Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 73: Approaching the Ground of Remaining Dependence (VII) "Daily Perfection of Merit, Deep and Vast Sowing of Blessings"

Ever since Qian Fugui was enlightened by Master A-Ming's miraculous powers, Lingxu Mountain Temple has, over the course of time, been like a treasure ship sailing the ocean of Buddhism, with Master A-Ming at the helm, steadily guiding the temple on the path of spiritual practice and altruism. As time passes, spring turns to autumn, flowers bloom and fall, and each passing season bears witness to Master A-Ming's tireless efforts and profound devotion to his spiritual path.

The spring sun, warm and gentle, filtered through the mottled leaves onto the temple courtyard. Venerable Amin concluded his morning prayers to the echoing of the morning bell. Standing on the steps of the Great Hall, he gazed upon this ancient and sacred structure, a deep sense of mission welling up within him. As the heart of the temple, the Great Hall held the faith and aspirations of countless believers, yet the ravages of time have gradually eroded its former splendor. The roof tiles were uneven, some broken, and rainwater seeped through, leaving unsightly streaks on the walls. The beams and pillars, battered by the wind and rain, were mottled and distorted, like a frail old man, precariously crumbling in the wind and rain.

Venerable Amin knew the renovation of the Great Hall was urgent. He immediately gathered the monks and several experienced craftsmen to discuss the renovation plan. In the meditation room, filled with the aroma of tea and sawdust, everyone gathered together to share their ideas. The craftsmen detailed the materials, techniques, and estimated timeframe for the renovation. However, when the financial costs were discussed, the atmosphere suddenly became solemn. The temple's limited savings were far from enough to support such a massive undertaking.

In order to solve the funding problem, Master Amin decided to raise funds everywhere. He took several disciples with him and first visited some wealthy gentry in the surrounding areas. These gentry usually respected the temple. After hearing about Master Amin's purpose, some gentry were moved by his piety and determination and expressed their willingness to donate generously. One of the gentry was Mr. Wang, whose family businesses were spread all over the place. He said to Master Amin: "Master, you are wholeheartedly devoted to the temple and to all living beings. I, Wang, admire you very much. The renovation of the main hall is a matter of immeasurable merit. I am willing to contribute 500 taels of silver to do my best." Master Amin clasped his hands together and said with gratitude: "Donor Wang's good deeds will surely bring immeasurable blessings to you and your family."

However, not all fundraising efforts went smoothly. After hearing about Master Amin's plan, some businessmen had their own agendas. They approached Master Amin and made some unreasonable demands. One of them, Li Fushang, said to Master Amin with a big smile on his face: "Master, I can donate a large sum of money, enough to renovate the entire main hall, and even buy some new Buddha statues and ritual instruments for the temple. However, I have a small request. I hope to engrave my name and my commercial advertisement in front of the temple gate. In this way, I can not only contribute to the temple, but also enhance my own business reputation." After hearing this, Master Amin's face changed slightly. He looked at Li Fushang firmly and said, "Donor Li, the temple is a pure and sacred place. It is the spiritual home of all beings. It must not be tainted by money and fame. If you really want to do good deeds, you should have a pure compassionate heart instead of using it to seek personal gain." Li Fushang saw that Master Amin rejected his request without hesitation, and he was immediately angry and embarrassed. He snorted coldly and said, "Hmph! Master, since you are so ungrateful, I can use this money for something else." After that, he turned away.

Faced with such setbacks, Master Amin remained unfazed. He knew full well that the path of spiritual practice would inevitably bring various trials and temptations. He returned to the temple, gathered his disciples, and said, "My disciples, we are renovating the temple to promote the Dharma and provide a better place for sentient beings to practice. This is a meritorious deed. Although we are currently facing some difficulties, we must not let this waver our faith. We must believe that the power of the Dharma will inspire more people who are truly committed to goodness."

So, Master Amin changed his fundraising strategy. He led his disciples to the villages of ordinary people. They traveled along the winding mountain roads, weaving between small villages. Dressed in simple monk's robes and with a kind face, Master Amin explained to the villagers the significance of temple restoration in each place he visited. He said, "Dear donors, temples are our spiritual sustenance and the symbol of Buddha and Bodhisattva in the world. The Great Hall has fallen into disrepair, just like the dust on our hearts. If we can work together to repair this temple, we will sow blessings for our own souls and accumulate merit for future generations."

Although the people didn't live in wealth, they were moved by Master Amin's sincerity and dedication. An old farmer brought out a few copper coins he had treasured for years. With trembling hands, he handed them to Master Amin, saying, "Master, my family is poor, and these are all I have. But this is a small token of my appreciation. I hope it can help with the temple renovation." Master Amin took the coins, tears of emotion welling in his eyes. He said, "Your kind act is like the warm spring sun, warming our hearts. These coins, though few, embody your boundless respect for the Dharma." Other villagers presented home-woven straw mats, bamboo baskets, and other items, saying, "Master, these items may not be valuable, but they are all handmade by us. Perhaps they can be used in the temple renovation."

With the support of the people, funds for the renovation of the Great Hall gradually materialized. Meanwhile, Venerable Amin threw himself wholeheartedly into overseeing the project. The scorching summer sun scorched the earth, sending dust and heat billowing through the construction site. Venerable Amin, despite the scorching sun, toiled daily at the site. He shuttled among the craftsmen, sometimes discussing structural details with them, sometimes personally carrying materials. His once pristine white robes were already drenched with sweat and stained with dust, but his gaze remained focused and determined.

The disciples felt sorry for their master and urged him to rest. Huineng's disciple approached Master Amin and whispered, "Master, you've been working so hard for a long time. It's so hot, you should find a shady place to rest. We'll be watching over the project, don't worry." Master Amin smiled and shook his head, saying, "Huineng, this temple is a blessing for all sentient beings. It's my honor to contribute to it, and it's also a way to accumulate merit. How can I retreat at this moment?"

Under the meticulous supervision of Venerable Amin, the craftsmen toiled day and night. They removed damaged tiles and replaced them with durable new ones. They meticulously repaired and reinforced the battered beams and columns, then painted them with vermilion, giving them a new glow. Finally, after months of painstaking work, the Great Hall was completely renovated.

On the day the temple reopened, the sun shone brightly, the sky a sapphire blue. Believers flocked from far and wide, following the winding mountain roads, filled with reverence and anticipation, heading towards the Lingxu Mountain Temple. The moment they entered the temple, they were stunned and speechless by the solemn and sacred scene before them. The brand-new tiles gleamed in the sunlight, as if expressing the joy of new life; the beams and pillars, a brilliant vermilion, exuded a solemn and majestic aura; the Buddha statues, polished to a golden sheen, their compassionate faces more clearly discernible in the sunlight, as if smiling down upon every worshipper.

An elderly woman, tears in her eyes, moved forward and bowed devoutly before the Buddha statue. She murmured, "Thanks to Master Amin, we have found a spiritual home again. This temple is like a second home to me. Now that it has been restored to its former glory, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude." The surrounding believers nodded, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude for Master Amin. Master Amin stood by, observing the devout worshippers, a sense of merit welling up within him. He knew he had sown deep seeds of goodness in this blessed land, and had reaped the benefits of their faith in the Dharma. He silently recited scriptures in his heart, dedicating this merit to all sentient beings, wishing that they might, under the protection of the Dharma, escape suffering and attain happiness.

While repairing the temple, Master Amin continued his charitable work. That year, the rainy season was exceptionally long, and a small village at the foot of the mountain suffered severe flooding. The torrent swept through like a ferocious beast, destroying houses and submerging farmland. The villagers were instantly displaced and plunged into dire straits. Upon hearing the news, Master Amin was distraught. He immediately organized his disciples to collect supplies at the temple.

They unloaded bags of grain from the temple warehouse, carefully checked the clothes for their integrity, sorted and organized the medicines, and loaded several large carts. Venerable Master Amin personally led his disciples along the muddy mountain road toward the village. The path was rugged and difficult, and the rain had left it potholed and uneven. The carriages jolted slowly forward. Sitting aboard, Venerable Master Amin silently prayed that they would reach the village as quickly as possible, bringing hope and warmth to the villagers.

Arriving at the village, the scene was heartbreaking. Ruins lay everywhere, with collapsed houses strewn across the water. The villagers, homeless and forced to gather on higher ground, succumbed to hunger and cold, their eyes filled with fear and despair. Master Amin quickly directed his disciples to distribute supplies. His firm, forceful voice echoed through the chaotic scene: "Disciples, move quickly, but maintain order. Ensure every villager receives assistance."

He saw a little girl shivering in a corner, her eyes filled with fear. The little girl's clothes, already soaked by the rain, clung tightly to her body, and she trembled slightly in the cold. Master Amin felt a deep sense of compassion. He walked forward, gently draped his monk's robe over the little girl, and said gently, "Child, don't be afraid. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are here, and we are here." The little girl raised her head, looked at Master Amin's kind face, and gradually stopped trembling. Tears glistened in her eyes, and she whispered softly, "Thank you, Master."

While distributing the medicine, a dispute arose. A villager, believing his condition was serious and he deserved more, argued with the disciple in charge. His face flushed, his voice hoarse as he shouted, "I'm so ill, how can this little medicine be enough? You need more!" The disciple in charge, looking perplexed, patiently explained, "Donor, these medicines are limited in quantity. They must be distributed evenly so that everyone who is ill has a chance of recovery. Don't worry, we will take good care of everyone." But the villager refused to listen and persisted in his demands, raising tensions.

Master Amin quickly stepped forward to mediate. He walked over to the villager, gently patted his shoulder, and said, "Donor, I understand your pain, but in this difficult time, we must be considerate of each other. These medicines are a shared hope. If you take too much, what will happen to the other sick villagers? The Buddha said, 'Be compassionate,' and we should prioritize the greater good." The villager's anger gradually subsided after hearing Master Amin's words. He lowered his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Master, I... I was too impulsive. I'm sorry." Master Amin smiled and said, "Donor, don't blame yourself. It was just a momentary panic."

Throughout this series of charitable acts, Venerable Amin maintained a constant awareness and contemplation of his own practice. He deeply understood that every action was closely connected to the practice and realization outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. From his initial resolve to repair the temple and provide relief to sentient beings, he was accumulating merit in the "ground of accumulation," using compassion as a seed to sow the seeds of blessings in the world. Faced with the unreasonable demands of wealthy businessman Li, he remained steadfast in his heart, unmoved by fame and fortune. This was a step in the "ground of supplementary practices," honing his mind and strengthening his concentration and wisdom. It was like walking through a thorny bush, each step requiring unwavering faith and unwavering perseverance. Now, seeing the temple revived, sentient beings benefiting, and his merit growing in perfection, he experienced the harvest and growth he experienced as he approached the "ground of remaining support." He understood that all of this merit was not for personal glory, but to better benefit sentient beings, allowing more people to follow the path of liberation and enlightenment under the guidance of the Dharma.

As time passed, Venerable Amin's reputation grew in the surrounding area, yet he remained more humble and modest. He continued to recite scriptures and meditate daily in the temple, dedicating his merits to all sentient beings. He hoped that through this path of continuous accumulation of merit and diligent practice, he would truly enter the "stage of remaining support" and ultimately achieve supreme liberation and perfection. He understood that the path of practice was long, like rowing against the current; if he did not advance, he would retreat. With unwavering faith and a compassionate heart, he would continue to forge ahead, step by step, on this path filled with both challenges and hope, dedicating his all to the promotion of the Dharma and the well-being of all sentient beings.