Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 79: Approaching the Ground of Remaining Dependence (13) "Wisdom and Insight into All Things, and the Understanding of Wonderful Principles"

In the quiet forest behind the temple, Amin often sat quietly on a huge rock. The surrounding trees swayed gently in the breeze, making rustling sounds, as if telling the secret language of nature.

It was late spring, and the mountains and forests were ablaze with blossoms. A riot of color intertwined, creating a magnificent canvas. Amin's gaze fell on a blossoming peony, its petals layered and delicate, alluringly gorgeous. However, his mind went beyond simply admiring the flower's beauty. Instead, he delved into its essence with wisdom. He saw the flower flourish under the nourishment of sunlight and rain, gradually blossoming from a tiny bud into its present splendor, the result of the convergence of numerous causes and conditions. Over time, the petals would gradually wither and fall, ultimately becoming nutrients in the soil, nourishing new life for the coming year. Wasn't this process a vivid illustration of the principle of "dependent origination and emptiness"? Amin pondered, "All things in the world are subject to the cycle of cause and effect. Nothing is eternal and unchanging. So-called beauty and prosperity are merely temporary appearances, ultimately returning to nothingness."

In this peaceful forest, Ah Ming wasn't isolated from the world. Occasionally, pilgrims would come to seek Buddhist teachings, or villagers from nearby villages would seek help and advice. One day, several villagers, their faces filled with anger, burst into the forest, their quarrel shattering the usual tranquility. Ah Ming rushed out to see Villager A and Villager B arguing with each other, with several other villagers standing nearby, their faces filled with worry.

"Master A Ming, you have to help me!" Villager A shouted, "This guy's cow ran into my field and trampled on my crops that were about to mature, and he still refused to compensate!" Villager B was not to be outdone: "Your field is on the side of the road. How could I know my cow would run in? Maybe you didn't keep a close eye on it and want to blackmail me!" The two of them quarreled more and more fiercely, and were about to start fighting.

Ah Ming frowned slightly, applying his wisdom to the conflict between the two. He saw that behind the anger in Villager A's eyes lay the pain of having his hard work destroyed and the fear of potential losses. This was greed at work: the desire for a good harvest and profit. Meanwhile, Villager B's stubborn stance stemmed from a desire to protect his property (the cattle) and anger at being wronged. Ah Ming knew that if he failed to address the underlying greed and anger, and merely addressed the superficial issue of compensation, the conflict would only deepen.

Amin stepped forward, gently separating the two struggling people with his hands, and spoke in a calm and gentle voice, "Donors, please don't get too excited. In this world, everything is interconnected. A cow or a field of crops may seem simple, but they actually have complex causes and conditions behind them. The cow straying into the field may have been a momentary oversight, not intentional. And the damage to the crops wasn't a tragedy caused intentionally by anyone. If we are blinded by anger and greed, it will only make things worse."

Villager A snorted, "Master Amin, that's easy for you to say. But what about my losses?" Amin smiled faintly. "Donor, think about it. The growth of these crops is due to the sun, rain, and soil. It's not just your contribution. Although there are losses now, there's no need to be overly obsessed with compensation. And you," he turned to Villager B, "your cow was just following its instinct to forage. It had no idea of ​​the consequences. You're all neighbors in this village. Don't your years of friendship outweigh this small loss?"

Ah Ming's words plunged the two men into deep thought. Villager B was the first to break the silence: "Master Ah Ming, it's not that I don't want to compensate, it's just that he started out rudely, and that's why I'm not convinced." Villager A scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "I just care too much about the crops, so..." Ah Ming, noticing that their attitudes had softened, continued: "This is the greed, anger, and ignorance in human nature at work. If we can let go of these worries and view this matter with tolerance and understanding, we can not only resolve the conflict, but also make each other feel more at ease."

Under Amin's mediation, Villager B expressed his willingness to help Villager A repair the ridges to prevent similar incidents from happening again, and Villager A no longer demanded compensation. A potential conflict, under Amin's insightful guidance, was transformed into an opportunity for mutual understanding and cooperation.

As Amin became more proficient in the use of wisdom and insight, he gained a deeper understanding of the deeper teachings in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. During a discussion with other practitioners, the understanding of "no self" triggered a fierce exchange of ideas.

The young novice monk Huijue insisted, "Dharma has fixed rules and entities. Our practice is to follow these Dharmas in order to achieve liberation." Ah Ming, however, shook his head slightly. He elaborated, drawing on his insights, "Brother Huijue, the Dharma we understand is merely a concept arising from the confluence of causes and conditions. For example, the terms 'good' and 'evil' are not absolutely independent entities. Their definitions and connotations change in different situations, cultures, and eras. This is a manifestation of the Dharma's non-self: there is no such thing as a permanent, unchanging, independent Dharma."

Huijue frowned, somewhat unconvinced. "Brother A-Ming, if the Dharma is selfless, then what is the basis for our practice?" A-Ming patiently explained, "The basis for our practice is the constant exploration of truth and inner awakening. Through wisdom and observation of all things in the world, we can understand that all Dharma is a tool to help us understand ourselves and the world, not an end in itself. When we cling to the substantial nature of the Dharma, it is like chasing after illusory light in the darkness; we will only lose our way."

The discussion lasted for a long time. Although there were heated exchanges of views, it also led each practitioner to a deeper reflection on the Dharma. Through this process, Ming, through interaction with others and inner reflection, further strengthened his commitment to the practice of wisdom and insight. He understood that wisdom and insight are not only a powerful tool for perceiving the outside world but also the key to examining the inner self and breaking through ego.

During the rainy season, floods often threaten the mountains and forests. Amin led the temple practitioners and villagers in building flood control embankments. During this process, he once again utilized wisdom and insight to organize and coordinate everyone's efforts. He observed each person's strengths and weaknesses: some possessed great strength, excelling in lifting heavy objects; others possessed greater sensitivity, and he assigned them to inspect the embankments for leaks. Faced with the danger and pressure of floods, Amin used wisdom and insight to soothe everyone. He explained that floods, like the suffering of life, are a part of impermanence, but we can cope with them through unity and wisdom.

When the floods finally receded, the village and the forest were safe and sound. The villagers were filled with gratitude towards Amin, but he simply smiled. He knew that all this was the fruit of his wisdom and insight in life. Through his insight into the myriad phenomena of the world, he was able to make the right decisions in complex situations, helping sentient beings overcome difficulties. This also allowed him to advance further on the path of spiritual practice, bringing him closer to the profound state of "the ground of remaining dependence" described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. In this state, wisdom and insight were like a bright lamp, illuminating every step forward and enabling him to grasp the profound principles of the world more clearly and thoroughly.