Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 95: The Realization of the Ground of No Remaining Dependence (IX) "Through Meditation, Entering Deep Silence, Both Movement and Stillness Are Free"

Atop the mist-shrouded summit of Mount Emei stands the ancient Golden Summit Temple. Its steep terrain and breathtaking scenery make it a sacred site sought after by many practitioners. Amin's Dharmakāya often meditates here, immersed in a profound state of meditation.

One day, sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the golden roof of the temple with a shimmering brilliance. Amin slowly emerged from a months-long meditation retreat. During his meditation, his consciousness seemed to have traveled through the endless river of time and space, connecting with the essence of the universe. He experienced the tranquility and eternity of true nature, as if all the world's troubles were but illusory illusions. In this profound silence, only the eternal light of wisdom shone.

Huineng, a young monk in the temple, had always been full of admiration and curiosity for Master A-Ming's spiritual realm. Seeing Master A-Ming rise from his meditation, his eyes gleaming with a lively light and revealing an otherworldly tranquility, he couldn't help but approach him to ask for advice.

"Master, what exactly did you experience in meditation? Why do you look so calm and at ease, as if unaffected by anything in the world?" Huineng asked respectfully, clasping his hands together.

Ah Ming smiled at Huineng and said, "Young monk, the state of meditation is to delve deeply into the heart, transcending the constraints of time and space. In that deep silence, I realized the true nature of suchness, and understood that all things in the world are born from the mind and destroyed by the mind. When we can see this truth in meditation, we can face everything in the world with an ordinary mind after emerging from meditation. Whether it is prosperity or decline, it is only appearance, and our hearts should not be affected by it. This is the state of being free in both movement and stillness. In the practice of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra, we must continuously strive from the 'Samadhi Stage' until we reach this ultimate control of the mind."

Huineng nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Master, how can I, in saving sentient beings in the world, respond appropriately to various situations like you?"

Ah Ming gently patted Hui Neng's shoulder and said, "This requires us to constantly maintain inner observation and awareness. When facing different sentient beings, we must first understand their inner needs and situations. For example, when encountering those who have lost confidence in difficult situations, we should use gentle words and actions to comfort and support them, like a spring breeze and rain, nourishing their parched hearts. When facing those who are capable but lazy, we need to inspire them with passionate words and awaken their inner fighting spirit. All of this stems from the wisdom and compassion cultivated in meditation. Only with inner peace and ease can we flexibly adapt to different conditions, remaining unchanged as conditions arise, and remaining unchanged as conditions arise."

In a small town at the foot of a mountain, there lived a wealthy businessman named Mr. Li. Once a wealthy man, his business declined in recent years due to constant competition and poor decision-making. His wealth dwindled, and his family became riven by internal conflicts over competing interests. Mr. Li fell into deep anxiety and despair, feeling as if his life had plummeted from its peak to the bottom, unable to recover.

On this day, A Ming decided to go down the mountain to the small town to convert Mr. Li, who was struggling in his plight. He disguised himself as an ordinary wandering monk and walked into Mr. Li's mansion.

When Master Li saw the monk approaching, he was a little puzzled, but he still received him politely. "Master, what brings you here?" Master Li asked, his tone tinged with fatigue and impatience.

Ah Ming clasped his hands together and said, "Donor, I heard that you have been having a lot of troubles recently, so I came to help you solve your problems."

Master Li smiled bitterly and said, "Master, look at me now. My business has failed, my family is at odds, and I don't know what to do. I once worked hard, thinking that wealth and status were everything in life, but now I realize how fragile all of this is."

Ah Ming looked at him calmly and said, "Donor, worldly wealth and status are inherently impermanent, like a dream or bubble, fleeting. Your current predicament is an opportunity for you to re-evaluate your life. In Buddhism, we talk about cause and effect. Some of your previous business actions may have sown the seeds of today's bitter fruit. But as long as you can repent, let go of your attachment to wealth, treat others with compassion and kindness, and re-plan your life, you can still get out of this predicament."

Master Li was a little skeptical after hearing Ah Ming's words. "Master, you say it lightly, but I've already lost so much. How can I start over? Besides, those people in the family are only interested in fighting for the remaining property and won't listen to me at all."

A Ming smiled faintly and said, "Donor, although the difficulties are great, as long as you are determined, there is no hurdle that you cannot overcome. You can start with yourself and treat your family members with tolerance and tolerance, and no longer worry about gains and losses. At the same time, you can use your experience and connections to try some new business models, such as some projects that combine charity and business. This will not only help others, but also accumulate blessings for yourself, and you may reap unexpected rewards."

Mr. Li fell into deep thought, reflecting on his past actions and realizing that in his pursuit of wealth, he had indeed overlooked many of the virtues of humanity and moral principles. He looked at Ah Ming with a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Master, your words have awakened me. I will try to follow your advice and hope to change the current situation."

On the other side of town, there lived a young woman named Miss Lin. She was kindhearted, but her fate was tragic. Her parents had died young, and she had lived under the care of others, often bullied by relatives. Her heart was filled with pain and grievance, yet she felt powerless to resist.

After learning about Miss Lin's experience, A Ming went to where she lived. He saw Miss Lin crying silently in the yard, and he couldn't help but feel a trace of pity in his heart.

"Girl, why are you so sad?" Amin asked softly.

Miss Lin looked up and saw a kind monk. She tearfully told him her story: "Master, I have no one to rely on in this world. My relatives treat me badly. I feel that my life is so hard."

Ah Ming comforted her, "Girl, although you've experienced hardship, you must believe that it's only temporary. In Buddhism, we believe that good deeds will be rewarded. You have always maintained a kind heart, and this is your greatest wealth. Don't be defeated by the current difficulties. Stay strong."

Miss Lin wiped her tears and asked, "Master, what can I do to change my fate?"

Amin said, "You can try to leave here and find your own life. You can learn some skills, such as embroidery or cooking, and support yourself through your own efforts. You will encounter many difficulties in the process, but as long as you have hope and a yearning for a better life, you will be able to overcome them. In the meantime, you can recite Buddhist scriptures more often and let the wisdom of Buddhism give you strength and courage."

After hearing what Amin said, Miss Lin felt a glimmer of hope in her heart. She decided to follow Amin's advice and bravely take the first step to change her destiny.

Amin's profound meditation atop Mount Emei and his spontaneous ministry to the people of his small town demonstrate a mastery of both movement and stillness. Whether instructing the young monk Huineng or guiding Mr. Li and Miss Lin, he flexibly applies the wisdom and compassion of meditation to the diverse situations and needs of the characters. His interactions with sentient beings include Mr. Li's doubts and attempts to overcome his predicament, Miss Lin's lamentations over the injustice of fate and her renewed hope. These emotional entanglements and inner struggles, guided by Amin, become opportunities for liberation and growth. Through his words and actions, Amin presents the principles of the states, practices, and fruits of the Yogacarabhumi Sutra to sentient beings, allowing them to gradually grasp the true meaning of Buddhism on their own paths of practice and continuously progress toward inner peace and freedom. In his endless mission to liberate sentient beings, Amin continuously cultivates the enlightened state of non-remaining dependence, unimpeded in both movement and stillness, guiding them as needed, allowing the light of the Dharma to illuminate every corner and warm every lost soul.