Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 56: Ups and downs in spiritual practice (10) "Stupidity obscures the mind, wisdom breaks through ignorance"

In the tranquil and tranquil spiritual realm of Lingxu Mountain, Ah Ming, after repenting for his karmic obstacles, expected to make smooth progress in his spiritual practice. However, he was unaware that ignorance, like a thick and stubborn fog, quietly spread and obscured his mind. This fog of ignorance left him like a lone boat lost in the vast ocean of Buddhist wisdom. No matter how hard he paddled, his understanding of the Dharma and his spiritual progress seemed daunting, his progress slowing to a snail's pace.

Ah Ming knew that if he couldn't dispel this fog of ignorance, his spiritual path would be mired in endless darkness and confusion, elusive from the radiant light of the true Dharma. So, like a devout seeker, he plunged headfirst into the vast sea of ​​Buddhist scriptures, seeking to find the path to liberation within these ancient and wise texts. Day and night, he pored over a renowned Buddhist text known for its profound obscurity. Every word and sentence seemed to hold endless mysteries, yet seemed to play hide-and-seek with him. No matter how hard he racked his brains, no matter how deeply he pondered, he could find no clue. It was like groping blindly in a dark maze, unable to find the exit, and he felt mired in deep confusion and bewilderment.

Amin was filled with anxiety and reluctance. He realized that he might not be able to break through this predicament by studying alone. So, he resolutely packed his bags and set out on a journey to visit renowned teachers. His journey traversed renowned mountains and rivers. At each temple or sacred site, he would pay his respects to the local venerable monks and learned scholars with reverence and anticipation.

In an ancient and solemn temple, Amin had the good fortune to meet a revered sage. The sage's face was peaceful, his eyes radiating profound wisdom and boundless compassion. After respectfully bowing, Amin frankly shared the confusion and difficulties he encountered while studying the Buddhist scriptures. The sage nodded slightly, motioning for Amin to sit down. Then, he slowly began to explain the key points of the scriptures in a simple and accessible manner. The sage's voice was like the gurgling of water, clear and enlightening, and each explanation was like a key, attempting to unlock the door in Amin's heart, locked by ignorance.

Ah Ming listened raptly, his eyes fixed on the wise man, afraid to miss a single word or expression. The wise man's explanations were like beams of wisdom, gradually piercing the thick fog within his mind. However, Ah Ming was not satisfied. He knew that understanding the Dharma could not rely solely on explanations from others; it required deep reflection and practice. So, after listening to the wise man's explanations, he retreated to the temple's meditation room for quiet contemplation, integrating his insights with his own prior understanding and practice, pondering them repeatedly and constantly reasoning and reflecting on them.

Throughout this process, Amin's heart felt like a battlefield. On one hand, the fog of ignorance tried to envelop him once again, plunging him into chaos and confusion; on the other, the dawn of wisdom fought tenaciously, striving to dispel the darkness and illuminate his path forward. Amidst this inner struggle, Amin remained steadfast in his faith and pursuit of the Dharma. He constantly chanted sutras and meditated, seeking within the tranquility of body and mind the spark of inspiration that would finally break free from the shackles of ignorance.

After countless days and nights of intense contemplation and practice, one quiet evening, while Ah Ming was meditating, a flash of inspiration flashed through his mind like lightning. In that moment, he felt as if struck by a mysterious and powerful force, his mind suddenly enlightened. He was like a traveler groping in the darkness who suddenly discovered a path to light and instantly grasped the profound wisdom contained in the sutra. Obscure phrases and difficult meanings that had long troubled him now became clear, like the light of day. He excitedly rose from his cushion, his heart filled with awe and gratitude for the Dharma. He knew this breakthrough was no accident, but the result of his tireless effort, extensive study, deep reflection, and sincere practice.

Ming understood that the valuable experience he had accumulated during his arduous journey of shedding ignorance and gaining wisdom would undoubtedly serve as a guiding light for other practitioners groping forward on their spiritual paths, illuminating their path and helping them avoid the same pitfalls and take fewer detours. Therefore, he decided to compile detailed notes on his insights, reflections, and ultimate realizations along the way.

In organizing his notes, Amin seemed to re-experience the entire journey from confusion to awakening. He meticulously recorded every moment of thought, every flash of inspiration, and every insight from a renowned teacher, striving to create a note that is both profound and accessible. He hopes that novices, whether new to Buddhism or fellow practitioners experiencing bottlenecks in their practice, can draw wisdom and strength from his notes, more quickly unlocking their own paths to wisdom and courageously exploring the vast ocean of the Dharma together.

Amin wrote in his notes: "The path of spiritual practice is like climbing a towering, treacherous peak. Ignorance is the thick fog that permeates the path, often causing us to lose our way and making it difficult to see the path ahead. However, as long as we maintain firm faith, eagerly study the classics, humbly discuss with wise men, and have the courage to constantly reflect and explore in practice, the light of wisdom will surely penetrate the fog like a sharp sword, dispel ignorance, and lead us to the other shore of enlightenment."

He shared in detail the methods and techniques he used in studying the scriptures: "When faced with profound and difficult scriptures, we must not rush for results, nor should we stop at a superficial level. First, we must recite the scriptures with a calm and reverent heart, allowing every word of the text to penetrate deeply into our hearts. If we encounter any confusion during the recitation process, we might as well mark it down and continue reading. Perhaps we will find clues to the answer in the following passages. At the same time, we should actively communicate and discuss with fellow practitioners, sharing our understanding and confusions, because everyone's perspective and insights may be the key to breaking through difficulties."

Amin also emphasized the importance of communicating with renowned teachers and conducting self-reflection and practice: "A renowned teacher's teachings are like a lighthouse at sea, guiding us. However, we cannot rely solely on the lighthouse; we must steer our own ship and bravely navigate the turbulent seas. After listening to the teachings of a renowned teacher, we must engage in in-depth self-reflection and practice. Through meditation, chanting, and performing good deeds, we can integrate the Buddhist wisdom we have learned into the details of our daily lives. Through practice, we can verify and deepen our understanding. Only in this way can we truly internalize the Buddhist wisdom and overcome ignorance in our hearts, achieving an elevated state of spiritual practice."

Amin's notes have been widely circulated among practitioners, sparking a strong response. Many practitioners were deeply inspired by his notes and have followed his methods to study the scriptures, reflect on the Dharma, and practice. In a small temple in a remote mountain area, several young practitioners sat together, carefully studying Amin's notes. One of the young monks said with emotion, "Master Amin's notes are like a bright light, illuminating our path of practice in this ancient temple deep in the mountains. In the past, we often felt confused and lost when studying the scriptures. Now, by following the methods taught by Master, we feel like we have found the key to unlocking the treasure house of Buddhist wisdom, and our understanding of the Dharma has become even deeper."

Another practitioner continued, "Yes, Master A-Ming's experience has taught us that spiritual practice isn't always smooth sailing. It's inevitable to encounter foolishness and difficulties. But as long as we don't give up and persevere in our efforts, we will surely be able to, like Master A-Ming, use wisdom to dispel ignorance and make progress on the spiritual path."

Over time, more and more practitioners, aided by Amin's notes, have achieved varying degrees of breakthrough and growth in their practice. Their understanding of the Dharma has deepened, and their practice has become more adept. Amin, seeing his experiences helping and inspiring so many fellow practitioners, is filled with joy and satisfaction. He understands that sharing and mutual support are crucial forces driving the continuous progress of the entire practice community on this long journey of spiritual practice. In this process, he has also deepened his understanding and practice of the seventeen stages of attainment as described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. He understands that by shedding ignorance and gaining wisdom, he has taken another solid step forward in his spiritual journey, bringing him closer to the supreme state of enlightenment. He will continue to explore and forge ahead on this spiritual path, filled with challenges and opportunities, dedicating his full strength to promoting the Dharma and saving sentient beings.