Asanga, the founder of Yogachara Buddhism, had a profound encounter with the bodhisattva Maitreya that had a great significance in his spiritual journey. This encounter not only changed Asanga's understanding of Buddhism, but also had a lasting impact on the development of Yogachara philosophy.

According to legend, Asanga had been studying and practicing Buddhism for many years, but he was still struggling to understand the concept of emptiness. He decided to retreat to a cave in the mountains to meditate and seek clarity. After many years of intense meditation, he still could not grasp the concept of emptiness.

One day, Asanga saw a wounded dog lying on the side of the road. Despite his repulsion towards the dog, he felt a strong sense of compassion and decided to help the animal. He carefully removed the worms from its wounds and cleaned them. However, as soon as he turned away, the dog disappeared. Asanga was confused and frustrated, thinking that he had failed to save the dog.

Suddenly, a bodhisattva appeared in front of him, revealing himself to be Maitreya, the future Buddha. Maitreya explained to Asanga that the dog was not an ordinary dog, but a manifestation of a being from the Pure Land. He then blessed Asanga with the ability to see the Pure Land and its inhabitants.

This encounter with Maitreya had a profound impact on Asanga. It showed him that even the most repulsive and insignificant beings have the potential to become enlightened. This realization helped Asanga to understand the concept of emptiness in a new light. He understood that emptiness is not a state of nothingness, but rather the potential for all beings to attain enlightenment.

Furthermore, Maitreya's teachings on the Pure Land and the existence of various realms and beings helped Asanga to develop the Yogachara philosophy. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of the mind and consciousness in understanding reality. It also teaches that all beings have the potential to attain enlightenment and that the ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach the Pure Land.

In conclusion, Asanga's encounter with Maitreya was a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey. It not only helped him to understand the concept of emptiness, but also influenced the development of Yogachara philosophy. This encounter serves as a reminder that even the smallest acts of compassion and kindness can have a profound impact on our spiritual growth and understanding of the world.