Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 37: The First Stage of the Bodhisattva Stage - "When Entering the Bodhisattva Path, the Heart is Filled with Joy"

Amid the lush greenery of Mount Lingxu, after making his aspirations for enlightenment beneath the majestic pagoda and then journeying to impoverished villages to help others, Ah Ming truly felt he had entered the first stage of the Bodhisattva's path. This first stage is like a gateway to a sacred mission. The world beyond this gate is filled with unknowns and challenges, but also overflowing with endless hope and light.

When Ah Ming first arrived here, he was filled with an indescribable joy. This joy was like finally catching sight of the first light piercing through the clouds after groping through the long, dark night. It stemmed not from worldly pursuits of fame and fortune, but from a pure faith in and pursuit of the bodhisattva path, from a deep compassion for the suffering of all beings and the honor of being able to contribute to their cause.

To better cultivate his practice in the first stage of the Bodhisattva path, Ah Ming eagerly studied the various norms and requirements of the Bodhisattva's conduct. He immersed himself in ancient scriptures, meticulously examining these obscure yet imbued with boundless wisdom, striving to imprint their teachings within his heart. Whenever he encountered doubts, he would discuss them in depth with the elders and fellow practitioners in the mountains until the fog of confusion in his heart completely dissipated.

Throughout this process, Ming deeply realized that the Four Immeasurable Minds of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity are the core of the Bodhisattva Path. Compassion is empathy for the suffering of all beings and striving to alleviate it; joy is genuine joy in the happiness and progress of all beings; and equanimity is letting go of self-attachment and prejudice, treating all beings equally. Ming understood that truly applying these Four Immeasurable Minds in every aspect of daily life is no easy task, requiring constant inner vigilance and self-reflection.

So, Ah Ming and his fellow initiates decided to leave the forest and head for the market at the foot of the mountain. The market was bustling with activity, a cacophony of noise. Here gathered people from all directions, some busy with their daily needs, others bargaining for their daily necessities. As Ah Ming watched the crowds before him, a strong sense of mission welled up within him.

They set up a porridge stand in the heart of the market. A large pot sat atop a simple stove, steaming with porridge, emitting an alluring aroma. Amin and his fellow initiates, dressed in simple monk robes and smiling, busily served porridge to the hungry people who had come. Amin's eyes were filled with kindness and concern. As he handed bowl after bowl of porridge to the people, he whispered, "Donors, this is a small gift from us. Hope it can temporarily relieve your hunger." His voice was gentle and kind, as if it held a magical power, bringing a touch of warmth and comfort to those weary and hungry people.

During his soup distribution, Ah Ming wasn't content simply to provide food. He understood that the bodhisattva path required not only physical relief but also spiritual nourishment. Thus, he began telling simple Buddhist stories to the people gathered around the soup distribution site. These stories, often drawn from everyday life, vividly conveyed the wisdom and philosophy of Buddhism.

"Dear donors, once upon a time there was a wise man who saw a bird trapped in a net. He felt pity and rescued it. To repay the wise man's life-saving grace, the bird transformed into a magical seed. The wise man planted the seed, and soon a large tree grew, laden with fruit. These fruits not only satisfy hunger and thirst, but also have the magical power to cure all diseases. This story teaches us that good deeds are rewarded. As long as we are compassionate and willing to help others, life will naturally bring us wonderful rewards." As Amin recounted the story, his eyes always connected with the audience. He noticed the changes in their expressions, and seeing the smiles gradually appear on their faces, Amin's joy grew stronger. He knew that this was the embodiment of the original aspiration of the Bodhisattva Path. Through his words and deeds, he conveyed the warmth of the Dharma to everyone, allowing them to feel hope and light in their difficult lives.

However, not everyone readily accepts the teachings of Buddhism. In the corner of the soup distribution center, an elderly man sat. His hair was gray, his face was thin, and his eyes revealed a trace of vicissitudes and doubt. Watching the busy figures of Amin and the others, the elderly man wondered, "Why are these monks here distributing porridge? And why are they telling us these stories? Do they have some agenda?"

Ah Ming noticed the old man's gaze, and a thought struck him, realizing the elder harbored doubts about Buddhism. So, he put down his work, slowly approached the old man, clasped his hands together, bowed respectfully, and said, "Old donor, you seem troubled. Could you please talk to me?" The old man raised his head slightly, looked at Ah Ming, and after a moment's silence, he said, "Monk, why are you giving us porridge and telling us these stories? Can you really trust what you teach in Buddhism?"

A-Ming smiled faintly, sat down beside the old man, and said, "Old donor, we offer porridge simply to alleviate everyone's suffering from hunger, out of compassion. And we share Buddhist stories in the hope of bringing you some spiritual comfort and enlightenment. Buddhism is not superstition; it provides a profound insight and wisdom into life and the world." As he spoke, A-Ming began to explain basic Buddhist teachings, such as karma and reincarnation, to the old man in easy-to-understand language. He cited real-life examples, explaining these concepts in a simple and accessible way, trying to help the old man grasp them.

The old man listened quietly, his doubts still lingering on his face. He raised some pointed questions: "If karma truly exists, why do so many good people suffer while the bad get away with it?" Amin pondered for a moment, then replied, "Old donor, karma is not simply about retribution in this life. Sometimes, what we see is merely superficial; a person's good and evil deeds may yield different results in this life or the next. When good people suffer, they may be paying off past karma or tempering their mind. And when bad people remain at large, it's only temporary; their evil deeds will ultimately receive their due punishment in the future."

Amin's conversation with the old man dragged on for a long time, and the surrounding people gradually gathered around, quietly listening to their discussion. With Amin's patient explanations, the old man's doubts gradually subsided. He began to seriously consider what Amin had said, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Amin felt a sense of relief at the change in the old man. He knew that it would take time for someone to fully accept Buddhism, but if he could plant a seed of the Dharma in their heart, it would eventually take root and sprout.

This process gave Ah Ming a deeper understanding and insight into the practice of a first-level bodhisattva. He realized that the practice of a first-level bodhisattva requires not only firm faith and positive action, but also sufficient patience and wisdom to face the doubts and challenges of sentient beings. Every interaction with sentient beings is an opportunity for spiritual practice. Whether providing assistance or resolving doubts, it can help one's heart become purer and more resolute.

As the sun gradually set, the crowds at the market gradually dispersed. Ah Ming and his fellow practitioners packed up their supplies from the soup kitchen and set out on their journey back to the mountain. Along the way, Ah Ming remained immersed in the insights he had gained from his practice that day. He knew this was only the beginning of his first stage of bodhisattva practice; there was still a long road ahead, and many more sentient beings awaited his salvation. But he remained undaunted, for the joy and faith in his heart burned like a flame, forever illuminating his path as a bodhisattva.