Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 44: The Eighth Stage of Bodhisattvas - "Maintaining the Unmoved Mind and Expanding Good Wisdom"

In the tranquil retreat of Lingxu Mountain, Ah Ming, after fearlessly navigating war and receiving wise guidance in the court, ascended from the seventh stage of the Bodhisattva Realm to the eighth stage. Here, he was like a towering ancient tree deeply rooted in the earth. No matter how fierce the winds howled or howling the rains, he remained unmoved. His wisdom blossomed ever more brilliantly with the nourishment of time.

Ah Ming understood that remaining unmoved was not apathy or rigidity, but rather maintaining a steadfast faith in the Dharma and a compassionate love for all beings in the face of the myriad happenings of the world, unwavering in the face of external temptations, threats, and interference. His growing wisdom empowered him with even greater strength in his journey to liberate all beings. He was able to adapt his ever-changing wisdom to the needs and innate capacities of each being, precisely dispensing the nectar of the Dharma into every heart yearning for liberation.

One day, news arrived from a distant land that a certain region was suffering from religious persecution. Due to misunderstanding and prejudice against the Dharma, local forces began suppressing Buddhists, destroying temples, and forbidding the spread of the Dharma. Many monks and believers were plunged into hardship and panic. Upon learning of this, Ah Ming resolutely decided to travel to the region, embracing the fearlessness and wisdom of a bodhisattva to defend the dignity of the Dharma and save suffering beings.

When Amin arrived, the air was thick with tension and oppression. Anti-Buddhist slogans were plastered across the streets, smoke rose from the ruins of temples, monks had been forced to flee, and believers, fearful of openly practicing Buddhism, remained apprehensive. Witnessing all this, Amin, though heartbroken, remained resolute. He approached the central figure behind the persecution of Buddhism—a local official named Zhao Gang.

Amin and Zhao Gang sat across from each other in the government hall. Zhao Gang's face was dignified, his eyes scrutinizing and wary of Amin. He spoke first, "Monk, are you aware that the spread of Buddhism is prohibited here? Why do you dare come?" Amin clasped his hands together and said calmly, "Sir, Buddhism is a doctrine of peace, compassion, and tolerance. It has never caused any harm to the world. Why is it persecuted like this?" Zhao Gang snorted coldly, saying, "The things you Buddhists preach are nothing but superstitions that confuse the people, distracting them from work and placing their hopes in a vain afterlife."

Amin smiled faintly and said calmly, "Sir, your misunderstanding of Buddhism is profound. Buddhism is not superstition, but a profound insight into the true meaning of life and wise guidance. It teaches people to be compassionate and care for all living beings, which is consistent with worldly moral ethics. For example, Buddhism advocates that people abstain from killing and release animals. Doesn't this cultivate kindness in people? And this kindness will make society more harmonious and stable, reducing disputes and violence."

Zhao Gang was slightly taken aback after hearing this, but remained stubborn. "Hmph, then your Buddhist temples occupy vast tracts of land, and the monks don't engage in productive work. Isn't this a waste of social resources?" A Ming replied, "Sir, while temples occupy land, they are also important places for cultural heritage and spiritual sustenance. The monks in the temples are not idle. They study Buddhism, promote culture, alleviate poverty, and care for the sick. These are all beneficial contributions to society. Moreover, many temples also run free schools, providing poor children with opportunities to learn to read and write. Isn't this cultivating talent for society?"

The debate between Amin and Zhao Gang lasted for a long time. Throughout, Amin, with wise words and detailed examples, expounded on the Buddhist principles of peace, compassion, and tolerance. His words were like sharp swords, gradually chipping away at Zhao Gang's prejudices and misunderstandings. Throughout the debate, Amin could sense Zhao Gang's inner conflict and struggle. He knew that Zhao Gang wasn't persecuting Buddhism out of sheer malice, but rather was misled by false claims and his own concerns about power and self-interest.

Seeing this, Amin changed the subject, beginning with Zhao Gang's personal interests and inner needs. He said, "Sir, you govern this land with the hope that the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and that society will prosper. If you can correctly understand Buddhism and incorporate its inclusive principles into your governance, you will win the love and support of the people. Furthermore, the Buddhist concept of cause and effect will instruct people to abide by the law and uphold justice, which will greatly benefit your efforts in maintaining local security."

Zhao Gang, listening to Amin's words, fell into deep thought. He began to re-examine his attitude toward Buddhism, and his prejudices gradually wavered. After a period of in-depth discussion and reflection, Zhao Gang was finally moved by Amin's wisdom and compassion. He stood up, bowed deeply to Amin, and said, "Master, I was wrong. I was blinded by prejudice and nearly made a grave mistake. From now on, I will cease my persecution of Buddhism and allow it to continue to spread and develop locally."

After successfully resolving the religious persecution crisis, Amin decided to open a local Buddhist school to cultivate more outstanding Buddhist practitioners and propagators, injecting new vitality into the inheritance and development of Buddhism. He traveled extensively, searching for a suitable venue and gathering young people interested in studying Buddhism.

The Dharma School was soon established. There, Ah Ming welcomed batch after batch of energetic and eager students. They came from diverse family backgrounds, possessed diverse talents and interests, but all shared a deep admiration for the Dharma. Ah Ming knew that to help these students truly grasp the essence of the Dharma, he had to teach them in a way that suited their individual needs.

During his teaching, Amin discovered a student named Huineng, known for his intelligence, quick thinking, and deep interest in Buddhist philosophy. Amin then individually explained to him profound Buddhist texts, such as the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra, guiding him to deeply reflect on the Buddhist principles of emptiness and wisdom. Another student, Pushan, while less able to grasp the Dharma, possessed a kind heart and a deep passion for spiritual practice. Amin focused on teaching him fundamental practices, such as meditation, observing precepts, and chanting sutras, to cultivate his concentration and moral character.

Amin also frequently organizes Buddhist discussions and practice activities with students. During one meditation practice class, a student expressed frustration because he couldn't calm his mind. Amin approached him and gently said, "Don't worry. Meditation isn't something you can achieve overnight. You must first learn to relax your body and mind, focusing your attention on your breathing, feeling the in and out of your breath. Every time a distracting thought arises, it's an opportunity to practice. Don't resist it, but gently bring your attention back to your breath." Under Amin's patient guidance, the student gradually mastered the technique of meditation and achieved greater inner peace.

Over time, the Dharma School has cultivated successive generations of outstanding Dharma propagators and practitioners. These individuals have gone on to spread the wisdom of the Dharma to a wider world, benefiting even more sentient beings. Watching these students grow and progress, Ah Ming feels a surge of joy. He knows that in his practice at the eighth stage of the Bodhisattva path, by maintaining his unwavering mind and spreading kindness and wisdom, he has not only upheld the dignity of the Dharma in his local area but also laid a solid foundation for its inheritance and development. In this process, he has also further deepened his understanding and practice of the Bodhisattva Path, steadily advancing toward higher realms of practice. Like a tree that grows stronger in the face of wind and rain, he offers the world a refreshing shade of the Dharma.