"This is a place in Northwest my country. Fifty years ago it was an oasis, but it turned into a desert. Now, my master and other senior brothers have replanted trees. These are surviving saxaul trees, and they have been growing for five years."
Huixin spoke eloquently, then picked up another picture, which also showed a barren mountain covered with saplings. On the bare slope, the neat rows of saplings stood like sentinels, full of hope.
"This is a mountain in a county in the south. Ten years ago, it was a beautiful mountain with green hills and clear waters, but the locals cut down trees to make bricks, and it slowly turned into a barren mountain, which caused a landslide that buried the entire village."
Huixin speaks clearly and articulately, telling a story behind each photograph in a logical and organized manner.
Everyone looked at Master Daoyi with admiration, never expecting that he had done so much quietly, unlike some so-called philanthropists who shout slogans louder than the sky but fail to deliver on their promises.
Huixin continued, “All things have a spirit. Even seemingly lifeless water and stone have a spirit and a temper. The constant natural disasters in recent years are actually warnings from them to mankind. If mankind does not stop its absurd behavior, it will eventually perish.”
At this point, Huixin's still somewhat immature face was filled with anger. He had traveled all over the country with his master and had seen many tragic scenes of devastation caused by destruction. He wished he could send those bad people to the deepest hell to suffer.
Ye Qingqing glanced at him. The little monk hadn't spoken during her last visit and hadn't made much of a presence. It was only this time that she noticed that this little monk seemed to have an unusual identity!
Moreover, although the young monk was only twelve or thirteen years old, he already had a Buddha-like appearance. The two rows of ordination scars on his round head were particularly obvious. Nowadays, it is rare to see ordination scars on monks. Even if they do, they are probably older, like Master Daoyi.
Because the ordination scars did not actually originate from the birthplace of Buddhism. Monks before the Song Dynasty did not have ordination scars. It was only in the Song Dynasty that ordination scars became popular to signify one's determination to enter the Buddhist order and never regret it for life.
However, the process of burning the ordination scars was actually very painful, no less so than becoming an eunuch in the palace, and it was also life-threatening. Therefore, after burning the scars, one had to walk around and never fall asleep, otherwise one might die in one's sleep. In 1983, the government abolished the regulation of burning the ordination scars, but did not prohibit individual behavior.
Some people request to have ordination scars burned on their heads to show their determination to enter Buddhism, but this is rare. After all, burning twelve holes in one's head with moxa is not something everyone can endure.
Only a person with a strong will could endure such pain. Looking at the ordination scar on Huixin's head, it must have been burned many years ago, indicating that he was burned when he was very young, and also indicating that he will follow the Buddha for the rest of his life.
Many monks today become monks after seeing through the illusions of the world. They have lived in the bustling world and become weary of it. It is extremely rare for someone as young as Huixin to enter the monastic life.
However, being taken under the wing of Master Daoyi means he must be a direct disciple. Master Daoyi has a very high seniority in Buddhism, and although Huixin is young, her status is not low. No wonder Master Liujue, despite his age, is very respectful to Huixin and dares not be presumptuous.
“Stones and water are inanimate objects, without life force, so how could they have a spirit?” Ye Qingqing found it strange.
She wasn't being stubborn; rather, subconsciously, she felt that only living things possessed a spirit, while inorganic substances like water and stones were lifeless and therefore couldn't possess a spirit.
Huixin sneered and rolled her eyes, saying sarcastically, "Ignorant and narrow-minded. You're not water or stone, how do you know they're not alive?"
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