Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 46: The Tenth Stage of Bodhisattvas - "The Ten Stages are Completed, and Buddhahood Ahead"

Deep within the sacred and tranquil Lingxu Mountain, Ah Ming, in the ninth stage of the Bodhisattva Realm, illuminated the ten directions with the light of benevolent wisdom. As his disciples spread the seeds of the Dharma to every corner of the world, his spiritual path finally reached the tenth stage of the Bodhisattva Realm. This milestone signifies that after countless kalpas of long trials and arduous exploration, his merits have been perfected, his wisdom as vast as the deep ocean, and his compassion as boundless as the ocean, encompassing the joys and sorrows of all beings.

Amin stood quietly atop Lingxu Mountain, gazing into the distance. It seemed as if he could transcend the boundaries of time and space, beholding the Buddha's fruit, radiantly shining in the distant sky. It was like the brightest star, hanging high in the cosmic firmament, emanating an endless sacredness and majesty. That radiance was more than a visual awe; it was a profound calling, the ultimate pursuit and destination that Amin had unwaveringly pursued for countless lifetimes. At this moment, it seemed so near, yet so far away, stirring Amin's heart with an indescribable complex of emotions.

At this crucial moment, Amin's thoughts drifted involuntarily back to his long and winding journey of spiritual practice. He seemed to see himself, a naive yet passionate newcomer to Buddhism. In an ancient mountain temple, he followed his master through the scriptures, half understanding each word, yet devotedly memorizing and grasping it. Back then, spiritual practice for him was a curious exploration of the unknown, a vague longing for inner peace.

As his practice deepened, he began to face various challenges. While working to save sentient beings, he encountered misunderstandings and slander. Once, with a compassionate heart, he went to help an elderly man suffering from illness, but the family mistook him for a fraud and verbally abused him, even physically assaulting him. Although Ah Ming felt wronged at that moment, he did not give up his faith. He silently endured the physical pain and emotional trauma, explaining his situation with ever-increasing gentleness and patience. Ultimately, he moved the elderly man's family and helped them understand the compassion and power of the Dharma.

And then there were the arduous struggles with his inner demons. Deep in meditation, defilements like greed, anger, and ignorance overwhelmed him like a surging tide. He saw himself in a world of temptations, with mountains of gold and silver, beautiful women surrounding him, and the throne of power within reach. Amin's heart was once filled with a ripple, but he quickly regained his composure. With unwavering resolve and a profound understanding of the Dharma, he silently recited the scriptures and, with the sword of wisdom, severed the shackles of his inner demons. Each victory over his inner demons was a spiritual cleansing, purifying his heart and elevating his spiritual realm.

While discussing the Dharma with fellow practitioners and inspiring each other, there were often clashes of opinions and debates. Sometimes, everyone's interpretation of a particular Buddhist sutra would become so entangled that the arguments would become heated. However, it was these heated discussions that taught A Ming to consider the true meaning of the Dharma from different perspectives, broadening his horizons and deepening his understanding of Buddhist teachings. Each fellow practitioner served as a mirror to his spiritual journey. Through interacting with them, A Ming constantly discovered his own shortcomings, striving to improve and grow.

He also vividly remembered the years of famine when he led his disciples on extensive missions to collect food and supplies for the victims. They tirelessly journeyed across mountains and rivers, bringing hope to the victims. Seeing smiles bloom again on the faces of those suffering from hunger, Ah Ming felt the true meaning of the bodhisattva path: dedicating everything to the well-being of all beings. These experiences, like shining pearls, etched into his spiritual path, became solid steps in his growth, forging him step by step into the tenth stage of the bodhisattva path.

However, Ah Ming knew that while this place was a pinnacle of cultivation, it was by no means the end. It was merely a new starting point on his journey toward a higher realm, and even greater missions awaited him in the future. At this moment, auspicious lights and colors appeared in the sky, and the gods and Buddhas descended upon Lingxu Mountain. Filled with awe and joy, Ah Ming approached to meet them one by one.

In that solemn hall, Ah Ming sat with the gods and Buddhas, discussing the spread and development of Buddhism throughout the universe. A kind-faced bodhisattva spoke first, "Ah Ming, you have now reached the tenth stage of the bodhisattva realm, attaining perfect merit and extraordinary wisdom. Throughout this universe, countless beings remain lost in darkness, yet to hear the marvelous teachings of the Dharma. How can we further spread the light of the Dharma to every corner, so that even more beings can attain liberation?"

Amin pondered for a moment, then said, "The Bodhisattva is absolutely right. The spread of Buddhism requires tailoring teaching to the individual and adapting to local conditions. The natures and cultural backgrounds of sentient beings in different galaxies and civilizations vary greatly. We can send more Bodhisattvas and emissaries to various worlds to gain a deeper understanding of local conditions and convey Buddhist teachings to them in an appropriate manner. For example, on technologically advanced planets, we can leverage their advanced communication and broadcasting technologies to transform the wisdom of Buddhism into various cultural works, such as video and audio, allowing sentient beings to encounter Buddhist concepts in their daily lives. On worlds still in the throes of primitive civilization, we need to start with basic moral ethics and life wisdom, gradually guiding them towards the Buddhist path to liberation."

The gods and Buddhas nodded in agreement. A majestic deity continued, "However, in the process of spreading the Dharma, we may encounter obstacles. Some worlds are controlled by evil forces. They resist the spread of the Dharma and even persecute those who spread it. How should we respond?"

Amin replied with a firm gaze, "We cannot retreat in the face of evil forces. But we also cannot blindly confront them with force. Instead, we should employ the compassion and wisdom of Buddhism to resolve conflicts. We can first understand the root cause of their resistance to the Dharma—whether it stems from fear of the unknown or is blinded by their own desires and prejudices. Then, through communication and engagement with them, we can demonstrate the Dharma's power of peace, tolerance, and liberation, touch their hearts, and encourage them to voluntarily accept the Dharma's guidance. If conflict is truly unavoidable, we should strive for the greatest peace and liberation at the lowest cost. While protecting sentient beings, we should also plant the seeds of the Dharma, which will take root and sprout in the future."

During this discussion, the deities and Buddhas expressed their opinions, sparks of thought clashing within the hall. Amin, drawing upon his wisdom and experience, worked with them to develop a detailed plan for the spread of the Dharma and a series of strategies. He understood that this was not only a thorough preparation for the impending Buddhahood, but also a final contribution to peace, harmony, and liberation for the entire universe.

In the days that followed, Amin actively devoted himself to the cause of spreading Buddhism throughout the universe. He personally led a group of bodhisattvas and messengers on a journey to various star systems. They shuttled between the stars, spanning countless dimensions of time and space, bringing the light of Buddhism to one unfamiliar world after another.

In a galaxy shrouded in war and strife, Amin descended upon a war-torn planet. Nations there were locked in an endless quagmire of conflict over resources and territory. The people lived in dire straits, their lives as fragile as ants amidst the flames of war. Amin journeyed to the battlefields of this planet, harnessing the power of the Dharma to create barriers of peace, preventing the spread of war. He then convened the leaders of the planet's nations to expound on the Buddhist principles of peace and the law of karma.

Amin looked at these leaders, their faces filled with fatigue and anger, and spoke earnestly, "Leaders, war only brings destruction and ruin, costing countless lives and reducing beautiful homes to ruin. In the eyes of Buddhism, all beings are equal, and every life deserves respect and cherishment. Waging war not only harms others, but also brings endless karma upon yourselves. If you can let go of hatred and greed and resolve problems through peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, this planet will usher in true prosperity and happiness."

Initially, some leaders shrugged off Amin's words, believing he was interfering in their internal affairs and undermining their power. But Amin persisted. Using his wisdom and patience, he gradually won the hearts of these leaders by showing them footage of planets destroyed by war and successful examples of worlds thriving through peaceful cooperation. Ultimately, with Amin as his witness, they signed a peace agreement, ending the long war.

On another planet, where technology is highly advanced but people's spiritual lives are profoundly empty, Amin discovers that despite their advanced technology and material comforts, the inhabitants are filled with inner confusion and loneliness. Addicted to the virtual world of the internet and material possessions, they neglect the true meaning of life. Amin decides to build a magnificent pagoda here—not only a symbol of Buddhism but also a spiritual beacon.

Amin has installed various Buddhist cultural exhibitions and practice areas within the pagoda. Leveraging the planet's advanced technology, he presents Buddhist teachings through virtual reality, allowing all beings to experience the wisdom and charm of the Dharma firsthand. He also hosted a series of Buddhist lectures and meditation sessions, inviting renowned scholars and practitioners to share their insights and experiences. Through these activities, the beings of this planet have begun to re-evaluate their lives and gradually developed a deep interest in the Dharma. Guided by the Dharma, they have begun to explore the true meaning of life and fill their inner emptiness and confusion.

Throughout his journey to the tenth stage of Bodhisattvahood, Ah Ming always maintained a steadfast bodhicitta. For the spread and development of Buddhism throughout the universe, and for peace and liberation throughout the entire universe, he tirelessly and fearlessly persevered, striving tirelessly. He knew that Buddhahood lay just ahead; it was his eternal pursuit. On this path, every step was imbued with meaning and value, and every effort brought greater light and hope to the universe.