The Age of Rebirth: Struggle of the Eldest Daughter

Chapter 22 The Abbot of Lingshan Temple

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month in 1998, the Buddhist incense period.Su Manjin followed Zeng Meiyue out early in the morning.

When the mother and daughter arrived at Lingshan Temple by bicycle, the temple was filled with Sanskrit sounds and pilgrims.

Stepping on the blue brick steps in front of the temple, you can hear the deep sound of bells and chimes, everything is quiet and peaceful.

On the first and fifteenth day of each month, many Buddhist believers will go to the temple to pray.

Lingshan Ancient Temple is a Guanyin Temple.The temple was built on the ancient city wall.

This used to be the city wall that played an important role in fighting Japanese pirates along the southeast coast.After more than 600 years of wind and rain, the city wall has long been dilapidated.

The golden body of Avalokitesvara enshrined in the main hall of the temple is derived from the Avalokitesvara Temple in Nanhai, Putuo Mountain, Zhoushan, ZJ Province, protecting the water and soil.

Most of the people here are Avalokitesvara believers. They go to the temple to pray and burn incense, and they affectionately call "Avalokitesvara Mother".

Su Manjin was born prematurely and was very thin when she was born.

When Zeng Meiyue was confinement, her natal sister-in-law came to visit, and she was worried about her for a while: Can such a thin baby be raised well?
According to the local rural customs at that time, Zeng Meiyue went to Lingshan Temple after confinement, praying to Guanyin's mother to form a bond with her daughter, and protect Xiao Manjin to grow up healthy and safe.

Su Manjin has often accompanied her mother to the temple to offer incense since she can remember.

She likes the cleanliness and magnificence of the temple. Standing on the edge of the city wall of Lingshan Ancient Temple, the coastline in the distance comes into view, and the breath of nature blows her face, which makes her feel refreshed.

There is a simple long table next to the side door of the main hall of the temple, and a middle-aged monk is sitting behind the table.

He was dressed in a blue shirt and white stockings on his feet, tightly tied with a blue cloth belt, with a calm and peaceful demeanor.Is being unwrapped.

The mother and daughter held incense and worshiped the Buddha, and softly recited "Namo Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva" three times, respectfully and solemnly.

After paying homage to the Buddha, Zeng Meiyue asked the Bodhisattva for a lottery.Asked about everything from my husband's career change to the opening of a grocery store, and everything else.After tossing the cup and confirming, ask the person who solved the lottery.

"Master is auspicious!" After greeting Zeng Meiyue, she handed the serial numbered bamboo stick to the other party and explained what she was asking.

Su Manjin followed her mother and looked at the monk in front of her.It turns out that this is Wuchen, the abbot of Lingshan Temple.

"Amitabha!" Wu Chen clasped his hands together in greeting, "The affidavit requested by the almsgiver is auspicious."

"The creation of the heavens and the earth makes a good relationship. When the auspicious day is good, everything is complete. If you get this lottery, you will be loyal to the emperor." He read the sign softly, and patiently explained: "This hexagram is the image of the heaven and the earth at the beginning of Pangu. Everything is auspicious. .”

Zeng Meiyue was overjoyed at the moment, pulled Su Manjin and said, "Xiao Man, the Bodhisattva said that our family's business will be good!"

Wu Chen nodded with a smile: "According to the signed document, the timing is just right, it is the time to develop your career and start a business. Donors can do it with peace of mind."

Zeng Meiyue hurriedly clapped her hands together to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Master, for your guidance!" Then she respectfully put two 1-yuan banknotes into the merit box, and took the gold paper she brought from home to the gold furnace outside the main hall to burn gold .

Su Manjin didn't follow, she stood in front of Wuchen's table: "Master, can I ask the Bodhisattva by drawing lots?"

Wu Chen nodded again: "Little benefactor, if you have any doubts, you can explain it to the Bodhisattva, and if you get permission, you can draw lots."

Su Manjin briskly walked up to the Buddha, asked respectfully, and shook the stick immediately after getting permission, and a bamboo stick fell out after a while.

Passed both hands to Wuchen: "Master, I ask the Bodhisattva to give advice on whether everything in the future will be as expected when I return this time."

Wu Chen looked at the little girl in front of him with a slightly surprised look on his face. After a moment of trance, he replied: "The signature requested by the little benefactor has an allusion of Dou Yanshan's good deeds."

"Song Dynasty. Dou Yanshan was middle-aged and childless. One night in a dream. His father taught him to avoid evil and do good. Since then, Dou Yanshan has changed his past. Do what is convenient. And get five sons."

"There are records in the Three Character Classic: Dou Yanshan. There are righteous prescriptions. Teach the five sons. They are all famous."

"This hexagram is the sign of fortune. Everything is auspicious."

Su Manjin took the signed note from Wuchen, which read: "The towering pagoda is unusual, and its eight sides are so exquisite that it shines brightly; I advise you to make up your mind and pay homage diligently, and do good deeds to bring blessings to the heavens."

"Xie said: These blessings are for everyone to see, don't be too busy, the fortune is predetermined."

Due to the merits accumulated by past good deeds and the blessing of the gods, all the wishes can be fulfilled.

Su Manjin suddenly realized that it was so.

Wuchen clasped his palms together: "Amitabha! Little benefactor, I see your face, and I have a predestined relationship with my Buddha."

"Everything in the world has a cause and effect, and everything has its own destiny in the dark."

"The little benefactor has returned from calamities, as long as he is dedicated to goodness, everything will come true."

Su Manjin clasped his hands together, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"Excuse me, master, can you take refuge for me?"

In the previous life, I went through many difficult tests, and finally took refuge in this ancient Lingshan Temple.

It is a pity that at that time, Master Wuchen had already left the ancient Lingshan Temple and traveled far away to promote Buddhism.

Since we were destined to meet early in this life, we must seize the opportunity to establish contact with the master.

And even though I am young now, my wish to take refuge in the Three Jewels remains unchanged.It is nothing more than twenty years in advance.

I vaguely remember hearing people say later that Master Wuchen's path of cultivation was not easy.

He came here from a trip in Guangxi, but at the beginning he was unable to speak the language, and it was very difficult to promote Buddhism.After staying in southern Fujian for more than ten years, he persisted in his studies and gradually learned to communicate with the people in Hokkien.

He read and pondered the teachings, commented on scriptures, cultivated many outstanding disciples, and also developed many Buddhist believers, and won the support of the people in this land.

This is one of the big bosses in the future, Su Manjin thought, if he starts to accumulate from now on, he might be able to contribute a little bit to the master's career.

After Wu Chen heard Su Manjin's request, he didn't seem to be surprised at all. He responded with a smile: "Little benefactor, this is the collection of morning and evening lessons. I give it to you today. You can learn to recite the "Great Compassion Mantra" and "Prajna Paramita" first. "Heart Sutra", and then come to the temple to find poor monks. If you have any questions during the process, you can also record them first, and I will explain them to you later."

Su Manjin thought, he came with his mother today, and had to rush home to do business, and it was okay to come to the master to take refuge after a while.There is no rush at this moment.

She respectfully accepted the "Buddhist Morning and Evening Lesson Recitation Collection" handed over by Wuchen, and put her hands together in gratitude: "Thank you, Master!"

After Zeng Meiyue took Su Manjin to worship, she stopped by her mother's house.

She first went to the eldest brother Zeng Huashan's store to say hello, then passed by the fruit shop to buy some fruits, and then took Su Manjin to the second brother Zeng Huacheng's house.

Her second brother's family went out all the year round, and her father stayed in his hometown to help him manage the house when he was getting old.

Zeng Meiyue's mother died when she was 6 years old, and her father, Zeng Zhenxing, raised six children alone.

Zeng Meiyue is the youngest daughter in the family, and there are older brothers Zeng Huashan, older sister Zeng Qiongyue, second brother Zeng Huacheng, third brother Zeng Huahe, and younger brother Zeng Huaqiang.

Su Manjin heard from her mother that her grandfather's family was very poor when she was a child, but the whole family was ambitious. Take a look at the house where my grandfather's family lives now—a small five-story villa with two sets on the left and right.

　I had something to go back to my hometown two days ago, and I was delayed for two days, and I will make up for it one after another.Thank you for your support!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)