Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 76: Approaching the Land of Reliance (10) "As the Realm Rises, the Humility Deepens"

Under the tutelage of Master Amin, Lingxu Mountain Temple has become a sacred place for spiritual practice in the surrounding area. Incense smoke curls throughout the temple, and monks chant sutras, worship Buddha, and practice diligently, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Master Amin, renowned for his profound Buddhist attainments and compassionate heart, has drawn a constant stream of practitioners seeking his guidance.

One day, sunlight bathed the temple courtyard as Master A-Ming expounded Buddhist scriptures to his disciples. A young practitioner named Xuan-Feng arrived from afar, his face reverent, yet filled with a touch of reverence and anticipation. Having heard of Master A-Ming's many deeds, he was filled with admiration and longed for his personal guidance. Xuan-Feng entered the courtyard, met Master A-Ming, and immediately bowed. He said, "Master A-Ming, your spiritual attainments are like towering mountains, inspiring us younger generations to admire. I have encountered many difficulties in my practice, and I have come to seek your guidance."

Master A Ming raised his head slightly, a gentle smile on his face. He gently helped Xuan Feng to his feet and said, "Young friend, there is no need to be so. I am only one who is constantly groping forward on this path of cultivation. What I have realized and felt are but a drop in the ocean of Buddhist teachings. The path of cultivation is long and full of uncertainties. Everyone has their own unique opportunities and insights. We should learn from each other and explore the true meaning of Buddhism together."

A hint of doubt flashed in Xuanfeng's eyes. He said, "Master, you are too modest. Your wisdom and realm are obvious to all. When I practice meditation, I always find it difficult to control my distracting thoughts. My thoughts are so scattered that my progress is slow. I hope you can give me some advice."

Venerable Amin pondered for a moment and said, "Distractions during meditation are like willow catkins in the wind—seemingly rootless, yet difficult to dissipate easily. You must begin by observing your breath, focusing your attention on the inflow and outflow of air. When distracting thoughts arise, don't suppress them. Instead, observe them with a spectator's attitude, like watching clouds in the sky, letting them come and go. This is a process that requires patience and perseverance, just like in the 'Ganshi Ground', where we need to continuously accumulate good roots and merit, solidifying our foundation step by step. Your current difficulties in meditation are opportunities to hone your practice. Only by overcoming them can you achieve breakthroughs in the 'Supplementary Ground' and even higher realms."

After hearing this, Xuanfeng nodded thoughtfully and said, "Master's teachings are like a revelation. I will definitely work hard to practice and live up to your expectations."

Master Amin smiled and said, "Don't pin all your hopes on me. Your own efforts and understanding are the key. On the path of spiritual practice, we are all equal seekers."

After some time, Master A-Ming decided to leave Lingxu Mountain and travel to various locations to visit eminent monks and great virtues. He knew that the wisdom of Buddhism was boundless, and even though he had achieved some attainments in his practice, he still needed to continue learning and absorb the strengths of others. He embarked on his journey with a simple bag.

His first stop was an ancient Zen Buddhist temple. Hidden deep in the mountains, surrounded by towering ancient trees and shrouded in mist, the temple exuded a mysterious and solemn aura. Upon entering the temple, Master Amin sensed a profound spiritual atmosphere. He met the temple's abbot, Master Huineng, a man over seventy years old with a deep and wise gaze that seemed to see through everything in the world.

Venerable A Ming respectfully bowed to Master Huineng and said, "I, the junior A Ming, have long heard of your high moral character and profound Buddhist teachings. I have come to visit you, eager to listen to your teachings."

Master Huineng nodded slightly and said, "Master A-Ming, you are very polite. You are quite famous in the spiritual world and I believe you have many unique insights."

Venerable Amin humbly said, "Master, your praise is too great. Although I have gained some insights in my practice, I am well aware of my shortcomings. I came here this time to gain more wisdom from you, so as to enrich myself."

In the temple's meditation hall, Master A Ming sat across from Master Huineng and engaged in a profound Buddhist exchange. Master Huineng shared the principles of Zen practice, emphasizing the concept of reaching the heart and realizing the true nature of Buddhahood. He recounted many stories of Zen patriarchs, such as Bodhidharma facing the wall for nine years and Huike's sacrifice of his arm in pursuit of the Dharma. These stories deeply moved Master A Ming.

Master A-Ming also shared his insights from practicing the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, specifically on how to cultivate mindfulness and awareness in daily life. Master Huineng nodded in approval, saying, "Your integration of Buddhist teachings into everyday life is quite profound. While our Zen and Yogacara schools differ slightly in their methods of practice, we both share the same goal: to guide sentient beings to liberation from suffering and attain enlightenment."

Throughout the exchange, Master Amin remained humble. Although he resonated with Master Huineng on certain points and even shared some of his experiences in spiritual practice, which were recognized by Master Huineng, he never showed any arrogance. Instead, he listened attentively to Master Huineng's every word like a devout student, trying to grasp the wisdom contained therein.

After leaving the Zen monastery, Master A Ming went to a Vinaya monastery. The Vinaya school is known for its strict discipline, and the monks in the monastery strictly adhere to the precepts and live according to strict rules. There, Master A Ming met the great Vinaya master, Master Ming Lu.

Venerable Minglu saw Venerable Amin approaching and warmly welcomed him. After Venerable Amin explained his purpose, Venerable Minglu said, "Venerable Amin, it is truly a blessing that you have come to our Vinaya monastery to exchange ideas. Vinaya is the foundation of spiritual practice. I wonder what your views are on the role of Vinaya in spiritual practice?"

Venerable A Ming respectfully replied, "Venerable Minglu, I am well aware of the importance of precepts for practitioners. The Yogacarabhumi Sutra also emphasizes the merits and significance of observing precepts. Precepts can help us restrain our body and mind, avoid committing negative karma, and thus create a pure environment for practice. Although I strive to observe precepts in my own practice, I still have many shortcomings. I hope that Venerable Minglu can give me some guidance."

Venerable Minglu explained in detail the Vinaya system, from the Five Precepts to the Precepts for Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, and how to practically apply these precepts in daily life. Venerable Amin listened attentively, occasionally raising questions and reflections. Seeing how the monks in Vinaya monasteries, bound by the strict rules of the Vinaya, lived a life filled with order and tranquility, his reverence for the precepts deepened.

During a conversation with Master Minglu, a young Vinaya monk asked a question: "Master Ming, you focus on cultivating the mind in your practice, while we in the Vinaya school emphasize the importance of precepts. How do you think we can find a balance between the two?"

After a moment of contemplation, Master A-Ming replied, "Young Master, the cultivation of mind and character and the observance of precepts are in fact mutually reinforcing. Precepts are external norms that help us purify our body and mind and provide a guarantee for the growth of mind and character; while the cultivation of mind and character enables us to truly understand the meaning of the precepts from the depths of our hearts, thus more consciously abiding by them. Just like in the 'preparatory stage' of practice, we hone ourselves through actions such as observing precepts, and the improvement of mind and character can propel us towards the higher 'stages of remaining support' and even the 'stages of no remaining support'. At different stages of practice, the emphasis of the two may vary, but the ultimate goal is to achieve liberation and enlightenment."

Master Amin's answer was recognized by the monks present, and Master Minglu also nodded with a smile. During his time at the Vinaya Monastery, Master Amin studied Vinaya in depth, and also shared his experience in other aspects of practice with the monks here, which was very beneficial for both parties.

Master A Ming continued his visit and visited a Pure Land Buddhist temple. Pure Land Buddhism is renowned for its chanting technique, and the temple resounded with the melodious sound of chanting. Master A Ming met Master Jingkong, a leading Pure Land Buddhist monk.

When Master Jingkong saw Master A Ming, he said, "Master A Ming, you are here, so I think you are also interested in the Pure Land Dharma."

Master A Ming put his palms together and said, "Master Jingkong, I have always had great respect for the Pure Land Buddhist method of chanting Buddha's name. I would like to know how one can achieve a state of undivided attention through chanting Buddha's name in Pure Land Buddhist practice, and how this state of mind relates to the state of practice described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra."

Master Jingkong explained in detail the Pure Land Buddhist practice methods and philosophies, emphasizing the importance of faith, aspiration, and action. He said, "Those who chant the Buddha's name must have deep faith in the power of Amitabha Buddha's vows and vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Then, through continuous chanting, one can eliminate distracting thoughts and achieve a state of single-minded concentration. This single-minded concentration is similar to the state of concentration found in other spiritual practices, both of which aim to focus the practitioner's mind on one point, thereby opening the door to wisdom."

Venerable Amin listened attentively and said, "Your explanation has given me a deeper understanding of Pure Land Buddhism. The Yogacarabhumi Sutra also discusses methods for cultivating concentration, such as improving concentration through various meditation practices in the 'preparatory stage.' I believe that although different methods of practice have their own characteristics, they all aim to guide sentient beings towards the path of liberation."

At the Pure Land Buddhist temple, Master A-Ming chanted the Buddha's name with Master Jingkong and other believers. He felt the tranquility and power of the chanting. Although his primary practice was not Pure Land Buddhism, he still experienced and learned with a humble heart, integrating the insights of this practice into his overall understanding of Buddhism.

After several months of visiting, Master A Ming returned to Lingxu Mountain Temple with a lot of gains. He shared with his disciples what he had seen, heard, learned and thought in various places.

In the temple's lecture hall, Master Amin said to his disciples, "My fellow disciples, during this trip to visit eminent monks and great masters, I deeply feel my own insignificance and inadequacy. The world of Buddhism is vast and boundless. Every sect and every great master has his or her own unique wisdom and practice methods. We cannot foster arrogance just because we have made progress in a certain area. On the path of practice, humility is our driving force for continuous progress. Just like in our practice in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, from the initial accumulation of merit in the 'ground of accumulation' to now approaching the 'ground of remaining dependence', every step requires us to remain humble and continue to learn, so that we can go further on this endless path of practice."

Listening to Master Amin's words, the disciples gained a deeper understanding of humility. Seeing Master's humility despite his ever-increasing spiritual attainments, they expressed their desire to follow his example, discarding arrogance and learning from him with an open mind.

Master Amin feels gratified as he observes his disciples' realizations. He knows that only by passing on the quality of humility can the Dharma continue to flourish among practitioners of their generation and beyond, allowing more people to find direction on the path of practice and ultimately achieve the lofty goals of liberation and enlightenment. In this tranquil temple on Lingxu Mountain, Master Amin and his disciples continue to cultivate their spiritual path, using humility as their vessel to forge ahead in the ocean of Buddhist wisdom.