The Ascetics
“Moreover, Ananda, there are beings who do not follow proper Path of Enlightenment to cultivate Samadhi, instead they follow their delusional pursuit of immortality, by retreating to mountains or forests, attempting to perpetuate their physical existence through some special ways. These are called Ascetics, and there are ten kinds of them.
“One of them devotes themselves to follow a diet of medicinal potions, and once they have perfected the practice, they are known as earth-bound ascetics. Another kind sticks to a diet of medicinal herbs, and once they have perfected the practice, they are known as flying ascetics. Another kind tries to fortify themselves through the use of metal and stone, and once they have perfected the alchemy, they are known as roaming ascetics. Another kind constantly fortifies themselves through either movement or stillness, and once they have perfected their energy, they are known as space-traveling ascetics. Another kind fortifies themselves through using the flow of saliva, and once they have perfected its essence, they are known as heaven-traveling ascetics.
“And one of them fortifies themselves through absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, and once they have perfected the inhalation, they are known as all-rounded ascetics. Another kind devotes themselves to reciting mantras and observing precepts, and once they have perfected the skills, they are known as ascetics of the Path. Another kind constantly fortifies themselves through mind control, and once they have mastered the mind, they are known as illuminating ascetics. Another kind fortifies themselves through internal union of energies, and once they have perfected the practice, they are known as ascetics of essence. And then the last kind devotes themselves to inner transformation, and once they have perfected their realization, they are known as ascetics of the ultimate.
“Ananda, these beings do not follow the proper path to train their minds. Instead, they attain longevity through deviants and may live for thousands of years, retreating to deep mountains or remote islands, cutting themselves off from the human realm. However, because they do not cultivate Samadhi and never stop the turning wheel of delusions, they are still bound to the cycle of samsara. And once their hard-earned rewards are spent, they must die and return to the six realms.”
阿難復有從人不依正覺修三摩地。別修妄念。存想固形遊於山林。人不及處有十仙種。阿難彼諸眾生。堅固服餌而不休息。食道圓成名地行仙。堅固草木而不休息。藥道圓成名飛行仙。堅固金石而不休息。化道圓成名遊行仙。堅固動止而不休息。氣精圓成名空行仙。堅固津液而不休息。潤德圓成名天行仙。堅固精色而不休息。吸粹圓成名通行仙。堅固呪禁而不休息。術法圓成名道行仙。堅固思念而不休息。思憶圓成名照行仙。堅固交遘而不休息。感應圓成名精行仙。堅固變化而不休息。覺悟圓成名絕行仙。阿難是等皆於人中鍊心不循正覺。別得生理壽千萬歲。休止深山或大海島絕於人境。斯亦輪迴妄想流轉不修三昧。報盡還來散入諸趣。
Buddha Mind 