Chapter 341: Carving the Great Buddha, and the Nobleman's Peace of Mind
Staying away from the world, staying away from the entanglements of the mundane world, and focusing on one's own cultivation is a kind of practice.
The Tao is not far from people, which is another kind of practice.
People who practice cultivation often make a choice between the two and do not stick to one path alone. Instead, they seek a balance between being worldly and otherworldly.
Xuan Xiao Zhenren had decided to fight the demon, and thus inevitably involved himself in worldly affairs. Whether this was a good or bad move was unclear at this point.
Gong Mengbi has been rolling in the world and has never truly been born.
Taoist Priest Xuanxiao was going to the Big Buddha Temple to lobby the monks, and he brought Gong Mengbi and others with him.
Taoist Xuanshuang was unwilling to go. He muttered something inaudible and was very resistant.
Gong Mengbi asked, "Does Taoist Xuanshuang have a grudge against the monks at the Big Buddha Temple?"
Ming Ling whispered, "It's not that there's a grudge, it's just that the monks from the Big Buddha Temple want to come here and take strict precepts, so Uncle Shi can't have any fun."
Taoist Priest Xuanshuang had heard them talking and complained, "Our Mingling is made of wood, and those monks are made of stone."
Taoist Priest Xuanshuang is very playful, but when he meets those monks, he really has no place to use his strength.
The Great Buddha Temple and the Great Immortal Temple were not far from each other, both located in Jinhua Mountain. Taoist Xuan Xiao and the head monk of the Great Buddha Temple were certainly already acquainted with each other, otherwise he would not have boasted that he could invite the head monk to come.
Looking at the gate of Big Buddha Temple from afar, you can see huge stone Buddhas walking, sitting or lying down, in various poses and lifelike.
These stone Buddhas are carved out of the cliff, forming a large Buddha wall, but they are actually far more breathtaking than murals.
The Big Buddha Temple is located under the cliff. The spreading cliff is majestic and magnificent. In addition to the groups of giant Buddhas that have already been built, there are also unfinished stone Buddhas that are being carved.
From afar, Gong Mengbi could see that there was a monk on each stone Buddha being carved.
Ming Ling said, "This is how the practice at the Great Buddha Temple works. Generations of disciples have carved the Great Buddha out of the cliff face. The completion of the Great Buddha also represents the achievement of spiritual practice."
Gong Mengbi nodded, "No wonder it has such charm."
In Tongtianfa's perception, these giant Buddhas are like living beings with extremely high spirituality. One can hear the endless sound of chanting coming from the giant Buddhas.
The sound of chanting cannot be heard by the naked ear, but Gong Mengbi can sense it clearly.
When they arrived outside the Big Buddha Temple, the monk guarding the mountain saw Taoist Xuanxiao bringing people here. After discussing with each other, one of them went to report to the monk in charge of reception, while the other continued to guard the mountain gate.
After a while, a thin but tall monk came out. Seeing Taoist Xuan Xiao, he said happily, "It is a great honor for us to have such a great place. Please come this way."
The monk in charge of reception ushered everyone in. Xuan Xiao Zhenren introduced Gong Mengbi, saying, "This is Gong Huzheng, a disciple of the Heavenly Fox Academy, currently cultivating at Lanyin Temple."
The two men exchanged greetings, and the monk in charge of reception sighed, "The precious land of Lanyin Temple has finally returned to the light of day. Gong Hu's righteousness is profound and can subdue the demons within."
Gong Mengbi said: "I dare not say surrender, I just borrowed the precious land to open the Fox Courtyard."
The monk in charge of reception did not know the inside story, so Gong Mengbi explained it.
The monk in charge of reception said: "It is rare for a wild fox to preach and teach people."
Xuan Xiao Zhenren was obviously familiar with the monk in charge of reception. He asked, "Is your Excellency still in the temple?"
The monk in charge of reception nodded and said, "He is practicing in the Bodhi Monastery. The lotus flowers are blooming beautifully recently, and the abbot is giving a lecture to you by the lotus pond. Please wait in the meditation hall. I will go and invite the abbot."
Taoist Xuanxiao said, "Thank you for your help."
The monk in charge of reception went to the Bodhi Temple, where there was dense greenery. A tall Bodhi tree stood out like an umbrella, casting mottled shadows.
This is how Bodhi Temple got its name.
Not far from the Bodhi tree is a lotus pond that has been dug out. The lotus flowers in the pond are in full bloom, full of vitality.
There was a low table in the corridor, and a big monk and an old woman were sitting opposite each other. Behind the old woman stood a middle-aged woman, who was served by several maids.
The monk in charge of reception walked to the corridor and whispered a few words in the monk's ear.
The kind-looking old princess didn't hear them, but seeing the monk's expression, she asked, "Abbot Huiming, is there something urgent? If so, please go and take care of it first. I will give you a lecture another day."
Abbot Huiming said gently, "It was Taoist Xuanxiao from the Great Immortal Temple who came to look for me."
The old princess smiled and said, "So he is a master from the Great Immortal Temple."
She smiled and said, "I've been to the Big Buddha Temple a lot, but I've never met a true Taoist practitioner from the Great Immortal Temple. Why not invite him over to discuss Taoism with me so I can broaden my horizons?"
Abbot Huiming's expression remained unchanged. He said, "I will go and ask on your behalf."
The old princess smiled and said, "Okay."
The monk in charge of reception brought the abbot to the meditation room. When the monk, with a handsome face, saw Taoist Xuan Xiao, he smiled and said, "It's a rare bustling day today. Taoist Xuan Xiao hasn't been here for a while."
Taoist Xuan Xiao said, "It's not that I don't want to come, I'm just afraid of offending the distinguished guests."
Abbot Huiming said with a hint of meaning, "You're afraid you might have offended the noble man, but he's still thinking of you. He just told me he wanted to invite you to discuss the sutras and the Way."
Taoist Xuan Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "Please spare me."
Abbot Huiming passed over the matter and reminded him, "You came in a hurry, and you must leave in a hurry."
Taoist Xuanxiao nodded and told him the purpose of his visit.
Abbot Huiming was startled and said, "Once the locust plague starts, I'm afraid chaos will follow immediately."
Abbot Huiming paced back and forth and said, "I agree. I'll talk to the City God as well."
Taoist Xuan Xiao said: "We need to hurry up."
Abbot Huiming nodded.
Taoist Xuanxiao did not stay long and immediately left with Gong Mengbi and the others.
The head monk in charge of reception led the way, and Abbot Huiming went to the Bodhi Temple again.
Seeing that he came alone, the old princess couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Abbot Huiming explained, "The Taoist priest wanted to come, but there was a locust plague outside the mountain. The locust spirit was causing trouble, and he couldn't escape."
The old princess was shocked and said, "Locust plague? Locust God!"
Abbot Huiming nodded and said, "Indeed, he came to ask me to help him drive away the locust god. I am leaving as well. I'll have you read the scriptures on your own for the next few days."
The old princess nodded repeatedly and said, "Business is more important."
The old princess turned around and looked at the middle-aged woman. She said, "Go write to Gusu and ask about the disaster situation."
The middle-aged woman bowed in response.
Abbot Huiming said, "Driving away the locusts is a serious matter. I hope the City God is willing to lend a hand. Otherwise, I'm afraid we won't be able to do it with just the two of us."
The old princess said, "The City God protects this area, how can we just stand by and watch?"
Abbot Huiming smiled and said, "That's right. Your words have made my mind at peace."
The old princess laughed and said, "How can an old woman like me win the heart of a Zen master?"
Abbot Huiming said, "Your Excellency's compassion is sufficient."
The old princess was puzzled, but Abbot Huiming was no longer willing to discuss the matter. He excused himself, saying, "I will now go and visit the City God. With his help, we can keep the locust god out of the county."
The old princess no longer wanted to keep him.
After hearing her words, Abbot Huiming found it much easier to persuade the City God.
The locust god is coming from the north. If the Jinhua City God can lead the city gods of all counties and command the local gods, and thousands of gods come to help, it will be much easier to deal with the locust god.
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