Let’s talk about the White Horse Bodhisattva Shemoteng and the Dharmazang Bodhisattva Zhu Falan. These two may not be well-known, but they are not only the founders of the Vinaya school, but also the first ancestors of Chinese Buddhism.
The holy name of White Horse Bodhisattva means going to "White Horse Temple", which is also the first Buddhist temple after Buddhism was introduced into China.
A moment later, Fang Jian and Fahai had already landed in front of the mountain temple. At this time, Fahai said to Fang Jian, "This is Miaoyun Mountain, the place where the two Bodhisattvas practiced in seclusion."
Fang Jian nodded and was about to speak when he saw two young novice monks walk out of the mountain temple. They came before Fang Jian and Fahai, clasped their hands together and bowed, saying, "The two Bodhisattvas have been informed that True Man Hongqing and Zen Master Fahai are coming, and have specially ordered us to come and greet them."
Fahai nodded slightly and said, "Thank you."
"We dare not." The two young monks bowed and said respectfully.
Then the young novice monk on the left said to Fang Jian, "Bodhisattvas, please ask Master Hongqing to go to Yumingtai for a while."
The young novice monk on the right said to Fahai, "Bodhisattvas, please ask Master Fahai to rest in Yanling Pavilion for a while."
"Yes." Fahai clasped his hands together and responded respectfully.
Afterwards, Fahai followed the young monk to Yanling Pavilion, while Fang Jian was led to Yumingtai by another young monk.
The lotus shadows are hazy, the wind chimes are ringing, the rain is falling, and the cicadas are singing.
Fang Jian looked up and saw two Bodhisattvas wearing robes, with thin bodies, a mysterious Buddha's light, and a golden light behind their heads sitting cross-legged on the Yuming Terrace. They were the White Horse Bodhisattva Shemoteng and the Dharmazang Bodhisattva Zhu Falan.
As Fang Jian ascended the stage, the two Bodhisattvas immediately stood up, clasped their hands, and said, "Amitabha, the Dharma vehicle of the Immortal Hongqing has descended upon Miaoyun Mountain, bringing glory to the humble mountain temple and auspicious signs like clouds."
Fang Jian smiled faintly, then bowed his head and said, "You two Bodhisattvas are too kind."
Then Dharmazang Bodhisattva Zhu Falan pointed to the cushion on the ground and said, "Master Hongqing, please sit down."
Fang Jian nodded and sat down cross-legged on the cushion. At this time, the White Horse Bodhisattva Shemoteng ordered the young monk to offer spiritual tea, "Master Hongqing, please."
Fang Jian raised his teacup and invited Shemoteng and Zhu Falan from a distance. He then took a sip of the spiritual tea. After putting the cup down, Fang Jian asked, "Two Bodhisattvas, I have come here to ask you what you think about my Xitianfu's plan to establish the Xiniu Hezhou Buddhist Conference."
Shemoteng said, "There is no time when the lotus is ripe but bears fruit."
Zhu Falan said, "It's hard to be together unless the right opportunity comes."
Fang Jian heard this and said, "Are you two Bodhisattvas saying that the time is not right to organize a Buddhist association?"
Shemoteng and Zhu Falan smiled but said nothing. Fang Jian pondered for a moment and then asked the two Bodhisattvas, "Do you two Bodhisattvas agree with the Buddha's proposal?"
Shemoteng said, "Without the consent of all seven great Dharma Bodhisattvas, this matter will be difficult to accomplish."
Zhu Falan said, "However, we two have always advocated the supremacy of discipline. Our Vinaya School and the Heavenly Law have the same goal, so we have no different opinions."
"But if the other Bodhisattvas do not agree with the Buddhist Council's proposal, then you two Bodhisattvas will not participate, right?" Fang Jian asked.
Shemoteng and Zhu Falan nodded at the same time. Shemoteng said, "If the other Bodhisattvas do not participate, it will be useless even if the two of us form a Buddhist association with the Western Heaven Palace."
"I understand." Fang Jian nodded slightly, then said to Shemoteng and Zhu Falan, "Then I would like to ask the two Bodhisattvas to do me a favor."
Zhu Falan smiled and said, "Master Hongqing wants the location of the dojo of the Bodhisattvas of other Dharma sects, right?"
"Yes." Fang Jian nodded.
"This isn't difficult." Zhu Falan raised his head slightly, then pointed out the majestic auras rising into the sky in all directions to Fang Jian one by one, and finally said, "That's it."
Fang Jian memorized these locations, then stood up, bowed, and said, "Thank you, both Bodhisattvas. I'll take my leave now."
Shemoteng and Zhu Falan immediately stood up to see him off. After Fang Jian left Miaoyun Mountain, Shemoteng said to the young monk beside him, "Xuan Fahai, please come and see me."
...
However, after Fang Jian left Miaoyun Mountain, he followed the directions indicated by Zhu Falan one by one.
The first place he arrived at was Mount Bujie, the dojo of Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, the founder of the Dharma Nature School and the Dharma Characteristics School. However, as soon as Fang Jian arrived, he was told that Nagarjuna Bodhisattva was not in the dojo.
"The Bodhisattva went to Jambudvīpa and could not meet the True Man Hongqing." The young novice monk said to Fang Jian while standing in front of the gate of the Bujie Mountain temple.
Fang Jian asked, "When will Nagarjuna return?"
"I don't know." The young monk said, holding a small precious tree in his hands. "This is the wonderful dragon blood tree, a precious tree carefully cultivated by the Bodhisattva. When the Bodhisattva left, he said that if Master Hongqing came, he would give this tree to Master Hongqing."
After the young monk finished speaking, he raised the Dragon Blood Tree above his head and said to Fang Jian, "Please accept it, Master Hongqing."
Fang Jian looked at the small dragon blood tree in front of him with a frown. Nagarjuna Bodhisattva clearly knew that he was coming, but he still went to Jambudvīpa. This showed that Nagarjuna Bodhisattva's attitude was very clear. He did not support the Buddhist Council's proposal.
"Since the Bodhisattva has gone to Jambudvīpa, it must be God's will. However, I cannot take this precious tree. Goodbye." After Fang Jian finished speaking, he jumped on his horse and left with the Third Prince.
Then Fang Jian came to Tongshou Mountain to visit the founder of the Pure Land Sect, the Great Wish Bodhisattva Kumarajiva.
But just like at Buji Mountain, Fang Jian was also told by the young monk that Kumarajiva was not in the Tongshou Mountain temple.
"Where has the Bodhisattva of Great Wish gone?" Fang Jian asked the young monk.
The young novice monk said, "The Bodhisattva has entered the realm of the mind and cannot return for a while. Please ask Master Hongqing to go into the mountains to rest for a while so that we can serve him tea."
"No need." Fang Jian sighed slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness. I'll take my leave."
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