Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 94: The Realization of the Ground of No Remaining Dependence (VIII) "Wisdom without Obstacles, Breaking Through Delusion and Revealing the True Suchness"

In the ancient and tranquil Lingyin Temple, morning bells and evening drums echoed through the valley, incense curled from the temple, and the monks went about their daily exercises. One day, a young monk named Xuanfeng arrived. He had a handsome face, but his eyes revealed a hint of confusion and bewilderment.

Xuanfeng has had a keen interest in Buddhism since childhood and has been practicing in a temple for several years. He has thoroughly read the Buddhist scriptures, memorizing their texts and concepts by heart. However, in his practice, he feels as if he is wandering in a fog, unable to truly grasp the essence of Buddhism. He is often disturbed by distracting thoughts during meditation, and he has developed deep doubts about his own path.

Amin's Dharmakaya sensed Xuanfeng's distress and materialized in the temple garden. It was spring, and the garden was ablaze with blossoms. Amin, in the form of an elderly monk, staff in hand, strolled among the flowers. Xuanfeng happened to be passing by the garden. Upon seeing the monk, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He quickly approached and saluted, "Master, I, Xuanfeng, have many doubts within me. I hope you can offer me some guidance."

Ah Ming looked at Xuan Feng with a smile, his eyes filled with endless compassion and wisdom. "Little monk, please tell me what is confusing you." Xuan Feng said respectfully, "Master, I recite Buddhist scriptures day and night and understand their teachings. But why is it that during meditation, my mind is filled with distracting thoughts, making it difficult for me to achieve a state of tranquility? Furthermore, I still feel a vague understanding of the true nature of the mind as taught in Buddhism, as if there is a thin veil between them, preventing me from truly grasping it."

Amin gently waved his Zen staff, pointing to a blooming lotus. He said, "Look at this lotus! It grows in the mud, yet it remains unstained. This is just like our practice: even amidst worldly worries and distractions, as long as our heart is firm, we can remain unmoved. You're disturbed by distracting thoughts during meditation because you're too attached to their existence, neglecting to observe your inner true nature. In the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, the key to practicing the 'mind-ground' and 'no-mind-ground' is to find a balance between mindfulness and non-mindfulness. You need to let go of your resistance to distracting thoughts and observe them as a bystander, allowing them to arise and dissipate naturally. Only in this way can you gradually approach a state of purity."

Xuanfeng nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "Master, how can one realize the true nature? I find the explanations in the Buddhist scriptures too profound and elusive." Amin closed his eyes slightly and said after a moment, "The true nature is not some distant, mysterious realm. It is present in every moment of our lives. In chanting, worshiping the Buddha, meditating, and even in your daily walks, sitting, and lying down, the true nature is present. When you are no longer bound by words and concepts, and experience the details of life with a pure and untainted heart, and understand the impermanence and dependent origination of all things in the world, you will be able to realize the true nature in an instant. Just like the flowers, plants, and trees in this garden, their growth and withering are the result of the combination of cause and condition. If you can see the true meaning of Buddhism from these natural phenomena, you will have taken a step towards the true nature."

Xuanfeng's heart suddenly brightened after hearing Ah Ming's words, like a ray of light illuminating a long-held dark corner. He clasped his hands together again and bowed, "Master, I understand. Your teachings are like a revelation, allowing me to find the direction of my practice."

In the prosperous capital, there lived a scholar named Su Jin. He possessed a profound understanding of Buddhism and authored numerous scholarly works on the subject, earning him considerable acclaim in the academic community. However, as his research deepened, he encountered an academic dilemma. Overly obsessed with the perfection of Buddhist theory and the rigor of its logic, he attempted to dissect every detail of the teachings using worldly academic methods. Consequently, he found himself entangled in an endless maze of concepts, drifting further and further away from the true meaning of the Dharma.

One day, Su Jin sat in his study, scowling over a pile of manuscripts. He felt as if his research had reached a dead end, and his understanding of Buddhism was becoming increasingly rigid. Just then, A-Ming's Dharmakāya, transformed into a white-robed scholar, appeared at his study door.

"Mr. Su, you look very worried. Have you encountered some academic difficulties?" Amin asked with a smile.

Su Jin looked up and saw the unfamiliar scholar. He was a little surprised, but he still replied politely, "That's right. I've been stuck in my Buddhist studies. I feel trapped by words and concepts and can't break through."

Ah Ming walked into the study, picked up a book by Su Jin, flipped through a few pages, and said, "Mr. Su, your research is certainly rigorous, but Buddhism is more than just a discipline; it's a practice and a realization. Your analysis of Buddhist concepts in the book is incredibly detailed, but you overlook the essence of Buddhism. The Yogacarabhumi Sutra states that practitioners must progress through the stages of 'hearing enlightenment' and 'contemplation enlightenment' before ultimately reaching 'cultivation enlightenment'. You're currently stuck at 'contemplation enlightenment', but have failed to put your thoughts and ideas into practice, making it difficult for you to truly grasp the core of Buddhism."

Su Jin felt a little unconvinced after hearing this. "In my research, I also consulted the experiences of many practitioners. This isn't just theoretical talk." A Ming smiled slightly. "The experiences you consulted, sir, are ultimately others'. If you don't personally practice the compassion, wisdom, and path to liberation in Buddhism, how can you truly understand its profound meaning? For example, the Buddhist concept of generosity isn't just a concept; it's a concrete action. When you truly help others in your life and empathize with their suffering and joy, you'll find that the Buddhist teachings are no longer just cold words, but are filled with warmth and power."

Su Jin fell into deep thought, reflecting on his own research methods. He realized that he had indeed focused too much on theoretical construction and neglected the practical application of Buddhist teachings in daily life. He looked at A Ming with a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for your reminder, sir. I think I know how to re-examine my research."

In a remote mountain village, there lived a farmer named Ah Fu. He had been hardworking and kind all his life, yet fate had treated him with great injustice. His crops had suffered repeated natural disasters, his wife was seriously ill, and his children were still young and ignorant. The burden of the family fell entirely on his shoulders. He often pondered in the dead of night: "I have never done anything against nature, so why have I suffered so much?" He felt deeply confused and lost about the meaning of life and the uncertainty of fate.

One day, Ah Fu was working in the fields when he collapsed from exhaustion. Suddenly, he saw a monk in simple robes appear at the edge of the field. The monk was Ah Ming's reincarnation.

Ah Ming walked over to Ah Fu and said, "Donor, you look exhausted and worried. What's troubling you?" Ah Fu looked at the monk, tears welling in his eyes. "Master, I don't understand. I've worked diligently all my life, but why is my life so difficult? My wife is seriously ill, and my children are still young. I don't see any hope in these days."

Amin squatted down, looked at the crops in the field, and said, "Donor, everything in the world has cause and effect, but this cause and effect cannot be fully seen by our naked eyes. The suffering you are experiencing in this life may be the result of karma from a previous life, or it may be the test of your practice in this life. In Buddhism, we believe that although fate is predetermined, it can be changed through practice and good deeds. You can still maintain kindness and hard work in difficult times, and this is the source of your blessings. Your wife's illness may be an opportunity for you to better cherish life and family, and it also gives you the opportunity to practice the compassion and patience in Buddhism."

After hearing Ah Fu's words, his confusion didn't completely dissipate, but he felt a little more comforted. "Master, what can I do to make my life better?" Ah Ming said, "In addition to your daily work, you can recite Buddhist scriptures and pray for your wife. At the same time, treat the people and things around you with tolerance and kindness. Even in the face of natural disasters, don't harbor resentment. Every kind thought and every good deed you have will be like a seed sown, taking root and sprouting, and bearing good fruit in the future."

Ah Fu nodded silently, determined to do as Ah Ming advised. From then on, he would recite Buddhist scriptures by his wife's bedside every morning, then go to the fields with hope in his heart. His heart gradually calmed, and he no longer felt the same despair as before when faced with life's difficulties.

With his unimpeded wisdom, Amin guides the monk Xuanfeng at Lingyin Temple through his spiritual journey, dispels academic confusion for scholar Su Jin in the capital, and resolves the fate of farmer Afu in a small mountain village. Under his guidance, practitioners, scholars, and ordinary people alike gradually dispel their inner confusion and approach their true nature. Throughout this journey, practitioners experience doubts and then reassurances about their methods, scholars persevere and then shift their academic focus, and farmers lament and then accept the injustices of fate. Under Amin's wise guidance, these emotions and inner struggles become opportunities for growth and understanding of the Dharma. In their respective contexts, they practice the Dharma and reap the fruits of their practice, gaining varying degrees of spiritual fruition. This leads to a deeper understanding and experience of the realms of practice and realization outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, continuously advancing on the path to liberation and enlightenment.