In the first year of the Shenrui era of Northern Wei (414 AD), 'he' was 30 years old. That summer, 'he' entered the initial stage of Enlightenment. The occurrence of Enlightenment was not instantaneous; rather, it was an imperceptible, gradual transformation over a period of time. By the time 'he' became aware of this change, Enlightenment had already happened.
'He' felt as if 'his' time had stopped. While everything outside continued rushing forward, 'he' had stopped. Suddenly, 'he' had no demands for this world, no desires or pursuits. All anxieties and fears about the future vanished. 'He' did not need money, possessions, houses, or land to feel at ease. 'He' needed nothing at all. 'He' felt 'he' understood everything, had everything, and it was all sufficient. 'He' was very much at peace.
'His' mind was like a mirror restored to its original state — still and unmoving, merely faithfully reflecting everything outside the mirror. Although the images in the mirror were ever-changing, the mirror itself had never moved from beginning to end. Thus, 'he' felt his time had stopped. In truth, the mirror had never moved. It's only when one is deluded that one becomes sentimentally attached of one's own accord, grimacing at the illusory images in the mirror and suffering the consequences oneself.
"I was originally a mani jewel capable of reflecting all phenomena of the cosmos, originally a pure lotus, originally endowed with all possibilities, originally just like this, never having changed." After Enlightenment, 'he' would often smile to himself happily, so much so that some Senior and Junior brothers wondered if 'he' had lost his mind or something.
Before and after Enlightenment, 'he' neither gained nor lost anything; it was merely like waking from a great dream. Daily life after Enlightenment didn't appear drastically different to outsiders, but 'his' inner self suddenly felt so light. 'His' mind ceased its constant striving and chasing outward. No more afflictions, burning anxieties, unease, fears, or pressures tormented 'him'. 'He' felt 'he' could bid farewell to this dusty world at any time, with nothing to cling to. The only reason that could keep 'him' remaining in this dusty world was solely 'she'.'His' Enlightenment was recognized by the Master. However, the Master told 'him' that this was only the initial stage of Enlightenment and that 'he' should not be in a hurry to leave the dusty world — 'he' still needed refining.
At that time, utilizing powerful concentration and the supernormal power of prolonging physical presence in the world learned from the Master, 'he' manipulated something within the nuclei of 'his' body's cells. From then on, 'his' physique and appearance remained fixed at age 30. 'He' used this as a memento of Enlightenment. The Master scolded 'him' a few times for this, saying 'he' was being playful. But deep down, 'he' knew the Master loved to play even more than 'he' did; 'he' just didn't dare say it out loud.
Taking 'her' away from the vicissitudes of this turbid world, returning to the originally pure and peaceful realm, was the only remaining attachment that kept 'him' in this dusty world. All other actions in the world were merely in accordance with conditions. "Be as good as possible to all living beings. Do what you can." 'He' was not like 'his' Master, who loved both to play and to meddle in others' affairs. For those living beings who wished to continue playing in the dusty world, 'he' could neither stop them, control them, nor did 'he' want to meddle. That was indeed what 'he' thought at the time.