Chapter 180: Chapter 103 Senior Monk Invitation
Great Lingyin Temple was thriving with pilgrims, not just on first and fifteenth days of the month; the stream of devout followers offering incense never ceased.
Gu Changsheng, leading his son, stared dumbfounded at believers who would kneel every three steps and bow every nine, holding aloft their tall incense sticks, and earnestly climbing up the temple stairs.
The immense power of faith was indeed enough to resonate in one’s heart.
A mountain is considered spiritual not by its height but for the presence of immortals; a body of water gains its spirit not from its depth but from the dragons within.
It is said that, a thousand years ago, the Great Lingyin Temple was the final resting place for the remains of an ascetic high monk, and today it even holds the saintly relics from after the monk’s seated death. Its reputation only grew, and it was counted among the most renowned during the Zhou Dynasty.
Gu Changsheng was not exactly a pious believer; had his beloved son not requested it, she genuinely wouldn’t have wanted to step half a foot into the realm of gods and Buddhas.
What if there really was some enlightened monk who could see through her non-human nature at a glance? That would make things pretty serious!
Damn it! If such high monks were that easy to encounter, they wouldn’t be called high monks. Gu Changsheng, with hopeful thinking, muttered a few silent “Ami Tofu.”
However, she reckoned that no matter how much she prayed, she wouldn’t become the darling of gods and Buddhas. Otherwise, why would she have inexplicably died and been exiled to this world?
Entering the mountain gate, Gu Changsheng, with the mindset of a tourist, followed the stream of pilgrims—entering every hall and bowing to every Buddha statue they encountered.
“Flower Peacock, I didn’t expect you to pray with such devotion, and your offerings were quite generous,” Gu Changsheng glanced at Yue Xilou beside her, who did not seem at all like a devout believer.
“If we didn’t come, it would be fine, but since we are here, naturally, we must pray. There’s no logic in encountering Buddha and not paying respects,” Yue Xilou replied, holding Little Meat Bun’s hand.
“That’s a point,” Gu Changsheng nodded. Having left the Ksitigarbha Hall, which was the last grand hall, she noticed the stream of worshippers starting to head back along the path they’d come.
“We have prayed to the Buddha, offered the incense, and d our share, let’s head back down the mountain,” Gu Changsheng looked back at the grand hall one last time before starting to walk away.
She had said it all along, enlightened monks weren’t just someone you could meet whenever you wanted, damn it, she really was overly worried.
“Benefactor, please wait.”
Not far from the temple gate, Gu Changsheng was called by a young monk.
“Are you calling us?” Gu Changsheng hesitated, pointing at herself. There wasn’t really a high monk who sensed something untoward about her and decided to take her in, was there?
“Amitabha, Benefactor, you are kind and generous, with boundless merit. If the Benefactor is not in a hurry to descend the mountain, you may follow this little monk to the Buddhist squatters’ quarters for a short rest, partake of some vegetarian meals, listen to our master recite scriptures, and it won’t be too late to descend after the sun has passed its peak,” the young monk bowed in a Buddhist salute.
Gu Changsheng was taken aback. Damn it, she had thought too much. Clearly, they were seen as wealthy folks, the type whose riches move a monk’s heart, planning to bestow a little favor to hook in returning patrons.
“If so, a rest wouldn’t be amiss,” Yue Xilou glanced at the sun and then at Gu Changsheng.
It had taken only a Shichen Chinese Time for them to ascend the mountain, and now it was nearing noon; the sun indeed was a bit harsh. Gu Changsheng thought it over and agreed that resting in the temple until the midday sun waned was a good choice. Returning the young monk’s salute, Gu Changsheng spoke, “In that case, please trouble the young master to lead the way.”
The mountain breeze was gentle as Gu Changsheng and her companions, following the young monk, circumnavigated the halls to settle in a secluded courtyard.
Not long after, true to his word, the young monk served them a vegetarian meal. While not delicious, it was still blandly appetizing.
Having eaten her fill, Gu Changsheng thought to take a nap when the young monk returned after clearing away the dishes.
This time, he had come to invite them to listen to the scriptures.
To this, Gu Changsheng declared she had no interest whatsoever. She didn’t possess that particular cell in her body and felt that to desecrate the Senior Monk’s sermon with her presence was less substantive than simply getting some sleep.
However, Xiao Cui and Little Meat Bun were excited, leaving Yue Xilou no choice but to accompany them to the Zen Room to respectfully hear the Buddhist teachings.
All was silent except for the fragrance of sandalwood lingering in front of Buddha. Gu Changsheng lay on the bed as her eyelids began to fight a losing battle with sleep.
Just as she was about to drift off, rhythmic knocking sounds broke the silence.
“Won’t they go back to their monk’s cells to rest after listening to the scriptures? Why knock on the door?” Still groggy, Gu Changsheng buried her face in the pillow and murmured.
The knocking paused briefly but soon resumed.
“Thump, thump, thump…”
Damn it! Such rhythm, as if this were a Wooden fish! Gu Changsheng could not help but grumble and finally, resignedly, got up to open the door.
“Amitabha, Benefactor, you’re most courteous. The Senior Monk of the temple requests your presence,” the young monk chanted a Buddhist verse, bowing with hands clasped together.