Chapter 23 Disciple Enlightenment

The annual Lingyin Temple Dharma Conference is considered a grand event in Buddhism.

This tradition has to start with Master Tripitaka.

It is said that Master Tripitaka participated in a water and land Dharma assembly in Chang'an before studying for Buddhist scriptures. At the Dharma assembly, Master Tripitaka debated scriptures with monks all over the world, leaving all the great sages speechless.

The profoundness of his Buddhist teachings and the piety of his beliefs are admired by everyone.

Because of this, Master Tripitaka was enlightened by the Bodhisattva and became a sutra seeker. After experiencing ninety-nine and eighty-one hardships, Master Tripitaka obtained Mahayana Buddhism from the West. With this merit, he became the Sandalwood Buddha.

From then on, Buddhism flourished.

Similar Dharma conferences are held one after another. Dharma conferences with various themes are held in every big city every month. More and more people are talking about Buddhism and Taoism in the world, and even officials need to understand Buddhism.

However, Mahayana Buddhism failed to make the Tang Dynasty last forever, and instead reached a situation where ordinary people could not afford to eat.

Then, wars broke out everywhere, and rebel kings were everywhere in the world.

In the end, the Chai family conquered the world, and Chai Xi became the founding emperor of the Zhou Dynasty.

At the moment when Chang'an City was breached, the last Emperor of the Tang Dynasty asked the people around him: "Who has been saved by this Mahayana Buddhism?"

No one could answer the question, and the emperor's head was soon hung in front of his favorite Buddha statue.

Chai Xijie, the King of Xin, was well aware of the dangers of Buddhism. After he secured the throne, he began to suppress Buddhism and Taoism, almost extinguishing the inheritance of these two religions.

At this time, Qiansu Zhenren went to Chang'an alone to face the Holy Spirit, and finally convinced King Xin to give up his extreme ideas, and became the imperial advisor of the dynasty.

Although Master Qiansu was a Taoist priest, he did not suppress Buddhism, but treated everyone equally, which made all Buddhist disciples in the world grateful.

Now that King Xin has been in power for decades, Buddhism has slowly recovered its prosperity. Although it does not have the momentum of having all the believers in the world, the Dharma Conference in Hangzhou City is still a grand event.

In order to hold this Dharma discussion conference, the monks of Lingyin Temple have begun preparations months in advance. On the huge West Lake, a floating platform is built to build a high tower, flags and streamers are erected and a red carpet is laid out, which must be displayed in front of Buddhist disciples all over the world.

The magnanimity of Lingyin Temple.

On the shore, Zen Master Daoji, the abbot of Lingyin Temple, and several junior disciples are supervising the construction of this floating platform. For such a major event, you must watch it in person to feel at ease.

At this time, a handsome monk came to the shore, it was Shenxiu who had just been severely slapped in the face by Dao Ran.

At this time, Shenxiu no longer had the arrogance he had when he accused Daoran before. Instead, his brows were deeply knotted, and he seemed to be in endless distress.

Seeing Shenxiu's expression, an old monk asked with concern: "Senior nephew Shenxiu, what are you doing?"

Shenxiu raised his head and said: "Uncle Daoling, this disciple is confused and wants to ask his teacher."

The abbot of Lingyin Temple heard Shenxiu's words and asked slowly: "What doubts do you have? Can't you find the answer in the Buddhist scriptures?"

Shenxiu clasped his hands together and said: "Amitabha, I have disappointed my master. But this matter really makes it difficult for me to let go. Today, I met a young monk in Sanzang Tower..."

Shenxiu told everyone exactly what happened when he met Daoran, and then said with emotion: "This monk Daoran is younger than me. He was insulted by me twice, but he just treated me like a breeze. At such a young age, he is not surprised by flattery and humiliation.

This kind of character really puts disciples to shame.

"The final poem is easy to understand yet so lifelike that it makes people feel like they are seeing it with their own eyes. To be able to write such a poem, you must have a good understanding of farming and be full of compassion for the people. Only then can you create it.

"As a disciple who has become a monk since childhood, I ask myself that I have memorized the Buddhist scriptures backwards and forwards, but I can't even compare with a young monk. Is it true that all these ten years of hard work have been in vain?"

After listening to Shenxiu's question, the abbot of Lingyin Temple was silent for a moment, pointed at the West Lake, and said to Shenxiu: "Look carefully."

On the lake, the monks and hired workers were still busy, building the floating platform non-stop.

Shenxiu looked at it for a moment, then said with enlightenment: "Master, you are trying to tell me that since you know that your practice is not as good as that of others, you should work harder to catch up. Just like the venue for the Dharma Conference in front of you, as long as you build some every day, you will eventually be able to catch up.

It can be built one day."

The abbot of Lingyin Temple's eyelids twitched slightly, and he nodded and said: "Yes, you are my most enlightened disciple. You must not be depressed and disturbed by inner demons."

Shenxiu said quickly: "Disciple understands, thank you Master for clarifying my confusion."

As if he had truly realized something, the sadness on Shenxiu's face disappeared and became complacent.

"Be well prepared. Master, I hope you can come back with a good reputation from the Dharma Conference." the abbot of Lingyin Temple said.

Shenxiu said quickly: "This disciple will definitely work hard, and I also want to meet that monk Daoran again at the Dharma discussion conference."

Seeing that the most outstanding disciple of Lingyin Temple had finally regained his confidence, the monks were all happy. They encouraged him a few words and asked him to return to Lingyin Temple to practice quietly and wait for the ceremony to begin.

A disciple who was troubled by his inner demons received guidance from his master and suddenly became enlightened. This is a good thing worthy of praise.

However, just after Shenxiu left, the abbot of Lingyin Temple, who had originally returned the treasure solemnly, suddenly changed his expression and said to the other monks like a pleading.

"Buddhas, please forgive me. I really can't pretend any longer. I don't want the money. Why don't you?"

Monk Daoling next to him heard this and shouted in a low voice: "Shut up, what kind of place do you think this is? Straighten your back!"

The abbot of Lingyin Temple, who had been scolded, put away the sadness on his face and continued to maintain the posture of a great monk, but still said in a low voice: "Buddhas, I really can't pretend anymore. This is the third time.

You can’t just let me point your fingers at the sky and fool you every time, right?”

Several monks in Lingyin Temple also looked ugly, it was too thrilling just now.

Except for a few Taoist monks in front of me, no one in Lingyin Temple, or even people in the entire city of Hangzhou knew that the abbot of Lingyin Temple was actually a fake.

The real Zen Master Daoji passed away five years ago.
Chapter completed!