txolops 009. Guanyin Temple
009. Guanyin Temple
Warm sunlight swept away the morning mist and spilled into a magnificent courtyard.
The bronze bell emitted a deep, resonant sound, startling the birds that had landed on the palace rooftops.
Three or four monks, yawning, pushed open the corridor, put on their new hand-woven robes, and gathered in the hall.
"Was my senior brother not in the room last night?"
Two young monks, arm in arm, walked out from under the eaves and joined the crowd.
The stronger monk chuckled upon hearing this.
"Junior brother, you may not know this, but last night your senior brother sacrificed his physical body to save all sentient beings."
The thinner monk reached into his robes, pulled out a few copper coins, pressed them down with his robes, and stuffed them into the warrior monk's hand, chuckling softly.
"When you speak of 'the world,' are you referring to the widow Wang down the mountain, or the concubine of the wealthy man in Li Family Village?"
The monk accepted the copper coins without changing his expression, counted them in his sleeve, smacked his lips, and seemed dissatisfied.
The thin monk quickly slipped a few more coins from his sleeve and hurriedly stuffed them into the monk's hand, which finally eased the monk's expression.
Seeing his appearance, the skinny monk knew what was going on and chuckled:
"If you'd like to help others tonight, senior brother, please take me along. We might as well become brothers-in-law."
The monk nodded slightly, and the two then completed the transaction.
The temple was now open, and a commotion arose as the main gate was pushed open.
Dozens of devout men and women climbed the steps, walking step by step toward the great temple in Xiniuhezhou.
Most of these people came because of its reputation and were devoted to worshipping Buddha.
The monks, however, impatiently opened the door and blocked the believers:
"What's the rush? What's the crowd? Everyone, wait outside."
The monk's attitude would naturally provoke public outrage elsewhere.
But this is Xiniu Hezhou, and such arrogant monks are not uncommon, let alone monks from Guanyin Temple.
Seeing that everyone had quieted down, the monks of Guanyin Temple took out their wooden fish and began to chant.
Before long, an old man emerged from the crowd. He was dressed in silk robes and had a brocade belt around his waist. He strolled into the courtyard on his own.
Several burly servants following him took out silver and distributed it to the monks around them.
The monks had their eyes lowered, and only smiles on their faces.
"Is there any business happening outside Li's courtyard?"
The head of the hall stepped forward and smiled at the old man.
When the old man saw him approaching, he merely opened his eyes and smiled slightly.
"So it's Master Guangzhi. But where is the former abbot?"
Guangzhi immediately understood when he saw his expression.
As expected, a deal came in.
"The old master has just risen; please come with me, sir."
With that, Guangzhi led the old man deeper into the Guanyin Temple.
The two passed through layers of palaces and corridors.
Two rows of pines and bamboos, regardless of age or season, exude tranquility; a grove of cypresses, with their vibrant colors and graceful forms, stands proudly.
Again I see the tall bell and drum towers, and the majestic pagoda.
Indeed, it is a fine temple.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the old man had already reached the depths of the Guanyin Temple.
At that moment, an old monk stood in the courtyard, washing his face.
He wore a golden Vairocana hat with a jeweled cat's-eye stone top, a brocade robe with gleaming gold trim, a pair of monk's shoes adorned with eight auspicious symbols, and a staff inlaid with clouds and stars.
Even though she had only recently risen to prominence, she was already adorned with jewels and precious stones.
Two young boys in brocade robes followed behind the old monk, tidying his clothes.
Guangzhi stepped forward: "Your Excellency, I bow in greeting. I have brought Master Li with me."
"Old abbot, it's been a long time."
Master Li stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said...
The old courtyard's main theme was Zen sayings, with people constantly chanting "Amitabha."
"I suppose Li Tanyue has come here again to listen to sutras and worship Buddha?"
"The old abbot knows me well. Throughout my life, I have walked on thin ice, and I have the utmost respect for monks and love for Buddha."
Master Li laughed heartily, while Elder Jinchi lowered his head.
Elder Jinchi gestured towards the room: "Please."
"please."
Master Li made a show of himself and followed Elder Jinchi into the room.
Soon, a young boy brought tea and placed it on the jujube wood table between the two of them.
The old master remained silent, while Master Li picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, then grasped the old master's hand, his face filled with sorrow.
"Old abbot, I've been having a tough time lately."
Elder Jinchi was slightly taken aback, not expecting that Elder Li would pull such a stunt.
As the abbot of a temple, he didn't show his true feelings outwardly, but was puzzled:
"Master Li owns hundreds of acres of land, has more than a dozen beautiful wives and concubines, and eats and drinks only the finest delicacies. How can he say he is suffering?"
Faced with such questions, Master Li shook his head and smiled bitterly.
He paused for a moment, then sighed:
"As the old abbot also knows, my ancestors had a family heirloom that has been passed down through generations, and I have always treasured it."
This first sentence left the old director completely bewildered.
He knew very well what the situation was like in Master Li's household.
If you trace your family back three generations, you've been the bandit leader of Black Wind Mountain. Where would you find any family heirlooms?
The wealthy man Li, unaware of the old master's thoughts, continued speaking to himself:
"But a few days ago, someone passed by my house, and seeing how pitiful he was, I helped him out, giving him a full meal and a small house to stay in. Who would have thought... alas!"
At this point, Master Li shut his mouth, picked up his teacup, and said no more.
The old master tried to pull his hand away from Master Li's, but couldn't. He could only helplessly say:
"But what happened?"
Master Li sighed and added:
"Unexpectedly, this person stole my family heirloom pearl. I hope the old abbot will do his best to retrieve it for me. He will surely reward me handsomely."
Now that we've reached this point, let's get down to business.
The old abbot simply lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Perhaps sensing the old master's attitude and knowing he wasn't interested in the small reward he mentioned, Master Li immediately added:
"Old Abbot, I don't mind suffering a bit, but your Sanshanmen Wufu Temple has over two hundred monks, more than two hundred mouths to feed. Besides, that person was a monk, wearing a beautiful kasaya."
Beautiful robe?
These three words struck the old abbot's heart like a thunderbolt.
His quiet, devout demeanor, focused on vegetarianism and chanting Buddhist prayers, suddenly froze.
The Buddhist scriptures that had been silently recited stopped and transformed into new words:
"Master Li is joking. It's just a beautiful robe. This humble monk has hundreds of them. All the robes in the world are in my hands."
"That one thing is better than a thousand or ten thousand."
Upon hearing this, the old academy master's expression suddenly changed.
His previously cloudy gaze instantly sharpened, like a knife piercing straight into Master Li.
Master Li was startled and quickly stopped.
"I'm not making this up; I saw that robe with my own eyes."
"Where is this person?"
"It's right here in my house."
Upon hearing this, the old abbot immediately nodded and looked at Guangzhi beside him.
Guangzhi understood that gaze very well.
His already malevolent face gradually contorted into a狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) expression:
"Father-in-law, I'll call for help right away."
Soon, all the martial monks of the Guanyin Temple gathered in the courtyard, waiting for the old abbot to appear.
The old abbot, supported by two children, stepped forward, stood before all the martial monks, and spoke:
"I am 270 years old this year. It was with your help that I was able to establish this Guanyin Temple and bring blessings to the world. Now that the Li family is in trouble, how can we not lend a helping hand?"
Moreover, Li Tanyue promised a generous reward. If it's gold or silver, give it all to you all; my only wish is for this robe.”
"Indeed, indeed, we disciples of Guanyin Temple will certainly lend a helping hand."
The disciples nodded, all delighted.
The monks drew their swords and wielded their staffs, all armed and ready, awaiting the old abbot's command.
The old abbot glanced at everyone, and a chilling smile appeared on his bark-like face. His open mouth was full of empty holes, and a series of strange laughs squeezed out of his throat.
After laughing, the old abbot turned around, clasped his hands together facing west, and a layer of colorful mist draped over his golden robe, exuding a Zen-like aura.
"The Greatly Compassionate and Merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva of Mount Putuo in the South China Sea, who saves people from suffering and distress."
Immediately afterwards, the old owner of the courtyard pointed outside:
"The one who received the precepts was a wandering monk."
His name was Sun Qiong.