Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 39: The Third Stage of Bodhisattvas—"Radiant Wisdom Revealed, Forbearance and Virtue Spread"

In the tranquil and peaceful spiritual realm of Lingxu Mountain, Ah Ming's rigorous adherence to the precepts in the second stage of the Bodhisattva Stage gradually honed his inner strength and purity. Now, as he entered the third stage of the Bodhisattva Stage, it felt like stepping into a new realm filled with challenges and opportunities. He was determined to cultivate brilliant wisdom in this land and cultivate the virtue of forbearance to perfection.

Ah Ming deeply understood that the radiant wisdom of a bodhisattva is more than just personal understanding and insight into the Dharma. Rather, it is like a beacon, piercing the dense fog of the world, spreading the Dharma's radiance to every corner, and igniting the dusty lamp of enlightenment in everyone's heart. To achieve this state, he diligently studied day and night, delving deeply into the Buddhist scriptures, constantly searching for the treasures of wisdom within the Buddhist teachings that can touch one's heart. Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through his humble hermitage, Ah Ming would sit upright on his cushion, eyes closed in meditation, immersing his consciousness in the vast ocean of Buddhist wisdom. He diligently comprehended the profound principles contained in the ancient texts, striving to transform them into the radiant light of wisdom that would shine brightly in his daily life.

By chance, Amin descended the mountain and found himself in a bustling town. The market was bustling with activity, a cacophony of voices intertwined. Standing in the center of the market, observing the diverse crowds, a strong sense of purpose welled up within Amin. He decided to experiment with letting his radiant wisdom shine.

Amin began to share the wisdom of Buddhism with the people around him. He spotted a young businessman, his face brimming with anxiety over a competitive business. Amin approached him, smiling, and said, "Donor, look at this market: everyone is so busy pursuing profit, yet often neglects inner peace. Buddhism teaches that all phenomena are like dreams and bubbles. The gains and losses in business are like passing clouds and mist; there's no need to become overly attached. If you can approach them with a calm mind, perhaps you'll find a more relaxed approach to competition." The young businessman paused, seemingly touched. He paused his hurried pace and engaged in a deep conversation with Amin. Using easy-to-understand language and drawing on real-life examples, Amin explained the various manifestations of greed, hatred, and delusion in the business world, and how to address them with Buddhist wisdom. The businessman's anxiety gradually gave way to a clearer gaze. He bowed deeply to Amin and said, "Master, your words are like a revelation; they've opened my eyes."

However, Amin's journey to spread Buddhist wisdom was not without its challenges. In this world, misunderstanding and prejudice, like shadows, often haunt those who seek to spread enlightenment. A fellow practitioner, jealous of Amin's achievements in practice and the wisdom he displayed in public, began to maliciously slander him. At a Buddhist gathering, in front of numerous monks and laypeople, this practitioner openly accused Amin of a flawed understanding of the Dharma, accusing him of misleading sentient beings. His words were harsh and aggressive.

Ah Ming listened quietly to the other party's slander, without a trace of resentment in his heart. He simply gazed at his fellow practitioner with compassion, as if looking at a pitiful person lost in hatred. After the other party finished speaking, Ah Ming clasped his hands together, bowed respectfully, and said, "Brother, I am grateful for your rebuke. Your words have revealed my own shortcomings and have led me to reflect more deeply on my practice. However, I believe that the tenet of Buddhism is compassion and tolerance. As fellow practitioners, we should prioritize kindness and not let hatred cloud our inner wisdom." Ah Ming's voice was calm and steady, yet it held an invisible power that moved everyone present.

The colleague originally thought that Amin would angrily refute, but he did not expect him to respond like this. For a moment, he was a little overwhelmed, and the anger on his face turned into a little awkward. Seeing this, Amin continued, "Brother, you must have many insights and achievements in your practice. Why don't we sit down and discuss Buddhism calmly, learn from each other, and make progress together. Isn't this more beneficial than slandering each other?" Amin's words were like a warm current, gradually melting the ice in the other person's heart. The colleague's expression gradually eased. He lowered his head, was silent for a moment, and then said, "Brother Amin, I was wrong. I was blinded by jealousy, so I said those slanderous words about you." Amin walked up to him with a smile, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Brother, it is a great kindness to recognize your mistakes."

This incident not only made the colleague realize his mistake, but also allowed those around him to deeply witness the strength of Amin's forbearance. In the eyes of everyone, Amin is like a true bodhisattva, who can face malicious attacks with compassion, repay evil with kindness, and influence others with the virtue of forbearance.

In addition to demonstrating the virtue of forbearance in the face of external slander, Ah Ming also skillfully incorporated the wisdom of forbearance into his daily lectures. He understood that Buddhist teachings are profound and difficult to grasp, and that simply explaining them mechanically would make it difficult for listeners to truly grasp their essence. Therefore, he often employed his wisdom to transform these obscure Buddhist teachings into vivid, engaging, and easily understood stories and metaphors.

During a lecture at a temple, Amin saw many ordinary believers sitting in the audience. Most of them had little education, but they were filled with reverence and longing for the Dharma. Amin cleared his throat and began, "Donors, today I'll tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was an old monk who was leading a young monk across a river. At the riverbank, they met a woman who, fearing the river, asked for help. Without hesitation, the old monk carried her across on his back. The young monk was puzzled, as monks were not supposed to be close to women. After crossing the river, the young monk couldn't help but ask the old monk why he did this. The old monk smiled and said, 'I let go of that woman a long time ago, yet you still carried her on your back.' This story teaches us that forbearance isn't just about enduring external insults and harm, but also about letting go of inner resentment and attachment. Just like in life, we encounter many unpleasant things. If we constantly dwell on them and hold onto them, we are placing a heavy yoke on our hearts. Only by learning to let go can we truly achieve inner freedom and peace."

The audience listened with rapt attention, captivated by Ah Ming's stories and grasping the true meaning of forbearance. Ah Ming felt a sense of comfort watching the audience's focused expressions. He knew that through these stories and parables, the light of Buddhist wisdom was taking root in their hearts.

During his practice in the third stage of the Bodhisattva Stage, Ah Ming constantly honed his radiant wisdom and the virtue of forbearance in various situations. Whether facing the perplexities of businessmen, the slander of his peers, or the confusion of ordinary believers, he was able to use wisdom as his guide and forbearance as his boat to forge ahead on this challenging sea of ​​practice. His heart also grew stronger and more open-minded in this process. Like a lighthouse standing tall in the storm, he constantly radiated the light of compassion and wisdom, guiding those around him on the path to liberation and enlightenment.