Dreams are divided into two types, one being the active kind, often referred to as daydreams, the realm that everyone wishes to enter, because only in that space can one find what they desire. The other is the passive kind, natural dreams.
The first type of dreams can be easily entered by outsiders, but extricating someone from them is considerably difficult; as for the second type, due to their passive nature, it’s relatively easier to bring someone out, but entering them is extremely challenging. Keep in mind, dreaming is a natural behavior of Mother Nature, and one absolutely must not challenge nature. A slight carelessness could lead to serious injury or even death.
The Great Zen Master, with his own strength, resolutely brought Ye Tian out. This fortune is beyond her reach, but what she finds perplexing is, is Ye Tian truly the Guardian of the temple? Is it truly worthwhile for the temple’s Great Zen Master to risk his life for someone whose origins are unknown?
"If we were to divide it into ten parts, a conservative estimate would be one part."
The Great Zen Master nodded, "That’s acceptable." He then turned to the Esoteric Master and said, "He can handle the upcoming Seizing Body Conference a few days from now. We will merely provide him with our support."
The Esoteric Master glanced at him, uncertainty in her eyes, "Will this be alright?"
Seeing his decided attitude, the Esoteric Master could say no more. She had been previously worried that the monastery’s inhabitants would not agree with her proposal, but now it seemed she had been overly anxious.
"The day is turning to night, we shall talk more tomorrow. I would like to trouble the Esoteric Master to bring him to my quarters tomorrow for further discussion, thank you for your efforts."
The Esoteric Master pressed her palms together and nodded.
"For you, as well as for me."
Every word the Great Zen Master spoke was imbued with Zen meaning. Considering the old Monk from the Underground Buddha Tower who seemed somewhat irreverent a few days ago, Ye Tian felt unsure which one was the real Great Zen Master.
On the next day, when Ye Tian woke up, porridge and vegetarian dishes were already prepared on the table. The Esoteric Master had finished eating and was in the courtyard, wiping the dew off Bai with a towel, then carefully drying him off. This silly ox, having fallen asleep after drinking water and not getting up, might as well just be slaughtered for meat to be more enjoyable.
Ye Tian had meditated on the mat overnight, and as his physical strength rapidly recovered, his understanding of the Panchen Finger also greatly advanced, from the first finger to the second, from having a method to being formless. Ye Tian knew in his heart that he seemed to have grasped two fingers of the Panchen Finger, but what puzzled him was that there seemed to be a hidden third finger to the technique. However, whether in books or the words of the old Zen Master, there was no mention of this third finger at all. Could it be that his feeling was mistaken?
After eating his fill, he felt somewhat guilty for occupying the meditation mat that the Esoteric Master usually used for resting.
"Is Bai not awake yet?"
As she carefully covered the snoring Bai with a blanket, Ye Tian asked, all the while internally cursing at this fortunate dead ox who had taken for itself a luxury that not even humans had been granted. Where could one even argue about such an injustice!
"He probably won’t wake up for a while. Let’s go, I will take you to visit the Great Zen Master at the temple. Now it’s a peaceful time, without disturbances."
Ye Tian expressed his thanks and followed the old Master, who was hunched over, walking with a white cane ahead of him.
The early morning atmosphere at Durbar Square was immensely different from the tourist rush during the day. It was more serene and peaceful, less hurried and frantic.
With the Esoteric Master leading, entry was also quite easy. Although the two little monks at the door gave Ye Tian an extra glance, this did not affect Ye Tian’s mood.
"The Great Zen Master is the most prestigious person within the temple, and also the most respected person nationwide. When you meet him, be sure to show great respect."
Ye Tian nodded in agreement as he followed.
Winding through the corridor and crossing the bright and blooming garden, despite the springtime scenery filling one’s view, the person amidst it had no mood for such appreciation. A sense of emptiness consumed the mind, an experience persisting since the previous evening, as though hinting at an impending pinnacle achievement—though it could just be mere fatigue.
Ye Tian could not fathom it.
The yard of the Great Zen Master was located at the deepest part of the temple. Following the Esoteric Master, Ye Tian came to understand why the Great Zen Master had been able to rush to the Forbidden Land; it turned out his yard was situated within it, separated by an expanse of wilderness, not far from the Nushen Tower.
The door was made of wood, and the path underfoot was earthen. Pushing open the door, a splendor of floral abundance unveiled itself; the old Zen Master was out front of the cabin feeding birds. Several birds perched on his palm, pecking at the feed.
"Arrived, have you eaten?"
Ye Tian genuinely wanted to reply that he hadn’t eaten.
"I haven’t eaten either, just perfect. We’ll cook something right here then."
Ye Tian smiled broadly, "I ate before coming."
The Esoteric Master said nothing, turned, and left. She knew that every word of the Great Zen Master was profound and meaningful, a high practitioner of the Buddhist Law. Inviting Ye Tian, there must be a plan in mind, most likely regarding the young man before her.
Dispelling the green bird in hand, his golden Kasaya’s long sleeves moved, and all dust vanished.
"How do you practice Zen Cultivation?"
Ye Tian pondered for a moment, "In the vast world, all is Zen; where is the distinction between cultivating and not?"
"This Panchen Finger is to practice Zen with a single finger. If cultivated, enlightenment engulfs heaven and earth; if not, one is halted at a bottleneck. Look at this flower, it practices Blooming Zen; that tree, it practices Big Tree Zen; and as for the butterfly on the flower, that is practicing Carefree Zen."
A colorful butterfly fittingly flitted before their eyes, stopping between the two for a moment, before resting in front of a Phoenix flower, motionless. Its wings bore black and white patterns, remarkably beautiful.
Ye Tian puzzled, "If everyone were to cultivate Zen, wouldn’t this world lack those who labor, unable to sustain life?"
"I labor, and that is but practicing Labor Zen. Birth, aging, sickness, death, eating, drinking, excreting—all embody the Zen principles the Buddha spoke of. Adhering too strictly to forms incurs fear and constraints, preventing one from living naturally and comfortably."
"Guanyin is all compassion yet never at ease."
Clearly, the old Zen Master was not aware of the Guanyin Bodhisattva from Huaxia. He simply nodded without a word.
"Is practicing the Panchen Finger really just as simple as Zen Cultivation?"
Ye Tian absentmindedly watched the butterfly that drifted past, lost in thought.
"Your heart is troubled; even the Zen you practice has become a sorrowful endeavor."
Ye Tian curled his lips into a smile, "Why have you become sour? Talking about sorrowful Zen, you sound like Lin Daiyu. Should we go ahead and bury flowers in mourning then?"
That smirk, however, turned out to be a bitter one.