Western Wilderness Continent

On the back mountain of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect, Wu Wang sat under a huge tree called the Worry-Free Tree, beneath which was a large platform.

Below the platform sat disciples of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect, as well as ordinary people who had come to listen to Wu Wang's sermon.

Wu Wang is telling everyone a story.

A clear and ethereal voice rang out, not loud, but every word was clear and distinct.

Tens of thousands of people sat below the stage, all sitting upright with devout expressions. Everyone tacitly kept quiet, their eyes fixed on Wuwang, who sat solemnly under the Ashoka tree.

Wu Wang: "In a mortal kingdom in a small world, the people there believe in Buddhism. Among them, there is a temple called Dafu Lingjiu Temple, which is the most prosperous and famous."

“Every year in March, the temple holds a temple fair, which offers a vegetarian feast without any restrictions. Monks and laypeople are treated equally, regardless of social status, gender, age, or wealth. Whether rich or poor, beggars or not, everyone is treated the same.”

“Any donor who goes to the temple on the day of ‘no-observation’ can have a full meal.”

"To promote the equality of Buddhism, without distinction between self and others."

“On ordinary days, if we encounter a benefactor in need, the temple will also give some vegetarian food to show that the Buddha saves people and is compassionate.”

"Therefore, this temple was highly respected by the people of the time."

“On this day of another year’s unobstructed fast, a poor woman came to the temple.”

"She was holding a baby in her arms, holding a toddler by the hand, and walking with an ordinary mongrel dog."

"The woman had nothing of value, her clothes were tattered, and she was all alone and helpless."

"The woman entered the temple with the long queue of worshippers, who donated gold and silver, among other valuable items."

The woman had no money, but she was too embarrassed to eat for free, so she cut off a few strands of her hair as an offering.

The woman looked up at the abbot and said devoutly, "I only have these hairs to offer to the Three Jewels; please do not refuse."

“The abbot had a kind face and nodded, signaling the monks who were collecting donations to accept the woman’s hair.”

Abbot: Where do you come from, benefactor?

Woman: "I come from where I came from."

"Upon hearing this, the abbot smiled and nodded, saying no more."

"At that time, it was not yet time to observe a vegetarian diet."

The woman approached the abbot with a respectful demeanor and said, "I urgently need some vegetarian food. Could you please allow me some? Amitabha."

"When the abbot nodded in agreement, the monk in charge of receiving the woman turned around and fetched her a vegetarian meal."

"According to the rules of the vegetarian feast, each person is entitled to one serving. The monks in charge of receiving guests at the temple thought that babies would not eat, so they only gave the women two servings."

Seeing this, the woman smiled and reminded him: "Little master, there are three of us."

The monk who received her didn't say anything, but silently turned around and took another serving and handed it to her.

The woman continued with a smile: "Little master, I also have a dog here."

"The young monk who was in charge hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly gave her another serving."

After thanking her gently, the woman smiled again and said, "I am pregnant. Could you grant me another one?"

"Her seemingly greedy behavior displeased the monks who were receiving her, who said sternly: 'You come to the temple to request alms from the monks, yet you are so greedy. What kind of reason is this?'"

"Your baby isn't born yet, so how can it eat?"

"Now that you've made so many demands, aren't you being insatiable? Don't you think this is going too far, benefactor?"

"The onlookers all moved away from the woman, pointing and whispering among themselves."