So that’s it! Yun Kong was very moved after hearing this. It turned out that Master trusted him so much!
Fanshu interjected from the side: "The Five Flavors are disturbing the monks in this temple with the intention of making the abbot uneasy. I don't know what the intention is? I'm just afraid that if my thoughts are not pure when I die, I will go to a bad place."
"Master, don't worry, Yunkong will live up to your expectations!"
"I have one more thing to remind you." Denghuo smiled happily: "I just said that when the causes and conditions of your past life push you into the danger of death, those two things will let you know the causes and conditions of the past. If you survive this life-and-death crisis, there will be another one waiting for you, which is more difficult than the life-and-death crisis and will trap you in reincarnation even more."
After hearing this, Yun Kong became even more curious: "What is more terrifying than death?"
"Of course, you will know it when you meet it."
"How would I know if we meet?"
"As the saying goes, a leaf knows autumn. When you encounter it, you will not know it."
The lights gave him too many puzzles, which made Yun Kong want to know the path of his destiny even more quickly.
Deng Xin's expression suddenly changed, and Deng Huo said sadly, "Do you want to ask the god to tell Zhang Tie Qiao?"
Yun Kong was suddenly startled. His thoughts had just moved, but the master had already noticed it!
Denghuo shook his head: "Don't think about him anymore. When you think about him, you will have killed him."
But how can we not think about it? The more you try not to think about it, the more you think about it.
"Is Master Po Lu okay?" Deng Huo asked. Zhang Tieqiao in Yun Kong's mind immediately flashed aside and was replaced by Po Lu's appearance.
If the thought cannot be interrupted, cover it up with another thought.
"Master, he's an old man..." Yun Kong began to tell the story of his encounter with human poison.
Fanshu stood up and went to add some more lamp oil. The abbot's room suddenly became brighter late at night.
※※※
After the morning service the next day, all the monks used bean foam to purify their hands, and then gathered in the dining hall to have a meal. When they were preparing to recite the mantra to unveil the fast before breakfast, someone announced to the crowd: "The abbot has called for a lecture in the main hall after the meal."
No one realized that this was the abbot's last sermon.
The fact that a Taoist priest came to the mountain gate yesterday evening, like several Taoist priests who were driven away in the past, quickly disappeared from everyone's memory.
However, when the monk arrived at the main hall, he saw that the Taoist priest from yesterday had entered Yinshan Temple majestically and was still accompanying the abbot.
At this time, all the monks were in an uproar, and some of them were undecided and whispered among themselves in surprise.
After the bells rang, all twenty-three monks in the temple gathered in the main hall.
As soon as the sound of the pan was sounded, all the monks clapped their hands and became silent.
The wicks and lights sat shoulder to shoulder as usual, one showing a goofy smile and the other a peaceful smile.
Their two most trusted monks, Fanshu and Xushu, were guarding behind the two masters respectively. Next to Denghuo sat a young Taoist priest who was not fishy.
Fanshu remained motionless as usual, but Xushu looked uncomfortable. It seemed that he had not expected Yunkong's appearance.
Yun Kong has known Yun Kong since he was a child, but he always has a serious face and is not as casual as Fan Shu, so Yun Kong is not very close to him.
Deng Huo slowly spoke: "I have summoned you today to teach you a great sutra about life and death."
Although no one among the monks said anything, many of them were unable to concentrate, with countless thoughts floating in their minds: "How did this Taoist priest come?" "Is the legend that the Taoist priest inherited the abbot true?" "That time he came People from the Five Flavors say that the abbot passed away in March, isn't it already March?"
As long as the light continues to speak, their questions will be answered.
And the light said.
Denghuo said: "I will pass away tomorrow."
The air in the lecture hall suddenly boiled. The monks forgot to join hands and sing "Amitabha". Instead, some stood up excitedly, and some couldn't help crying.
When the attendant Xushu saw this, he shouted: "Hey! Everyone, be still!"
Suddenly, the mood of the monks could not be calmed down, and the hall seemed very stuffy.
At this time, Yun Kong slowly stood up.
As soon as the figure whom the monks had been suspicious of stood up, the hall fell silent.
Yun Kong stood proudly, scanning the monk with his eyes.
Thirty-eight eyes stared at him stiffly, burning every inch of his body.
Denghuo spoke again: "I have been in charge of this temple for many years. I will step down from this position tomorrow and go to rest."
Because Denghuo was always very tolerant to others, the monks were very respectful and submissive. For this group of monks, Yinshan Temple was like their home, and Denghuo was their home.
Now that the lamp is about to die, some monks could not help but burst into tears and sobbed in the hall.
"Abbot, don't go..." Someone finally cried and said this.
"Let's live in this world for a few more years..."
"It's okay to stay," Denghuo said, "but you still have to leave in the end, so why go against the natural birth and death?"
The dead tree and the mortal tree were both moving and still. The mortal tree smiled at everyone: "This is the last important event in life. Everyone should help the abbot. You all know that crying will disturb the mind."
However, Xushu shouted loudly: "The abbot is leaving. If everyone is crying, isn't it a waste of time and unable to hear the abbot's teachings?"
After Yushu said this, the main hall gradually became quiet.
Yun Kong was still standing, looking particularly eye-catching: "Masters, I would like to say a few words first."
The monks responded with silence.
Yunkong continued: "When I was thirteen years old, I was brought up the mountain by my tutor and became my teacher. Yinshan Temple collected many books, and the master taught me many principles. The years I lived in this temple were the most important part of my life. The happiest time, Yun Kong is grateful to the abbot and everyone... I am here today because I learned that my mentor was going to leave as early as a month ago, so I came here to see him off."
There was an old monk present who nodded frequently, and he also got along with Yun Kong back then.
Yunkong held back the tears in his eyes and said calmly: "Although this temple is a peaceful place, after all, the poor Taoist regards the world as his home. I am just a passing guest here, so I am here today not for anything else but to say goodbye. Let's go." After saying this, Yun Kong bowed before sitting back on the futon.
Deng Huo nodded to Yun Kong and said to the monks: "This Taoist, whose Taoist name is Yun Kong, is the disciple of my good friend. Today, I want to ask him three things."
When the monks heard that the key point finally appeared, they immediately listened attentively.
"The first is to ask him to light a fire for me and burn my body."
After hearing this, Xu Shu's face changed slightly. He thought this was the honor he deserved.
"The second is to give my ashes to Yun Kong and let him handle them on his behalf."
"Abbott," a monk said, "the relics of the abbot must be left in the temple. I wonder how this Taoist brother will deal with them?"
"I don't know."
"I don't know...?" The monks discussed one after another, and there was doubt in their hearts.
"Abbott," another monk said again, "the disciples really can't rest assured."
Deng Huo made a "hmm" sound and said: "When a tiger dies, it leaves its skin, and when a person dies, it leaves its name. What is a name? It cannot be worn to keep out the cold, nor can it be eaten to ward off hunger. Such a thing is nothing but nothing."
Then he said: "I'm not dead yet, maybe I don't have enough Taoism and I don't have relics. Even if I do, what's the use of relics? Are they placed in a pagoda for people to admire? If I burn the remains left behind, what will happen to you?" What is the use of seeking only relics and not the Dharma?"
Mortal trees and rotten trees have followed lamps and lights for many years, but they have never heard such a big talk about lamps, and they can't help but open their eyes in surprise.
Someone among the monks was eager to change the subject, so he asked: "Abbott, there is another important matter that needs to be decided early... I don't know who the abbot's position is. Who do you want to pass it on to?"
"This is the third matter," Denghuo said bluntly: "It is also up to Yun Kong to decide."
"Master!" Even Yunkong was shocked at this moment, "This matter is of great importance, and I don't dare to make mistakes."
"Yunkong, what did I tell you last night?"
Yun Kong was startled, and the scene from last night immediately flashed into his mind.
"Yunkong, you travel around the turbid world, unable to stop your steps, and worry about two meals every day. In this way, is this world a good place for practice?"
"Master, when I walk around the world, my body is not at peace, but my heart is always at peace."
"How do you feel at ease?"
"While walking, I counted my breaths and steps, and unconsciously, I felt a little bit in concentration." Yun Kong replied honestly, "In the market, I sat quietly among the crowds, waited, meditated on my mind, and could The human voice can pass through the ears without leaving any trace.”
"So, you have achieved some results." Denghuo said happily: "I live in a lonely mountain, trapped in four earth walls and layers of rooms. Who dares to say that this is a good place? Buddhism is beyond the world. Dharma, but it has never left the worldly Dharma."
