Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 4: Awakening of the Five Senses — "Eyes and Ears Perceive All Images, Body and Mind Awaken the Beginning"

In the tranquil and sacred atmosphere of an ancient Indian temple, my Buddhist practice gradually deepened. With the continued recitation of basic texts and meditation, I began to enter the important stage of the seventeenth stage of practice in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra: the stage of the five sense bodies.

The morning sun bathed the temple garden, and dewdrops shimmered on the petals and blades of grass like tiny pearls. I arrived early to this tranquil spot, ready for a spiritual practice focused on awakening the senses. I slowly closed my eyes, focusing my attention on my hearing. At first, there was complete silence, as if the world were asleep. But gradually, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, a sound like a gentle prelude to nature's music. Then, the clear chirping of birds rose in unison, some resounding, cheering the arrival of a new day; others, soft and gentle, recounting ancient legends. The insects in the grass were no less captivating, their chirping blending into a unique symphony. I listened intently, letting each note sink into my mind, sensing the ebb and flow, the interplay of long and short notes, and experiencing the intimate connection between hearing and the outside world.

As my auditory feast unfolded, my sense of smell was quietly awakened. The flowers in the garden, bathed in sunlight, emanated a fragrance. The delicate scent of jasmine, the delicate fragrance of gardenia, the rich aroma of rose, blended with the fresh scent of earth and the unique aroma of sandalwood from the temple, each wisp of fragrance permeated my nostrils and permeated my heart and lungs. I was captivated by this enchanting aroma, as if my body and mind were cleansed by it, becoming pure and light. Simultaneously, my body keenly sensed the warmth of the sun. The soft light bathed my skin, bringing a gentle warmth like the caress of a gentle hand, allowing me to truly experience the fusion of my body and consciousness with the external environment.

I know deeply that these seemingly ordinary sensory experiences are actually keys to a mysterious realm deep within. Like small streams, they converge to nourish the heart and open the door to wisdom. During my practice, I met several like-minded practitioners. We often practice sensory awareness together and share our insights and experiences.

Once, we sat together in the temple courtyard, engaging in a special spiritual practice. We began by closing our eyes and focusing our attention on our surroundings. After a moment, we began sharing our experiences. One practitioner said, "I just heard the sound of a distant bell. Its deep, distant tone filled me with awe. At the same time, I smelled the aroma of food wafting from the temple kitchen, which reminded me that even in spiritual practice, the essence of everyday life is everywhere." Another practitioner shared, "I felt the gentle breeze brushing against my face. In that moment, I felt as if I had become one with the wind, my sense of self vanishing." I gained a lot from these exchanges. Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of my own sensory experiences, but I also saw, through the perspectives of my fellow practitioners, more of the wonders of the interaction between the five senses and the external world.

While exploring the corresponding realms of the five senses, I was fortunate to meet a senior practitioner who was quite accomplished in this area. He had a peaceful face, and his eyes shone with profound wisdom. When I asked him about my confusions in the practice of the five senses, he always patiently answered my questions.

Once, I told him that during my practice, I was often distracted by external sensory stimulation, making it difficult to maintain inner peace. My senior brother smiled and said, "Brother, the contact between the five senses and the outside world is natural. The key lies in how we perceive and respond. Just like duckweed on the water's surface, it moves with the waves, but if we observe it with a calm mind, we can discover the patterns and impermanence within." He then led me to a quiet corner of the temple. Here, a small fountain gushed from a stone nozzle, splashing into the pool below.

My senior brother pointed at the fountain and said, "Look at this water! It's constantly flowing and changing, just like the information our senses receive. When we stand here, we can feel the sound of the water, the touch of the water droplets splashing on our bodies, and the smell of the water vapor in the air. We should not resist it, but rather fully accept and be aware of it. In this acceptance and awareness, we can gradually find inner balance." I followed my senior brother's instructions, stood by the fountain, closed my eyes, and felt it with my heart. At first, the sound of the flowing water and the touch of the water droplets made my mind a little confused, but as I continued to regulate my breathing and focus on the present sensory experience, my heart gradually calmed down. I seemed to feel the vitality of each droplet. Their leaping, colliding, and merging seemed to tell me the secret of life.

Under my senior practitioner's careful guidance, I made significant progress in my practice of the five senses. However, my inner conflicts didn't completely disappear. Sometimes, I became overly attached to sensory experiences, seeking an ultimate state. This obsession only led me into trouble. For example, during one meditation session, I was so focused on hearing more subtle sounds and smelling more intense aromas that I neglected to cultivate inner peace and ease. When I realized my mistake, I felt a wave of regret and confusion. I began to reflect on my practice, wondering if, in my pursuit of awakening the five senses, I had strayed from the true meaning of Buddhism.

Amidst this inner struggle, I once again turned to the scriptures for answers. I deeply realized that the practice of the five senses is not about craving or pursuing sensory experiences, but rather about realizing the impermanence and illusory nature of all things through sensory awareness, thereby achieving spiritual liberation and sublimation. As the Yogacarabhumi Sutra teaches, we must discern the emptiness of self and phenomena through the interaction of our eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body consciousness with the outside world, and not be deceived by appearances.

As my understanding of this state deepened, I gradually learned to maintain a calm mind in the experiences of the five senses. Whether in my daily practice at the temple or in my interactions with the outside world, I was able to face various sensory stimulations with greater composure. When I heard pleasant music, I was no longer simply mesmerized by the melody; I could sense the momentary nature of the sound. When I savored delicious food, I could experience the impermanence and unreality of flavor as the taste buds blossomed on my tongue. This new understanding and realization of the five senses has taken me another solid step forward in my Buddhist practice and laid a solid foundation for further exploration of the subsequent states of practice described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra.