Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 12: The Perfection of Samadhi-dharana - "The Highest State of Meditation, the Light of Wisdom Illuminating the Hearts of All"

In that sacred temple of ancient India, time seemed to be carving a glorious mark on my spiritual path. After countless trials and tribulations, I finally reached a higher state in Samadhi. At this moment, my body and mind seemed to merge with everything around me, immersed in an indescribable meditative joy and profound wisdom.

Each time I enter a state of meditation, it's like stepping into a pure, untainted world of light. My consciousness soars freely like a bird, soaring through the vast expanse of wisdom. In this state, the essence of all things unfolds clearly before me, and I can discern the interdependent processes and impermanence underlying all phenomena. The joy of this profound realization, like a blossoming spring flower, blossoms within my heart, constantly nourishing my soul.

When I emerged from my meditation, I was overwhelmed with a desire to share my insights with others. I knew that spiritual practice isn't a solitary climb, but a journey of shared progress with all beings. So, I began actively sharing my meditation findings and insights with fellow practitioners at the temple. Gradually, my name spread throughout the temple, and I became a role model for many practitioners.

One day, I received a sincere invitation from a large temple far away. They were hosting a grand Dharma assembly and wanted me to share my experiences in meditation and the essence of the Dharma I had grasped. This news caused a sensation at the temple, and fellow practitioners showered me with admiring glances and well wishes. I felt both immensely honored and deeply aware of the immense responsibility that lay ahead.

On my way to the Dharma Assembly, I passed through dense forests and gurgling streams. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting patches of golden light on the ground. It felt like nature had paved a sacred path for me. Along the way, I met many practitioners who had come to participate in the Dharma Assembly. They came from different places and backgrounds, but their eyes revealed their devotion to the Dharma and their thirst for wisdom.

When I arrived at the magnificent temple, numerous practitioners were already gathered for the Dharma Assembly. The temple hall was solemn and dignified, with wisps of incense rising into the air, creating a mysterious and peaceful atmosphere. I slowly walked up to the altar, gazing into the expectant eyes of the audience, and a strong sense of mission welled up within me.

I began to recount my journey through Samadhi, from the initial confusion and bewilderment of entering meditation, to gradually overcoming numerous obstacles and inner cravings, hatred, and delusion, and ultimately realizing the profound realms of meditation and the profound wisdom of Buddhism. I shared how, in meditation, I can reflect on my inner thoughts with compassion and wisdom, how I can gain insight into the impermanence and non-self of all things, and how I can apply these insights to the everyday life to achieve spiritual purification and liberation.

The practitioners in the audience listened raptly, their expressions shifting as I spoke, sometimes revealing knowing smiles, others falling into deep contemplation. Throughout my presentation, I interacted with them several times, answering questions and concerns they had about their practice. A young practitioner stood up and asked, "Master, I'm often troubled by distracting thoughts during meditation and can't penetrate deeply. Do you have any tips to help me?" I smiled and replied, "Distractions are like leaves in the wind, seemingly numerous and chaotic. But as long as you maintain a firm inner conviction and observe their arising and passing with mindfulness, without being distracted by them, observing them calmly like a bystander, over time, these distracting thoughts will naturally diminish, and your meditation will become deeper."

My answers garnered rounds of applause and sparked even more questions and reflection from practitioners. Throughout this process, I deeply felt the power of Buddhist teachings, both in transmission and communication. Every question raised and answered was like a seed of wisdom, sown in the hearts of the people, waiting to take root and sprout.

After the Dharma Assembly, many practitioners gathered around me, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude, expressing their respect and gratitude to me. Some presented me with exquisite handcrafted instruments, while others invited me to visit their temples for exchange and guidance. I was deeply moved and delighted by these enthusiastic practitioners, but I remained humble, deeply aware that I was merely a disseminator and practitioner of the Dharma, not a lofty authority.

After this series of experiences, I began to think deeply about how to better apply meditation and wisdom to my daily life to help more people. I realized that although temples are important places for practice, every corner of the world can become a place for practice.

After returning to my temple, I actively participated in the interaction between the temple and the surrounding villages. I regularly visited the villages to explain the basic Buddhist teachings and practical methods for daily life. In the villages, I encountered a variety of people and events, and these experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the suffering and needs of all living beings.

Once, I met a villager who was suffering and lost due to a family dispute. With a look of sorrow on his face, he recounted the conflicts at home and his inner struggles. I listened quietly, then used the wisdom of Buddhism to analyze the cause and effect of family relationships. I advised him how to treat his family with tolerance and compassion, and how to maintain inner peace and rationality in difficult situations. With my guidance, a look of hope gradually appeared on his face, and he expressed his willingness to try to use Buddhist methods to resolve the family conflict and regain harmony and happiness in his life.

Another time, I saw that children in a village were unable to receive a good education due to a lack of educational resources. This deeply saddened me, so I decided to set up a simple school in the temple and invite learned monks to serve as teachers alongside the villagers, imparting knowledge and Buddhist wisdom to the children. This initiative received strong support from the temple and the villagers, and the children's eyes rekindled their thirst for knowledge and their longing for the future.

In my interactions with the villagers, I also encountered resistance and challenges. Some villagers were skeptical of Buddhism, believing it was ethereal and incapable of solving real-life problems. Others, bound by traditional values, expressed misunderstanding and opposition to my innovative initiatives, such as establishing a school within the temple. Undeterred, I approached them with greater patience and wisdom. Through practical examples, I demonstrated the power of Buddhism to improve their lives and elevate their spiritual realms. At the same time, I respected their traditional values, fully listened to their opinions on matters like the establishment of the school, and made appropriate adjustments and improvements.

During this stage of practice, from the perspective of state, I experienced a deep integration of body and mind with all things in the universe in the high state of Samadhi. This state provided me with a new perspective to view the world, allowing me to more keenly perceive the suffering and needs of all beings; in terms of practice, I not only continued to make progress in my own practice, but also actively spread meditation and wisdom to more people. Whether interacting with many practitioners at the Dharma Assembly, or solving problems for villagers in the village and setting up schools, I always took the compassion and wisdom of Buddhism as my guide, and worked hard to fulfill the mission of a practitioner; in terms of results, the results of my practice are not only reflected in the improvement of my own state and the joy in my heart, but also in the many practitioners who were inspired and made progress because of my sharing, and the people in the village gradually improved their lives and moved towards spiritual awakening with my help. I am well aware that this is only a stage on the path of practice, and there is still a long way to go. However, I will continue to forge ahead on this path of practice full of challenges and opportunities with firm faith and endless compassion, allowing the light of wisdom of Buddhism to illuminate more sentient beings, leading them out of darkness and towards the bright shore of liberation.