Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 75: Approaching the Ground of Remaining Dependence (9) "Awareness Always Shines, Dullness Has Nowhere to Escape"

As autumn deepens on Lingxu Mountain, maple leaves, like flames, burn among the forest, adding a touch of warmth and depth to this tranquil place of practice. Master Amin sat in meditation for a long time in the temple's meditation room, the light of awareness in his heart shining like a perpetual lamp, illuminating his inner world.

One day, Master Amin decided to embark on a multi-day meditation retreat. He entered his retreat room, a simple yet tranquil hut nestled in the back mountains, surrounded by lush trees. A single window let in a thin ray of light. Inside, there was nothing but a cushion, a low table, and a string of Buddhist beads hanging on the wall. Master Amin gently closed the door, shutting out the hustle and bustle of the world and officially entering the tranquil world of retreat.

When he first began meditating, Master Amin adjusted his breathing, letting it flow gently through his body, like a clear mountain stream, smooth and natural. His thoughts gradually settled, and his consciousness began to turn inward, attempting to explore the mysteries of his heart. However, as time passed, the prolonged maintenance of the same posture and intense concentration caused physical and mental fatigue to creep in. The quiet and silent environment, which should have been a support for practice, became a breeding ground for drowsiness.

Venerable Amin was acutely aware of the shifts in his physical and mental state. A feeling of drowsiness, like a faint mist, threatened to envelop his consciousness. He knew that if he fell into drowsiness, the effectiveness of his retreat would be greatly diminished. More importantly, it was an obstacle on his path; if he couldn't overcome it promptly, it would hinder his progress in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. So, drawing on the light of awareness within him, as bright as a star, he quickly responded.

He adjusted his sitting posture slightly, finding a more stable and comfortable position, while simultaneously focusing his attention on his breathing. His previously steady breaths, guided by his awareness, became deeper and longer, as if each inhale drew in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and each exhale expelled the turbid air and distracting thoughts from his body. He silently observed his thoughts, like a vigilant guard, scrutinizing every thought that tried to intrude. Whenever he noticed signs of drowsiness resurfacing, he gently raised his mindfulness and shifted his attention to the silent recitation of Buddhist teachings, allowing the wisdom of the scriptures to flow through his heart like a clear spring, washing away the haze of drowsiness.

During these days of retreat, Master Amin battled against drowsiness time and again. Each victory sharpened his awareness, and his spiritual practice quietly elevated through these subtle trials. It was as if he were groping forward in a dark tunnel, with awareness as the guiding light, illuminating his path and allowing him to maintain a lucid and profound state of practice, constantly exploring the depths of his heart, attempting to uncover the truth hidden behind the thick fog.

Finally, at the end of his retreat, Master Amin slowly opened his eyes, gleaming with a clear, bright light, a reflection of the overflowing awareness of deep spiritual practice. He emerged from the retreat room, slightly exhausted physically but invigorated mentally, as if he had undergone a baptism of enlightenment. He radiated an otherworldly aura.

Soon after, Master Amin decided to descend the mountain and head for the market at its foot. The market was bustling with activity, the cries and shouts of vendors blending into a cacophony of sounds. The stalls were filled with a dazzling array of goods: colorful silks, fresh and tempting fruits and vegetables, exquisite and practical utensils—everything was available. People moved between the stalls, haggling over prices, their faces lit with the hustle and bustle of life.

Dressed in simple monk's robes, Venerable Amin walked through the market with a steady and leisurely pace. His figure stood out in the crowd, his calm and peaceful face a stark contrast to the bustling crowd around him. Despite the clamor and the chaotic scene, Venerable Amin's inner awareness was like a clear mirror, reflecting his every thought and the changes around him.

He saw an elderly vegetable vendor arguing with a customer over a few cents. The woman's face was filled with anxiety and frustration, while the customer's was filled with impatience. A surge of compassion welled up in Master Amin's heart, but he remained unmoved by the emotion. Instead, he observed the scene with awareness. He understood that this was the norm in the lives of ordinary beings. In the entanglement of personal gain, people often lose their true nature. He silently prayed for them, hoping they could find inner peace and tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of this world.

Continuing on, Master Amin encountered a young scholar. Standing before a bookstall, clutching an ancient tome, his eyes betraying a thirst for knowledge. Master Amin's gaze met the scholar's, and they nodded in greeting. Intrigued by Master Amin's presence, the scholar approached, bowed respectfully, and asked, "Master, why are you so calm and composed in this bustling market? I often feel distracted by the hustle and bustle of the world, finding it difficult to concentrate on studying."

Master Amin smiled and replied, "Donor, although the world is noisy, as long as we have the light of awareness in our hearts, we can remain clear-headed amidst this chaos. Just like in darkness, as long as we light a lamp, we can see everything around us clearly. When you study, you should also do the same. Use awareness to observe your heart, eliminate the interference of distracting thoughts, and then you can delve into the ocean of knowledge."

The scholar nodded thoughtfully and said, "Master, your words have deeply inspired me. When I'm reading, I'm often disturbed by external noises and distracting thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate. I've tried various methods, but to no avail. Does the master have any specific suggestions?"

Master Amin clasped his hands together and said, "Before reading, you may wish to sit quietly for a moment, regulate your breathing, and calm your mind. While reading, if you notice distracting thoughts arising, do not try to dispel them. Instead, observe them as a bystander and let them dissipate naturally. Just like duckweed on the surface of the water, as long as you do not stir the surface, it will naturally drift away with the wind. At the same time, you must always remain aware of the content of the book, and carefully comprehend the deep meaning behind every word and every sentence. Only in this way can you truly absorb the wisdom within the book."

After hearing this, the scholar's eyes flashed with joy, and he said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will definitely try according to your method, and hope to make some progress in my studies."

After bidding farewell to the scholar, Venerable Amin continued his stroll through the market. He saw a group of children playing by the roadside, their innocent laughter filling the air. A surge of joy surged within Venerable Amin, but his awareness told him that this joy was merely a fluctuating emotion and should not be attached to. He silently observed the rise and fall of this joy, like observing a flower blooming and then gradually withering, allowing his heart to remain calm and detached.

In a corner of the market, Venerable Amin saw a ragged beggar huddled against a wall, his eyes revealing helplessness and despair. Venerable Amin approached the beggar, pulled some dry food from his pocket, and handed it to him. The beggar accepted the food, his eyes filled with gratitude, and he thanked him profusely. Venerable Amin looked at the beggar without a trace of superiority or pity, only a sense of equal compassion. He observed his actions with awareness, understanding that they were practicing the Buddhist principle of generosity, a practice for accumulating merit and virtue.

As Master Amin wandered through the marketplace, amidst the hustle and bustle of the world, he remained detached, guided by awareness. Every action, every interaction, served as a testament to his spiritual practice. He understood that his practice in the marketplace was as important as his retreats in the temple, both crucial steps in his journey toward the state of "remaining support."

After returning to the temple, Master Amin gathered his disciples to share his spiritual insights from the market. The disciples sat around him, their eyes filled with anticipation and reverence.

Master Amin slowly spoke, "My disciples, spiritual practice isn't confined to the pure land of the temple; the world is also our great classroom for cultivation. In the marketplace, I witnessed the myriad forms of sentient beings: conflicts of interest, the pursuit of knowledge, innocent laughter, and helpless despair. In these situations, the awareness within us is like a bright beacon, helping us maintain the right course in the turbulent sea of ​​the world."

A disciple named Juechen asked, "Master, how can we, like you, maintain awareness in this world? Sometimes, when faced with external temptations and distractions, disciples tend to lose awareness and become lost."

Venerable A Ming looked at Juechen and said earnestly, "Juechen, maintaining awareness requires constant practice and training in our daily lives. From the moment we wake up in the morning, we must begin to observe every thought. When washing, feel the touch of water flowing over your skin, and at the same time, be aware of whether there are any distracting thoughts in your mind. When eating, savor the flavor of the food, and pay attention to whether you have any greed or aversion. When talking with others, listen to what they say, and at the same time, examine whether your response is out of anger or arrogance. In every subtle aspect of life, we must raise awareness. Over time, awareness will become an instinctive reaction in our hearts, as natural as breathing."

The disciples nodded in understanding. Master Amin continued, "On the path of practice, we must be guided by the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. Starting from the 'Gansutra', we must accumulate merit and wisdom to lay the foundation for practice. In the 'Supplementary Practices', we must diligently practice various methods to strengthen our practice. Now, as we approach the 'Supplementary Dependence', the cultivation and enhancement of awareness is particularly crucial. Only by constantly illuminating our hearts can we eliminate dullness and confusion, steadily advance on the path of practice, and ultimately achieve liberation and enlightenment."

Under Master Amin's guidance, the disciples gained a clearer understanding of the direction and methods of their practice. They expressed their commitment to cultivating their awareness in their future lives, and to continuously grow and progress in their worldly practice. Master Amin, however, acknowledged that his own path of practice is still long. He will continue to use awareness as a light to illuminate his path. In his mission of practicing and saving all sentient beings, he will continue to explore and practice, hoping to one day truly enter the "stage of remaining support" and strive towards higher realms of practice.