Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 3: My First Encounter with Buddhism - "Hearing the Wonderful Buddhist Sounds, My Heart Suddenly Awakened to the Way"

The days in the ancient Indian village flowed slowly like a gurgling stream. I was still struggling with the contradiction between survival and longing for the modern world. However, the gears of fate quietly turned in another direction.

It was a sunny morning, and as usual, I was foraging for herbs in the woods at the edge of the village. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, whispering ancient secrets. Suddenly, a melodious, ethereal voice drifted through the trees, like curls of smoke from a cooking stove. The sound held a mysterious power that compelled me to pause and listen. A strong premonition welled up within me: this voice would change my destiny.

Filled with curiosity and anticipation, I followed the sound. I saw a group of villagers and monks gathered in front of a small temple not far from the village. The temple's architecture was simple and elegant, its walls covered in exquisite carvings of Buddha statues and scriptures, radiating a sacred light in the sunlight. An elder, robed in monk's robes, stood on the temple steps, lecturing eloquently. His voice was deep and magnetic, and every word seemed imbued with boundless wisdom, flowing like a gentle stream into my heart.

I stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, listening to the Buddhist teachings. The monk spoke of the impermanence of all things, the suffering of life, and the path to liberation. His profound wisdom and penetrating insights captivated me like a magnet. In that moment, I seemed to forget I was in a strange ancient world, and I forgot my longing for modern life. My heart was filled only with the radiance of the Dharma. I realized that this might be the key to finding inner peace and a sense of purpose in this world, my true mission in traveling through time and space.

My inner confusion, like a thin mist, gradually dissipated under the guidance of the Dharma. I resolutely decided to set aside all my doubts and hesitations and devote myself wholeheartedly to the study of the Dharma. Mustering my courage, I approached the monk who was lecturing on the sutra and, using my still-unlearned local gestures, expressed my desire to study Buddhism with him. The monk was momentarily taken aback, then a look of approval and satisfaction crossed his face. He nodded gently, motioning for me to follow him into the temple.

Thus, I entered the gates of this ancient temple, and began my journey of Buddhist enlightenment. The temple's interior was tranquil and serene, the air filled with the faint scent of sandalwood. The monks, dressed in neat robes, had calm expressions and dignified demeanor. They chanted or meditated, each emanating an otherworldly aura. I was led to a simple meditation room, furnished with ancient scrolls and simple practice implements. The monk handed me a basic Buddhist scripture and gestured for me to begin by reciting the text.

I took the scroll in my hands, a surge of awe welling up within me. The words on the scroll were ancient and mysterious. Although I couldn't yet fully grasp their profound meaning, I could sense the immense power behind each character. I sat on a cushion and recited the text, word for word, according to the monk's instructions. At first, my pronunciation was awkward, and my rhythm wasn't smooth. Undeterred, I practiced again and again. As I recited the text, I gradually immersed myself in it, and a peace of mind I had never experienced before emerged. Each word seemed to become a seed, planting the seeds of wisdom and compassion within my heart.

In addition to reciting scriptures, the monk began teaching me the correct meditation posture. He patiently demonstrated various sitting positions, explaining the key points and benefits of each. I carefully imitated his movements, striving to adjust my body to achieve the most comfortable and stable meditative state. In this process, I deeply experienced the close connection between body and mind. A correct posture not only helps me focus my attention but also allows my breathing to flow more freely, leading to a calmer and more focused mind.

At the temple, I met a lovely young novice monk. He was only about ten years old, with a round face that always beamed with an innocent smile. He was curious about me, a stranger from afar, and he always followed me, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. One day, he approached me and spoke in his tender voice. Although I couldn't understand what he was saying, I could sense his friendliness from his expression and gestures. I smiled back, using the few simple Sanskrit words I had learned. The young novice monk seemed delighted and patiently began to teach me more Sanskrit words and phrases. With his help, my Sanskrit proficiency improved slightly, which helped me to better understand the Dharma.

Over time, I began attending the temple's morning and evening prayers. Every morning and evening, the monks gathered in the main hall to chant sutras, worship Buddha, and perform other rituals. I stood among the monks, following their chanting. Although I couldn't fully grasp the full meaning of the text, I tried to feel the tranquility and peace that permeated the air. During the evening prayers, I observed the monks' every move, and their devotion and focus deeply moved me. I realized that Buddhist practice is not just about understanding and reciting the scriptures; it is also a form of inner cultivation and a transformation of one's attitude towards life.

Yet, even as I immersed myself in Buddhist studies, my inner conflict didn't completely disappear. Sometimes, while reciting scriptures or meditating, my thoughts would involuntarily drift back to the modern world. I'd think of my family and friends in modern society, and recall the familiar scenes of life. I began to doubt whether my choices were correct, and whether I could truly find a true sense of belonging in this ancient world. This inner struggle left me feeling painful and lost, but I also understood that it was a necessary test on my spiritual path.

During a meditation session, my inner conflict reached a peak. Sitting on a cushion, I tried to calm my mind, but images of modern life kept resurfacing in my mind. I felt as if I was being pulled between two forces: my attachment to the modern world and my devotion to Buddhist practice. Just as I was about to give up, I suddenly remembered the monk's teachings on "impermanence." Everything in the world is impermanent, and perhaps my journey through time was also a whirlwind of fate. Buddhist practice is precisely what helps me transcend this impermanence and achieve inner peace and liberation.

At that moment, I felt a sudden realization. I realized I didn't need to deliberately forget modern life, nor did I need to force myself to fully immerse myself in Buddhist practice. I could consider the experiences and memories of the modern world as part of my practice, drawing strength from them to better understand the true meaning of Buddhism. Just as the Yogacarabhumi Sutra states, "the five sense bodies correspond to one another," we must first recognize our own physical and mental states, including our distracting thoughts and afflictions, and then, through practice, gradually transcend them.

Since then, my heart has gradually become calmer and more resolute. I've devoted myself even more wholeheartedly to the study and practice of Buddhism, striving to apply its teachings in my monastic life. I actively participate in various temple affairs, helping the monks clean the courtyard and prepare vegetarian meals. In these daily chores, I have come to appreciate the significance of the Buddhist teachings of generosity and precepts. Each small action, each interaction with the monks and villagers, has become a valuable experience on my spiritual journey, deepening my understanding of the seventeen stages of practice outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra and strengthening my resolve to pursue the true meaning of Buddhism in this ancient Indian world.