Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 43: The Seventh Stage of the Bodhisattva Stage - "Traveling the Bodhisattva Path, and Strengthening the Patience of the Unborn Dharma"

In the alternating twilight of Lingxu Mountain, after achieving enlightenment through various expedient methods at the sixth stage of the Bodhisattva Realm, Ah Ming's realm has been elevated to the seventh stage. This land, like a vaster and deeper expanse of the heavens, awaits his exploration and conquest with fearless courage and extraordinary wisdom, embarking on an even more magnificent journey on the Bodhisattva Path.

Ming deeply understands that the practice of the Bodhisattva Path is not confined to a single pure land; it involves forging ahead amidst the myriad hardships and challenges of the world, spreading the light of the Dharma to every corner. He has now reached a deeper understanding of the Anuttara-samyak-dharmakṣānti (no-birth dharma-patience), a state that transcends birth and death, honor and disgrace, gain and loss, success and failure. Within this state, the mind is neither born nor destroyed, unwavering, like a towering mountain, unmoved by wind, rain, thunder and lightning; or like the vast ocean, absorbing countless rivers without overflowing, enduring through all eternity.

At that time, news of war arrived from afar. The land was shrouded in smoke and flames, and the people were trapped in dire straits. Their lives were as fragile as ants in the ravages of war. Upon hearing this, Amin embarked on a journey to the war-torn region without hesitation.

As he stepped onto the war-torn land, the scene before him was horrifying. A shattered village burned fiercely, the bodies of civilians lay scattered among the ruins, and the agonized moans of the wounded mingled with the roar of gunfire, forming a tragic melody of hell on earth. Amin's heart surged with compassion, but his eyes remained resolute, for he knew that, at this moment, he was a beacon of hope for these suffering beings.

Amin, disregarding his own safety, weaved through the hail of gunfire. Nimble as a petrel through a storm, he dodged the whirlwind of bullets, rushing toward the wounded. Near the ruins, he found an elderly man, nearly dead, his leg severely wounded and bleeding profusely. Amin quickly retrieved herbs and bandages from his bag, knelt down, and carefully tended to the man's wound. As he bandaged the wound, he softly comforted him, "Old benefactor, do not be afraid. This suffering is only temporary. The Buddha's teachings will protect you through this." The old man looked at Amin, his eyes filled with gratitude and a desire to survive.

During the rescue process, Amin met a young mother who was holding her injured child tightly, her face filled with fear and despair. The child's abdomen was scratched by shrapnel, the wound was horrifying, and his life was in danger. Amin's heart was in a knot, but he immediately calmed down and used the medical skills he had learned and the power of Buddhism. He first stopped the bleeding for the child, and then slowly transferred his internal energy into the child's body to stabilize his injuries. At the same time, he chanted in his mouth, praying for the child with the compassion of Buddhism, hoping to awaken the child's will to live. With Amin's full treatment, the child's face gradually regained a trace of color. The young mother was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She knelt down in front of Amin and said sobbingly: "Master, you are our savior, may the Bodhisattva bless you." Amin hurriedly helped her up and said: "Donor, there is no need to do this. Saving sentient beings is my responsibility."

Faced with the cruelty of war and the impermanence of life, Amin remained serene through his unwavering patience. Watching the lives falling around him, he felt grief, but not the slightest panic or fear. He understood that the cycle of life and death was the norm in this world, and his mission was to offer hope and liberation to all beings amidst this impermanence. In the intervals between battles, he would gather the wounded and share the wisdom of the Dharma with them, soothing their wounded souls.

"Dear donors, this war may seem ruthless, but it is actually the result of the common karma of all living beings. In this suffering, we should not only see the pain, but also the opportunity for liberation. Buddhism says that everything is suffering, and only through practice can we transcend this endless suffering and reach the other shore of Nirvana. Just like us in this war, although we are in danger, as long as we have good thoughts in our hearts and a desire for liberation, the power of Buddhism will protect us." Amin's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the ruins, as if injecting a powerful force into these wounded souls.

Besides helping the people, Amin realized that to fundamentally resolve the chaos of war, he needed to interact with the kings and ministers of various countries, using the wisdom of Buddhism to guide them in implementing benevolent policies and reducing war and slaughter. So, leveraging his prestige and wisdom, he sought audiences with the rulers of various countries.

In the magnificent palace, Amin sat across from the king and his ministers. He gazed calmly at those who held the power of life and death, and slowly spoke, "Your Majesty, ministers, war only brings destruction and ruin, leaving countless people homeless and their families broken up. Buddhism advocates compassion, and governing with benevolence is the only way for a nation to prosper and its people to live and work in peace." A minister disapproved, saying, "Master, while your words are true, in these troubled times, how can we protect our nation and its people without expanding our territory and strengthening our national strength through war?" Amin smiled faintly and said, "Your Excellency, victory in war is only temporary. The hatred and trauma it brings will long-lastingly impact a nation and its people. If we can appease our people through good governance, develop agriculture and commerce, and strengthen cultural exchange, our nation will naturally grow stronger. Furthermore, treating other nations with compassion can help us avoid making too many enemies and reduce the risk of war."

Amin then recounted historical examples of nations that prospered through benevolent governance and declined through war, persuading these rulers with vivid stories and profound Buddhist teachings. In his interactions with them, Amin gained insight into their inner conflicts of interest and lust for power. Some kings feared that implementing benevolent governance would weaken their own power, while some ministers opposed peaceful coexistence due to conflicts with other nations. Amin knew that changing their perspectives would be difficult, but he drew on the wisdom and patience of the abstinence of birth and death, engaging in in-depth discussions with them time and again, dispelling their doubts and prejudices.

During his interactions with a young king, Amin discovered that while the king had ambitions to govern, he lacked experience and sound principles. Amin volunteered to stay and become his advisor, offering him Buddhist guidance on politics, economics, and culture. He helped the king formulate policies to reduce taxes, encourage agriculture, and promote education. He also advocated for friendly diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and fostered peaceful coexistence through cultural exchange.

In this war-torn land, Amin's presence is ubiquitous. He rescues civilians amidst hail of gunfire and guides rulers in the imperial court. Every action he takes embodies the spirit of the Bodhisattva Path and the state of non-birth and dharma-patience. He maintains a deep compassion for all living beings and an unwavering faith in the Bodhisattva Path. In a world rife with life-or-death trials and conflicting interests, he serves as a beacon, illuminating the path forward and tirelessly striving for world peace and tranquility. He knows these challenges are only a few of the challenges of the seventh stage of Bodhisattva practice. In the future, he faces even greater suffering and countless sentient beings to be liberated. Carrying this mission and responsibility, he will continue his steadfast journey on the Bodhisattva Path.