous. Eventually, the light illuminates the worlds of the ten directions, his afflictions cease, and he attains arhatship. Grandmaster explained that a similar progression from smoke to light can occur in inner fire practice. Seeing clear, bright light is a promising sign, but the complete attainment described here includes the cessation of all outflows.
The key is one-pointed concentration. Whatever meditation method we follow, the mind must settle on a single focus. Grandmaster uses falling asleep as an example: when thoughts keep churning, sleep is difficult; when the mind settles, sleep comes naturally. Samadhi requires both relaxation and clarity, without slipping into drowsiness or becoming tense.
As the mind becomes still, afflictions subside. Through samadhi, we can realize that the five aggregates are empty and that nothing can truly be gained or possessed. Money, properties, and businesses cannot be held forever. Understanding this helps us release attachment and stop troubling ourselves over worldly gains and losses.
Grandmaster reflected that, at his age, there is little left to ask for. He feels happy when disciples visit, when those he has not seen for a long time return, and when their illnesses improve. He cherishes the affinity we share.
Life is impermanent. Parents and older relatives pass away, and eventually our own turn comes. Therefore, we should refrain from creating negative karma, increase our merit and blessings, and do something meaningful. Share the dharma, help others learn meditation and Buddhism, and cultivate toward attainment together.
Grandmaster also reminds us to cherish our health. A healthy body brings ease and supports spiritual cultivation. Practice the six perfections: generosity, observing the precepts, endurance, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. Grandmaster distills their spirit into compassion, equality, purity, and forgiveness. Those who embody these qualities develop strong spiritual roots and will not fall into the three lower realms.
Gather the mind into a single focus, cultivate diligently, and let go of attachment. Realizing that nothing in samsara can truly be attained, we can become free from afflictions.