Chapter 48
Mount Emei.
The top of the mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist, the morning bells echo in the mountains, and the Buddhist sounds enter my ears, making me feel relaxed and happy.
As the dojo of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Mount Emei has a long history and rich culture. In addition to the Golden Summit Huazang Temple and Wannian Temple, there is also the Elephant Washing Pool.
I was completely immersed in this peaceful atmosphere, without any distractions.
Liu Danchen led me into Wannian Temple. He bowed to the young monk there and said, "Excuse me, is Master Jinghai in the temple? We are disciples of Baiyun Temple and have come here to ask for something."
"Thank you for your courtesy, donor. Please wait a moment. I will go in and inform you." said the young monk.
After a while, the young novice monk left and came back again. He said to us respectfully, "Dear guests, please follow me. The master is waiting for you in the monastery."
We followed him, passing the Wuzhuanliang Hall. I felt a surge of pure compassion. Looking inside, I saw a towering statue of the Bodhisattva, seated on a lotus throne, carried on the back of a six-tusked white elephant. The statue was dignified, natural, and lifelike. This was Samantabhadra.
Behind the beamless brick hall is the towering Treasure Hall, which is even larger and features ingenious corridors. It houses a standing statue of Amitabha Buddha. Inside, monks chant sutras, and the sound of Buddhist chanting fills the ears, conveying a profound sense of meaning.
After turning left and right, you will reach the Pilu Temple. There is a legend about this Pilu Temple.
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a monk named Guangjun who loved to play the zither. Every day after reciting Buddhist scriptures, he would burn incense and play the zither behind the Pilu Temple. When he played, the tits in the woods and the frogs in the pond would stop chirping, as if they were listening to his music. One day, Guangjun finished his Buddhist chants as usual, lit incense, and sat in the backyard to play the zither. Suddenly, a skeptical figure appeared at the side door. The figure, dressed in a green dress, looked like a beautiful girl from a small family. Seeing that Guangjun had noticed her, she stopped hiding and leaned against the door, quietly listening to Guangjun's music.
After the song ended, Guangjun summoned her and asked her who she was and why she was there. The girl simply said she lived nearby and had been drawn to the melodious sound of the qin. Seeing her talent for the instrument, Guangjun told her to bring her qin with her next time. And so, every time Guangjun started playing, the girl in the green dress would appear at the side door, qin in hand. With Guangjun's guidance, her playing improved so dramatically that if you weren't listening carefully, you'd think it was Guangjun himself playing.
Eventually, Guangjun passed away, and the girl in the green dress never appeared again. However, the sound of the zither could still be heard from behind the Pilu Temple. People, mistaking it for a Buddha relic, crowded into the backyard to pay homage. However, what they saw instead was a group of frogs croaking in the pond, their calls almost identical to Guangjun's zither music.
At this moment we passed by the Tingqin Terrace, but it was already late autumn and we didn't hear any frog croaking.
Master Jinghai's monastery was built behind the Pilu Hall. The young novice monk brought Liu Danchen and me to the monastery. He knocked on the door and said, "Master, our distinguished guests have arrived."
"Squeak."
The door was opened from the inside, and an old monk came into view. His monk's robe was an old yellow earth color, and he looked thin, but quite energetic.
"Master, you are welcome." Liu Danchen saluted.
Master Jinghai returned the greeting and said, "Your master talked to me about this calamity ten years ago. I didn't expect that even with his attainments he still couldn't escape it. Amitabha." He chanted the Buddha's name.
Master Jinghai invited Liu Danchen and me into the temple. Everything in the temple was simple and looked very plain.
Liu Danchen and Master Jinghai chatted for a long time, and I learned that Master Zhang and Master Jinghai had been friends for decades, often discussing their experiences. Although their teachings differed, they ultimately reached the same conclusion. Ten years ago, Master Zhang had predicted a calamity for him, only this one would fall upon Li Danyang. Who would have guessed that a demon king would be hidden in Broken Soul Mountain?
Liu Danchen stated his purpose: "Master, we are here for the Fountain of Youth. I wonder if you have any clues."
Master Jinghai sighed, "For the past ten years, I've searched extensively, but haven't found any concrete clues to the Fountain of Youth. There are ancient legends, however, that say it's located in the Aba area. We also have a rumor in our temple that the water Samantabhadra used to wash his elephants was also from the Fountain of Youth. But these are all groundless tales, and will be of little use in your search for the Fountain of Youth."
I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed after hearing what he said, but the legend is also a clue. At least I know that the Fountain of Youth exists.
Seeing no other clues, Liu Danchen decided to continue searching with me. Before we parted, Master Jinghai gave Liu Danchen and me a bracelet, the difference being that Liu Danchen's bracelet had fourteen Buddhist beads, while mine only had one.
Seeing my confusion, Master Jinghai said, "Young donor, you have a connection with the Buddha. This bead I gave you has been placed on the incense table of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva for nine years. I noticed it moving this morning, and I know its fate has arrived. When I saw you today, I realized that this bead is compatible with your aura. If you carry it with you, it will prevent the pearl from gathering dust."
After hearing Master Jinghai say this, I quickly declined. These Buddhist beads were too valuable, and I knew nothing about Buddhism, so I couldn't accept such a valuable gift.
The young monk next to him saw this and couldn't help showing a hint of envy in his eyes.
"The donor's heart is like a lotus flower that does not touch the water, which is in harmony with the lotus held by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva in our temple. Did the donor feel anything when passing by the beamless brick temple?" said Master Jinghai.
After he said that, I realized that the peace I felt was the will of the Bodhisattva, but I also felt a sense of compassion outside the temple, which I guess was also the great love of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.
"Little sister, you don't have to refuse. The master said that this pearl is destined to be with you, so you should accept it." Liu Danchen said.
"Thank you, Master!"
I put it on my wrist shyly, but as soon as I put it on I felt a sense of peace.
The Yuhao Stone suddenly moved strangely.
I calmly controlled the feather stone.
"As for the fourteen Buddhist beads of Mr. Liu, I have chanted scriptures to bless them day and night. I wish you two all the best." Master Jinghai said.
"Thank you, Master!" Liu Danchen saluted.
The two of us walked out of Wannian Temple under the escort of the young monk. When we were leaving Wannian Temple, the young monk kept looking at the Buddhist beads on my wrist.
As we walked down the mountain, I couldn't help but ask, "Brother Danchen, what is the meaning of these two bracelets?"
Liu Danchen said, "Buddhism emphasizes the principle of fate. Yours must have been given to you by the master because he saw that you have a connection with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. It can be considered a kind of good fate. Mine is different, hehe."
Seeing him smiling so happily, I asked curiously, "What do you mean by that?"
"Fourteen symbolizes the fourteen fearlessnesses in Buddhism. It can turn misfortune into good fortune when encountering any difficulties. This is a magic weapon!" Liu Danchen said proudly.
"You are a Taoist priest using Buddhist instruments. Aren't you afraid of the thunder from the Three Pure Ones..." Before I could finish my words, he hurriedly covered my mouth.
"You can't say it, you can't say it. You really don't know how to control your mouth. The master gave it to me because he was afraid that our trip would not go well. After putting it on, I feel much calmer." Liu Danchen said.
I knew I was in the wrong and that some things are not to be joked about, so I didn't continue talking about this topic.
I have to say that I do feel different after wearing these Buddhist beads.
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