Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 86: Approaching the Land of Remaining Dependence (20) "The Holy Land Appears, Faith Grows"

Time flowed slowly within the tranquil temple, and Amin remained immersed in his daily practice. One morning, Amin rose early as usual and headed to the forest behind the temple for morning prayers and recitations. The forest was serene and tranquil, the morning mist still lingering among the trees like a veil. Amin found a flat, large rock, sat cross-legged, and began to recite scriptures.

While reciting a profound passage from the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, Amin suddenly felt his vision light up. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a gentle golden light spreading from the eastern sky. At first, the light was as thin as a thread, but in the blink of an eye, it expanded rapidly until it enveloped the entire mountain forest. Amin was startled. Could this be the legendary Buddha's light? He quickly stood up and respectfully placed his hands together in a bow toward the source of the light. Illuminated by the Buddha's light, Amin felt as if he were transported to a sacred pure land, where everything around him became pure and peaceful. He felt an indescribable joy and awe. This flash of Buddha's light was undoubtedly a special blessing for his practice and a direct manifestation of the sacredness of the Dharma.

"Brother A Ming, did you see it?" At this moment, the young monk Huijue also hurried over, his face full of surprise and excitement.

Ah Ming nodded slightly and said, "Junior brother, this is a holy land. We should practice even more diligently and not let down the grace of the Buddha's teachings."

Huijue nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Senior Brother is right, I will definitely work hard."

However, not everyone was so enthusiastic about the appearance of this holy land. The temple's abbot, Monk Wuneng, was a rather reserved and cautious person. Upon hearing this, he frowned, a hint of worry welling up in his heart. He approached Ah Ming and said, "Ah Ming, while this holy land may seem auspicious, we must not publicize it too much, lest it cause misunderstanding and unnecessary disturbance. After all, people in this world are complex, and some with ulterior motives might exploit this to cause trouble."

Ah Ming looked at Monk Wuneng and said calmly, "Brother Abbot, I understand your concerns. But the appearance of this holy realm is a great encouragement and boost of confidence for us practitioners. For believers, it is also an opportunity to strengthen their faith. As long as we maintain a righteous heart and speak truthfully, I believe there won't be too many problems."

Monk Wuneng sighed softly, "Ah Ming, although you have profound spiritual practice, in this world, many things are not as simple as we think. We also need to consider the peace and reputation of this temple."

Ah Ming understood that Monk Wuneng's concerns were not without reason. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Brother, why don't we gather all the monks in the temple to discuss this matter and listen to everyone's opinions."

The monks gathered in the temple's scripture hall and engaged in a heated discussion about the Buddha's flash of light. Some monks believed it was a very auspicious sign and should be widely publicized to let more people know about the wonders of Buddhism and attract more believers to practice Buddhism. Other monks supported Master Wuneng's view and believed that the matter should be handled quietly to avoid causing trouble.

Ah Ming sat among the monks, quietly listening to everyone's speeches. He felt a deep conflict within him. On the one hand, he deeply understood the significance of this sacred place for spiritual practice, but on the other, he did not want to disrupt the harmony and tranquility of the temple. He closed his eyes and began to reflect within himself. He silently asked himself: Is the true meaning of Buddhism in solitary practice, or in saving all sentient beings? In this chaotic world, how can one adhere to Buddhist teachings while properly managing the temple's relationship with the outside world?

After some deep thought, Amin slowly opened his eyes and said, "Brothers, I believe that the promotion of Buddhism and the tranquility of the temple are not in conflict. Within the temple, we can use this sacred place as an inspiration for our practice with caution and solemnity. At the same time, when inquiries from believers outside the temple are made, we can speak plainly and objectively, without exaggeration or exaggeration. This way, believers can feel the greatness of Buddhism while avoiding unnecessary trouble."

After hearing A-Ming's words, the monks fell into deep thought. Monk Wu-Neng looked at A-Ming with a look of approval in his eyes. "A-Ming, what you said makes sense. Perhaps we can proceed in this way."

Just as the discussion in the temple was coming to a halt, a pilgrim named Li Shizhu arrived. Li Shizhu was a businessman who had come to pray for good business. Having heard about the Buddha's light flash, he was curious and hoped to gain some business insights from A-Ming.

Seeing Donor Li, Ah Ming smiled and clasped his hands together in greeting, "Donor, I'm here, but what can I ask you?"

Donor Li said respectfully, "Master A Ming, I heard that Buddha's light appeared in the temple. This is truly miraculous. I have recently encountered some difficulties in my business. There is a crisis of trust between my partners, and I don't know what to do. Master, can you give me some guidance with the appearance of this Buddha's light?"

Ah Ming looked at Donor Li and said, "Donor, the appearance of this Buddha's light is a manifestation of the Dharma. It reminds us that everything in the world is subject to cause and effect and is constantly changing. Your business difficulties are also a manifestation of cause and effect. You should reflect on your past business dealings and see if you have violated integrity and morality. If so, you must correct them promptly and resolve conflicts with your partners with sincerity."

After hearing what Ah Ming said, Donor Li nodded thoughtfully, "Master, I understand. I will reflect on this and make amends when I return. However, in this business world, there are so many conflicts of interest, and it's not easy to be completely honest and moral."

Ah Ming shook his head gently. "Donor, although profits are tempting, if they blind you and you lose your original intention, the benefits you gain will only be temporary. According to Buddhism, true wealth is not gold, silver, or treasures, but inner peace and tranquility. When you apply the wisdom of Buddhism to your business affairs, you may find that many seemingly difficult problems will be easily resolved."

After his conversation with Donor Li, Ah Ming returned to his meditation room. He sat on his cushion and reflected on the day's events. The flash of Buddha's light, the discussion among the monks, and his conversation with Donor Li—all of it felt like a test of his spiritual practice. He knew that on this path of practice, he not only had to face his own inner confusion and struggles, but also manage his relationships with the outside world and guide his followers toward the true path of Buddhism.

At night, Amin once again journeyed into the forest. Illuminated by the moonlight, the forest held a uniquely tranquil beauty. Amin stood quietly, gazing up at the starry sky. He silently prayed, hoping to remain steadfast on this path of practice, unwavering in the temptations and distractions of the outside world. He knew that each appearance of a sacred realm presented both a test and an opportunity. With an even more rigorous approach to practice, he sought the deeper realms of states, practices, and results outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, continuously advancing toward the ultimate state of liberation.

As the days passed, new auspicious signs appeared in the temple. Suddenly, a Udumbara flower bloomed in the temple courtyard. The blossom was as white as snow, emitting a delicate fragrance. Its petals were crystal clear, reflecting the sunlight like glass. The blossoming Udumbara flower attracted a crowd of worshippers, who marveled at the sight and believed it was a gift from the Buddha.

Standing before the flower, Ah Ming gazed upon the gathered devotees, a sense of mission welling up within him. He began to explain the symbolic significance of the Udumbara flower in Buddhism: its rarity, preciousness, and auspiciousness, a sign of the Buddha's birth. He took this opportunity to offer a detailed explanation of the Buddhist path, encouraging the faithful to cultivate good thoughts and perform good deeds in their daily lives, purifying their souls through practice.

However, among the believers, a lay Buddhist named Zhao raised a question. A well-read scholar with considerable knowledge of Buddhism, Zhao asked, "Master A-Ming, this auspicious sign is indeed miraculous, but in this world, many natural phenomena are mistaken for auspicious signs. How can we be sure that the blooming of the Udumbara flower is a manifestation of the Dharma? Is it just a coincidence or our own subjective imagination?"

Ah Ming looked at Mr. Zhao and said with a smile, "Mr. Zhao, your question is not without reason. In Buddhism, we look at things beyond their appearances. The blooming of the Udumbara flower, whether it is a coincidence or a manifestation of the Dharma, is a reminder for us practitioners. It reminds us to always maintain a reverent heart for the Dharma and not be bound by worldly concepts. Even if it is just a natural phenomenon, we can draw Buddhist wisdom from it, which is to cherish the beauty of all things in the world and feel every bit of life with a pure heart."

After hearing what Amin said, Mr. Zhao nodded slightly and said, "Master, your insights are truly unique. You have given me a deeper understanding of Buddhism."

As the Udumbara flowers bloomed, the temple's reputation gradually spread. More and more people came to visit and pray, and the temple's popularity grew. This presented both opportunities and challenges for the temple. On the one hand, the temple had more resources to invest in renovations and charitable activities; on the other hand, it faced the challenge of managing the large number of believers and maintaining order in the temple.

Monk Wuneng approached A-Ming again and said, "A-Ming, the temple has a growing number of believers, so we need to formulate some new rules to manage temple affairs. What are your thoughts?"

After a moment's thought, Amin said, "Brother, I think we can start with the etiquette for believers entering the temple, the code of conduct within the temple, and the development of charitable work. We should establish clear rules so that believers have something to follow. At the same time, we must also strengthen the management of monks to ensure that they can set an example when facing believers and demonstrate the dignity and compassion of Buddhism."

Monk Wuneng agreed. "Ah Ming, then you should be responsible for drafting these new rules. You have more communication with the believers and understand their needs better."

Ah Ming took the order and began diligently drafting new temple rules. During the drafting process, he fully considered the diverse backgrounds and needs of believers, striving to ensure that the new rules were both consistent with Buddhist teachings and universally acceptable. He understood that the formulation of these new rules was also a form of spiritual practice, a manifestation of applying Buddhist wisdom to practical life.

While Amin was busy drafting the new rules, another strange event occurred within the temple. On a quiet evening, bursts of heavenly sounds suddenly emanated from the sky above the temple. The sound was melodious and melodious, like celestial music drifting through the valley. The monks emerged from their meditation rooms and gazed upwards, their faces filled with wonder and reverence. The faithful, drawn to the sound, knelt, folded their hands, and prayed for blessings.

Amin stood in the temple courtyard, listening to this heavenly sound. His heart was deeply moved, and he felt a sense of peace and tranquility beyond this world. Inspired by this sound, he seemed to see every detail of his own spiritual journey. All those past confusions, struggles, and perseverance transformed into a deeper understanding of the Dharma. He knew this was another manifestation of the sacred realm, a message from the Dharma encouraging him to continue on his path, not to fear the difficulties and challenges that lay ahead.

With the advent of this heavenly sound, the atmosphere in the temple became even more sacred and solemn. The faith of the believers grew stronger, and many expressed their willingness to engage in deeper spiritual practice within the temple, such as attending meditation classes and studying Buddhist scriptures. Amin, along with the monks, actively organized these spiritual activities and provided guidance and support to the believers.

During a meditation session, Amin had an in-depth conversation with a young believer named Xiao Yang, a college student who came to the temple to seek spiritual comfort due to the pressure and confusion in his studies and life.

Xiao Yang said to A Ming, "Master, I'm facing academic pressure at school, and the competition among my classmates is also very fierce. I often feel anxious and confused, and I don't know how to cope."

Ah Ming looked at Xiao Yang and said gently, "Xiao Yang, in Buddhism, we believe that all worldly troubles stem from inner greed, hatred, and ignorance. Your academic pressure and competitive anxiety stem from your greed for grades, fame, and fortune. You should let go of these desires, focus on studying, and treat grades and competition with a calm mind. At the same time, you should also learn to cultivate compassion and tolerance in your life, get along well with your classmates, and help each other. This way, your inner troubles will naturally diminish."

Xiao Yang's eyes lit up after hearing what A Ming said. "Master, your words have enlightened me. I understand now. I have been pursuing external things but neglecting inner cultivation. I will do as you say."

Seeing Xiao Yang's hopeful eyes, Amin felt a surge of joy. He knew that while practicing, he could also help others resolve their spiritual difficulties, a crucial aspect of Buddhist practice. He was even more resolute to continue on this path, striving to continuously elevate his practice so that he could better benefit all sentient beings.

Throughout these encounters with sacred visions and the handling of temple affairs, Amin consistently integrated his practice with the cultivation and realizations of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. When encountering sacred visions, he observed his mind through the vision, elevating his spiritual realm through inner contemplation and awareness. When handling temple affairs and the concerns of believers, he practiced the Dharma through action, integrating Buddhist teachings into every action. Each success and realization was a fruit of his practice, bringing him closer to the ultimate state of liberation described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. He knew the path of practice was long and arduous, but with unwavering faith and courageous perseverance, the ultimate sacred realm would unfold before his eyes, his body and mind would be completely free, becoming one with the supreme goodness and beauty of the Dharma, and existing eternally in endless light.