Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 23: The Growth of the Achievements of Cultivation - "Gradually Growing in Cultivation, Strengthening the Will to Save Others"

Deep within the tranquil and mysterious Lingxu Mountain, the morning light filtered through the dense foliage, casting a light on a simple retreat hut. Amin, a practitioner single-mindedly pursuing the realization of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, had long been immersed in the realm of practice, his practice increasingly refined.

That morning, Amin concluded his meditation as usual. He slowly opened his eyes, a gaze shone with a depth and tranquility, as if able to discern the illusory and realities of all things. He stood up and walked out of the hut. Fresh air, mingled with the fragrance of earth and vegetation, filled him with joy. He knew that as his practice deepened, he was gradually growing in this place of spiritual attainment. His concentration grew deeper, and his compassion spread like ripples, sensing the joys and sorrows of all living beings around him.

However, the path to growth is not always smooth. Amin knows that achieving enlightenment isn't just about self-realization, but also about saving all sentient beings. Maintaining his spiritual state in this process is a huge challenge he'll face.

In the afternoon, Amin decided to descend the mountain and head for the nearby town. The town was bustling with people, a constant stream of activity. In a corner of the market, Amin noticed a thief trying to snatch an elderly woman's purse. The woman clutched the purse tightly, pleading desperately. Though those around her looked distressed, no one dared to intervene. Seeing this, Amin stepped forward without hesitation and whispered, "Donor, please put down the purse." The thief turned and looked at Amin, his eyes filled with disdain and defiance. "Mind your own business, you monk! Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!" Amin sighed inwardly. He could sense the greed and hatred in the thief's heart, the result of being blinded by worldly desires for so long. He clasped his hands together and said, "Donor, greed, anger, and ignorance are the three poisons of the world. If you persist in your delusion, you will be plunged into endless suffering." The bandit laughed heartily, "Monk, I don't understand these profound principles you speak of. I only know I need money." He swung the dagger and lunged at Amin. Amin moved slightly, easily dodging it. He had no desire to fight the bandit, only to resolve the hatred through compassion. But the bandit, assuming Amin was afraid, became even more arrogant, causing those around him to gasp in shock and a moment of chaos.

Amin silently recited scriptures, trying to calm the bandit. He knew that violence couldn't truly solve the problem; the only righteous path was to awaken the bandit's conscience. While dodging the bandit's attacks, Amin gently counseled him, "Donor, do you realize how much harm your actions are causing others? How would your family feel if they knew?" The bandit felt a slight stir in his heart, but he still refused to stop. At this moment, Amin exerted a miraculous concentration, gradually slowing the bandit's movements. Seizing the opportunity, he stepped forward and gently grasped the bandit's wrist. The bandit felt a surge of warmth, and his anger dissipated considerably. Amin looked into his eyes, his gaze filled with compassion and wisdom: "Donor, let go of hatred and greed, and start anew." The bandit finally lowered the dagger, a look of shame on his face. The people around him applauded and praised him. But some people looked at Amin strangely, and even whispered: "This monk is meddling in other people's business. It will be troublesome if that evil bandit hurts him." Amin turned a deaf ear to these comments. He only cared about whether the evil bandit could really reform.

After experiencing this turmoil, Amin gained a deeper understanding of spiritual practice. He understood that on the path of saving sentient beings, one must not only have a compassionate heart, but also sufficient wisdom and concentration to cope with various emergencies.

A few days later, Ah Ming and another practitioner, Hui Kong, met up to conduct a charity event in impoverished villages in the mountains. Carrying clothing, food, and medicine, they journeyed along the winding mountain path. The path was difficult and rugged, but both men were filled with joy and anticipation. They knew this was part of their spiritual practice; by helping others, they could better practice the Dharma and elevate their own spiritual attainments.

Upon arriving at the village, the villagers gathered around them. Their eyes were filled with gratitude and anticipation. Amin and Huikong distributed the supplies one by one. While distributing, Amin noticed a little girl. She was dressed in rags, her eyes shone with fear and longing. Amin approached, gently stroked the girl's head, and draped a warm cotton coat over her. The girl looked up at Amin and whispered, "Thank you, Uncle Monk." A heart sank in Amin's heart, as he felt the hardship and difficulty of the little girl's life. He vowed to do his best to help these villagers.

However, during the charity event, Ah Ming and Hui Kong encountered some problems. Some villagers argued over the uneven distribution of supplies, and some even suspected selfish motives. Ah Ming understood that this was the result of human greed. He and Hui Kong patiently explained the situation to the villagers, striving for fairness and justice. Throughout this process, Ah Ming constantly reflected on his own feelings, realizing that facing these misunderstandings and disputes, he must not harbor resentment but rather resolve them with a more peaceful mindset.

At night, Ah Ming and Hui Kong rested in the village ancestral hall. Ah Ming fell into deep thought, recalling the events of the day, a flood of emotion washed over him. He realized the complex interactions with sentient beings during the practice of cultivating the path to enlightenment, the entanglements of interests and conflicts of emotions everywhere. Yet, it was precisely these experiences that strengthened his resolve to save sentient beings. He knew that his practice was not merely for his own liberation, but also to help others escape the sufferings of this world.

Huikong looked at Amin who was in deep thought and asked softly, "Brother, what are your thoughts on today's events?" Amin raised his head, looked at Huikong, and said slowly, "Brother, I know that the path to saving sentient beings is difficult, but we cannot retreat. Every conflict and entanglement is a test of our practice. We must be compassionate, break the deadlock with wisdom, and maintain inner peace and enlightenment." Huikong nodded in agreement, and the two meditated silently in the moonlight, continuing their practice and thinking.

During these years of spiritual practice, Amin experienced continuous growth and transformation through his repeated encounters with sentient beings. He took to heart the teachings of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra and worked diligently to improve himself in terms of state, practice, and result. Whether facing the provocations of vicious bandits or the misunderstandings of villagers, he remained calm and compassionate, steadily advancing on the path of spiritual practice and moving towards higher realms.