Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 51: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in spiritual practice (V) — "When disaster strikes, compassion averts danger"

In the peace and tranquility of Lingxu Mountain, Amin and his fellow practitioners were immersed in the improvement of their practice and the exchange of insights. At this moment, a sudden disaster, like a thunderclap in the dark night, broke this peace and brought great pain and disaster to all living beings in the world.

One day, the ground suddenly shook violently. Ah Ming was meditating in his meditation room when he instantly sensed a powerful earthquake. Without hesitation, he arose and rushed to the temple courtyard. He saw houses swaying, walls cracking, tiles falling, and the monks' faces terrified. A surge of compassion welled up in Ah Ming. He knew that in the face of such a disaster, the lives of sentient beings were as fragile as ants. This was a crucial moment for him to practice the compassion of Buddhism and demonstrate the fruits of his practice.

Amin quickly regained his composure. He called out to his fellow practitioners and organized a rescue team. Amidst the chaotic earthquake scene, panicked residents filled the air, their cries and shouts mingling. Amin led the rescue team, moving between collapsed buildings, carefully searching for injured people. With their bare hands, they carefully removed rocks and wood, leaving no corner untouched where survivors might be found.

Amidst the rubble, Ah Ming heard a faint cry for help. Following the sound, he found an elderly man trapped beneath a massive beam, unable to move, his face etched with agony. Ah Ming immediately squatted down, gently grasped the elderly man's hand, and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, dear donor! We're here to rescue you." He and his fellow practitioners worked together to lift the beam, but it was too heavy to move on their own. Ah Ming closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and mobilized his spiritual energy. Silently chanting scriptures, a gentle yet powerful force surged from him, blessing his fellow practitioners. Suddenly, their strength multiplied. With a unified cry, they finally lifted the beam and rescued the elderly man.

Amin quickly examined the old man and discovered a serious leg fracture. He retrieved herbs and bandages from his bag and expertly tended to the wound. While tending, Amin softly said, "Old donor, this is a natural disaster, but you must trust that the Dharma will protect you through this difficult time. Now, rest and recuperate. Everything will be alright." The old man looked at Amin, his eyes filled with gratitude and trust.

As the rescue work progressed, more and more injured people were discovered. Amin and his fellow practitioners gathered them in an open space in the temple, built temporary shelters, and provided them with medical treatment. Amin busily shuttled among the injured, his figure like the embodiment of compassion, bringing a touch of warmth and hope to this disaster scene full of pain. Some of the injured were heartbroken because they had lost their loved ones, so Amin sat beside them and enlightened them with the wisdom of Buddhism: "Donor, the cycle of life and death is the common sense of the world. Your loved ones have simply embarked on another journey first. Their spirits in heaven also hope that you can live on with strength. Buddhism teaches us to view everything with compassion and let go of the pain and attachment in our hearts in order to achieve inner peace and liberation."

That night, Amin held a memorial service for those tragically killed in the earthquake. Dressed in monastic robes, his face solemn and dignified, he chanted sutras before a makeshift altar. His deep, melodious voice echoed through the night air, as if speaking to the souls of the deceased, guiding them on the path to liberation. The surrounding residents knelt, tears welling in their eyes. During Amin's memorial service, they felt the compassion and power of Buddhism, and their grief found some solace.

However, the disasters didn't stop there. Soon, a plague ravaged the land like a demon. Villagers fell ill with fevers and persistent coughs, and the entire region was shrouded in the shadow of death. Upon hearing the news, Amin decided to step forward once again, using his wisdom and the power of Buddhist teachings to fight the plague.

Drawing on the pharmacological knowledge gained from years of herbal research and spiritual practice, Amin decided to personally journey into the mountains to search for herbs and develop a prescription. Despite the rugged terrain, he ventured deep into the forest. There, he meticulously identified various herbs, searching for any that might have medicinal value. Sometimes, the search for a rare herb required him to scale steep peaks and navigate dense thornbrush. But Amin showed no sign of retreat. His single-minded determination was to find the herb as quickly as possible and save those afflicted by the plague.

After days and nights of hard work, Amin finally found enough herbs. He returned to the temple and began developing a prescription in his humble pharmacy. He meticulously blended the formula based on the properties of the herbs and the patient's symptoms. Throughout the process, he constantly applied Buddhist insights to adjust the formula's proportions to ensure its efficacy.

Amin distributed the prepared prescriptions to patients free of charge. He personally prepared the medicine for them, and watching them drink his hand-cooked broth filled him with anticipation. He also shared information on epidemic prevention and Buddhist principles of health preservation. He urged residents to maintain a clean and hygienic environment, wash hands frequently, and ventilate their homes. He also encouraged them to eat a light diet and avoid greasy and irritating foods. He also taught them to cultivate their physical and mental health through meditation and chanting, strengthening their constitutions and resisting disease.

Thanks to Amin's efforts, some patients' conditions began to improve. Their bodies gradually returned to health, and they were filled with gratitude towards Amin. One recovered villager came to Amin, knelt down, and said, "Master, you are our savior. Without you, we don't know how we would have survived this disaster." Amin quickly helped him up and said, "Donor, this is what I should do. Buddhism teaches us to be compassionate, and saving sentient beings is my life's mission."

During the devastation of the earthquake and plague, Amin remained steadfast on the front lines of disaster relief. Through his actions, he exemplified the great power of Buddhism and the compassion of bodhisattvas. His composure and compassion in the face of disaster, as well as his ability to apply Buddhist wisdom and practice to resolve problems, all align with the bodhisattva realms described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. In this process, he not only helped those affected by the disaster but also further elevated his own spiritual attainments. He deeply realized that spiritual practice is not limited to meditation in a temple, but involves practicing Buddhism amidst the suffering of the world, demonstrating compassion and wisdom. Through these repeated acts of salvation, his heart grew purer and more resolute, like gold tempered by fire, shining brighter. He knew this was merely another test and growth in his spiritual journey. In the future, he will continue to use Buddhism as a guiding light and compassion as a vessel in this world full of challenges and suffering, to liberate more sentient beings and strive towards higher spiritual realms.