Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 49: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in spiritual practice (Part 3) — "Locking difficulties, wisdom opens the gate"

During the long years in Lingxu Mountain, although Amin has experienced many tests on the path of cultivation, his Tao heart has become firm and his wisdom has deepened, however, the journey ahead is still full of thorns, and numerous difficulties are shrouded like a haze from time to time.

That year, the heavens seemed to have withheld their blessings. The earth cracked, crops failed, and a famine swept across the land. Lingxu Mountain Temple's food reserves dwindled, and the monks were desperately short of resources for their practice. Simultaneously, misunderstandings and slanders of Buddhism were rampant. Some with ulterior motives spread rumors, claiming Buddhism was an escapist, deceptive, and superstitious cult. This damaged the temple's reputation, and attendance at worship and Buddhist studies declined significantly. Amin himself seemed to have hit an invisible ceiling in his spiritual practice. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through that nagging bottleneck, and inner anxiety was a constant constant.

Ah Ming stood in the temple courtyard, gazing at the barren vegetable garden, his mind racing. He knew that if he gave in to his predicament, all his years of practice would be wasted. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed his mind, embarking on a journey of deep introspection and reflection. He searched through the details of his past, seeking sparks of inspiration. At the same time, he dove headfirst into the vast expanse of Buddhist teachings, like a treasure hunter, unearthing treasures within ancient texts that could unlock the door to his troubled past.

Amin first set his sights on the forgotten wasteland behind the temple. Gathering his fellow practitioners, he spoke with a firm gaze, "Brothers and sisters, we are now facing a difficult situation: famine. But this also presents an opportunity for our spiritual practice. We cannot sit idly by and wait for death. We must use our own hands to reclaim this wasteland, grow food and vegetables, and become self-sufficient." The practitioners nodded in agreement. Although most of them were devoted to Buddhist practice and unfamiliar with agricultural labor, under Amin's guidance, they rolled up their sleeves, picked up their farm tools, and began the arduous journey of reclamation without complaint.

Ah Ming personally demonstrated how to till the soil, sow seeds, and water the crops. As he worked, he explained to fellow practitioners the connection between Buddhism and daily life: "Everyone, cultivating wasteland is like planting good roots in our hearts. Each seed we sow requires careful care, just as we cultivate compassion and wisdom through our practice. Only through enduring the test of wind and rain can they thrive and ultimately bear abundant fruit." Listening to Ah Ming's words, the practitioners felt a sudden enlightenment, and the once-tedious farm work became imbued with meaning.

However, reclamation of the wasteland was not without its challenges. The soil was barren, water was scarce, and, coupled with the inexperience of the practitioners, many seeds withered and died soon after germinating. Seeing their hard work yield so little, some young initiates grew frustrated. Ah Ming noticed their changing moods and encouraged them, "Fellow practitioners, do not be discouraged. The path of cultivation is inherently full of ups and downs. These current difficulties are only temporary. We must believe that with perseverance, wisdom, and hard work, we will overcome them."

Ah Ming began to carefully observe the surrounding natural environment. He discovered a valley behind the temple. Although low in elevation, it could potentially accumulate water during the rainy season. So, he led his fellow practitioners in building a simple reservoir in the valley to store rainwater for irrigation. He also applied the wisdom he had gained from Buddhist practice regarding the interplay of causes and conditions to communicate with local farmers and learn from their farming practices. Guided by Ah Ming's wisdom, after a period of hard work, tender green shoots finally sprouted from the barren land, and vegetables and crops gradually flourished.

While addressing the temple's survival challenges, Amin also realized that to fully overcome its predicament, the temple needed to improve its relationship with the outside world and dispel public misunderstandings and slander of Buddhism. He decided to organize a series of Dharma lectures and cultural exchange activities to showcase the true face of Buddhism to the public.

Amin, along with several fellow practitioners skilled in lecturing, arrived at the town at the foot of the mountain. They set up a simple platform in the town's central square and began holding Dharma lectures. Amin understood that to reach the public, the Dharma must be explained in a way that was easily understood. He used examples from everyday life to explain the true meaning of the Dharma in a simple and accessible way.

During one lecture, Amin saw many women in the audience holding their children, their faces showing signs of fatigue and anxiety. Using the example of a mother's love for her child, he said, "Ladies, see, your love for your children is so selfless and profound. This is like the compassion taught in Buddhism—a kind of care and compassion for all beings. However, in life, we are often troubled by worries and suffering, just as children can get sick and encounter difficulties. Buddhism teaches us to face these worries with wisdom, just as we use wisdom to care for our children and help them grow up healthily." The women in the audience nodded in agreement, and they began to develop an interest in Buddhism.

In addition to Buddhist lectures, Amin also organized cultural exchange activities. He invited local scholars and intellectuals to the temple to discuss the connection between Buddhism and culture, philosophy, and art. At one cultural exchange, a scholar questioned, "Buddhism advocates the emptiness of the four elements. Does this deny the existence of the real world and human endeavor?" Amin smiled and replied, "Donor, the Buddhist teaching of the emptiness of the four elements is not nihilism. It teaches us to recognize that all things in the world are formed by cause and condition, and that there is no eternal, unchanging entity. This does not mean that we should give up our efforts, but rather that we should not be bound by fame and fortune in the pursuit of our goals, and face life with a more open-minded and detached mindset." Through these exchanges and debates, many scholars and intellectuals gained a new understanding of Buddhism and began to defend it in their social circles.

As Buddhist lectures and cultural exchange activities deepened, the temple's relationship with the outside world gradually improved. Seeing the monks not only striving to be self-sufficient but also actively spreading Buddhist wisdom and culture, local residents' attitude toward the temple shifted. They offered support and assistance, including supplies. Some young people even volunteered to visit the temple and request to learn about Buddhism, significantly enhancing the temple's reputation.

As for overcoming bottlenecks in his own practice, Amin gained new insights while leading fellow practitioners in navigating the temple's challenges and engaging with the outside world. He realized that spiritual practice isn't limited to meditation in the meditation room, but must be integrated into every aspect of life. Through interactions with the outside world and facing various difficulties and challenges, he constantly tempered his character and refined his wisdom.

For example, when interacting with those skeptical of Buddhism, Amin learned to listen more patiently to others' perspectives, understand their confusion, and then respond with greater balance. This practice in interpersonal communication gradually helped him break through his inner limitations, broadening his compassion and wisdom. He began to view the advancement of spiritual practice from a new perspective, no longer clinging to a specific practice method or milestone, but rather viewing his entire life as a vast classroom for spiritual practice.

Throughout this series of ups and downs and breakthroughs, Amin came to deeply understand that adversities are merely grinding stones on the path of spiritual practice. With wisdom and unwavering faith, one can find the path to liberation and growth amidst numerous adversities. His spiritual attainments were further elevated during this process. He gained a deeper understanding of the practice of the seventeen stages in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, vividly translating the stages, practices, and results into practical application. This has set a shining example for fellow practitioners and injected new vitality and hope into the inheritance and development of Buddhism in the world.