Masterful appearance

After Chu Tianci chatted with Professor Jiang, the monk next to him also finished the preparations for the ceremony. The old abbot stood aside and shouted solemnly.

"Holy relic please!"

The two monks walked up to Chu Tianci respectfully, and raised their extremely devout hands above their heads. Chu Tianci hurriedly handed over the wooden box in his hand, for fear that if this thing accidentally fell into his hands, he might not be able to leave today. out.

The wooden box has been placed on the velvet cloth of the incense table. After offering incense to the Buddha statue in the main hall, the old abbot walked to the front of the incense table, stood upright and put his palms together. Adjust your clothes, face west, respectfully put your palms together.

"This is five-body projection!" Qiu Nuo explained in a low voice. "Immediately after landing on the ground, I will immediately stand up again with the support of my palms. I should not lie down and rest for a while. This means that I must be freed from the sea of ​​suffering quickly."

"This is the highest etiquette in Buddhism." Professor Jiang nodded and said.

The more solemn the ceremony and the higher the etiquette, the more curious Chu Tianci was. Now he wanted to know what was in this humble wooden box, which could make all the monks in the temple go crazy.

The old abbot stood up from the ground after paying his respects, walked to the incense table, and saw that the wooden box on it had not been moved for a long time. Chu Tianci was even more excited than himself when he saw his face, and his eyes were full of anticipation.

The old abbot carefully opened the wooden box, Chu Tianci tilted his head and saw him take out another box from the wooden box.

The material of the box should be silver, the surface is gilded, square, the box body and the box cover are connected by hinges, the front lock key, the top cover can be opened and closed, and the cover is chiseled with two flying dragons, with teeth and claws, lifelike.

Surrounded by tangled flowers, there is a flame bead between the flying dragons, and the pattern of double lions playing with beads is chiseled on each side of the oblique temple. The background is lined with curly grass, and the side rails of the facade are decorated with two broad-tailed Kalavinka birds, both of which have bald heads. , one is clasping hands together, and the other is holding lotus with both hands.

The four sides of the box are chiseled with four statues of heavenly kings. On the front is King Bishamon, holding a tower in his left hand and holding a sword in his right.

On the left is King Pilu Leyi, holding a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand.

In the back is King Pilou Boyi, holding a sword in his left hand.

On the right is the Heavenly King Lai Zha Titou holding a sword in both hands.

The four heavenly kings are lifelike in appearance, holding bows and arrows, each with a god general and many Yakshas standing there. They are extremely majestic, making people respectful and gazing, as if tempting people to follow the portraits on the box wall to gallop through the three realms and travel to the nine heavens.

Chu Tianci was a little surprised when he looked at the silver box. There was a box inside the wooden box, which surprised Chu Tianci, but looking at the engraved portraits of the four heavenly kings, Chu Tianci was even more puzzled.

The Four Heavenly Kings were originally gods and generals in ancient Indian mythology. Its appearance was earlier than the formation of Buddhism. Buddhism regarded it as its own Dharma-protecting heavenly king to protect the world.After Buddhism was introduced to China, there were many Temples of Heavenly Kings in Buddhist temples, which later became known as the Four King Kongs.

"This utensil doesn't look like a piece of Chinese Buddhism, and the craftsmanship is also intriguing. At least there is no such utensil in Buddhist cultural relics in China." Professor Jiang also said in amazement.

"Heavenly kings are also called divine kings. According to the Buddhist scriptures, they are generals outside the heavens of Di Shi, each protecting the world, so they are called the four heavenly kings who protect the world." Qiu Nuo frowned slightly and said in a puzzled way. "Although it doesn't look like a piece of Buddhism in China, the clothes of the king of heaven on the silver box, wearing a crown, wearing a bright armor, and wearing felt boots, seem to be decorated by a general of the Tang Dynasty. This utensil should be a cultural relic of the Tang Dynasty. .”

The old abbot put the treasure box of the Four Heavenly Kings aside, carefully opened the chain lock on the front, and unexpectedly took out another box from the treasure box, which was just big enough to fit in the treasure box of the Four Heavenly Kings.

It is also a silver box, but the whole body is plain and clean without any engraving or drawing, and it is sealed with a crimson yellow ribbon, and the cover is hinged at the back. The big heavenly king silver box is gorgeous and eye-catching, but it is elegant and heavy, giving it an otherworldly feeling.

"Crimson yellow silk belt?!" Professor Jiang whispered in great confusion. "This is the special sealing lacquer used by the royal family in the Tang Dynasty. How could it be used on this silver box? Could it be something from the royal family?"

Yue Qianling suddenly covered her mouth and smiled, and said in Chu Tianci's ear.

"Actually, I've seen something like this abroad."

"Have you seen it?! What is it?" Chu Tianci asked eagerly.

"Matryoshka, a national characteristic craft of the Soviet Union, is a doll inside a doll, one smaller than the other. Hehe, do you think this box is the same as a doll?"

Chu Tianci gave her an angry look.

"Don't mess around, and don't look at any occasion."

Although Yue Qianling joked heartlessly, in fact, Chu Tianci found out that the old abbot really took out another box from the box sealed by the crimson yellow silk!

If we start counting from the first wooden box, the old abbot's suggestion is that the fourth box should be put on the incense case, just like what Yue Qianling said, one set of another.

The box is still made of silver, the whole body is chiseled with patterns and painted with gold. There is Tathagata on the front, surrounded by two Bodhisattvas, four disciples, two Vajra warriors, and two worship boys. The creeper pattern, or engraved with the image of Vajrasamari Buddha, has a lifelike and delicate shape, rich and vivid scenes, many characters, and exquisite workmanship.

A treasure wheel is chiseled in the center of the cover, and on each of the lotus flowers on the four sides of the treasure wheel is a Kalingpinga bird, or hands folded together, or hands holding a lotus; a three-cobalt vajra bell stands at each of the four corners, and the surrounding is lined with curly grass. Two phoenix birds are chiseled on each of the oblique brakes, and two flying birds are decorated on each standing edge.

Professor Jiang murmured in amazement.

"The treasure wheel means that the Buddha's wheel is round and full. It is also the first turning of the Buddha's eight phases. That is, he started to speak to the five monks who had practiced together in the deer garden. The four sides of this box are carved with esoteric statues. Its academic value It is far more than the artistic value, today is an eye-opener, each box has its own characteristics, and this is the first time I have discovered it in Buddhist culture, and they are all masterpieces."

The sixth box was taken out. It was completely different from the previous ones. It was made of pure gold. The lid was carved with double phoenixes and lotus pods. On the side of the lid were four auspicious birds chasing around the center. On the front was a picture of Avalokitesvara with six arms. , on the left is the picture of the pharmacist Tathagata, on the right is the picture of Amitabha Buddha, on the back is the picture of the Great Sun Tathagata, the outer wall is chiseled with portraits of Tathagata and Avalokitesvara, decorated with double phoenixes, with vine patterns, engraved with the picture of Vajrasandra Buddha, and the shape Realistic and detailed.

"This is endless, it's the sixth one, how many boxes are there?" Yue Qianling whispered beside her.

"It's getting more and more expensive. I really don't know what's on the innermost layer." Qiu Nuo said curiously.

From the pure gold box, what the old abbot held in his trembling hands made everyone present hold their breath. Perhaps no one would have thought that what was placed in the old abbot's hands would be a crystal coffin.

This outer coffin is made of crystal, which is a cleverly designed and finely crafted crystal boutique.

The coffin cover is inlaid with one yellow and one sapphire, which are huge and dazzling.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and flower vases are carved on the outer coffin cover, and sitting statues of Manjusri Bodhisattva, lotuses, flowers and birds are carved on all sides of the inner coffin.

"This is the first time such a small crystal coffin has been discovered in archaeology. There is a crystal coffin in six boxes. This is really interesting. I don't know what can be contained in such a small coffin."

After Yue Qianling finished speaking in a low voice, she found that Chu Tianci was standing beside him motionless, as if thinking of something, with an inexplicably nervous expression.

The majestic Dharma name resounded throughout the temple again, and the old abbot bowed down again. All the monks in the temple seemed to be waiting for the moment when the crystal coffin was opened.

The old abbot opened the crystal coffin piously, and what was invited out was still a smaller coffin.

It's just a white jade coffin.

White jade coffin

The coffin body is small, its shape is very similar to the wooden coffins that are still in use today, and the whole body is carved with white jade.

The entire jade coffin is placed on the coffin bed, and the small jade coffin is milky white with a light blue color. The jade is delicate and soft, with sharp edges and corners, and the craftsmanship is very delicate.

Through the white jade coffin, Chu Tianci vaguely saw a crystal-like thing the size of a thumb lying quietly inside it, suddenly Chu Tianci's mouth slowly opened wide, Yue Qianling looked at Chu Tianci with a scary expression, Just about to ask.

Chu Tianci bent his knees and knelt on the ground. He might believe what he said, but it was more difficult for Chu Tianci to kneel willingly than to kill him. Not only Chu Tianci, but also Qiu Nuo behind him were all respectful. knelt down.

Yue Qianling turned her head to look at the white jade coffin, and the old abbot who saw the incense case kept shaking her hands and shouted.

"Ming Yuan, a disciple of the Great Mercy Temple, led all the disciples in the temple to kneel down to welcome the relic of the Buddha's real body!"

Master Mingyuan's energetic voice accompanied the majestic dharma name reverberating in Daci'en Temple for a long time. The monk kneeling below the square recited the Buddha's name. The scene was extremely grand and solemn.

The tourists inside heard that they were lucky enough to witness the relic of the Lord Buddha’s real body appearing in the world. It is a great honor for Buddhist believers. You must know that the real relic of the Lord Buddha is a sacred object in Buddhism, and it is supreme in the minds of Buddhist disciples. To see the relics is like seeing the real body of the Lord Buddha. This is a blessing that may not be achieved in several lifetimes.

Almost all the tourists in the temple bowed down.

Chu Tianci secretly pulled Yue Qianling's trousers and whispered.

"The Lord Buddha is in front of you. Why are you standing still? Kneel down. I am an emperor who is destined to kneel. Why are you still standing there?"

Yue Qianling and Gu Anqi looked at each other in dismay, and quickly knelt down. Professor Jiang kept clutching his chest. The elderly are not in good health, and this excitement almost caused a heart attack.

"Take it easy, don't get excited, it's dangerous if you have a heart attack." Yue Qianling said with concern.

"After working in archaeology all my life, I didn't expect to see the Buddha's real relic in my lifetime. Even if I have a heart attack, it's worth it."

Chu Tianci knelt on the ground and finally understood what Qiu Nuo's mother said, that this thing should be handed over to the Da Ci'en Temple to take care of it, and any wishes can be fulfilled.

However, Chu Tianci is now more interested in Qiu Nuo's mother than in the underground palace. Thinking of the regret and regret on Jing Wan's face when she left, Chu Tianci realized how heavy this wooden box is. What kind of person would enshrine the Buddha? The Lord's real body is relic, and it will be given to himself.

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