(1) One free and well-endowed human life is more precious
than myriad's of non-human lives in any of the six states of
existence. [1]
[1] The six states or regions, of sangsaric existence are (1) the
deva-worlds, (2) the asura-(or titan)world, (3) the human world,
(4) the brute-world, (5) the preta (or unhappy ghost) world, and (6)
the hell-worlds.
(2) One sage is more precious than multitudes of irreligious
and worldly-minded persons.
(3) One esoteric truth is more precious than innumerable
exoteric doctrines.
(4) One momentary glimpse of Divine Wisdom, born of
meditation, is more precious than any amount of knowledge
derived from merely listening to and thinking about religious
teachings.
(5) The smallest amount of merit dedicated to the good of
others is more precious than any amount of merit devoted to
one's own good.
(6) To experience but momentarily the samadhi wherein
all thought-processes are quiescent is more precious than to
experience uninterruptedly the samadhi wherein thought-
processes are still present. [1]
[1] As explained on {p. 329}, there are four states of dhyana,
or samadhi (profound meditation). The highest of these states is
one wherein the yogin experiences that ecstatic bliss which is
attained by realization of the unmodified condition of primordial
mind. This state is designated as the True State, being vacuous
of all the sangsaric thought-forming processes of the mind in its
modified or finite aspect. In the lowest, or first of samadhi,
wherein complete cessation of these thought-forming processes
has not been reached, the yogin experiences an incomparably
inferior sort of ecstasy, which novices are warned not to mistake
for the highest state.
(7) To enjoy a single moments of Nirvanic bliss is more
precious than to enjoy any amount of sensual bliss.
(8) The smallest good deed done unselfishly is more precious
than innumerable good deeds done selfishly.
(9) The renunciation of every worldly thing [home, family,
friends, property, fame, duration of life, and even health] is
more precious than the giving of inconceivably vast worldly
wealth in charity.
(10) One lifetime spent in the quest for Enlightenment is
more precious than all the lifetimes during an aeon spent in
worldly pursuits.
These are The Ten More Precious Things.
