Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 82: Approaching the Ground of Remaining Dependence (16) "Chan Joy is Always Full, Enjoying the Way and Forgetting Worries"

In the ancient temple deep in the mountains, morning bells and evening drums echoed between the valleys. Amin's life of practice was like a quiet and profound painting, slowly unfolding.

It was an early autumn morning, the temple shrouded in a light mist. Leaves clung to shimmering dewdrops, shimmering in the morning light. Amin rose early and journeyed to a quiet bamboo grove behind the temple, ready for a deep meditation session. Dressed in loose monk's robes, his posture erect and serene, he slowly sat down on a flat stone, crossed his legs, rested his hands lightly on his knees, and began to regulate his breathing.

As his breathing became deeper and more even, Amin's consciousness gradually retreated inward, as if he had entered a ethereal, detached realm. Within this state, his heart was filled with an indescribable joy and tranquility, as if he were immersed in a vast, starry sky, surrounded by endless light and peace. This feeling of Zen joy, like a clear spring, slowly welled up from the depths of his heart and flowed through his entire body, leaving him feeling a sense of complete relaxation and elevation of body and mind. He forgot all the world's troubles and worries. Time seemed to stand still in this moment, and only pure joy and his understanding of the Dharma, like a bright light, illuminated his inner world.

After an unknown amount of time, Ah Ming slowly awoke from his meditation, his ecstatic state still gripping him. His eyes shone with a clarity and brightness, as if he could see into the essence of all things. He rose and strolled through the bamboo forest. The rustling of leaves beneath his feet did nothing to disturb his inner peace. Then, he spotted his fellow practitioner Huiyuan, sweeping the temple courtyard with a broom.

Ah Ming smiled and walked over to Hui Yuan to greet him. "Brother Hui Yuan, this temple seems exceptionally peaceful and tranquil today in the morning mist." Hui Yuan looked up and saw Ah Ming's joyful face. He was moved and responded, "Brother Ah Ming, you look incredibly energetic today. I'm sure you've gained some profound insights from your meditation." Ah Ming nodded slightly and said, "Brother, during my meditation session just now, I entered a state of emptiness and felt an unprecedented bliss. That joy was like sunlight penetrating the clouds and radiating onto the earth. I was completely immersed in it, unable to extricate myself."

Huiyuan's eyes flickered with envy, and he said, "Junior brother, your understanding is truly admirable. I've also experienced some insights in my practice, but I've rarely experienced such profound Zen joy as yours." Ah Ming patted Huiyuan's shoulder gently and said, "Don't worry, brother. Zen joy is a state of mind in practice. As long as we persevere and practice diligently, we will one day be able to feel its nourishment regularly."

As the two were talking, the temple's abbot, Master Zhikong, approached. He looked at Ah Ming and Huiyuan with a loving gaze and said, "Ah Ming, it's truly remarkable that you can experience such bliss in meditation. But you must remember that bliss isn't just a personal experience; it should be shared with fellow practitioners, allowing us all to grow together under the nourishment of the Dharma." Ah Ming respectfully bowed to Master Zhikong and said, "I understand, Master. I was just about to share this insight into bliss with you, hoping it will be helpful to your practice."

So, at Master Zhikong's suggestion, the fellow practitioners gathered in the temple garden. There, flowers of all colors were still blooming in their final glory, emitting a delicate fragrance. A-Ming sat among the group and began to recount his experiences during meditation. His voice was steady and calm, as if carrying a magical power, drawing everyone into the ethereal state he had experienced.

"Fellow practitioners, when I meditate, I first focus on my breathing and let distracting thoughts gradually dissipate. As my heart becomes calm, I begin to realize the 'emptiness' in Buddhism. All things have no self-nature and are born from the combination of causes and conditions. When I deeply understand this, a strong feeling of Zen joy surges in my heart. It makes me forget the fatigue of my body, the troubles of life, and even the existence of myself. I only feel an endless joy and the tranquility of being one with all things." Amin's narration made the fellow practitioners fall into deep thought. They seemed to be able to feel the power of Zen joy from Amin's words.

One of the young practitioners asked, "Brother A-Ming, how can we achieve this state of meditative joy more quickly?" A-Ming thought for a moment and said, "Brother, there are no shortcuts on the path of practice. We need to constantly maintain our contemplation of the Dharma in our daily lives, diligently cultivating precepts, meditation, and wisdom. When faced with various situations, we should not be confused by greed, hatred, or ignorance, but should treat them with a normal mind. For example, when cleaning the temple, we should carefully feel each movement and regard it as a form of practice. When interacting with others, we should treat them with compassion and tolerance, avoiding worries and arguments. Only in this way can we gradually purify our hearts and create the conditions for the emergence of meditative joy."

As Ah Ming shared his experience of Zen bliss, subtle changes began to take place within the hearts of the practitioners. Any minor conflicts and rifts that might have existed between them gradually dissipated in this peaceful atmosphere. A fellow practitioner named Juechen had previously been feeling somewhat dissatisfied because of an argument with another practitioner over the division of temple duties. But now, inspired by Ah Ming's words, he looked at the practitioner and felt a surge of remorse. He stood up, walked over to the practitioner, bowed deeply, and said, "Brother, I was wrong to argue with you earlier, driven by a momentary obsession. Now, after listening to Brother Ah Ming's sharing, I understand that on the path of cultivation, we shouldn't be bothered by trivial matters and should value harmony." The practitioner quickly stood up, took Juechen's hand, and said, "Brother, I was also wrong. We should support each other and cultivate together in the future."

Seeing this scene, Amin felt immensely gratified. He knew full well that the power of Zen joy not only elevates one's own spiritual practice but also fosters harmony and unity among fellow practitioners. In this atmosphere, everyone's enthusiasm for practice intensified, and their faith in the Dharma grew stronger.

However, the peaceful life at the temple was not always smooth sailing. One day, a wealthy local businessman arrived with a group of followers. This wealthy businessman, named Zhao Cai, had long heard of the temple's reputation and came to the temple with the intention of making a donation to pray for business prosperity. However, he actually had a different purpose.

Upon meeting Master Zhikong, Zhao Cai beamed and said, "Master, I've long heard of your temple's great reputation. I've come today to donate a generous sum, hoping to contribute to its renovation and development." Master Zhikong clasped his hands together and said, "Your kindness is truly a great virtue. However, the practitioners in our temple all strive to maintain a pure mind and few desires. Just enough money and supplies are sufficient. You shouldn't overspend." Zhao Cai, however, disagreed. He glanced at the surrounding temple buildings and said, "Master, I see that some parts of this temple are dilapidated. If they aren't repaired, they will damage the dignity of this sacred Buddhist site. You must accept my money."

Master Zhikong understood that Zhao Cai's move might not be purely out of kindness, but he couldn't refuse outright. Just then, Ah Ming stepped forward and said, "Donor Zhao, we appreciate your kindness. However, regarding the temple's renovations, we will handle them according to Buddhist teachings and with a pure heart. If you truly believe in Buddhism, you might as well use this money to help the local poor. This would also be a great merit." Zhao Cai's face changed slightly upon hearing this. He had originally thought that if he donated money, the temple would be grateful and even provide some convenience for his business interests. But Ah Ming's words dashed his plans.

Zhao Cai said somewhat displeasedly: "Little monk, what do you mean? The money I donated to the temple will naturally be controlled by the temple. Why do you want me to help the people?" Amin looked at him calmly and said: "Donor, in Buddhism, wealth is something outside of the body and should be used to benefit all living beings. If you insist on donating money to the temple in exchange for some kind of return, this goes against the original intention of Buddhism." Zhao Cai and Amin were deadlocked, and the atmosphere around them became tense.

Upon seeing this, Master Zhikong hurriedly said, "Donor Zhao, although Junior Brother A Ming's words were a bit blunt, they were also based on his adherence to Buddhism. We will carefully consider your donation. It's getting late today, so you might as well rest in the temple for one night and make a decision tomorrow." Zhao Cai had no choice but to agree temporarily.

At night, Ah Ming sat in meditation in his meditation room, reflecting on the conflict between himself and Zhao Cai. He understood that this was a clash between worldly interests and Buddhist ideals. Faced with Zhao Cai's obsession and displeasure, he felt no resentment, only compassion for Zhao Cai and a firm belief in the spread of Buddhism. He knew that in such a situation, he must uphold the principles of Buddhism and not compromise for the sake of temporary gain.

The next day, Zhao Cai again approached Master Zhikong and A-Ming. His attitude softened somewhat, and he said, "Master, after a night of reflection, I understand your earnest intentions. I've decided to use part of this money for temple repairs and the rest for local needy people." A-Ming smiled with relief and said, "Donor Zhao, your enlightenment is truly a great act. This not only helps the poor, but also allows you to grow on your spiritual path."

Through this incident, Amin realized more deeply that in the process of practice, one will constantly encounter various entanglements and conflicts of interests, but as long as one's heart is full of Zen joy and one sticks to the belief in Buddhism, one can deal with them with a peaceful attitude, turning these challenges into aids for practice, and further improving one's realm of practice and verification of the "Station of Remaining Dependence" in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, so that one can move forward more firmly on the path of practice. At the same time, it also set an example for fellow practitioners in the temple, leading everyone to pursue the true meaning of Buddhism together under the nourishment of Zen joy, forget worldly worries, and practice wholeheartedly.