Besides, the Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, returned to his hometown, Longshan Guoen Temple, to promote it in his later years. Regardless of his illness and disability, he "told everything he knew and asked questions." In response to a question from a Zen monk in the hall, he asked Empress Wu Zetian and the Empress Dowager to realize the "Queen's Dream". ", falsely claiming to be the reincarnation of Maitreya Bodhisattva; when the real Maitreya Bodhisattva was born, Zhang Zhongtian was flooded and took Maitreya home to adopt him; when he went to Maitreya to escape marriage and went to Shan Tianhua Temple, he was plotted by his senior brother about doing chores, and it was unbearable. It's eloquent...
When Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, talked about Maitreya repaying evil with kindness, which enabled Yingqing and the three of them to escape the pursuit of officers and soldiers, he thought of Yinying's pursuit of him several times. In the end, he also repaid evil with kindness to Yinying. When he said, "A red lotus will be born in the fire." "At this time, old things from the past came to mind again...
At this time, Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, could no longer continue speaking.
The eyes of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng were filled with tears. In his blurry eyes, the kind faces of the great virtuous An Daocheng and his mother, the pain of his father, the deep affection of A Lanmei and A Lianmei, the back of the Fifth Patriarch Hong Ren... scenes flashed before his eyes. …
In the quiet and solemn hall, on the high Sumeru throne, the consistent mysterious smile on the face of Buddha Sakyamuni always makes people inexplicably moved, and they can't help but be fascinated, attracting people to explore the infinitely beautiful realm...
In the silence, Shenhui walked up to the stage and announced loudly: "Dear friends, it is getting late now and it is already past dinner time. My master's sermon is here for the time being. This temple has prepared a meal for everyone. Please Move to the dining hall and have a drink."
The audience in the audience said in unison: "Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, thank you for your hard work, thank you very much!"
Seeing such a touching scene on the stage, Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, was moved to tears. He choked and said: "Thank you for your hard work! Thank you for looking up to me and listening carefully. I would like to thank you." Passed! That’s it for today! Finally, I wish everyone good health and all the best!”
After the Sixth Patriarch Huineng finished speaking, he bowed his hands to the audience and said, "Thank you again everyone! You all go to the dining hall to have a meal."
The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, walked down the hall while waving as he spoke, and Shenhui hurriedly stepped forward to support him.
Zen Master Jingkong from Jintai Temple saw the Sixth Patriarch Huineng coming towards him. He quickly stepped forward and said respectfully: "Thank you for your hard work, Sixth Patriarch Huineng!"
"Uncle Jikong, you're welcome." Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, bowed his hands and suddenly noticed that there was a man in the last row of seats with a red face, a long beard, and gray eyebrows on both sides of his chin. He was quite immortal. layman.
He is An Daocheng, a well-known good man in Xinzhou.
The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, said to Zen Master Jikong, "Uncle Master, I have met Mr. An. Please come to the dining hall to have a meal first, and I will go and get together with the shopkeeper An."
Ji Kong raised his hands and bowed, "Okay."
Let’s talk about Xinzhou Shopkeeper An. The day before yesterday, he heard from customers at his store in Xinzhou County that the Sixth Patriarch Huineng had returned to his hometown. He had been preaching sermons to the public at Longshan Guoen Temple for the past two days. So, regardless of his old age, when he arrived at the hall of Longshan Guoen Temple, the seats were already full, so he had to sit down in the last row of seats and concentrate on listening to the teachings of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng.
An Daocheng did not expect that after more than fifty years, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng would still recognize him at a glance. How could the word "fate" be explained so easily?
As soon as An Daocheng saw the Sixth Patriarch Huineng coming, he hurriedly bowed his hands. Just as he was about to kneel down and worship, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng quickly supported him and held his hands tightly, like a relative reunited after a long separation. How much to say.
But for a moment, I didn’t know where to start. Thousands of words and so much gratitude melted into one sentence: "Uncle Cheng, why did you come just now!"
The sound of "Uncle Cheng" suddenly shortened the distance between them, "The Sixth Patriarch Huineng has not changed. He is still the same Huineng who knew etiquette and justice and was grateful for repayment..." An Daocheng was secretly happy and was about to go up and make out. I grabbed his hand, but for a moment I felt something was wrong. I thought: Aneng is now the Sixth Patriarch of Zen, respected by thousands of people. I am a merchant and a Buddhist, so I must have some dignity...
An Daocheng thought of this, regardless of his old age. When he fell down and bowed down, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng had quick hands and quick eyes. He hurriedly stretched out his hand to support him and said humbly: "Uncle Cheng, what's wrong with you? At first sight, Do you have to give such a big gift when you see each other again? Doesn’t this kill the juniors? "
Andao said sincerely, "You are now the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. According to the rules, as a Buddhist, it is natural for me to pay homage to the Sixth Patriarch!"
"Uncle Cheng, where did you come from so many rules! You must follow the rules. You are my senior uncle. It was you who led me and helped me go north to Huangmeidong Zen Temple to seek Buddhist teachings. It was you who helped take care of my mother for a long time. In daily life, you are..." When the Sixth Patriarch Huineng said this, his voice was a little choked and he wanted to kneel down...
Shenhui was so frightened that he hurriedly stepped forward, supported the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, and said considerately: "Master, let's finish our meal before talking."
"Then... okay. Uncle Acheng, let's get together after the meal." The Sixth Patriarch Huineng took An Daocheng's hand and slowly entered the dining hall.
After finishing the meal, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng looked at Shenhui and said, "Uncle Acheng will stay in my dormitory tonight, and we will have a good time together."
"Okay, Master, I'll make the arrangements right away." After Shenhui finished speaking, he went to prepare sheets and other items for An Daocheng.
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng and An Daocheng walked out of the Zhaitang, walked on Longshan for a while, and then returned to the abbot's room.
At this time, the abbot's room was completely silent. This kind of silence is not dead silence or condensation, but full of expectant motivation.
At this time, Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, clearly felt in his heart that there was an undercurrent running quietly and accumulating quietly. There was rolling thunder in the silence, and it seemed that it might explode at any time...
"Dong dong dong..."
The dusk drum sounded, and then, a sound of nature broke through the sky——
Longshan Guoen Temple has restored its original tranquility.
The night in the temple was so quiet and mysterious.
A crescent moon, like a silver hook, hangs high in the night sky.
The hazy moonlight shines on the main hall, pavilions, and trees. The entire Longshan Guoen Temple seems to be shrouded in a layer of night fog, illusory and light, as if a breeze blows away and floats away. The night sky high in the sky...
The wind chimes hanging on the eaves of the high gratitude tower would occasionally sound a "ding-dong" sound, making the moonlight even more desolate and making the night tremble even more secluded.
Suddenly, from somewhere in the temple, a soft chanting sound came, as if it was an affectionate call from the soul, calling for the return of the spirit...
It was almost midnight, and many monks and pilgrims in the temple were already soundly asleep. But the clamor of autumn insects, the shrill chirping of night cats, and the sound of the watchman's clapper made the Sixth Patriarch Huineng even more excited and unable to sleep.
During the day, when he saw An Daocheng in the palace, he couldn't calm down for a long time.
This An Daocheng made him so emotional that he couldn't sleep all night.
Like a ghost, Shenhui came in from outside the inner room and saw Master lying on the sofa on the left side of the dormitory. At this moment, the painting "Guanyin Seat Lotus" hanging on the wall caught his eye.
He was slightly startled and suddenly felt astonished. Especially the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva painted by the painter is so similar in appearance and temperament to his master. Shenhui will understand that Master once told him about the origin of this painting and told him to remember to bring it back from Baolin Temple to Guoen Temple. This shows how precious and important this painting is in Master's mind. …
The surface of the lake is like a golden vase, but it is rolling like waves on the sea. The big waves are emptying, which is earth-shattering. The golden Li Xiaolan is sitting on the Guanyin Bodhisattva; while Guanyin is sitting firmly on Li Xiaolan, fighting against the wind and waves firmly, under the heavy haze. The dim sun brings a glimmer of hope to those fighting death...
At this moment, Shen Hui thought that Master's mood must be the same as the scene in the painting, rolling with "big waves."
"Master, go to bed." After a long time, Shenhui's eyes turned from the screen to the Sixth Patriarch Huineng lying on the sofa, and his voice was very soft.
The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, was still lying on the sofa, his eyes slightly closed and silent.
"Master..." Shenhui raised his voice slightly.
The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, moved slightly as an answer.
"Master, it's late at night and it's cold. You and Uncle Acheng should go back to your room and sleep."
The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, still did not open his eyes or say a word. The hall was very quiet, so quiet that you could almost hear the beating of three hearts.
"During the day, I heard people in the hall talking about Liang Jinlian and Li Xiaolan..." Shenhui spoke in a low voice, recalling what he heard about them during the day.
Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, trembled all over as if he had been shocked by electricity. He sat up straight, his expression suddenly changed, his face turned pale, and then he stood up, pacing back and forth in the bedroom, rubbing his hands alternately, sweat dripping from his forehead.
God will see the situation and realize that he made a mistake.
The past is like smoke, rushing into his mind - over the years, every time he thinks or hears news about Liang Jinlian and Li Xiaolan, he feels like he has received an electric shock and his whole body trembles...
The Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, leaned to the left, lay back on the sofa, and closed his eyes.
After a long time, Shenhui finally became calmer.
He sat in front of the sofa, took Master's cold hands and rubbed them, from the back of the hands, palms, wrists to each slender finger.
After a long time, An Daocheng came over and looked at the Sixth Patriarch Huineng intently: "Aneng, don't think too much, just let those past days pass forever..."
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng slowly opened his eyes and looked at An Daocheng, silent. After a while, he stretched out his arms and gently touched her thin hands. At the same time, he closed his eyes again, closing them tighter to prevent tears from flowing out.
An Daocheng stared at the Sixth Patriarch Huineng through the veil of tears. He knew that the Sixth Patriarch Huineng was not that kind of "disloyal" person. Whether outside or in the countryside, his behavior and speech were very upright, and he devoted himself to Buddhism. He knew that he was a tough guy full of chivalrous tenderness, and decided to Things that have been resolved will not be changed easily.
What she loved was his tenacious character and selfless spirit in his tireless pursuit of Buddhism. Therefore, he likes to make friends with him and help him selflessly...
But when he thought about the tragic misfortune of the two important women in his life, and that he was helpless, he couldn't help but turn his face away, and his shoulders began to twitch violently.
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng was stunned.
After a while, he stretched out his hands, patted An Daocheng's trembling shoulders, and stroked his long, graying beard. A few turbid tears slowly dripped from his cheeks and sprinkled on his arms.
These tears stirred up thousands of tastes and emotions in the heart of Sixth Patriarch Huineng. He was about to say something when he saw An Daocheng close to his temples and cheeks, choking and saying, "Brother Aneng, it's Brother Yu's fault for failing to take good care of Alian and Alan."
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng affectionately wiped the tears from the corners of An Daocheng's eyes and said with emotion: "The world is unpredictable, how can I blame you!"
An Daocheng held the Sixth Patriarch Huineng's hands tightly and bit his lower lip hard. After a while, he sighed with difficulty: "Brother Aneng, don't think so much. Let the past things pass forever. !”
However, will the past really be "forever"?
No! Once something happens, it has an existence and will be recorded in one way or another. It will leave deep or shallow traces in history and social life, affecting people today and in the future.
This is especially true for the Sixth Patriarch Huineng.
The night fell, everything was silent, and the entire dormitory was still immersed in dim lights. The wall clock on the wall ticked quietly quietly, from twelve o'clock to midnight, one o'clock, two o'clock, and then pointed to three o'clock.
At this time, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng was lying on the sofa, his arms resting on the armrests on both sides, his left hand hanging, and the five thin fingers of his right hand supporting his broad and protruding forehead, his eyes slightly closed, as if in deep thought, and Like drowsiness.
Shenhui will still be standing next to the sofa. The night was cold, so he covered his master and An Daocheng with quilts, glancing at the Sixth Patriarch Huineng and An Daocheng from time to time. On the wall, the "Guanyin" still stands proudly, while the "monstrous waves" are overwhelming and almost swallowing up everything.
Shen Hui lost count of how many such sleepless nights he had spent with Master. It wasn't until tonight, at this moment, that he realized the full meaning of it. He understood what kind of turmoil the appearance of An Daocheng aroused in the master's chest!
Although the Sixth Patriarch Huineng closed his eyes, he did not fall asleep, and it was impossible for him to fall asleep. The years spent in his hometown and everything that had happened were reappearing scene by scene, roaring in his mind...
In the silence, when Shen Hui left the dormitory, An Daocheng's hoarse voice rang out: "Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, since the New Year's Eve of that year, I had a family reunion dinner at home and came to Longshan with new year's goods, but he has disappeared. After leaving you in the thatched shed, I went to your home in Xialu Village. When I saw Xiaolan and Jinlian, I asked anxiously: "Is Brother Aneng at home?" "
Xiaolan, Jinlian and the others were preparing a New Year's Eve dinner at home, waiting for you to come back. When I asked this question, they knew that you were no longer in the Longshan Caotou, so they and I couldn't find you anywhere. Later, an old man told us that in the evening, he saw you drifting away with a monk...
When An Daocheng said this, he looked at the Sixth Patriarch Huineng with cloudy eyes, with reproach in his eyes that he did not leave Xiaolan and Jinlian alone.
Looking at this reproachful look, what else can be said?
This mental illness that has been buried in the heart of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng for more than fifty years, looking back now, seems like it was yesterday, and it is still aching in his heart...
"Uncle Acheng, I can't help them!" the Sixth Patriarch Huineng said deeply apologetically.
"Brother Aneng, I am not talking about you because of my uncle. You should never leave without saying goodbye!" An Daocheng said sincerely.
These words struck the Sixth Patriarch Huineng like a whip. Asking himself, in this life, the people he feels most sorry for are them. He deserves to be beaten and scolded! It's just that he didn't even know that he would leave them without saying goodbye and follow the monk resolutely...
Now that things had happened, he didn't want to defend his fault. He just asked with concern, "Uncle Acheng, how did A-Lanmei and A-Lian-mei fare afterward? Are they okay?"
"Hey, you've left, how can they be okay?!" An Daocheng sighed and told the story of their experience after he left -
Since you left them, after the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, Liang Jinlian packed her bags and heard that she had gone back to Tianlu Mountain. Since then, she has never been seen or heard from her again. She has not been heard from until now. No news...
As for Li Xiaolan, she...
