Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 47: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in cultivation (I) - "The devil's realm is ferocious, but the heart of Tao is as steady as a rock"

In his retreat deep within Lingxu Mountain, Ah Ming, having reached the tenth stage of the Bodhisattva path, could already glimpse the radiant light of Buddhahood. However, his path was far from smooth. One day, while deeply contemplating his mind in meditation, a powerful and sinister force quietly overtook him, plunging him into a thrilling test within a demonic realm.

At first, the demons cast an illusion. Amin felt a flash of light before his eyes, then he was transported to a dark and horrifying realm. Thick fog filled the air, blinding him from sight. A chilling aura pierced his bones like countless icy needles. Suddenly, a series of chilling roars erupted from the depths of the fog, followed by the looming appearance of gigantic, savage-looking demons. Their faces were brimming with fangs, their maws dripping with saliva, their eyes gleaming with cruelty and greed. They brandished sharp claws, seemingly intent on tearing Amin to pieces.

Amin's heart trembled slightly, but he quickly calmed himself, attempting to dispel these terrifying visions with the power of meditation. However, the demonic attacks did not cease. In an instant, the scene shifted again, and a graceful woman approached. She was dressed in a rich brocade dress, her face delicate and alluring, her eyes filled with allure and tenderness. She parted her red lips, her voice as gentle as a nightingale's: "Amin, you have practiced for so long, yet you still haven't experienced true worldly joy. Why are you so obsessed with the illusory attainment of Buddhahood? Why not spend this wonderful time with me in this world, enjoying wealth and glory? Wouldn't that be wonderful?" With these words, she gently approached Amin, her fragrance emanating from her like an invisible thread, attempting to entangle Amin's mind.

Ah Ming knew these were the demon's subtle tricks, a severe challenge to his spiritual resolve. He closed his eyes and silently recited Buddhist scriptures, striving to maintain inner peace. "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows; like dew and lightning; view them in this way." He repeated this verse in his mind, building a solid defense with right knowledge and right view to resist the demon's temptations.

But the demonic realm's transformations grew increasingly bizarre and unpredictable. Amin found himself in a seemingly familiar scene, surrounded by the people he had once rescued. Their faces were now filled with anger and resentment, and they accused him, "You keep saying you want to save us, but why are we still living in such hardship? You're just a hypocritical practitioner, deceiving our trust!" Amin was startled, his heart pierced by these accusations like sharp blades, piercing his heart. He began to reflect on his practice. Had he truly gone wrong? Had all his efforts been in vain? Just as his heart wavered, he suddenly realized that this was all a trick of the demonic obstacles, exploiting his compassion and sense of responsibility for all living beings to disrupt his spiritual aspirations.

Ming quickly calmed himself, took a deep breath, and recalled the profound teachings of Buddhism. He understood that the demonic obstacles were able to create these illusions to deceive him because he still had a lingering attachment and doubt within him that had not been completely cleared. He then began a deep self-reflection and analysis. He examined his own expectations for spiritual achievement, his desire for the praise of others, and his fear and resistance to demonic realms. In this process, he gradually realized that true spiritual practice was not about seeking external recognition and achievement, but rather inner purity and liberation. As long as he adhered to the correct knowledge and understanding of Buddhism and remained undisturbed by external appearances, the demonic obstacles could not truly harm him.

Ah Ming regained his spirit, and with a firmer faith and a deeper foundation of spiritual practice, he stood firm as a rock in the demonic realm. No longer swayed by the terrors or temptations before him, he instead sought to discern the true nature of the demonic obstacles with a wisdom that transcended appearances. He understood that these obstacles were merely projections of his inner troubles and habits, obstacles that he must confront and overcome on his spiritual path.

After seeing through the demonic barrier's disguise, Amin harnessed the power of meditation and wisdom to successfully escape the predicament of the demonic realm. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting safely in his meditation room, surrounded by the same tranquility. However, he knew clearly that while this ordeal in the demonic realm was over, the enlightenment and growth it had brought him were profound and lasting.

Amin left his meditation room and walked into the temple courtyard to meet his fellow practitioners. With a solemn expression, he recounted his terrifying experience: "Fellow practitioners, on the path to Buddhahood, demonic trials are everywhere. They threaten us with terrifying images, seduce us with flattering words, and even exploit our inner weaknesses to create illusions, attempting to dissuade us from the righteous path of cultivation."

A young practitioner, looking alarmed, asked, "Brother Ah Ming, how do we discern the demonic realm, and how can we maintain our Daoist resolve within it?" Ah Ming looked at him earnestly and said, "Brother, the key is to remain vigilant at all times and continuously deepen our understanding and comprehension of Buddhist teachings. We must be guided by right knowledge and right view, and not be misled by sensory experiences. When encountering seemingly unusual situations, we must first calm down and reflect on our hearts, examining whether afflictions such as greed, hatred, and ignorance are at work. For example, when faced with temptation, we should consider whether this is in line with the principles of Buddhist practice. When we are criticized, we should analyze whether it is the truth or a deliberate provocation of demons. Only through constant self-reflection and practice can we maintain our footing in the demonic realm and not be swayed by it."

After listening to Ah Ming's sharing, the fellow practitioners fell into deep reflection. They realized that the path of cultivation is fraught with hardships and challenges, and the ever-present threat of demonic realms. In the days that followed, they focused even more on inner cultivation and cultivating vigilance. They monitored and encouraged each other, and whenever they encountered a situation that might indicate a demonic realm, they would gather together to discuss coping strategies, drawing on Ah Ming's experience and safeguarding their original aspirations for cultivation.

Ah Ming, after this ordeal in the demonic realm, has become even more resolute in his faith. He knows this is merely a setback in his long journey of cultivation, and that more challenges await him in the future. Yet, he remains undaunted, believing that as long as he remains steadfast in the righteous path of Buddhism, with unwavering faith and unremitting effort, he will steadily advance on the path to Buddhahood, ultimately attaining the supreme state of enlightenment and fulfilling his grand vow to liberate all sentient beings.