Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 77: Approaching the Ground of Remaining Dependence (XI) "Boundless Compassion, All Living Beings Receive Grace"

In that remote border town, the smoke of war has cleared, but the shattered walls still bear witness to the horrors of the past. Amin, a young and determined practitioner, dressed in a simple cloth shirt, walks along the dusty road. His eyes are clear and deep, revealing boundless compassion.

On this day, the sun shone glaringly on the ruins. Amin met a refugee named Hassan in a makeshift shelter in the small town. Hassan was thin, ragged, and his eyes were full of despair and helplessness. He sat in a corner, as if abandoned by the whole world. Amin's heart suddenly tightened, and the grief instantly overwhelmed him like a surging tide. He slowly walked towards Hassan, squatted down, and asked softly: "Friend, are you okay?" Hassan raised his head, and a hint of surprise flashed in his empty eyes, followed by endless bitterness: "I have lost everything, my home is gone, my relatives are gone, what is the meaning of my life?"

Amin gently grasped Hassan's hand, its touch rough and cold. He felt the pain deep within Hassan's heart, as if it were his own. "Hassan, don't give up hope. I'll be with you, and we can rebuild our lives." Amin's voice was firm and warm. He led Hassan to his temporary hut, took out clean clothes and food, and handed them to Hassan. "Eat something and change your clothes. Everything will be fine."

At night, Amin and Hassan sat on a stone bench outside the house. Amin shared his insights from his spiritual practice, trying to comfort Hassan spiritually. "Through the practice of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, I realized that everything in the world has cause and effect. Although you are suffering now, this may also be an opportunity given by fate to grow and awaken us. Just like me in my practice of the 'Standing Ground of Remaining Dependence', although I am close to liberation, I still care about the suffering and happiness of all beings." Hassan listened quietly, and a glimmer of light gradually appeared in his eyes. "Amin, I don't quite understand your practice, but you make me feel that there may still be hope in life."

However, not everyone in this small town appreciated Amin's kindness. Some residents, limited by their own resources, resisted his care for the refugees. An elderly man named Ali approached Amin and, frowning, said, "Amin, we're struggling. Why are you sharing our limited supplies with these outsiders? It's unfair to us." Amin looked at Ali, understanding his concern and dissatisfaction. "Grandpa Ali, I understand your concerns. But in my heart, all beings are equal. They are suffering right now, and if we can lend a hand, we're not only helping them but also accumulating good karma for ourselves. This is also part of my spiritual practice. In my practice of 'the stage of remaining dependence,' I must break free from attachment to self-interest and extend compassion to all beings." Ali, though still somewhat puzzled by Amin's words, remained silent.

While helping Hassan, Amin's heart wasn't entirely free of emotion. He often sat in meditation late at night, examining his inner self. He knew that while his compassion could help others, it could also sometimes lead to exhaustion and confusion from excessive devotion. "Am I doing this out of pure compassion, or a deep-seated desire to prove my spiritual accomplishments?" Amin constantly questioned himself. Yet, every time he saw Hassan's face gradually regain its vitality, he felt that, no matter what, helping sentient beings was always right.

As the days passed, Hassan, with Amin's help, gradually emerged from his shadow. He began to actively participate in the town's reconstruction efforts, and his relationship with the local residents gradually improved. In the process, Amin gained a deeper understanding of the practice of "remaining support." He understood that compassion is not just about sympathizing with and helping sentient beings in their suffering, but also about purifying and elevating one's own inner self through this process.

At the same time, Amin became aware of the suffering of animals around his town. He discovered that due to the war, many wild animals had lost their habitats, and some domestic animals had been abandoned by their owners, left to wander the streets, starving, and even suffering abuse. Amin's compassion was once again touched. He began actively advocating for animal protection in his town, traveling extensively to tell people that animals, like humans, are part of life and their suffering deserves attention.

Amin gathered a group of like-minded young people and formed a small animal protection group. They built a shelter for stray animals on the edge of town, using simple materials to construct small dens and provide care for injured animals. One day, they found a wounded fox cub, its leg caught in a trap, its eyes filled with fear and pain. Amin carefully brought the little fox back to the shelter and personally tended to its wounds. In the process, he felt the little fox's desire to survive and strengthened his resolve to protect animals.

However, animal protection efforts were not without challenges. Some hunters, believing that Amin and his companions' actions were destroying their livelihoods, became hostile to them. One day, while setting up animal protection signs in the forest, Amin encountered a hunter named Bashir. Bashir, rifle in hand and furious, addressed Amin, "What right do you, outsiders, have to interfere in our affairs? These animals are our prey. Are you trying to starve us to death?" Amin looked at Bashir, a little frightened, but remained resolute. "Brother Bashir, I know you make a living by hunting, but if we overkill animals, the ecological balance will be disrupted, and we humans will ultimately suffer. Through spiritual practice, I understand that all beings are equal, and we should respect every life." Bashir snorted dismissively, "What spiritual practice? What about equality? I only care about my family." He then turned and walked away.

Amin watched Bashir's retreating figure, feeling a surge of resignation. He knew changing people's mindsets wouldn't happen overnight, but he wouldn't give up. Returning to the sanctuary, he gazed upon the rescued animals and silently vowed to persevere in animal protection, no matter how great the odds. In this process, he gained a new understanding of the practice of "the ground of remaining support." He realized that spiritual practice isn't just about seeking liberation within one's own inner world; it's also about maintaining compassion and kindness in interactions with all beings, even in the face of conflicts and conflicts of interest. This allows one to achieve the true state of "the ground of remaining support." This means that while still in the world, one can transcend worldly afflictions and attachments, spreading compassion and wisdom to every corner, allowing all beings to be blessed by this boundless compassion.

Over time, Amin's animal protection team grew, connecting them with international animal protection organizations and securing more support and resources. The animal habitat around the town improved significantly, and more and more animals were rescued and protected. Throughout this series of experiences, Amin constantly navigated life and spiritual practice, gradually revealing the state, practice, and fruition of the "Avādhiṣṭhāna" as described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra through his own actions. His story spread throughout the town, inspiring more people to reflect on the meaning and value of life and to pursue the compassion and kindness deep within their hearts.