At the end of the Sui Dynasty

Ba County is a mountain city, and there are mountains in the city. The Hongfa Temple is located on the mountain. There are [-] stone steps in front of the temple gate. The incense is usually very prosperous. There is an endless stream of faithful men and women who come to offer incense and worship Buddha. Recently, the autumn rains have been continuous, and the river has risen, even to the foot of the city wall. Therefore, there are many fewer people who come to Hongfa Temple to offer incense, and it looks very deserted.

The autumn rain is still falling endlessly, and the little novice who is in charge of guarding the mountain gate is leaning against the gate, drowsy. Because he deserted during the evening class last night, he was caught by the elders of the Discipline Hall, and he copied the "Nanhua Sutra" in the early morning. It was only after that that he was able to sleep, and this morning he had to visit the gate of the temple again, and he was so sleepy that he yawned. Fortunately, it was raining all the time, and there were no pilgrims, so he was able to fish for a while.

Just as the little novice was snoring softly, a luxurious carriage came down the stone steps in front of the temple, and there were more than ten servants and servants accompanying him, obviously not ordinary people.

At this time, a luxuriously dressed middle-aged woman came down from the carriage. She was in her early thirties and still had a charming charm. It was Dugu, the wife of the prefect.The servants held up umbrellas and carefully helped Dugu get out of the carriage. A strong servant woman squatted down skillfully and planned to carry Dugu up the stone steps, but the latter waved his hands and said, "No need, I will walk by myself." Bar."

A hint of surprise flashed in the maidservant's eyes, because Madam usually went to Hongfa Temple to burn incense and she was responsible for carrying it on her back. It was raining today, but Madam wanted to go up by herself. It was abnormal, but she didn't dare to ask more questions, and she was also happy to relax. So he quickly stepped aside.

Dugu walked to the bottom of the stone steps, looked up at the long stairs, and couldn't help but feel a little trembling. She, who lives in a caring place all day long, usually goes in and out by carriage or chariot, how long did she walk so long? The stone steps are so high, not to mention that it is still raining in autumn, and the ground is wet and slippery.

The healthy woman flattered her face and said: "Madam, why don't you let the maid carry you up."

Dugu gritted his teeth secretly, shook his head, and refused: "No need, sincerity is needed to worship the Buddha, I'll go up step by step by myself."

It took nearly half an hour for Dugu to walk up the [-] steps. She herself was so tired that her waist was sore and her legs ached, and all the servants were so tired that they were sweating profusely, and they were worried, because Dugu fell three times during the period. The maidservant with sharp eyes quickly supported her, otherwise the Dugu family would definitely fall to the ground.

Besides, when Dugu's group came to the gate of the temple, the little novice was still leaning against the gate and fell asleep, with a long stream of saliva hanging from the corner of his mouth, almost dripping to the ground.

The housekeeper who opened the way in front couldn't help frowning when he saw this, and was about to step forward to scold him, but Dugu quickly stopped him and said: "This little monk was probably punished by his master last night, he didn't sleep well, it's poor, don't wake him up , let's go in quietly."

The butler laughed dryly and said, "Okay, Madam, you have a bodhisattva heart, otherwise this little monk will be punished."

Dugu smiled and said: "Don't talk about it, it's serious to go in quickly."

The housekeeper hurriedly entered the door, and a great monk in the Daxiong Palace was sitting in front of the merit box and fiddling with bamboo sticks. He got up, hurriedly went forward and said: "Amituofo, the wife of the prefect is here, I am not far away to welcome you, this wretch of enlightenment must have been dodging again."  …

The housekeeper said with a fake smile: "Not at all, the enlightened little monk only went with Zhou Gongqingtian."

The great monk said embarrassingly: "Amituofo, it's a sin, and the poor monk neglected to teach, which made everyone laugh."

Dugu smiled and said: "It's okay, master Jueyuan must not punish him, after all he is still young, it's normal for him to sleep a little bit."

The great monk Jueyuan sang the Buddha's name again, and diligently prepared incense candles for Dugu Shi to use. The latter finished offering incense piously and donated a considerable sum of money for sesame oil.

Monk Jue Yuan became more enthusiastic and humble, and asked: "It's raining now, madam, why don't you rest in the monastery for a while and have some fast food before going back home?"

Dugu nodded and said: "Alright, by the way, is the abbot Chan Master here? I have something to ask the abbot for advice."

Monk Jueyuan apologized after hearing the words: "Although the abbot is in the temple, he is accompanying guests, so I'm afraid he won't be able to find time to come."

Dugu's heart was slightly displeased when he heard the words, the housekeeper snorted coldly: "Where is the big man, is he more noble than the prefect's wife."

The great monk Jueyuan accompanied him carefully and said: "It's not a big man, just a fellow Buddhist, but the other party came from a long way, how can the abbot wait too long, he is discussing Buddhism with the other party."

When Dugu heard the words, he let out a little surprise and said, "Which Buddhist eminent monk is here?"

The abbot of Hongfa Temple, Zen Master Huizhi, is a well-known eminent monk in Bashu. Since the other party is qualified to discuss Buddhism with Zen Master Huizhi, his status is obviously not simple.

Monk Jueyuan smiled and said, "This person is not a monk."

Dugu was even more surprised, and asked, "Could it be some nun?"

"It's not a nun either, but this person is a lay disciple of Master Huijing. His surname is Bai and his name is Yunshang. He is known as Layman Yunshang."

Dugu was overjoyed when he heard the words, and blurted out: "It turns out that she is a high-ranking student of Huijing nun. I wonder if the poor woman is destined to meet her?"

The great monk Jueyuan was hesitating, but Dugu had already coughed lightly and said, "Housekeeper, donate another 50 taels of silver merit to rebuild the golden Buddha for the Buddha."

Monk Jueyuan's eyes lit up, he clasped his hands together and said: "Amitabha, you are so kind, the prefect's wife has immeasurably meritorious deeds, so this poor monk will report to the abbot."

Dugu said together: "Master Lao."

The great monk Jueyuan left the main hall in a hurry and came to the abbot's room, where he saw two people sitting cross-legged on the futon. One of them was the abbot of Hongfa Temple, Zen Master Huizhi. The cassock looks pretty good.

On the other side of the futon was a woman sitting cross-legged, dressed in white over snow, her face was like a bright moon, her eyes were full of compassion, and there was a slight smile on her lips. She was obviously breathtakingly beautiful, but she looked like Guanyin Bodhisattva sitting on a cloud and looking down on all living beings. Unattainable, kind and inaccessible.

This person is none other than Bai Yunshang!
Abbot Huizhi Zen Master and Bai Yunshang were discussing Buddhist scriptures, but Jueyuan didn't dare to interrupt, but just stood there quietly and listened until the discussion between the two came to an end, then he said: "Master, Mrs. Taishou, please see me."

Zen Master Huizhi frowned and said, "Didn't I tell you not to see any outsiders today?"

Monk Jueyuan faltered and said: "My apprentice slipped his tongue for a while, the prefect's wife also wants to see Junior Sister Yunshang."...

Zen Master Huizhi sighed and said: "Jueyuan, as a teacher, I always teach you that all beings are equal. Where is the prefect's wife? Anyone who enters the temple to worship the Buddha is a believer who has taken refuge in my Buddha and should be called a benefactor."

Jueyuan hurriedly said, "The disciple got a picture, but this benefactor donated 60 taels of silver merit."

Zen Master Huizhi coughed lightly and said, "Nephew Yunshang, Madam Taishou sincerely believes in Buddhism, do you want to meet?"

Bai Yunshang smiled and said: "Yunshang once made a great wish to promote Buddhism and save all sentient beings. It's a rare fate, so let's see each other."

Zen Master Huizhi nodded and said, "Since that's the case, disciple, please invite Mrs. Taishou here."

Jueyuan hurriedly turned around and walked out, and brought Dugu Shi over in about a cup of tea. When the latter saw Bai Yunshang, he was stunned immediately, and the maidservant behind her was so shocked that he knelt down on the ground, saying: Guanyin!
"Amituofo, has the believer seen Goddess Guanyin?" Dugu shivered a little with excitement, bent his knees and wanted to bow down.

With a flick of Bai Yunshang's sleeves, Dugu's knees were hit, and the latter suddenly felt a gentle force lifting him up, and couldn't help being even more surprised.

"Amitabha, it's a sin. Yunshang is not Guanyin Bodhisattva. It's inconvenient for Mrs. Xiao to be polite." Bai Yunshang smiled.

Bai Yunshang's cultivation level is similar to Gao Bufan's, but his use of inner strength is much more clever than Gao Bufan's. A pair of flowing clouds and flying sleeves are used like arms and fingers, and with a light flick, he lifted Lonely , it's no wonder that the other party feels miraculous.

The Dugu family bowed together, and said respectfully: "The believer has heard that Layman Yunshang is here, and she has the audacity to ask to see him. If Layman Yunshang is rude, I hope you won't be offended."

Bai Yunshang smiled slightly and said: "We are destined to meet each other. The autumn rain is continuous, but Mrs. Xiao just happened to come here. Isn't it because you and I are destined?"

Dugu was even more heartbroken when he heard the words, and only then remembered to greet the abbot, Zen Master Huizhi. The latter took a look at Dugu, clasped his palms together and said, "Mrs. Things?"

Dugu quickly nodded and said: "The believer woman is here to ask the Chan Master for guidance."

It has to be said that this old monk is really good at observing words and expressions, and probably knows a little bit of psychology, so he guessed Dugu's intentions all at once.

Bai Yunshang stood up when he heard the words, and said with a smile: "Master Abbot has a guest, so today's discussion on scriptures will end here, Yunshang will take my leave first."

Dugu quickly said: "Layman Yunshang doesn't need to avoid taboos, and believers just want to ask layman for advice."

Zen Master Huizhi smiled and nodded, and Bai Yunshang had to sit down again upon seeing this.Dugu also sat down on the futon, described the nightmare he had yesterday in detail, and then said worriedly: "I don't know whether the dream that the believer had yesterday is good or bad. Please also invite the abbot Zen Master and Yunshang Layman pointing."

Zen Master Huizhi glanced at Bai Yunshang whose face was as calm as an ancient well, and said loudly: "Nephew Yunshang, Master Huijing is the leader of Buddhism, and you are a disciple of Master Huijing, why don't you come here?" How about interpreting Madam Xiao's dream?"

Bai Yunshang smiled and said: "Brother Abbot, is this going to pay attention to Yunshang?"

Zen Master Huizhi smiled and said nothing, noncommittal.Bai Yunshang said quickly: "Okay, Yunshang will tell you her own opinion, Madam Xiao just listen to it, it's up to you whether you believe it or not."

Dugu clapped his palms together quickly and said, "I also ask Layman Yunshang to give me some pointers."