Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 30: Transcendence of the Arhat Stage—"Transcendence of the Arhat Stage, Bravely Opening the Bodhisattva Path"

In the sacred and quiet atmosphere of Lingxu Mountain, after a long period of in-depth exploration, integration and expansion of the Śrāvaka realm and the Bodhisattva path, Amin finally reached a key turning point - transcending the Śrāvaka realm and moving towards a higher realm of Bodhisattva practice.

It was early morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the mist and shone across Ah Ming's retreat hut. He was immersed in a deep meditation. Within this meditation, his consciousness, like a free bird, soared through the myriad experiences and insights of his past practice. He clearly saw the boundaries of the Śrāvaka realm and profoundly grasped the boundless breadth and depth of the Bodhisattva path. In that instant, a powerful force surged from deep within him, like a clear spring breaking through a rocky barrier. He successfully transcended the limitations of the Śrāvaka realm and thoroughly integrated its essence into the mindfulness of the Bodhisattva.

Ah Ming slowly opened his eyes, a glint of unprecedented wisdom gleaming in them. He knew this transcendence was no accident, but the inevitable result of countless self-challenges, inner struggles, and a profound understanding of the Dharma. He recalled how, despite facing the doubts of the elders, the confusion of fellow practitioners, and various external pressures, he remained steadfast in his faith in the Bodhisattva Path, constantly exploring and adjusting through practice. Every interaction with sentient beings, whether rescuing an injured passerby or answering the questions of a confused practitioner, became the foundation of his transcendence.

As news of Amin's transcendence of the Arhat stage spread quietly throughout the Buddhist community, his name shone like a brilliant star in the hearts of countless practitioners. Monasteries across the country invited him to share this extraordinary experience and insights. Amin gladly accepted, hoping that his experience would inspire more practitioners to bravely advance on the Bodhisattva Path.

In a magnificent temple, Amin stood at a solemn lectern. Below him sat a dense crowd of practitioners, their eyes filled with anticipation and reverence. Taking a deep breath, Amin began to recount his journey of transcendence: "Fellow practitioners, the Śrāvaka-vihara is like a solid fortress, providing a foundation and shelter for our practice. The Bodhisattva Path, however, is a boundless sky, awaiting our soaring. While exploring the Śrāvaka-vihara, I was drawn to its rigorous practice. Attempting to integrate it into the Bodhisattva Path, I encountered numerous difficulties and conflicts."

Amin's gaze swept across the audience as he continued, "Faced with these difficult situations, I too experienced inner conflict. On the one hand, some of the concepts of the Śrāvaka-dhyāna seemed to contradict the flexibility of the Bodhisattva-dhyāna. On the other hand, I was deeply aware of the precious wisdom it contained. However, it was precisely these inner struggles and conflicts that led me to reflect more deeply on the original aspiration of my practice. I realized that the core of the Bodhisattva-dhyāna is to save sentient beings, and that all methods of practice should revolve around this goal. Thus, I no longer confined myself to the inherent model of the Śrāvaka-dhyāna, but boldly adopted its essence and discarded its dross."

A young practitioner in the audience couldn't help but ask, "Master A-Ming, how do you determine what is the essence and what is the dregs?" A-Ming smiled and replied, "This requires keen inner awareness. When, in our practice, we discover a method that strengthens our compassion for sentient beings and enhances our ability to save them, that is the essence. Conversely, if a certain concept or behavior hinders our connection with sentient beings, then it needs to be discarded. For example, when we apply the meditation and concentration training of the Śrāvaka realm to the Bodhisattva path, it is not to seek personal liberation and tranquility, but to listen more attentively to the voices of sentient beings in their suffering and provide more precise help. This is the transformation of the essence."

Amin's sharing deeply inspired the practitioners present, and they were deeply contemplative. After the sharing session, many practitioners gathered around to engage in deeper interaction with Amin. Some practitioners shared similar confusions they had encountered during their practice, and Amin patiently answered them one by one, offering targeted advice and encouragement.

However, Amin's transcendental actions were not universally recognized. Some within the traditional and conservative Śrāvaka community considered Amin a blasphemer of the Śrāvaka teachings and spread slanderous remarks behind his back. Upon learning of this, Amin felt a sense of frustration, but he remained undeterred. He understood that innovation and transcendence always come with controversy. As long as he remained steadfast in the bodhisattva path and demonstrated the value of transcendence through concrete actions, the false rumors would eventually dissipate.

To further explore the higher realms of the Bodhisattva Path, Amin embarked on a solitary pilgrimage. He journeyed through dense forests and over precipitous mountains, arriving at a legendary ancient Buddha cave. Legend has it that countless eminent monks had once gained profound spiritual enlightenment within this cave.

Ah Ming, in seclusion within the Ancient Buddha Cave, immersed himself in a profound exploration of the Bodhisattva Path. In this quiet cave, he engaged in the purest dialogue with his inner self. He reflected on his journey from his initial encounter with the practice to his current transcendence of the Arhat stage, summarizing his experiences and lessons and contemplating new directions for his future Bodhisattva practice.

During his retreat, Ah Ming encountered many inner challenges. At times, he was troubled by past achievements, feeling a tinge of complacency. At other times, he felt lost about his future path, unsure how to proceed. Whenever these emotions arose, he would immediately apply the bodhisattva's method of contemplation to discern their root causes and transform them into motivation for practice.

After a long retreat, Ah Ming emerged from the ancient Buddha cave, his face more peaceful and serene, his eyes gleaming with profound wisdom. With renewed insight and resolve, he returned to the Buddhist realm. He began writing a treatise on his journey beyond the realm of the Śrāvakas and his exploration of the Bodhisattva Path. In it, he detailed every key milestone in his practice, his inner transformations, and his new understanding and interpretation of the Bodhisattva Path.

Upon its publication, this treatise once again caused a stir in the Buddhist community. Many practitioners viewed it as a guide to the Bodhisattva Path, diligently studying it and practicing according to its methods. Those who had previously denigrated Amin gradually quieted, and more people began to recognize his innovation and transcendence.

Ah Ming was not content with his current status. He knew that the practice of the Bodhisattva Path was endless. He continued to travel extensively, interacting with practitioners, sharing his own experiences and drawing new inspiration from them. He encouraged young practitioners to be bold in exploration and innovation, and not to be bound by traditional notions. Under his influence, successive generations of practitioners embarked on the unique path of the Bodhisattva Path. In their respective fields, they used the compassion and wisdom of the Bodhisattva to bring greater warmth and hope to the world. Ah Ming, like a guide, after transcending the stage of the Śrāvaka, blazed a new and broad path for the Bodhisattva Path with his actions, allowing more practitioners to see the infinite possibilities of the Bodhisattva Path.