Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 26: Learning from the Arhat Stage - "Learning from the Arhat State and Cultivating the Bodhisattva Aspiration"

After returning from the Shravaka Monastery, Ah Ming incorporated his learning and reflections into his daily practice. Life on Lingxu Mountain remained peaceful and tranquil, with the sounds of morning bells and evening drums echoing through the valley like whispers of time.

In that simple yet spiritual retreat hut, Ah Ming rose early each morning to begin his spiritual practice. Drawing on the rigorous concentration of the Śrāvakas, he no longer merely perused the scriptures as he often did, but instead savored the profound meaning of each word. He meticulously pondered the meaning of every syllable and every word, as if engaging in a dialogue across time and space with ancient sages. His eyes shone with focus and determination, and everything around him seemed to fade away, leaving only the world of scripture unfolding before him.

During meditation, Amin took this meticulous approach to the extreme. He meticulously adjusted his posture, from the placement of his legs to the straightness of his back to the position of his hands, paying attention to every detail. He closed his eyes and began to observe his breathing. With each inhalation and exhalation, he could clearly feel the breath flowing through his body. He wasn't content with superficial awareness, but delved into the subtle changes in his breath, sensing its temperature, humidity, and the strength of the airflow. This intense attention to detail quickly enabled him to enter a deep meditative state. In meditation, his consciousness became like a bright beacon, illuminating the deepest corners of his mind that he normally overlooked. He saw his hidden distractions, the subtle seeds of resentment and greed, all exposed by this intense light of awareness.

Once, Ah Ming and his fellow practitioner Hui Kong met by a mountain stream. The water flowed gently, crystal clear, and the rocks along the bank were covered with moss. The surrounding flowers and plants swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a delicate fragrance. Upon seeing Hui Kong, Ah Ming's face lit up with joy, and he couldn't wait to share his recent spiritual insights with Hui Kong.

"Junior Brother Huikong, I have gained a lot from my exploration of the land of the Śrāvakas this time. Their rigorous and focused practice is truly worth learning from." Amin said sincerely.

Huikong tilted his head slightly, curiosity in his eyes. "Brother, please tell me in detail, how do you achieve this rigorous concentration method?"

Amin squatted down, gently stirring the stream with his hands, and said, "Take meditation for example. In the past, we might have just focused on the general sitting posture and breathing regulation, but practitioners of the Śrāvakayāna delve into every tiny detail. For example, they notice the slight trembling of the nostrils when breathing, and the different sensations of the breath flowing through the nasal cavity. This awareness of details can help us eliminate distracting thoughts more quickly and enter a deeper state of meditation."

After hearing this, Huikong nodded thoughtfully: "Brother, this does make sense. So how can we apply this in our daily practice?"

Amin stood up, looked at the mountains in the distance, and said, "We can pay more attention when reciting the scriptures. Don't just read for the sake of completing the task. Try to understand the wisdom behind each sentence and immerse yourself in it completely. When doing good deeds, don't just focus on the act itself, but also understand your inner thoughts and intentions. For example, when we help others, we should be aware of whether we are doing it out of true compassion or if there is even a hint of desire for reward."

Huikong's mind suddenly became clear. He looked at A Ming with gratitude and said, "Brother, thanks to you for sharing these experiences. I will definitely try them out when I return."

Ah Ming smiled and patted Huikong on the shoulder: "Junior brother, we are fellow practitioners. We should learn from each other and make progress together. Only in this way can we go further on the Bodhisattva Path."

However, Ah Ming's journey of learning from the Śrāvakas' practice was not without its challenges. He was well aware of the fundamental differences between the Bodhisattva Path and the Śrāvakayāna. The Bodhisattva Path prioritizes the salvation of all sentient beings, requiring a great deal of flexibility and inclusiveness in practice. The Śrāvakayāna, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on personal liberation, and its practice can sometimes be somewhat rigid.

Once, Ah Ming encountered an injured hunter in the mountains. Chasing prey, he had fallen into a trap and suffered a serious leg injury. Upon seeing this, Ah Ming instinctively wanted to help him. However, according to the Śrāvakayāna precepts, hunters, whose occupation is killing, are considered unwholesome, and rescuing them might require some consideration. Ah Ming was momentarily torn between the influence of the Śrāvakayāna practice and the Bodhisattvayāna's commitment to providing equal aid to all beings.

Amin stood there, a fierce internal struggle. As he observed the hunter's pained expression, compassion welled up within him. He began to reflect deeply within himself, realizing that if he forgot to rescue the hunter because of some Śrāvaka-level ideal, he would be violating his original bodhisattva vow. The bodhisattva path required him to reach out to the suffering of sentient beings without hesitation, without being bound by dogma.

Amin, putting aside his inner struggles, quickly approached the hunter. Using his medical skills, he bandaged the hunter's wounds. During the rescue, he gently comforted the hunter, explaining the preciousness of life and the consequences of killing. The hunter was moved by Amin's kindness and wisdom, and a deep sense of guilt for his profession filled him.

After this incident, Ah Ming gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between the Bodhisattva Path and the Śrāvakayāna. He understood that borrowing the Śrāvakayāna's practice methods was only to improve the quality of his own Bodhisattva practice, not to alter its essence. He needed to maintain the bodhisattva's aspirations while absorbing its essence and discarding its dross.

In his interactions with fellow practitioners, Amin actively advocated for this philosophy. He encouraged fellow practitioners to share their experiences exploring different spiritual paths, so as to avoid losing sight of their original aspirations through excessive borrowing. He organized small spiritual discussion gatherings, where practitioners freely shared their confusions, insights, and new discoveries in their practice.

Ah Ming said at the gathering, "On our spiritual path, we are like ships sailing on the vast ocean. The experiences of the Arhat realm are like guiding stars, pointing our way. But our destination is always the other shore of the Bodhisattva Path. We cannot stray from our course by chasing that star; we must always remain steadfast in our adherence to the Bodhisattva Path."

Fellow practitioners echoed Amin's words. In this atmosphere of mutual learning and encouragement, Amin and his fellow practitioners advanced ever more diligently on the Bodhisattva Path. They approached their practice with increasing rigor and focus, while maintaining the compassion and tolerance inherent in the Bodhisattva Path. On this pure land of Lingxu Mountain, they continued to write their own chapters of spiritual practice.