Chapter 147 A Young Monk in Huasheng Temple
At dawn, at Huasheng Temple.

Jianzang stood up and recited the Heart Sutra three times without eating any vegetarian meal. After he had cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and gained a Buddhist spirit, he went out.

As soon as he went out, a young monk came to greet him: "Master Jianzang, did you stay here last night?"

"Huasheng Temple is the main gate of Buddhism. It is very majestic and much better than my small temple where I became a monk." Jianzang did not say it directly, but only praised the Huasheng Temple for its grandeur.

The young monk thought that he was very satisfied and felt proud to hear the praise. He smiled and led the Zen master to have dinner.

The Huasheng Temple is really not small. Not to mention the large halls in the front, the main hall and the side halls, which are all fully built, there are more than 180 guest rooms in the backyard alone, all of which are used to receive distinguished pilgrims and wandering monks. This does not even include the places where the monks of the Huasheng Temple live.

The two of them came to the private room, and the young monk arranged for people to serve the meal. A total of more than ten orders were served. Although there was no big fish or meat, there were all kinds of delicacies. Various dishes were served on the table, which was dazzling, emitting steam and tempting aroma.

"This... I only need a cup of coarse tea and two bowls of rice. I don't need so much." Jian Zang said with some embarrassment.

The young monk smiled and said, "Master, please feel free to use it. If you can't use it all, I will distribute it to the tenants at the foot of the mountain. The farmers will be grateful to the Buddha, and it will also be a good deed for you, Master." Then he withdrew, leaving Jianzang alone.

Jian Zang sighed, picked up the two plates of vegetarian dishes in front of him and ordered two bowls of rice, without touching the rest.

He was originally a young monk in a run-down temple. He became a monk at a young age and had been observing the precepts since he was born. Because he was destined to fall into the river when he was born, he was drifting with the river. He was rescued by the abbot of the temple and given the nickname "Jiang Liu'er".

Because he grew up in a temple since he was a child, he is familiar with the scriptures, practices Buddhism, has excellent moral character, and because he is good at preaching, he has a great name in the Buddhist community, and everyone respects him as the Master. Now he is invited by Huasheng Temple to debate the essence of Buddhism, promote the truth of the scriptures, and hold a Buddhist scripture ceremony.

But Jianzang was a man of gentle temperament and did not like to show off. He enjoyed quietness and peace. When he entered the Huasheng Temple, there were many pilgrims coming and going, gold and silver piles in the merit boxes, and golden statues of Buddha in the main hall. But he only smelled the smell of money but heard no sound of chanting.

"Alas, the Sutra is the Sutra of Business, and the Dharma is the Dharma of Making Money, but I just can't get used to staying in this Huasheng Temple."

Jian Zang sighed, stood up and walked out of the house. In his heart, he was reluctant to go back, but there were so many great monks, devout men and women attending the Buddhist ceremony. The monks came to spread Buddhism, so how could he lose the big picture for a small one?

After leaving the gate, the young monk led Jianzang to the venue of the Dharma Assembly. There was a high platform for meditation. Jianzang wanted to climb up the platform to discuss the scriptures with the monks.

Many believers have gathered under the platform. There are benches in the inner circle and open space outside.

"Little nun, what are the benches around the altar for?" Jian Zang was a little puzzled.

The young monk smiled and said, "Master, you don't know. As the saying goes, the Dharma is not easily spread. If you want to listen to the true Dharma, you naturally have to be closer. The believers are pious, so they naturally line up far and near. The inner circle is full of pious people. They come to the temple to donate incense and money to rebuild the golden body of the Buddha. It is not good to ask people to stand and listen to the Dharma, so we put a circle of benches to relieve the pain of tiredness."

Jian Zang looked around and saw that even the inner circle was gradually seated. Everyone was dressed in gorgeous clothes and looked like a god. The people outside were ragged and unkempt. He couldn't help but sigh:
"I originally taught this Dharma for sentient beings, but now sentient beings cannot hear it, so I let the nobles hear it first."

As he said this, he laughed at himself: It seems that Huasheng Temple sold this sutra of mine for a good price. I just said that it was sold at a huge loss and I entrusted my work to the wrong person!
The novice monk looks at his nose with his eyes, looks at his mouth with his nose, looks at his heart with his mouth, and turns a deaf ear to everything.

After the Dharma Assembly, the people were excited, the monks were delighted, but Jianzang spoke until his mouth was dry and his heart was filled with resentment.

"My concentration is not good enough, which ruins my practice. What a sin! What a sin!"

Jianzang returned to his meditation room and found his mind was wavering, so he recited scriptures silently.

"What sutras are you studying, and what teachings are you preaching?"

A voice came, startling Jian Zang, who turned his head quickly to look. He saw a black lotus swaying behind him, emitting black light.

Although Jian Zang had no magical powers, he had seen many strange things and knew about the existence of immortals and Buddhas. In addition, he had a deep understanding of Buddhism and a steady mind. He called Hei Lian "Venerable":
"Venerable sir, what I am learning is the Dharma of guiding people to do good and the Sutra of saving people."

Hei Lian said, "Then why do I see that you sold the sutra for a good price? All you smell is the stench of money and money, and it sounds like people's hearts are no longer as they used to be. How can you be kind and help others? It seems that your sutra is not a serious one."

"Most people are confused and monks cannot control themselves. I preach the Dharma to analyze the true meaning and enlighten sentient beings. Money and copper smell, and people's hearts are mixed. It is sentient beings who are stupid. The fault is mine, not the scriptures." Jianzang was never angry.

The black lotus transformed into a person wearing a black robe and long hair: "Do you really think you are saving people?"

Jianzang chanted the Buddha's name and lowered his head without answering.

"It seems that you are also confused in your heart, and your prayers to Buddha are not firm!" the black-robed man deliberately provoked.

It involved his own Buddhist heart, and because Xuanzang was only in his twenties, he could not help but speak: "Although I am not proficient in Buddhism, I also have the desire to save people. The harsh criticism of the world is just one or two obstacles. If you cross it with one step, the world will be vast and the sky will be wide. I have never asked for the achievement of saving people. I just hope to walk on the road and save as many people as possible."

The black-robed man laughed loudly, "What a harsh world! If the world doesn't change, how can we prevent all living beings from sinking? If we don't find a way to save the world, relying on you to save them one by one is just like pretending to be merciful and covering one's ears and stealing the bell."

"Your words are wrong, Venerable. I am on my way to preach the Dharma. Even if I can only enlighten one or two people, my life will not be in vain." Jianzang said.

The man in black robe shook his head: "You still don't understand."

With a step, they were in another world. The two men walked side by side, and the man in black robe said, "Just look."

Below is the foot of Huasheng Temple, and a monk is passing by a house.

"Elder, Elder!" A middle-aged man with dark skin jumped out of the room.

The monk turned around and bowed: "So it's you, the donor Fang Youwei. I wonder why you called me to stop?"

Fang Youwei smiled and took out a package from his arms: "Elder Zhizhen, I went to the mountains a few years ago. Thanks to the Buddha, I dug out an old ginseng. I have a weak foundation and cannot use it. I happened to meet you, so I might as well offer it to you to replenish my qi and blood." As he said this, he coughed twice.

Zhizhen took the package and saw a whole old ginseng lying inside. He picked it up and smelled it, his eyes lit up: "Thank you, donor Fang, this ginseng is just right for you, but I really can't accept it." Then he changed the subject, "It should be offered to the Buddha. I just accepted it on behalf of the Buddha. I will offer it to the abbot, praise the Buddha, and recite scriptures for a long time, which can also ensure the safety of the donor's family."

"Yes, yes, I am not good at talking and as a farmer I don't have much knowledge. I should offer it to the Buddha. I hope Elder Zhizhen can pass it on to me." Fang Youwei rubbed his hands and thought.

Zhizhen also smiled and said, "Your merits are immeasurable." Seeing that Fang Youwei was still not leaving, he smiled in his heart, "I have already remembered your merits, so why are you standing still?"

Fang Youwei bent his back and said, "Elder, I've been ill lately and can't work in the fields. How much rent should I get this year..."

Zhizhen smiled and shook his head: "I see."

Then...

(End of this chapter)