Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 40: The Fourth Stage of Bodhisattva Stages - "Blazing Wisdom Burns Afflictions, Diligent Will Is Like Steel"

In the quiet place blessed by the Buddha's light in Lingxu Mountain, Amin has been illuminating others with his radiant wisdom and resolving disputes with the virtue of forbearance since his practice in the third stage of Bodhisattva. Now, he has entered the fourth stage of Bodhisattva, facing a more profound and arduous test of practice.

Here, the power of Flame Wisdom, like a raging fire, became the key to Ah Ming's purification of body and mind. Ah Ming knew that the defiled habits deep within his heart were like stubborn weeds, entwined over time and deeply embedded in his subconscious. To advance further on the Bodhisattva Path, he must harness the fierce power of Flame Wisdom to uproot these defilements and completely incinerate them.

Amin decided to retreat and practice. In his small, simple retreat room, he faced his inner world alone. Silence reigned, the only sound echoing through the empty space: his breathing and heartbeat. Slowly closing his eyes, Amin began to reflect deeply within himself. He began with the most obvious greed, recalling the bustling scene he had witnessed in the town below. The dazzling array of goods and the extravagant lifestyle had inadvertently tugged at his heartstrings. Now, drawing upon the power of Flame Wisdom, he dissected each of these greedy tendencies one by one, like placing a piece of unpolished jade in a fierce fire, letting the impurities gradually dissipate under the intense heat. He contemplated the devastating consequences of greed, the inner peace lost to greed, the suffering of sentient beings neglected in the pursuit of material things. In this profound contemplation, greed began to lose its alluring veneer, dissolving into a wisp of black smoke, scorched by the flame of wisdom.

Ah Ming also sought to eliminate hatred. He recalled a flash of anger he'd felt when a colleague slandered him. Although he'd endured the humiliation at the time, the seeds of hatred might still have lingered within him. Ah Ming dug out this seed and placed it under the flame of wisdom. He saw how hatred, like a cancer, was eating away at his heart, robbing him of both reason and compassion. As the flame of wisdom incinerated it, hatred wrestled painfully, but Ah Ming remained unmoved, steadfastly watching it until it vanished.

Delusion, pride, and doubt were also exposed by the power of Flame Wisdom. Ah Ming reflected on his own limited understanding of certain Buddhist teachings during his practice: that was a manifestation of delusion; the slight complacency he had once felt due to his limited spiritual achievements was the result of pride; and the uncertainty and occasional doubts about his future path were the result of doubt. He presented these to Flame Wisdom, allowing the flames of wisdom to purify them one by one. Each breakthrough was like a thrilling battle, and Ah Ming's body and mind endured immense pressure during this process, but it was also accompanied by a profound transformation. As the last traces of defiled habits dissipated in Flame Wisdom, Ah Ming felt an unprecedented sense of clarity and freedom. His spiritual realm, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, achieved a qualitative leap.

When Ah Ming concluded his retreat and emerged from his room, his eyes shone with determination and wisdom. The temple was facing a major challenge: reconstruction. The temple buildings had fallen into disrepair, and a storm had severely damaged several halls, requiring urgent repair and reconstruction. Ah Ming knew this was not only a test for the temple, but also a golden opportunity to further his spiritual practice in the fourth stage of the Bodhisattva stage.

Ah Ming took the initiative to take on the organization and coordination of the temple reconstruction. He gathered his fellow practitioners and explained in detail the importance and urgency of the reconstruction work. However, the reconstruction work was not smooth sailing. The first thing they faced was heavy physical labor. Carrying construction materials, clearing rubble, and setting up scaffolding were both hard and dangerous. Some young practitioners began to look hesitant, worried that they would not be able to withstand such high-intensity labor. Ah Ming looked at them and encouraged them, "My fellow practitioners, this temple is a sacred place for our practice and an important place for spreading the Dharma. Now that it has been damaged, we have the responsibility to rebuild it. Each stone and each piece of wood is like an obstacle on our path of practice. Only with our perseverance and determination can we overcome them one by one. Just as I used the flame of wisdom to eliminate troubles during my retreat, now we must use the spirit of diligence to overcome these difficulties."

While moving a huge cornerstone, everyone encountered a problem. The cornerstone was too heavy and could not be moved by just a few people. Amin personally went to the cornerstone, observed the surrounding terrain, and thought about how to move it. He instructed the practitioners to find some logs and use the principle of leverage to try to pry the cornerstone. However, during the operation, due to lack of coordination, the logs suddenly slipped and almost hit a practitioner. Everyone exclaimed in surprise, and the practitioner turned pale with fear. Amin hurried forward to check and confirmed that the practitioner was not injured. He comforted everyone, saying, "Don't panic, this is just a small setback. We will also encounter various unexpected difficulties in our practice, but as long as we don't give up and keep adjusting our methods, we will definitely succeed."

Besides the physical labor, the organizational and coordination work was also extremely complex. Amin meticulously coordinated the various teams of artisans, suppliers, and various internal temple affairs. While discussing construction details with a master craftsman, Amin offered some suggestions on integrating the temple's architectural style with Buddhist teachings. However, the master felt that these suggestions would increase the difficulty and cost of construction, leading to a disagreement. Amin patiently explained to the master craftsman, "Master, this temple is not just any ordinary building; it is a hall that carries the spirit of Buddhism. Every architectural detail should reflect the compassion and wisdom of the Dharma, so that those who come to worship and practice can feel its majesty and sacredness. While this may increase the difficulty and cost, in the long run, it will have immeasurable significance for the temple's heritage and the promotion of Buddhism." After Amin's persuasion, the master craftsman finally understood his intentions, and the two sides reached a consensus.

Throughout the temple reconstruction process, Ah Ming consistently led by example, participating in every task alongside his fellow initiates. Whether carrying materials under the scorching sun or checking accounts and arranging the next day's work late at night, he never slacked off. His diligent spirit inspired everyone around him, and fellow initiates followed his example, working even harder in the reconstruction effort.

Over time, the temple's reconstruction efforts gradually yielded results. Thanks to the collective efforts of all, halls rose from the ground, revitalizing the temple with renewed grandeur. Amin, observing the newly renovated temple, felt a surge of joy. He knew that through this temple reconstruction, he had not only strengthened his resolve and abilities but also taken a solid step toward the fourth stage of Bodhisattva cultivation. His unwavering resolve, as strong as steel, would continue to sustain him on his future spiritual journey, as he faced more challenges and trials, forging ahead towards the higher realms of Bodhisattvahood.