Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 57: The Difficulty of Spreading the Dharma (I) "Prejudice is like a wall of copper, skill can melt the ice"

After finishing his notes on overcoming ignorance in the Lingxu Mountain monastery, Amin felt deeply that the wisdom of Buddhism should not be reserved for the monks of the monastery. There were countless lost souls in the world who desperately needed salvation. So, he decided to leave Lingxu Mountain and travel to prosperous towns and remote villages, vigorously promoting Buddhism and embarking on a widespread journey of spreading the Dharma.

Upon arriving in town, Ah Ming stood in the center of a bustling marketplace, surrounded by the bustling crowds. Dressed in simple monk robes, he struck a wooden fish and began to preach the fundamental teachings of Buddhism, such as compassion and karma. However, to his surprise, most people turned a deaf ear to his message, even looking at him with skepticism. Some thought he was promoting feudal superstition and a wandering monk who was not doing his job properly. Others dismissed Buddhism as something abstruse and irrelevant to their lives.

Although Amin felt a sense of loss, he didn't give up. He knew these prejudices stemmed from a lack of understanding of Buddhism, and he needed to find a way to break down these barriers. He began observing the lives of those around him and found that most people in towns and cities were busy making a living, pursuing fame and fortune, and were filled with anxiety and exhaustion. So, Amin changed his strategy for spreading the Dharma.

He came to a teahouse, a place where people relax and chat. Amin politely asked the teahouse owner if he could give everyone some time to share some methods to relieve stress and achieve inner peace. Seeing his sincerity, the owner agreed. Amin sat in the middle of the teahouse and began with a lively and interesting story: "Dear donors, have you ever seen a lake that remains calm even in a strong wind? In fact, our hearts can be like this. In this busy world, we are often disturbed by the waves of troubles, but Buddhism teaches us that through practice and inner contemplation, we can be like that deep lake, calm and undisturbed."

The crowd gathered around, captivated by his story. Ah Ming then shared some simple Buddhist practices, such as mindful breathing and gratitude for the present moment. He said, "When you're worried about your business, stop for a moment and focus on your breathing, feeling the air flowing in and out, letting distracting thoughts gradually dissipate. Be grateful for every little blessing in life, whether it's a cup of hot tea or a smile from family; these are precious gifts that life bestows upon us." The people in the teahouse were thoughtful, and some began to ask Ah Ming more questions, which he patiently answered.

After making some progress in spreading Buddhism in urban areas, Amin set out on a journey to remote villages. Rural life was relatively simple and unpretentious, but also entangled in many traditional values. Amin arrived in a small village during a sacrificial ceremony. Seeing Amin, the monk, the villagers thought he was there to disrupt the ceremony and were filled with hostility.

Amin hurriedly explained his purpose. He said, "My fellow villagers, Buddhism is not contrary to your traditions. On the contrary, Buddhism respects all good beliefs and customs in the world. I came here to share with you some wisdom that can make life better." However, the villagers did not believe him and refused to let him in.

Instead of forcing his way in, Amin sat down under a large tree outside the village. Seeing many children playing, he had an idea. He used branches to draw interesting patterns on the ground, such as Buddha statues and lotus flowers, and told the children the stories behind them. The children were captivated by Amin's stories and gathered around him. Gradually, some villagers also came over out of curiosity to listen to Amin's story.

Amin recounted Buddhist stories about kindness, hard work, and harmonious coexistence, such as the story of the "Six-Foot Lane," to teach the villagers the importance of tolerance and understanding. He said, "In Buddhism, harmony among neighbors is like sunshine, warming everyone's heart. When we let go of arguments and prioritize kindness, our lives will be filled with more joy." After hearing these stories, the villagers' attitude toward Amin gradually changed, and they began inviting him into the village.

In the village, Amin continued to promote Buddhism. He discovered an elderly man with a chronic illness, whom the villagers believed was possessed by an evil spirit. After taking the man's pulse, Amin applied his medical knowledge to prepare herbal remedies. While caring for the man, he explained to him and the villagers the Buddhist teachings on the relationship between illness and cause and effect. He said, "Illness can sometimes be a manifestation of past karma, but it can also be an opportunity to cherish our bodies and cultivate virtue. Through repentance and spiritual practice, we can alleviate our karma and regain our health."

As Amin's Dharma-spreading activities continued in the village, more and more villagers began to embrace the principles of Buddhism. They practiced compassion and kindness in their lives, and the morale of the village improved. In this process, Amin deeply experienced the hardships and difficulties of spreading the Dharma, but he also felt the positive changes that Buddhism brought to people. He knew that this was only the beginning of his Dharma-spreading journey, and that more challenges lay ahead. He needed to constantly adjust his methods, using skillful means to dispel prejudices in people's hearts, like using warm sunlight to melt thick ice, allowing the seeds of Buddhism to take root and flourish in every corner. At the same time, through his Dharma-spreading practice, he further grasped the profound meaning of the bodhisattva path as described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. He understood that spreading the Dharma is a bodhisattva's vital mission to save all sentient beings. Every setback and breakthrough was a step forward in his spiritual practice, a solid step towards a higher state of enlightenment.