Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 280 Dharma Sound
Mrs. Yun is going to Fayin Temple to attend the Buddha Bathing Ceremony on the eighth day of April.

Zhao Wangshu arranged things in the house, and on the seventh day of the lunar month, he accompanied her to Fayin Temple.

Nearly a hundred temples in the capital take turns to hold Buddhist bathing rituals. This year it is Fayin Temple's turn.

The ancient trees in Fayin Temple are towering, the environment is quiet, the incense is prosperous, and the bells are melodious, giving people a sense of transcendental tranquility.

"Amitabha, Master, we are here to attend tomorrow's Dharma assembly." Mrs. Yun said to the monk Zhike.

The monk Zhike clasped his hands together, nodded slightly, and said in a friendly manner: "Donors, please come in. Our temple has prepared meditation rooms for all the benefactors."

Mrs. Yun and Zhao Wangshu followed him through the corridor and came to a secluded courtyard.

The wing room is elegant and clean. There are green bamboos swaying outside the window. The gentle breeze brings bursts of floral fragrance, which makes people feel comfortable.

"Mother, please rest for a while while I go for a walk around." Zhao Wangshu said to Mrs. Yun.

Mrs. Yun smiled and nodded, "Go ahead and don't go too far. It's time to have a fast meal later."

"I know." Zhao Wangshu responded, walked out of the wing, and started touring around Fayin Temple.

Fayin Temple has a long history and profound heritage. Zhao Wangshu went to the Tianwang Hall, also known as the King Kong Hall, where Maitreya Bodhisattva is enshrined.

The Bodhisattva has a bald head, smiling face, bare chest, sitting cross-legged, and holding a cloth bag in one hand, which means that he can put all the sufferings of the world into the cloth bag.

There is a couplet on both sides of the Buddha statue: A kind face smiles at the ridiculous people in the world, and a big belly can accommodate the unbearable things in the world.

The statue behind Maitreya Bodhisattva is Wei Tuo Bodhisattva, standing tall and erect, holding a precious pestle. It is said that Wei Tuo is the leader of the generals. He often patrols the three states in the east, south and west to protect Jialan and is a protector.

The four heavenly kings on both sides represent good weather and good weather, implying the harmony and balance of all things in the world.

Zhao Wangshu clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, may everything in the world find peace."

After leaving the Tianwang Hall, go to Yuantong Hall.

Yuantong Hall is the main hall of Fayin Temple and is equivalent to the main hall of other temples.

Guanyin Bodhisattva is also known as Yuantong. This temple enshrines thirty-two Bodhisattvas in different costumes and shapes, commonly known as the thirty-two bodies of Guanyin. Each one represents a different meaning and symbol.

In the incense burner in front of the Bodhisattva, smoke is lingering.

There are auxiliary halls on both sides of the main hall, the Manjusri Hall in the east, dedicated to Manjushri Bodhisattva. Manjushri Bodhisattva is a symbol of wisdom. He sits on the lotus platform, holding a sword and looking deeply.

The Samantabhadra Hall at the west end is dedicated to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Samantabhadra is a symbol of great aspirations. His kind and solemn eyes look far away, as if he is guiding the way for the world.

The cloisters on both sides are the Arhat Hall, which enshrines the eighteen Arhats with their own characteristics, different shapes, vivid and lifelike.

Zhao Wangshu offered incense to them one by one and said devoutly: "Amitabha, may the Buddha's light shine on the world, may all living beings be liberated."

She laid a circle of incense in several halls of Fayin Temple, then returned to the Zen room, "Mother."

Mrs. Yun sat by the window, holding a scripture in her hand and reciting it silently.

The sun shines in from the window and shines on her face, adding a bit of tranquility and solemnity to her.

"You went to offer incense?" Mrs. Yun's sharp eyes saw the ashes stained on her sleeves.

"Well, the Tianwang Hall and Yuantong Hall both offered incense." Zhao Wangshu picked up the pot and poured a cup of tea.

Mrs. Yun smiled slightly and said, "You must offer incense when entering the temple, so the Bodhisattva will not blame you."

"Since the Bodhisattva is compassionate, even if the world is disrespectful, he should not blame the world's talents." Zhao Wangshu said.

Mrs. Yun was startled, "Amitabha, Wang Shu, don't say such words. Although the Bodhisattva is compassionate, people still need to be pious and respectful to show their sincerity. Not respecting the incense is disrespecting the Bodhisattva. How can we expect the Bodhisattva to bring blessings to the world? Woolen cloth?"

Zhao Wangshu thought about her devotion to the Buddha that she had practiced in the nunnery for so many years, and he was afraid that she had already gone crazy.

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are no better than mother and daughter, so it is better not to contradict her. Zhao Wangshu lowered his eyebrows and made a respectful gesture, "What mother said is true, and daughter-in-law understands." The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted for a while about Buddhism, and then the little novice monk came and invited them. Go to the restaurant to have a vegetarian meal.

There will be a puja meeting tomorrow, and many pilgrims will come to the temple. The dining hall is crowded, but very quiet.

In this important place of Buddhism, no noise is allowed.

After sitting down at an empty table, the monk came up and asked, "Does the donor want rice or steamed buns?"

Mrs. Yun asked for a steamed bun, and Zhao Wangshu said, "Half a bowl of rice."

"There are three dishes today. Do you want all of them, or just one or two of them?" asked the monk.

Mrs. Yun replied: "Mushroom sauce."

Zhao Wangshu thought for a while, "Shredded tofu, fungus."

The monk nodded, "Wait a moment."

About a cup of tea later, the food and steamed buns were served.

Mrs. Yun took a small piece of steamed bun and put it in her mouth. She chewed it slowly and ate very gracefully.

Zhao Wangshu took a bite of the rice and ate it. The grains of the rice were quite rough, but the water was put in just right and the heat was just right. It tasted quite grainy and chewy, and there was a hint of sweetness when you taste it carefully.

After eating the vegetarian meal, the monk came forward to collect the bowls and chopsticks, and then asked: "Does the donor need more tea?"

Mrs. Yun smiled lightly and said, "Please bring me some tea."

"No, thank you." Zhao Wangshu said with his hands clasped together.

The monk added tea to Mrs. Yun's cup and went to ask other donors.

"The tea in the temple is Zen tea. Drinking more is beneficial." Mrs. Yun said.

"I'm used to taking a nap in the afternoon and drinking tea because I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep." Zhao Wangshu explained.

"Having a nap in the afternoon is also a way to maintain health." Mrs. Yun finished the tea and took Zhao Wangshu back to the meditation room.

Zhao Wangshu didn't sleep for long. He got up in half an hour and saw Mrs. Yun sitting in front of the window copying scriptures.

"Mother." Zhao Wangshu walked over and called softly.

Mrs. Yun looked up at him and smiled gently, "Get up."

"Well, what are you copying?" Zhao Wangshu sat down on the chair next to him, "I have never seen this scripture before."

"You are young and have not read a few scriptures." Mrs. Yun smiled, "This is the Dharani Sutra of the Buddha Sayings of Longevity, Destroying Sin, and Protecting All Boys."

"What is this scripture about?" Zhao Wangshu asked.

"This sutra, also known as the Longevity Sutra, is a sutra for the purpose of transcending the souls of aborted babies to Brahma." Mrs. Yun explained simply.

Zhao Wangshu was surprised, "Why did mother suddenly copy this scripture?"

Mrs. Yun sighed softly, "When I was wandering around the temple, I overheard a woman praying to the Buddha, hoping that the fetus in her belly would be born safely and grow up healthily. I heard the emotion in my heart and wanted to copy this sutra. Wen, pray for those innocent children.”

"Mom is so kind, my daughter-in-law should also copy it." Zhao Wangshu said.

Mrs. Yun smiled and nodded, "Good boy, Bodhisattva will bless you."

There are more than 8,000 words in "The Dharani Sutra of the Buddha Sayings of Longevity, Killing Crimes, and Protecting All Boys". Zhao Wangshu copied it until he was holding a lamp. He was only halfway through, put down the pen and rubbed his wrist.

"Wang Shu, let's take a break and copy again." Mrs. Yun said.

"Okay." Zhao Wangshu stretched and went out for a walk before returning to the meditation room and continuing to copy scriptures.