Monk said, "Not bad, not bad."
Speaking of which, the monk looked at the queue in front of him and said, "Old man, why are you all lining up in the wind and the rain?"
The old man replied, "Monk, you mustn’t know, but today is your lucky day. The Fishing Guild is providing charity, handing out fine wine and dishes. You, this Monk, look like you haven’t eaten yet, so it’s perfect. Grab some steamed buns to fill your belly."
The monk was startled upon hearing this, then followed up with, "There’s such a good deed happening? Then the Monk shall partake in the blessing."
Saying so, the monk lined up directly behind the old man, slowly advancing forward while listening to everyone’s evaluation of Su Yunjin, his eyes growing brighter.
The crowd formed five or six long queues. Because it was too slow for one person to distribute, they divided the food into five parts for distribution.
Just like that, when the monk got to the front of the queue, he was directed to another position.
The commoners, holding large bowls, waited in turn to receive their share. But just then, a tragic cry erupted, "You all are bullying the Great Buddha! Outrageous, simply outrageous!"
Hearing the ruckus, everyone turned to look toward the source of the noise and immediately saw a tattered Monk making a scene, pointing at a Fishing Guild Disciple who was distributing food and cursing loudly. The Disciple, incensed, was about to retaliate with a ladle.
"You disobedient monk, we give you steamed buns and you still curse us? Do you really think you can bully our Fishing Guild?"
"That’s right, are you looking for trouble on purpose? Come, take him out with a beating."
At that moment, the same old man also complained, "You, Monk, have no sense of propriety. They gave you food, yet you throw a tantrum..."
The monk, having heard this, argued, "What do you mean I’m throwing a tantrum? They’re clearly bullying this poor Monk; am I not even allowed to argue for fairness?"
Just then, Xiao Hu heard the commotion from this side, and with a frown, he approached. He hadn’t expected that someone would actually dare to create trouble on his Fishing Guild’s territory.
Considering this, Xiao Hu said, "Which Monk dares to act wild here... Has he eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard to dare to cause a scene on our Fishing Guild’s spot?"
As Xiao Hu spoke, he prepared to go over and teach this crazy Monk a lesson.
But unexpectedly, Su Yunjin called out to Xiao Hu and rushed over, to which Xiao Hu said, "Sister-in-law, a crazy Monk is causing trouble."
Su Yunjin replied, "Don’t talk nonsense."
At that moment Su Yunjin approached and said, "Master, what’s wrong? Is there anything improper we have done?"
The monk then looked at Su Yunjin and said, "You people are just too bullying. This Monk has a belly full of grievances!"
Su Yunjin was taken aback and addressed the Monk, "What matter has upset you so, Master? Allow me to apologize first."
Hearing this, the great Monk said, "You’re one who understands."
Su Yunjin replied, "Master, they all understand as well."
"Hmm, so you’re saying I’m the one who doesn’t understand?"
Hearing this, Su Yunjin said, "Master, I didn’t mean that. I didn’t mean that at all. What exactly is the matter, Master?"
After hearing this, the monk said, "The person who was in front of me just now got half a roast chicken and two steamed buns, but when it came to me, there was no roast chicken left, and I was only given six steamed buns. Where is the justice in that!"
Su Yunjin frowned upon hearing this and said, "Master, as a monk, you should not eat meat. They were well-intentioned and swapped your roast chicken for steamed buns. Normally, we only get two steamed buns, but you were given six. They exchanged your roast chicken for four steamed buns."
"Why should I? The Monk wants to eat meat! I won’t eat steamed buns!"
Upon hearing these words, people around looked at the monk in surprise.
A monk who eats meat? A playboy monk!
Everyone gazed in amazement at the Monk, who wore an expression of indifference, while the young Disciple who had just distributed the food felt wronged.
"Lady, look at this. He’s a playboy monk. If he doesn’t get meat, he makes a fuss. Who does that?"
The surrounding people pointed and talked among themselves, but the monk remained nonchalant, indifferent to the pointing and discussions.
Su Yunjin, upon hearing this, looked at the monk with a frown, and yet the monk wore a cheery smile while looking around.
His smile confused everyone around.
And then the monk addressed Su Yunjin, "Miss, do you also think I shouldn’t eat meat?"
Su Yunjin responded, "Master, the Buddhist eight precepts include: no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no drinking alcohol, no wearing garlands, no sleeping in a luxurious bed, and no eating at an inappropriate time."
"Being a person of Buddhist faith, one should observe these eight precepts."
Hearing this, the monk laughed, "Hahaha... adhering to the eight precepts only fosters foolish monks, not true monks."
"What, in your opinion, constitutes a true monk?"
Su Yunjin was curious as she looked at the monk, who replied, "Buddha said: Equality."
Su Yunjin frowned, and the monk elaborated, "Like these steamed buns and roast chicken, if everyone else can eat both steamed buns and roast chicken, then this Monk can eat steamed buns and roast chicken too. I am neither higher nor lower than them."
"Just like you, Miss. You’re conducting this charity. You’re the giver. Do you feel you’re above everyone else and look down on them?"
Su Yunjin was taken aback and shook her head gently, "I too come from meager beginnings, once even worse off than them. How could I look down on them?"
The monk nodded, looking into Su Yunjin’s sincere eyes, and praised her, "Good, very good. Hahaha... Miss, you have the heart of a Bodhisattva. Always benevolent, keeping your original intentions, you will eventually achieve your goals."
Saying so, the monk pressed his palms together and added, "Amitabha Buddha."
With that said, the monk turned and walked away, quickly striding a dozen steps out, while Su Yunjin only then reacted and called out, "Master!"
The monk turned his head.
Su Yunjin continued, "Master, here’s your roast chicken."
Su Yunjin picked up half a roast chicken and caught up with the monk. The monk, surprised, laughed and said, "Excellent, excellent."