Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 88: The Realization of the Ground of No Remaining Support (II) "The Dharmakaya Pervades the Universe, Wisdom Illuminates the Past and Present"

Within that sacred temple, Amin, with a newfound awareness, began his journey of a deeper and broader mission. Time was like a trickle in a long river, tranquil yet imbued with boundless power. Amin was like a beacon on the river, illuminating the path forward for all things with the radiance of his Dharma body.

One day, the temple welcomed a visitor from afar. His name was Lin Feng, a world-traveling seeker of truth. He had heard of Master A Ming's legendary attainment of the state of no remaining dependence and had come to seek his guidance. The moment Lin Feng entered the temple, A Ming sensed something. His Dharma body, like a gentle breeze, quietly swept through every corner of the temple, resonating subtly with Lin Feng's presence.

Lin Feng met Ah Ming and bowed respectfully, saying, "Master Ah Ming, I have wandered in this world for a long time. Although I have traveled through mountains and rivers and sought all kinds of wisdom, I still feel lost. I have heard that you have reached the supreme realm. I sincerely ask you to guide me. How can I truly understand the truth of this universe and find inner peace?"

Ah Ming smiled as he gazed at Lin Feng. His eyes were filled with boundless compassion and wisdom, as if he could see through the confusion deep within Lin Feng's soul. "Donor, all things in this universe are born from the union of cause and condition, their essence being emptiness. Everything you've seen and heard on your journey is merely superficial, like a dream or illusion. Your inner confusion stems from your attachment to these appearances," Ah Ming spoke slowly, his voice resonating like a morning bell and an evening drum, resonating in Lin Feng's heart.

Lin Feng frowned thoughtfully and replied, "Master, although I understand some of the great principles of Buddhism, in actual practice, I find it difficult to escape the temptations and troubles of the world. For example, during my travels, I often encounter those in need. I want to help, but I feel my own strength is limited. And when faced with the beautiful scenery and delicious food in the world, I also become greedy. What should I do?"

Amin gently raised his hand, as if touching the invisible Dharma Realm, and said, "Donor, in the practice and realization of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, we need to understand from the three aspects of 'environment, practice, and result.' The environment you encounter is an opportunity for practice. When you face those in need, the compassion that arises in your heart is a good cause. Although its power is limited, this intention can be like a spark that can start a prairie fire. As for worldly desires, you must observe them with mindfulness. When you notice the arising of greed, it is like lighting a bright lamp in the darkness, and greed will naturally dissipate. This is the path of practice. By constantly practicing the Dharma in the environment and correcting your thoughts and actions, you can achieve the result of liberation."

After hearing Ah Ming's words, Lin Feng's mind suddenly became clear, as if the clouds had cleared and the sun had come. He bowed again and said, "Master, your teachings are like a revelation. I understand. I will follow your teachings and continue on this path of cultivation."

However, not everyone welcomes Amin's wisdom and influence. In the town where the temple is located, there's a wealthy merchant named Zhao Xuan, who controls the local commerce and is incredibly wealthy. Zhao Xuan feels threatened by Amin's growing reputation and the new perspectives he's given many people regarding wealth and power.

Zhao Xuan arrived at the temple with a group of his men, looking furious. Upon seeing Ah Ming, he bluntly declared, "You monk, you've been constantly misleading people, distracting them from pursuing fame and fortune. How is my business doing? If you know what's good for you, stop preaching. Otherwise, I'll make sure you don't get away with it."

Ah Ming looked at Zhao Xuan without a trace of anger in his heart. He said calmly, "Donor, wealth and power are impermanent, like passing clouds. Your attachment to them has caused you to feel troubled and resentful, which is not wise. In the eyes of Buddhism, true wealth lies in inner peace and kindness. If you can run your business with compassion and benefit all beings, rather than simply pursuing personal gain, you will gain something far more precious."

Zhao Xuan snorted coldly: "Hmph! You monk, don't say such mysterious words here. I only know that if you ruin my good deeds, I will never let it go." After that, he left with his men.

Ah Ming watched Zhao Xuan's departing figure, his mind silently reflecting. He knew this was a manifestation of worldly conflicts of interest and ignorance, a condition he would need to confront and resolve in the realm of no remaining support. Though his Dharmakaya pervaded the universe, he still needed to guide these beings trapped in worldly troubles in an appropriate way.

Soon after, a rare drought struck the area. Crops failed, the people fell into great hardship, and hunger and disease began to spread throughout the town. Zhao Xuan's business was also severely impacted. Although he had grain in his warehouse, he tried to take advantage of the situation by driving up prices and making a fortune.

Seeing this, Amin decided to put the Buddhist teachings of compassion into practice. He led the monks in opening the temple's granary and providing porridge to the people. He also used his knowledge of herbs to gather in the mountains and forests to treat the sick.

Upon learning of this, Lin Feng volunteered to help. Together with Amin, they traveled the streets and alleys of the town, delivering food and medicine to those in need. Throughout this process, Lin Feng witnessed that Amin's compassion and wisdom were not merely expressed in words, but in action. His respect for Amin deepened, and his resolve to cultivate himself became even stronger.

Zhao Xuan's actions, however, began to waver. He saw the people's gratitude for Amin, and his composure in the face of adversity, and reflected on his own actions. But his greed still struggled, between his desire for wealth and his reverence for the power of the Dharma that Amin represented.

One night, Zhao Xuan came to the temple alone. Seeing A Ming, a trace of embarrassment and guilt crossed his face. "Master A Ming, I... I've seen everything you've done for the people, and I'm beginning to realize my mistakes. But I've been in this business world for so many years, I've been blinded by profit. I don't know how to change."

Ah Ming looked at Zhao Xuan and said gently, "Donor, as long as you have a heart for good, it's never too late. You can start with small things, like selling food at a fair price to help the people through their hardship. In the process, you will gradually experience the joy of compassion and giving, and slowly break free from the shackles of greed."

Zhao Xuan nodded silently, a fierce internal struggle brewing within him. Ultimately, he decided to follow Amin's advice, start selling grain at a fair price, and donate some of the proceeds to town reconstruction and disaster relief.

As the drought gradually eased, the town slowly regained its vitality. The people expressed their gratitude to Amin, flocking to the temple to pay their respects, viewing him as a living bodhisattva who could save the suffering. Amin used this opportunity to explain Buddhism to the people, guiding them to practice kindness and compassion in their daily lives.

Throughout this series of events, Amin, with the omnipresence of the Dharmakaya and the profound depth of his wisdom, perceptively observed the changing nature of the world. Facing Lin Feng's quest for truth and Zhao Xuan's provocations and confusion, he was able to draw upon the realm of practice and realization outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, observing the mind through the state and practicing the Dharma through his actions. He knew that every word and action was a manifestation of his practice within this realm of no remaining support, each intended to help sentient beings break free from ignorance and embark on the path of harmony, happiness, and liberation. Whether in his interactions with individuals or facing the disasters and hardships of an entire town, he was like the eternal light of wisdom, transcending the barriers of time and space to provide guidance and inspiration to those predestined to see it, allowing the true meaning of the Dharma to take root and flourish in every corner of the world.

As the years passed, Amin continued to manifest his Dharmakaya and wisdom in various forms in this world. Sometimes, in dreams, he would answer questions and resolve doubts for practitioners far away; sometimes, he would transform into an ordinary old man, spreading kindness in the streets. His figure was like a spirit traveling through the long river of history, unconstrained by time and space, forever fulfilling the great mission he had achieved after attaining the stage of no residual dependence. He allowed the radiance of the Dharmakaya and the flame of wisdom to continue burning and spreading throughout the endless time and space of past, present, and future, illuminating every soul groping forward in the darkness.