Daluo Temple is located on a high mountain 800 miles away from Yong'an County.
Zhang Ling disappeared into the clouds and flew with the wind, traveling all the way until he stopped at the foot of the mountain.
At first glance, this place is very nice.
The temple, shrouded in clouds and mist, hangs alone on the top of the mountain. In the distance, you can see red palaces and pavilions. Layers of stone steps covered with moss wind up one after another. On both sides are green pines and cypresses. A large number of pilgrims are pious and climb towards the top of the mountain step by step.
There are also wandering monks who come here because of its reputation. The ascetics bow three times and kowtow nine times, leaving a dark mark on their foreheads. They mutter to themselves, oblivious to everything around them, immersed in the mysterious world and unable to extricate themselves.
The sound of ancient bells striking each other came to my ears, mixed with the sound of gurgling mountain springs. Faintly, I could hear the tune of chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist scriptures, floating melodiously throughout the mountains.
Zhang Ling exclaimed: What a beautiful Buddhist temple!
Strolling leisurely along the stone steps, a few birds occasionally fly over the trees beside the road, chirping crisply, adding a bit of vitality to the quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Soon, Zhang Ling arrived at the top of the mountain. In front of him was a pagoda temple with tall towers. Above the entrance archway were written three large characters "Daluo Temple" in gold lacquer and ink with vigorous brushstrokes.
The rhythmic sound of wooden fish being struck came to my ears again, one after another. The thick smell of burning incense lingered around my nose, and I could vaguely see fine dust flying in the air.
"Amitabha, the donor has an extraordinary temperament and eyes as bright as stars. I'm afraid you are here to worship Buddha." A welcoming monk came forward with his hands clasped together and said respectfully.
The monk was startled to see a handsome young man in blue clothes walking towards him slowly among the pilgrims on the mountain. He was suddenly inspired and ran straight towards Zhang Ling as if he was awakened by something.
"I'm here at the invitation. I wonder who is Master Fashan?" The young man in green asked directly.
Zhang Ling had deliberately concealed his aura when he entered the mountain. Ordinary people without Taoism would not be able to detect his presence at all. The fact that the welcoming monk in front of him was able to recognize him at first sight showed that he had received guidance from a master and was reminded to pay attention.
"Shangzun, please follow me."
The welcoming monk bowed slightly and led the way. Soon the two of them arrived at the deepest part behind the temple.
This is a small courtyard with a Bodhi tree growing here. It is a towering ancient tree, spotless and clean, which makes people feel relaxed and happy when looking at it, as if bathed in the spring breeze.
"Please wait a moment, benefactor."
Not long after the welcoming monk left, a golden light appeared in the courtyard, transforming into a monk. He was wearing a cassock, had a shaved head and a white beard, had kind eyes, and a pair of thick, long ears. He clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, I, Fashan, the humble monk, have attained the Vajra Fruition of our Buddha. Your Excellency's arrival brings honor to this humble place."
Vajra fruit position in Buddhism?
Zhang Ling pondered. He didn't know much about Buddhism in this world, but he knew the division of its levels of attainment.
The only one in the league is Buddha.
The second tier consists of the Ten Bhumi Bodhisattvas, various Buddhas, and the Supreme Vajra Kings.
The third tier is Bodhisattvas from the first to the ninth stage and other various Vajra Kings.
The fourth level is Arhat.
The fifth level is Vajra and guardian gods.
The sixth level messenger and the seventh level monk.
The person before him was able to reach the fifth level of Buddhist attainment and possess the body of Vajra, indicating that his cultivation level had reached the realm of Xuanxian.
Zhang Ling bowed slightly, lowered his head in return, and then said, "I wonder why Master Fashan invited me here?"
Fashan stretched out his hand, and two cushions appeared on the ground. The two of them sat down and began to chat.
"Would Your Excellency be willing to listen to a story from this humble monk?"
Tell a story?
Zhang Ling raised his eyebrows, finding it quite interesting.
In this world, the first person who told him a story was not a human, but a monster.
It is the flying centipede of Taohua Temple, whose life journey is still vivid in my mind.
When he came to Daluo Temple this time, Zhang Ling had a feeling that the Buddhist Vajra in front of him must have come for the hot peach fruit, and it was closely related to the flying centipede.
Let me tell you something. It’s been a long time since I heard someone tell a story.
Zhang Ling smiled knowingly and nodded without comment.
"I once saw so much suffering in this world, so I asked the Buddha how to overcome it. The Buddha said I was attached to appearances and told me to remain in silence."
"I was deeply enlightened in the world of Mount Sumeru, and I thought I had suddenly realized something. I then told the Buddha that all living beings are the same. They have nothing when they are born and nothing after they die. They can feel sorry for themselves or feel happy. The suffering of all living beings is also a form of practice."
Fashan said this and asked Zhang Ling: How do you think the Buddha would answer?
Upon hearing this, the young man in blue shook his head and said, "The Buddha's teachings are boundless, and I dare not speculate rashly."
The other party laughed and said, "The Buddha said that even if one only understands half of the truth, one can continue to understand it. I made a vow to the Buddha on the spot, wishing to endure the nine calamities of the past nine lifetimes and experience them myself. The first eight lifetimes were as follows: a prince, a beggar, a wealthy businessman, a coolie, a general, a soldier, an actor, and a crippled body."
Fashan paused briefly before adding, "In my ninth life, I was a butcher selling pork!"
Zhang Ling was not surprised at all. He nodded silently and asked, "Master, have you gained any insights?"
Fashan clasped his hands together and said "Amitabha": "Tracing back to the origin, all living beings are just doing the same thing over and over again. Whenever they encounter things, people, and objects in the outside world, their reactions and responses are different. Each one is a form, without distinction of high or low, right or wrong. They are the forms of all living beings. Although the forms are different, they all end up in the same place. After death, everything is illusory."
"This means that if one sees that all appearances are not appearances, that they are all false, then one has seen the Tathagata."
Zhang Ling seemed to be lost in thought, as if he understood what the Vajra Guardian God meant. To put it in plain words from his previous life, it meant that people were just repeating one thing while they were alive.
That is, to deal with a series of judgments and reaction feedback such as emotions, perceptions, attitudes, thoughts, and practices made after receiving external information.
When you encounter anyone, anything, or anything, what you gain, lose, own, regret, or desire... these are collectively called the appearance of all living beings. Speaking of each person's appearance, there is no right or wrong, noble or humble, strong or weak.
Although the appearances are different, they are actually the same appearance when traced back to the source. After death, some of them turn into illusions. A life in the world is nothing more than an experience in the mortal world, like a play or a dream.
Zhang Ling clasped his hands together, thanking the other party for sharing his insights from experiencing nine lifetimes of tribulations: "Thank you for the guidance, Master."
Fashan shook his head and said, "Your Excellency has a wise mind and does not need my guidance."
But he added, "I have gone through nine lifetimes of suffering. The Buddha said that I can attain the Vajra Fruition, but there are some hidden secrets."
"Master, please speak freely!"
Zhang Ling knew that the next words were the highlight of this trip.
Otherwise, this Buddhist Vajra would not have invited him to tell stories for no reason.
"I was confined to the Sumeru Realm by the Buddha's tranquility, and I was halfway to enlightenment. Suddenly, in the Kunwu Desert, I saw a thousand-foot-long flying centipede. It was the guardian beast of Sumeru. That day, it saw my sad face and asked the reason. I chatted with it, but we had a disagreement midway."
"It said I was working in isolation, and it would be difficult to achieve true enlightenment. I said that those involved are often confused, while those who are on the sidelines can see clearly. With my unique pair of Dharma eyes that see through the mundane world, why should I remain isolated? During the argument, it made a bet with me, saying that if my sudden enlightenment met the Buddha's favor, it would be willing to be my protector. If I failed to grasp the key, it would send an incarnation to supervise me as I descended into the mortal world and experienced nine lives, suffering the seven emotions and six desires, poverty and wealth, illness and pain, life and death, separation, sorrow and hatred."
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