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Meeting the Five Mountains
At Mount Wutai, where the presence of the Bodhisattva Manjushri is felt, visitors often miss the opportunity to encounter him in his simple form. At the Manjushri Monastery atop the high mountain, one must climb 1,080 sacred steps, practicing mindfulness with each step and each breath. Breathing in is one step, breathing out is another step, each cycle lasting 15–20 seconds; after every 30 steps, stopping for 5 minutes to enjoy the scenery and smile, nourishing peace and joy. It is this method of walking meditation combined with mindful breathing that helped the local guide, Brother Alan, and Brother Dori—who had previously struggled up the mountain—reach the summit for the first time feeling alert, healthy, and full of energy.
The experience of mindfulness does not stop at climbing the mountain but permeates the entire journey of practice:
- At temples that had “slept” for decades, the fragrance of incense and the sound of chanting returned when the walking meditation group appeared, awakening the seed of the Dharma in the hearts of the people.
- In Buddhist academies in Beijing, Hangzhou, Fujian, and Nan Putuo, the Dharma talks were brief, combined with walking meditation, sitting meditation, and tea meditation, helping monks and nuns recognize and nourish joy in each breath.
- At a Sleeping Buddha temple, three sticks of incense were lit after forty years of silence, symbolizing the revival of mindfulness and spiritual life.
Every action—walking, standing, sitting, breathing—can become a meditation practice that brings deep peace. When breathing in, smile and say “I have arrived”; when breathing out, say “I am home.” The practitioner returns to the present moment, connecting with mother, Buddha, and loved ones who have passed away. Happiness is not in the destination, but in each gentle step, each steady breath, each moment of “Here I am” amidst the wonders of life.