As far as I know, Alan says that the view can unfold from meditation (shamatha) - which is the gradual approach. Or the view can be recognized and then stabilized, which is the direct approach. I understand Alan as emphasizing the gradual approach, perhaps because there are very few students who can recognize the view without extensive prior training, but also perhaps because he doesn't give any pointing out instructions which of course makes the latter difficult to practice...WeiHan wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:39 pmThis is what I maybe doubtful. As far as I know, Trechok is Samantha with the view. There shouldn't be any difference for a person who realised/attained the view through other methods and are able to maintain in that view or state all the time.Pema Rigdzin wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 3:14 amWeiHan, of course you're right that merit is crucial to realizing the view, as are devotion, which causes blessings to enter one's body, speech, and mind. Nevertheless, the realization of the body of light is dependent upon more than devotion, merit, and blessings. It's based on the interdependence between specific methods and functions of the physical body and one's natural state.WeiHan wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:24 pmThe explanation is that merit is crucial in actually realising the view. That lama accumulated sufficient merit by persevering in his mandala offering practise and attained the view with no need for pointing out. Is implicit, guru devotion is in his mandala offering practice so he received blessing from his lineage too.
I don't know much about Trekchöd myself, but I would understand your quote from above to reflect that Trekchö includes the union of vipassana (which is the recognition) and shamtatha (which is the training in making room for that recognition). That is however something different from the methods commonly refered to as shamatha, such as when fixating and holding on to a meditative object. I guess that was not what was meant in the quote...?