In fact, Uncle Ma has never stopped thinking about Taoist Zixu in his heart. Of course, this relationship cannot be renewed, but it would be good to see him a few more times in his lifetime.
After all, Uncle Ma is getting older at this time. In a few years, he may not be able to climb the mountain.
We said goodbye to the temple owner, left this interesting Taoist temple, and started heading to the next stop.
Next, it’s time to see Taoist Master Zixu and Zhang Wenwen.
I just don’t know what it will be like when we meet?
Along the way, Uncle Ma was leading the way. We didn’t know where we were going, so we could only follow and didn’t dare to ask.
Because Uncle Ma didn't know where his thoughts were going and he was always absent-minded. Asking him anything was in vain.
In fact, not only Uncle Ma, but I was also absent-minded, or rather distracted, because when Uncle Ma met Taoist Master Zixu, it also meant that I would meet Zhang Wenwen.
I haven’t seen her for several years, and I don’t know what she is like now. Has she forgotten me?
Only Ma Yunfeng was heartless and carefree, and kept laughing at us, saying that one of you is seeing an old lover, and the other is meeting a young lover. Isn’t it bad for me, a light bulb, to follow you? Oops, after this meeting, some people's tears are about to burst into tears again.
This guy was really noisy. Uncle Ma and I said in unison: Shut up!
Ma Yunfeng covered his mouth, but after a few minutes of silence, he asked again.
"Uncle Ma, when we come to Zhongnan Mountain this time, have you greeted Taoist Zixu in advance? What if she is not on the mountain?"
After hearing this, Uncle Ma didn't say anything for a long time. After a while, he sighed and said to us.
"Well, there is actually something I haven't told you. Taoist Master Zixu, she is sick. I came to Zhongnan Mountain this time to see her."
When I heard this, I couldn't help but become nervous and asked: "Since Taoist Master Zixu is sick, why didn't you tell us earlier, why should we go to Xuanzhen Temple? We should go directly to see her. Wouldn't this waste time?" "
Uncle Ma shook his head: "It's useless to go early. She went to a hospital out of town for a physical check-up. She said she would only come back today, so..."
Ma Yunfeng interrupted at this time: "Uncle Ma, what disease does Zixudao have? Why does it sound a little serious?"
Uncle Ma glanced at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "She refused to tell me, but my intuition told me that I'm afraid... it's not a good disease."
Hearing this sentence, we were all shocked. Taoist Master Zixu has been a monk and practiced Taoism for so many years, and he is no longer in the mortal world. Logically speaking, his body should be in good health. How could he get this?
Looking at our surprised looks, Uncle Ma sighed and said, "Don't look at me. I don't know what's going on. I've heard about it too, but she refused to tell me. However, in recent years, she has really I’m very tired and worried about Guanli.”
I couldn't help but ask: "What's going on? Isn't the view very good? Why should she worry about it?"
Uncle Ma shook his head: "She is no longer in the previous temple, because there is a very old temple in the mountain. There is an old Kun Taoist in the temple. He is too old, more than eighty years old, and he has no successors, not even one." There was no one to sweep the floor and put incense. Moreover, the temple was too old and the house collapsed, so Zixu went over and took over the temple, and of course, she brought a few disciples with her."
When I heard this, I thought of Zhang Wenwen unconsciously, wondering if she would be with Taoist Master Zixu...
Ma Yunfeng also asked: "So, Taoist Zixu is worried about the old temple?"
Uncle Ma said: "Yes, you should know something about the situation of our Taoism, especially some small temples in the mountains. There is little incense, little attention, no one, no money, and they can't survive."
I know what Uncle Ma is talking about. In fact, in many small temples and temples in the mountains, the life of the Taoist priests is indeed very difficult. They usually can only grow their own vegetables to eat, and sometimes they exchange them for some rice. Occasionally there is some incense money, which is also used to worship the ancestor.
Some people may say that you can sell talismans, tell fortunes, receive rituals, give salvation to people, go out to show people feng shui, and catch ghosts, etc. Aren't these all ways to make money?
Everyone, first of all, from a geographical point of view, no one goes to the small temple in the mountains. Where can I go to receive religious services?
First of all, you have to have believers, and someone has to know you. At that time, it was relatively closed-off, unlike now, where various online platforms are everywhere. You can wear a Taoist robe and post a video, and someone will ask you to tell your fortune.
Besides, there are only two or three people in many small temples, so most rituals cannot be performed.
Especially in Quanzhen, where rituals are the most important, a religious ceremony requires at least five or six people, and as many as a dozen people. It requires a high-level master and a scribe. It is a complete supporting team with a complete set of ritual procedures. Just two or three people chanting sutras is not called a ritual.
So there are always people clamoring that it costs thousands of Dharma gold to hold a ritual ceremony, and how Taoist priests make money. In fact, you will understand if you do the math. A general ritual ceremony is calculated based on an average of eight to ten Taoist priests. You have several thousand yuan, but each person can only get two to three hundred yuan on average as hard-earned money, because this money also includes money for incense in the temple, and not all of it is kept in his own pocket.
Nowadays, I only earn two to three hundred yuan from working for a few hours. I remember telling a senior brother that it is better to be a carpenter and bricklayer than to be a Taoist priest. He said, let alone bricklayers, they can't keep up with the labor on the construction site.
As for selling talismans to catch ghosts and feng shui, I'm sorry, Quanzhen's main business is not those, it is the business of the Zhengyi sect, such as Tianshi Mansion, Maoshan, Lingbao, Jingming, Qingwei and so on.
Therefore, this is the situation in many temples now, and survival is a problem.
In this already difficult situation, Taoist Master Zixu went to take over a temple that was almost "collapsed". You can imagine the difficulty.
We couldn't help but fell silent, and Uncle Ma stopped talking and led us all the way forward, climbing in the mountains.
To put it simply, we walked in the mountains for almost three hours before finally seeing a small temple.
This is really an ancient temple in the mountains. It is very desolate and surrounded by towering ancient trees. The small temple is hidden among the trees, and a winding path leads directly to the front of the temple.
However, this trail is clean and tidy. Although the road is the most ordinary stone road and is very dilapidated, it complements the small temple in the mountains and has an ancient Taoist charm.
Arriving in front of the temple gate, Uncle Ma stopped and looked up, without saying a word for a long time.
