Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 38: The Second Stage of the Bodhisattva Stage - "Strictly Guarding the Precepts and Conduct, and the Radiance of Wisdom Emerges from the Purity of Defilement"

Amidst the morning bells and evening drums of Lingxu Mountain, Ah Ming, having drawn insights and strength from his practice of the first stage of the bodhisattva path, steadily entered the second stage of the bodhisattva path. Here, the emphasis was on rigorous observance of the precepts. Ah Ming understood that the precepts were the foundation of practice, like a sharp blade that could sever the deepest defilements of greed, hatred, and ignorance, thus paving the way for the emergence of wisdom.

Amin began a more rigorous practice of observing the precepts. Every morning, he would sincerely confess before the Buddha, reflecting on any subtle greed, hatred, and ignorance that might exist within him. He measured every thought and action against the standard of the precepts, never letting go of even the slightest thought that could cloud his mind. Regarding his diet, he strictly adhered to vegetarianism, taking only moderate amounts of food to avoid the cravings that feed on his appetite. As for clothing, he sought only warmth and warmth, eschewing embellishments and ornamentation, a constant reminder to avoid material temptations.

As his practice deepened, Ah Ming gradually felt a shift in his heart. The distracting thoughts and worries that once haunted him gradually dissipated, leaving his mind pure and clear, like a clear spring reflecting the true nature of all things. He discovered that his wisdom began to shine, allowing him to more keenly discern the essence of all things. Whether facing difficult spiritual challenges or complex situations while helping others, he could quickly see beyond superficial appearances to the underlying cause-and-effect relationships, enabling him to make more appropriate decisions.

However, the path of spiritual practice is far from smooth. External temptations, like surging waves, constantly assaulted Ah Ming's inner defenses. One day, a wealthy businessman, having heard of Ah Ming's virtue and wisdom, sent an invitation to a grand banquet. Ah Ming was tempted to decline, but thinking this might be an opportunity to benefit sentient beings, he decided to go.

When Ah Ming arrived at the wealthy merchant's home, the sight before him startled him. The hall, decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, was filled with delicacies, and gold and silver utensils gleamed brightly in the candlelight. The wealthy merchant approached with a broad smile, saying, "Master, I have long heard of your name. I have specially prepared this feast for you today. I hope you will not despise it." Ah Ming clasped his hands together and respectfully replied, "I am deeply grateful for your generosity, benefactor. However, I am bound by my precepts and cannot enjoy these luxuries."

Upon hearing this, the wealthy businessman looked embarrassed and quickly said, "Master, this is just a small token of my appreciation. There's no need to be so formal." Ah Ming looked at the wealthy businessman, his eyes filled with compassion and determination. He said, "Donor, although these riches and delicacies can bring temporary enjoyment, they can easily lead people into the trap of greed. Greed obscures our wisdom and leads us astray in the abyss of desire."

The wealthy businessman, inwardly skeptical of Amin's words, maintained a facade of respect. He said, "Master, I understand what you're saying, but isn't life all about enjoying these things? If we constantly restrain ourselves, what's the joy in living?" Amin smiled and said, "Donor, true joy doesn't come from material possessions, but from inner peace and kindness. Look at how many people in this world have lost family, friendship, and even their health and happiness in pursuit of wealth. If you could use this wealth for charity and to help those in need, you would reap a deeper and more lasting joy."

The wealthy businessman fell into deep thought. Amin's words struck him like a hammer. He began to reflect on his life, realizing that despite his immense wealth, he often felt empty and uneasy. Seeing this, Amin continued, "Donor, why not start doing some good deeds from now on? For example, sponsoring poor students for education or providing medical care to the sick. These acts of kindness will accumulate immeasurable merit for you and bring true comfort to your heart."

After Ah Ming's patient persuasion, the wealthy businessman finally relented. He expressed his willingness to follow Ah Ming's advice and donate a portion of his wealth to charity. Ah Ming felt a sense of relief. He knew that this was the true meaning of the Bodhisattva Path in saving sentient beings: guiding them onto the right path through one's words and deeds.

After returning to Lingxu Mountain, A Ming shared this experience with his fellow practitioners. They expressed admiration for his perseverance and wisdom, but also raised some difficult questions they themselves encountered while observing the precepts. One practitioner asked, "Brother A Ming, when faced with special circumstances, it's difficult to determine whether our actions conform to the precepts. For example, when we have to break the rules to save a life, does this count as a violation of the precepts?"

A-Ming pondered for a moment, then said, "Junior Brother, the precepts are not rigid dogmas, but should be applied flexibly according to specific circumstances. In the Bodhisattva Path, our primary goal is to save all living beings. If we have to do something that seems to violate the precepts in order to save a life, as long as our starting point is pure compassion and kindness, and we are able to repent and reflect afterward, then such behavior can be understood. However, we must also be careful in our judgment and avoid indulging our desires under the pretext of saving sentient beings."

After hearing Ah Ming's words, the practitioners suddenly felt enlightened. They realized that observing the precepts is not just about regulating behavior, but also about cultivating the inner self. In the days that followed, Ah Ming and his fellow practitioners supervised and encouraged each other, working together to maintain rigor and diligence in their practice. They held regular meetings to share their insights and confusions in observing the precepts, and to discuss how to better cope with external temptations and inner troubles.

At a sharing session on keeping the precepts, a young practitioner said with a face full of shame, "Brothers, I recently met a woman gathering herbs in the mountains. Her beauty stirred a ripple in my heart. Although I tried hard to control my thoughts, I still felt a great struggle within." Ah Ming looked at him and said gently, "Brother, this is normal, and there's no need to blame yourself too much. But we must be aware of the changes in our hearts and use the power of the precepts and practice to transform these distracting thoughts into compassion and wisdom. You can visualize her as a loved one, wishing her freedom from suffering and happiness. This way, your heart will gradually calm down."

Over time, Ah Ming and his fellow initiates achieved remarkable success in their practice of the second stage of the Bodhisattva Stage. Their hearts became purer, their wisdom deeper, and they laid a solid foundation for further cultivation on the Bodhisattva Path. Ah Ming knew the road ahead would still be filled with challenges, but he remained undaunted, convinced that as long as he adhered to the precepts and continuously improved his spiritual attainments, he would advance further on the Bodhisattva Stage and ultimately realize his aspiration to liberate all sentient beings.