Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 63: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in spiritual practice (XVII) "Seduction is cleverly disguised, wisdom can discern the true and the false"

On a spring day in Lingxu Mountain, flowers abound, blanketing the landscape like a dazzling array of multicolored robes. In the temple courtyard, Amin was explaining the "ground of observation" from the Yogacarabhumi Sutra to his disciples, emphasizing the need for practitioners to observe the myriad phenomena with keen insight.

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the mountain gate. A middle-aged man, dressed in a gorgeous cassock and holding a Zen staff, walked in. He introduced himself as Master Huikong, and was followed by several followers, all with solemn expressions.

"Amitabha, I have long heard that Master A Ming is preaching the Dharma here, so I have come to visit him specially." Huikong clasped his hands together and bowed slightly in greeting.

Ah Ming stood up and returned the greeting, looking at him calmly: "Master Huikong, I wonder what brings you here?"

Huikong smiled mysteriously and said, "Master A-Ming, I've been traveling extensively lately and have encountered divine connections, learning some magical spells that can help others rapidly elevate their cultivation. I observe that although your temple has many disciples who are devoted to their practice, if you want to reach a higher level more quickly, you may need some special assistance. I've come here to invite you and your disciples to join my sect and share this shortcut to cultivation."

With that, Huikong waved his staff, and instantly a multicolored light appeared in the courtyard. Within the light, it seemed as if auspicious beasts were galloping and celestial music was floating. The disciples couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, and some of the younger disciples showed longing in their eyes.

A sense of alarm welled up within Ah Ming. He quietly entered into a state of inner contemplation, examining everything before him. He discovered that while Huikong appeared benevolent on the surface, a glimmer of cunning and selfishness lay deep within his eyes. And that seemingly magical magic, Ah Ming, informed by years of practice, discerned as merely an illusion, devoid of true Buddhist blessing.

Ah Ming smiled slightly and said, "Master Huikong, your magic is indeed wonderful, but we are practicing in Lingxu Mountain and follow the path of gradual progress and self-realization. We dare not try to take shortcuts."

Seeing that A Ming was unmoved, Hui Kong felt somewhat displeased. He approached A Ming and said in a low voice, "Master A Ming, don't miss this opportunity. Joining my sect will not only allow you to quickly become a great monk, but your disciples will also benefit from it. Moreover, my sect is quite prestigious and wealthy in the world, and you will gain endless glory and benefits."

Ah Ming's heart trembled. This naked temptation of profit only confirmed Huikong's ill intentions. He recalled the various trials he had encountered in his practice, especially the various obstacles and temptations he had faced during his practice in the "Bodhisattva Realm". Huikong before him was just another test.

A Ming said solemnly, "Master Huikong, practitioners like us seek not worldly glory and wealth, but to liberate all sentient beings from suffering and attain the supreme Bodhi. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot betray my original aspiration for cultivation."

Huikong's expression changed, and he dropped his pretense of kindness. He said viciously, "Ah Ming, don't refuse a toast. What do you think your little temple can accomplish? If you don't join my sect, you'll definitely be in trouble in the future."

At this point, A-Ming's disciples also noticed something was amiss and gathered around him, standing behind him. Huineng stepped forward and said, "Master, don't be afraid of him. We firmly believe in your decision."

Ah Ming felt the trust and support of his disciples, and his heart was filled with warmth and strength. He calmly said to Huikong, "Huikong, please don't act recklessly here. Although Lingxu Mountain is small, it is protected by the Dharma. How can we allow someone with evil intentions like you to threaten us?"

Seeing that the situation was not good, Huikong left in shame with his followers.

After this incident, A-Ming understood that his disciples would constantly face various temptations on their spiritual journey and that they must learn to recognize them. So, he spent three days in seclusion in the Zen hall. Combining his years of spiritual experience with the insights he gained from this experience, he developed a formula for identifying temptation: "With a calm mind, wisdom arises, allowing one to discern truth from falsehood. Deeply harbored selfish desires are not good. Even if strange phenomena dazzle the eyes, one remains unperturbed. A righteous practitioner's resolve remains unwavering."

Ah Ming summoned his disciples to the meditation hall and earnestly imparted a mantra: "Disciples, the path of spiritual practice is filled with temptations. You must keep this mantra in mind. When you encounter seemingly beautiful things or tempting promises, you must first calm your mind and use wisdom to observe whether there are hidden selfish desires and falsehoods. Just as we faced Huikong's illusions and temptations of profit, if we can remain calm and adhere to the right path, we will be able to see through their disguises."

The disciples nodded and recited the formula carefully.

However, while the formula was easy to memorize, its application was not always straightforward. A disciple named Huiming, on his way down the mountain to beg for alms, encountered a beautiful and pitiful woman. She claimed to have been abandoned by her family and left homeless, and she hoped Huiming would take her in at the monastery. Huiming, moved by pity, was about to agree when he suddenly remembered his master's formula. He calmed down and carefully observed the woman's eyes and demeanor, noticing a flicker of cunning. She also hinted at the monastery's layout and financial situation, intentionally or unintentionally, while speaking.

Huiming was startled, realizing this might be a trap. He clasped his hands together and said, "Donor, my temple is full of monks and nuns, so we can't take you in. You can go to the village down the mountain to seek help." Seeing her trick exposed, the woman left in dismay.

Huiming returned to the monastery and told A-Ming about this. A-Ming said with relief, "Huiming, you did very well. This is the real test of spiritual practice. Only through repeated experience can you truly master the ability to recognize temptation."

As time went by, Amin set up a "Hall for Distinguishing Doubts" in the temple, specifically for disciples to share and discuss various experiences of suspected temptation, learn from each other, and improve together.

During a discussion in the Hall of Discrimination, a disciple asked, "Master, what should we do if temptation is so deeply hidden that even we ourselves cannot detect it?"

Amin pondered for a moment and said, "This requires us to practice more deeply the 'stage of attainment through practice' as described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. By constantly correcting our behavior, thoughts, and mind, we can elevate our spiritual realm and allow the light within us to shine brighter. When our hearts are as pure as a mirror, even the slightest temptation will be reflected clearly."

To help his disciples better understand, Amin recounted a temptation he once encountered in a dream. In his dream, he traveled to a resplendent Buddhist kingdom, where the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas praised his profound spiritual practice and invited him to remain there to enjoy endless blessings, free from the hardships of worldly cultivation. Amin's heart was briefly tempted, but he suddenly realized that this went against his original aspiration to save all sentient beings. He began to examine his thoughts in the dream and realized that they were temptations from demons, disguised as beautiful dreams. He then recited scriptures in his dream, strengthening his faith, and eventually awoke.

"Disciples, temptation comes not only from the outside world, but also from the delusions in our hearts. We must always be vigilant, whether we are awake or dreaming," Amin said earnestly.

Under Amin's meticulous guidance, the disciples of Lingxu Mountain have become increasingly skilled at recognizing temptation. When faced with complex situations in their practice and daily lives, they are able to apply the mantras and training methods they've learned to quickly judge and stay true to the righteous path.

As Amin continued to experience these things, he gained a deeper understanding and insight into the practice of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. He understood that in the practice of the "Sravaka-bhumi," one must listen to the Dharma, grow wisdom, and recognize afflictions and temptations; in the "Pratyekabuddha-bhumi," one must rely on one's own enlightenment to independently face and overcome these trials; and the ultimate goal is to reach a state of perfection in the "Buddha-bhumi," completely transcending all temptations and afflictions, and saving all sentient beings with endless compassion and wisdom.

Over the years, under A-Ming's guidance, Lingxu Mountain Monastery grew increasingly peaceful and tranquil. Numerous practitioners flocked to learn how to navigate the paths of spiritual practice, recognizing temptations and remaining true to their original aspirations. A-Ming patiently guided them, like a beacon that never extinguished, illuminating the path for each practitioner.