Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 68: Approaching the Ground of Remaining Dependence (II) "Lightness and Joy of Body and Mind, Filling the Heart with Dhamma Joy"

On a summer morning on Lingxu Mountain, the first rays of dawn illuminate the temple gardens, ablaze with blossoms. Dewdrops shimmer on petals and blades like scattered pearls. A-Ming arrives early at the stone bench in the center of the garden, ready to begin his meditation session.

He slowly sat down, crossed his legs, straightened his back, and rested his hands on his knees. As the first rays of sunlight fell on him, Amin gently closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing. At first, his breathing was a little disordered, but soon he settled into a deep and even rhythm.

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the coolness of the early morning and the fragrance of flowers, gently caressing Amin's body. Under this soft touch, Amin felt as if he were experiencing the boundless compassion and care of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and an indescribable sense of peace and joy welled up within him. His heart was like a calm lake, crystal clear, without a trace of ripples or impurities.

During meditation, Amin gradually expanded his awareness, becoming acutely aware of his surroundings. He could hear the clear singing of birds in the distant forest, as if it were the beautiful Sanskrit music of nature; he could feel the solidity and warmth of the earth beneath his feet, the strength and support given by Mother Earth; and he could smell the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers, a fragrance that, like the wisdom of Buddhism, permeated his body and mind.

Amin clearly sensed that his body and mind were gradually merging with the natural environment around him. He felt as if he had transformed into a tree in the garden, rooted in the earth, spreading its branches and leaves, in intimate communication with the sun, air, and rain. He was like a free-flying bird, soaring through the mountains and forests, praising this beautiful world with its cheerful song. He was even more like a gentle breeze, gently caressing every corner, bringing coolness and tranquility.

This state of physical and mental ease and joy wasn't the first time Amin had experienced it, but each time, the feeling grew deeper and more profound. He knew it was powerful evidence of his progress toward the "Stage of Remaining Dependence" on his spiritual path. In the Yogacarabhumi Sutra's practice system, he began accumulating merit and wisdom from the initial "Stage of Accumulation," then, through the unremitting efforts and refinement of the "Stage of Preparation," gradually elevated his spiritual realm and now, step by step, was advancing toward a higher state of liberation.

When Ah Ming finished his meditation and slowly opened his eyes, he saw several believers standing nearby, gazing at him with awe and anticipation. An elderly man stepped forward, respectfully clasping his hands in greeting, and said, "Venerable Ah Ming, we have heard that you practice here, and we have come to seek your guidance. We suffer from many troubles and perplexities in this world, and we do not know how to find inner peace and liberation."

Ah Ming smiled, stood up, and after returning the greeting, said, "Donors, please don't be impatient. Let me share with you my experience of today's meditation. Just now, in this garden, I felt an unprecedented sense of peace and joy in both body and mind. This is not something that can be given by external material things, but rather comes from my deep understanding of the Dharma and my continuous progress in practice."

Ah Ming led the believers in a slow stroll through the garden, saying, "Look at the plants and trees in this garden. They grow in accordance with the laws of nature, free from worries and attachments. We practitioners should do the same, learning to let go of our inner greed, hatred, and delusion, and feel the radiance of the Dharma with a pure heart. Every meditation session and every chanting is like a conversation with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In this process, we can experience the nectar-like joy of the Dharma filling our hearts."

The believers listened quietly, their faces gradually showing longing. A young woman couldn't help but ask, "Master, how can we begin to practice so that we can experience this extraordinary state like you?"

Amin stopped, looked at her and said, "The path of spiritual practice must start from the heart. First, you must learn to observe your own heart and understand every thought. In daily life, always maintain a compassionate and kind heart, and treat others as you would like to treat yourself. You can start with simple precepts, such as not killing, not stealing, not committing adultery, not lying, and not drinking alcohol, to regulate your behavior and purify your body and mind. Then, try to recite some scriptures, such as the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra. While reciting, use your heart to comprehend the wisdom contained therein. Of course, meditation is also an important method of spiritual practice. Through meditation, we can make our hearts calmer and enhance our concentration and awareness."

The believers nodded, expressing their willingness to try. Amin continued, "Practice isn't something that can be achieved overnight; it requires constant patience and perseverance. You may encounter various difficulties and challenges along the way, but don't be discouraged. Every time you overcome a difficulty, you've taken a step forward on the path of practice."

To help the believers better understand the methods and significance of spiritual practice, Amin decided to host a three-day spiritual practice experience at the temple. He personally led the believers in meditation, chanting, observing precepts, and other spiritual practices. During the process, he answered their questions and shared his own spiritual experience.

During meditation practice, Amin carefully observed each believer's state and offered timely guidance. Seeing a middle-aged man frowning and appearing very nervous during meditation, Amin gently approached him and said, "Donor, when meditating, relax your body and mind. Don't deliberately pursue anything. Simply focus your attention on your breathing and let it flow naturally. If distracting thoughts arise, don't resist them; let them come and go. Simply maintain inner observation."

After three days of practice, the believers gained varying degrees of enlightenment. They experienced inner peace and tranquility, and gained a deeper understanding and yearning for Buddhism. At the end of the event, the believers expressed their gratitude to Amin.

The old man said with tears in his eyes, "Master A-Ming, these three days of practice have made me feel like I have found a new direction in life. I will continue to practice diligently when I return. I hope that one day I can be like you, with peace of mind and body, and filled with joy."

Ah Ming looked at them with satisfaction and said, "Fellow donors, the path of spiritual practice is long. May we all be guided by the Dharma and continue on this path with determination. I will also continue to practice in this Lingxu Mountain temple, constantly improving myself, and look forward to meeting you all again at a higher level of spiritual practice."

After the devotees departed, Amin returned to his temple meditation room and once again fell into deep contemplation. He knew that although he had approached the stage of "the ground of remaining dependence," he still needed to strive to further purify his body and mind, eliminating any remaining subtle afflictions and karmic obstacles. He longed to soon free himself from these constraints and truly enter the ground of "the ground of remaining dependence," laying a more solid foundation for the ultimate realization of complete liberation in the ground of "the ground of no remaining dependence." In this tranquil meditation room, Amin's heart was filled with devotion to the Dharma and a longing for liberation. He would continue to forge ahead courageously on the path of practice, fearless of any difficulties or obstacles.