Chapter 346: Chapter 122: Fortune_4
Yueying was only thinking about the scriptures she had copied, but she hadn’t considered that Yueyao could recite the scriptural texts from memory. Yueying looked at her own still swollen hands, lost in thought.
Cai Lan complained discontentedly, “Third Young Lady, you’ve also put a lot of effort into copying these ten Scripture Scrolls, and they contain your hard work as well. Why should only the Third Young Lady go to meet the monastery’s esteemed monks without taking you? Third Young Lady, you can’t just let this go.”
Cai Qing glanced at Cai Lan, then said to Yueying, “Third Young Lady, who among those who came to the monastery to pray haven’t copied scriptures? This matter isn’t so simple.”
Yueying thought about how Yueyao could easily recite the texts she copied and no longer said anything. The master wanting to meet Yueyao was probably because of Yueyao’s talent! Yueying just couldn’t understand why all the good fortune was taken up by Yueyao alone.
The Little Novice Monk went in first to report to Master Ru Kong, then relayed the observations from the road and exclaimed, “Master, this is the first time I’ve seen such a devout female benefactor!”
Ru Kong looked at Yueyao, standing calmly before him; she was clearly just a child yet she exuded a solemnity and a sense of time-worn experience that did not match her age or appearance.
Ru Kong quickly composed himself and greeted Yueyao, “Female benefactor, be at peace.”
Yueyao responded as usual, bringing her hands together in a gesture of respect, “Master, I have disturbed you.”
Ru Kong, observing Yueyao’s practiced movements, could not help but be taken aback and marvel, “Female benefactor…” Such adept movements were not developed overnight, and had she not been known to him, he might have mistaken her for a fellow practitioner.
Ru Kong quickly realized his impoliteness and asked, “Benefactor, I heard from Ji Xiang that you have memorized all twelve Scripture Scrolls you copied–is that true?”
Yueyao smiled and said, “To say I’ve memorized them all is an exaggeration, but I generally have an impression of them. What the little novice monk asked me earlier happens to be something I remember quite well.”
Ru Kong nodded in approval, the female benefactor was indeed modest, and he started reciting, “Karoti, Yixi Li, Mahabodhisattvada…”
After a moment of thought, Yueyao continued, “Sapo sapo, molo molo, mixi mixi li dauyun, julu julu jiemeng, dulu dulu, Poshayedi, Mahaposhayedi, tuoluo tuoluo, di li ni.”
With Ji Xiang’s words in mind, Ru Kong was not surprised, but he asked, “Could you explain the meaning of this passage for me?” Merely reciting was not unusual, but the rarity lay in explaining the meaning of the texts, which was the true sign of insight.
Yueyao had no problem reciting by heart, but she had to be careful not to reveal too much and explained, “Bodhisattva Guanyin uses their powerful and stern dharmic form to subdue the three demons of greed, anger, and ignorance that spread poison among beings, thus allowing those who cultivate to achieve purity. Moreover, the Bodhisattva employs the pure lotus to manifest compassion, sprinkle sweet dew, and save living beings from suffering…”
Yueyao’s answer was not entirely correct, but she explained about seventy to eighty percent of the meaning. Nevertheless, this shocked Master Ru Kong tremendously, for her insight truly was the best he had ever seen.
Master Ru Kong with some disbelief asked, “Is this truly the first time you have encountered these texts, female benefactor?” Ru Kong was somewhat skeptical.
Yueyao did not want to deceive Master Ru Kong, so she explained, “After my parents passed away, I have been copying Scripture Scrolls, having copied over five hundred by now. Perhaps it’s because I’ve copied so many that I’ve found them easier to remember.” Yueyao actually avoided the question.
Ru Kong, who had been in the monastery for more than thirty years, surely knew that one couldn’t just remember the texts by copying alone. It required dedication, focus, and only then could one remember. But simply remembering wasn’t enough, as the texts were obscure and difficult to understand and required certain insight and talent to grasp.
Ru Kong felt it was a pity that Yueyao was a woman; had she been a man, he would have definitely tried to persuade her to join their ranks. He said, “Female benefactor, your wisdom is extraordinary. If you wish to borrow more scriptural texts, you may go to the Scripture Pavilion to select them. I have already spoken to the steward monk there on your behalf.”
Although Yueyao felt somewhat disappointed, she still gratefully responded, “Thank you, Master.” But then she made a small request, “Master, if I have any questions about the scriptures, may I seek your guidance?”
Ru Kong could not permit Yueyao to join the Little Novice Monk for early lessons, but offering private explanations of the texts to Yueyao was certainly possible.
Yueyao hesitated for a moment, then finally gathered her courage and asked, “Master, I presume to inquire, has there been a great teacher recently in the monastery who explains the scriptural texts? If so, I would like to attend, fulfilling a dream of mine.”
Ru Kong looked at Yueyao, a child whose utterances bordered on life-long contentment, which felt somewhat strange. Laughing, he said, “Do not worry, benefactor. If there truly is a master giving teachings within the monastery, I will certainly inform you.”