Kingdom of Heaven and Han

Chapter 249 Zen Master Fa Deng
Thirty miles southeast of Xiangyang, there is Lumen Mountain, not far from Hanyin Town.There is Lumen Temple on the mountain, which is the largest Buddhist resort nearby.

Lumen Mountain was formerly known as Suling Mountain.In the Jianwu period of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Guangwu and Xi Yu dreamed of a mountain god at the same time, which was convenient for building a temple on the mountain.There are two stone deer facing each other at the crossing, so it is called Lumen Temple, and the mountain is also renamed Lumen Mountain.So far no change.

Wang Xiao got off his horse and looked at the quiet mountain road, which had a cleansing flavor.Said: "Zeng Wending has a poem, 'Don't step on Suling Mountain, just pretend to go to Xiangyang'. Today when I arrived at Suling Mountain, I realized that what he said was true."

Chen Yuyi said: "Defense is not someone who likes to travel in mountains and rivers. I have been in Xiangyang for several years, and today is the first time to visit local scenic spots."

Wang Xiaolie smiled, did not speak, and led everyone up the mountain road together.

Lumen Temple is huge.Before the Jin people invaded south, they were known as closing the mountain gate on horseback.Now the world is in turmoil, and it has been destroyed by the Jin people, so it can't compare to what it used to be.However, walking on the mountain road, I still saw many surrounding believers, who were extremely devout.

After watching for a long time, Wang Xiao said: "Is the incense on this mountain so prosperous?"

Chen Yuyi said: "Today, April 28, is the birthday of the King of Medicine. People who live around come to the temple to offer incense."

Wang Xiaolie nodded.Unexpectedly, when I choose a day to climb the mountain at random, I will meet a temple fair.

The birthday of the King of Medicine is a folk belief, and there are different opinions.Some say it's Shennong, some say it's Fuxi, some say it's the Yellow Emperor, some say it's Bian Que, some say it's Hua Tuo, some say it's Sun Simiao, some even say it's Pichang Dawang, San Webster, Lu Dongbin, etc. one.Of course, there is also the Medicine King Bodhisattva who is said to be Buddhist.No matter how many people there are, the medicine kings are different in different places, and the medicine kings enshrined are also different.

When I arrived at the gate of the mountain, there were already intellectuals waiting there.Bowing and saluting, Wang Xiaolie and his party were invited to enter Lumen Temple.

Along the road is a large piece of pruning bamboo.The bamboo poles are straight, with a large area of ​​emerald green, and the breeze blows from time to time, and the rustling sound brings a little coolness.When I arrived at the gate of the temple, I saw two tall ginkgo trees standing on both sides, like two guards.

In the living room, tea was served.Zhike Heshi said: "The abbot feels a little unwell today, so he is resting in his own meditation room. If the officials have time, it is better to stay in the temple for a day. Lumen Temple is a scenic spot in Xiangyang, and you can take a tour around it."

Wang Xiaolie said: "I am in charge of several states, with millions of people and tens of thousands of troops. Where can I find free time? When I go up the mountain today, I have business to discuss with the abbot, so I can't stay long. Please tell the abbot, please, If your body is not in serious condition, just say a few words."

The Zhike monk looked troubled.After thinking about it, he folded his palms together and bid farewell to Wang Xiaolie.

Chen Yuyi said: "This is a pure Buddhist place, so why not take a few days' defense? The surrounding scenery is really good, and there are Meng Haoran and Pi Rixiu's secluded places, and there are many literati and poets visiting."

Wang Xiaolie said: "Shanghui, to be honest, I don't want to ask these people from outside the world for worldly affairs. If I really have free time, it's okay for me to go up the mountain to visit the scenery. Today, I came here for something, and Chan Master Faleng was not there. , I will naturally feel unhappy in my heart.”

Chen Yuyi said: "Zhan Master Faleng is an eminent monk who has attained the Tao. He usually does good deeds in the village and is loved by the people. Why did he not see you on purpose?"

Wang Xiaolie shook his head, but did not speak.

Not long after, the Zhike monk came back.Heshi said: "Officials, the abbot welcomes you in his Zen room."

Wang Xiaolie got up, and Chen Yuyi and his followers followed the Zhike monk.In the backyard, go to a gate.This door looks very ordinary, even a little mottled.On both sides of the door, there are a few jujube trees crooked.

The Zhike monk stood in front of the door and said: "The abbot waits for the officials inside, and the poor monk will not go in."

Wang Xiaolie said to Chen Yuyi: "Let's go in, and the followers are outside the door. After all, it is a pure place of Buddhism, so don't make noise."

After speaking, he stepped forward and opened two doors.

Inside is a small yard.Near the door, several flowering trees were planted.It seems to be planted casually, not particular, but cleaned very cleanly.There is a pool next to it, in which several lotus plants grow, with several flower buds on top.There are a few fish swimming around in the water, which seem to be caught from a nearby river, and they are not rare species.

After the pool, there is a small vegetable garden.Vegetables such as gourds and loofahs are planted, and the fences are covered.In the garden there are seasonal leafy vegetables and two rows of cucumbers.Next to the cucumber field is a small leek garden.A young novice monk stood by the bucket in the field, and an old monk watered it with a ladle.

No need to ask, that old monk must be Zen Master Faleng, the abbot of this temple.These Buddhist eminent monks each have their own unique temperament.Some people like Huayi Gaohui, some people like quiet meditation, they are all different.

Wang Xiaolie stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Wang Xiaolie, the envoy of Southwest Jingxi Road, is here to pay a visit to Zen Master."

Chan Master Faleng straightened his waist and put down the water ladle.Turning around and looking at Wang Xiaolie, he paused for a while, then sighed helplessly: "A few days ago, the Xiangyang Mansion invited me to preside over the Dharma meeting, but I asked for twenty ultimatums. , but I don’t want to make trouble with the officials. If I knew this, why would I be so greedy?”

Wang Xiaolie was taken aback for a moment, and asked, "Why did Zen Master say that?"

Faleng said: "The benefactor is a hero of the moment, few people can compare to him, he should be able to save the country and the people. However, it is not the blessing of Buddhism. When the benefactor is in Xiangyang, I only hope that the two will not meet each other and be safe. It's really not what I want to come here today!"

Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment.Turning around to Chen Yuyi, he said, "I can't understand what Chan Master said."

Chen Yuyi said: "This is a Buddhist Zen opportunity. It is not uncommon for the opportunity to not understand."

Wang Xiaolie lowered his head and thought for a while, then smiled and said, "I don't think it may be some kind of Buddhist Zen mechanism, but the Zen master has lived for decades and has become a mature man. Now I am in charge of the army stationed in Xiangyang, and a word can decide life or death. A few days ago, the Jin army was defeated again in Jingmen, no one in the world knew about it? Zen master flattered me with these words, without showing any trace."

Zen Master Faleng was indifferent, adjusted his monk's robe, and walked out of the small garden.He said to Wang Xiaohun: "The benefactor thinks too much, and he's overthinking. If the poor monk is greedy for wealth and honor in the world, he may not do what the benefactor said. It's just that the poor monk practices Zen, so it's naturally different. —— Please."

Seeing Zen Master Faleng, Wang Xiaolie had a strange feeling.I can't put it into words, I just feel a little different.

When we arrived at the abbot's room, the little novice served tea and stood beside him.

Zen Master Faleng said: "The officials made a new kind of loose tea in the Xinyang Army, and the number of people drinking it has gradually increased in the past two years. I drink this tea. It is the most simple, very suitable for the quietness of Zen, and I use it to entertain guests. Official Please have a taste."

Wang Xiaolie saw that the tea leaves in the cup were round and straight, the tea soup was light green in color, and smelled a faint fragrance.He laughed and said, "It's just a year or two, this tea is very different from when I made it at that time. In my eyes, it's good tea!"

After finishing speaking, he picked up the cup and took a few sips, only to feel the fragrance on his lips and teeth.

Chen Yuyi drank it and felt that it was different from the tea he usually drank.The taste is delicate and fragrant, which is a taste that I have never tasted before.It's just good, but I really can't tell what is good.For loose tea, even though Chen Yuyi drank a lot with Wang Xiaolie, he was still not used to it.

Zen Master Faleng said: "There are experts who make tea, and I have mountain spring water here, so it's naturally a different taste when brewed."

After drinking tea, we talked a few gossips.Wang Xiaolie said: "The reason why I came to Lumen Mountain today, the Chan Master must be aware of it."

"I know, I know." Chan Master Faleng nodded. "In order to do something, I did not agree to ask for twenty ultimatums from the Xiangyang government. I don't want all the ultimatums to be in the hands of officials. The officials don't want to issue ultimatums, so they came to find me."

Wang Xiaolie said: "Why don't I want to issue a degree certificate, does the Zen Master know?"

Zen Master Faleng looked at Wang Xiaolie, shook his head and said, "Why don't the officials want to post it? I'm afraid I may not be able to explain it clearly, so how would I know?"

Wang Xiaolie said with a smile: "The Zen master's words are interesting. If I don't understand, how can I withhold it? At this time, there is a shortage of money everywhere, and the degree can be exchanged for money. How can I not understand it?"

Chan Master Faleng raised his head, looked into Wang Xiaolie's eyes, and asked slowly, "Excuse me, why don't you want to issue a certificate?"

Wang Xiaolie was taken aback for a moment, turned his mind a few times, but didn't know what to say.Indeed, my intentional restriction of religion is the main reason.But why restrict religion?Telling others is because of previous life knowledge?It's not funny!Because of their attitude towards religion, they feel that it is unseemly to make money with a degree, which is the second reason for not issuing a degree.But why?When Chan Master Faleng asked, he suddenly felt that he couldn't explain clearly.

Seeing that Wang Xiaolie did not speak, Chan Master Faleng said indifferently: "Almsgiver, many things in the world are understood in the heart, but it is difficult to really say them out. It's not that you can't tell people, but it's hard to tell the truth. In this world , if it doesn’t make sense—”

Speaking of this, Zen Master Faleng shook his head.

Wang Xiaolie said with a smile: "If you can't tell a truth, you can still make people realize it. It's like a Zen machine."

Zen master Faleng picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.Putting down the teacup, he said slowly: "The benefactor has a fixed opinion on me and the Dharma, and his words are sarcasm. But I don't know that monks practice Buddhism, and these worldly honors and disgraces have long been worried, but the benefactor has nowhere to focus. It's just Today, the benefactor met me because of fate, so he should say something serious. The benefactor put all his energy into ridiculing the monk, but it made me feel that the conversation was boring."

Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment.Indeed, because of the influence of my previous life, I always feel that monks are not good monks, and the Dharma is not the real Dharma, so I inevitably have to ridicule the Dharma lamp.When Faleng said it, he felt boring.

But what else can I say?I don't know much about Buddhism, and I have no interest in it.Today, I just want to tell Chan Master Faleng his attitude.The Zen master is also a citizen of China, so he should also serve the country and not stay out of it.Who knows that when it comes to the present, they don't talk about a single serious matter, just talk about irrelevant things.

Looking at Zen Master Deng's attitude, it seems that he is not opposed to contributing to the country, but just trying to issue a few ultimatums himself.Could it be that I was thinking wrong?
(End of this chapter)