Thirty miles southeast of Xiangyang, there is Lumen Mountain, not far from Hanyin Town. There is Lumen Temple on the mountain, which is the largest Buddhist resort nearby.
Lumen Mountain was originally called Suling Mountain. During the Jianwu period of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Guangwu and Xi Yu dreamed of a mountain god at the same time, which facilitated the construction of temples on the mountain. There are two stone deer facing each other at the intersection, so it is called Lumen Temple, and the mountain is also called Lumen Mountain. It hasn’t changed yet.
Wang Xiao dismounted his horse and looked at the tranquility of the mountain road, which has a refreshing flavor. Said: "Zeng Wending wrote a poem, 'If you don't set foot on Suling Mountain, you will only travel to Xiangyang in vain.' Only when I arrived at Suling Mountain today did I realize that what he said was true."
Chen Yuyi said: "Defense is not a person who likes to travel in mountains and rivers. I have been in Xiangyang for several years, and today is the first time I visited local scenic spots."
Wang Xiaolie smiled, said nothing, and led everyone on the mountain road together.
Lumen Temple is huge. Before the Jin people invaded the south, they claimed to ride on horseback to close the mountain gate. Now the world is in turmoil and has been destroyed by the Jin people. It cannot be compared to what it was before. However, walking on the mountain road, I still saw many nearby believers, who were extremely devout.
After looking at it for a long time, Wang Xiaolian asked: "Is the incense on this mountain so prosperous?"
Chen Yuyi said: "Today, April 28th, is the birthday of Medicine King. People living in the surrounding area come to the temple to offer incense."
Wang Xiaolie nodded. Unexpectedly, I randomly picked a day to go hiking and encountered a temple fair.
The birthday of the King of Medicine is a folk belief, and there are different opinions. Some say it’s Shennong, some say it’s Fuxi, some say it’s the Yellow Emperor, some say it’s Bian Que, some say it’s Hua Tuo, some say it’s Sun Simiao, and some even say it’s the king of Puchang, San Wei, Lu Dongbin, there are different legends from various places. one. Of course, it is also said to be the Medicine King Bodhisattva of Buddhism. No matter how many people there are, the medicine kings in different places are different, and the medicine kings worshiped are also different.
When we arrived at the mountain gate, there were already guests waiting there. Bowing and saluting, Wang Xiaolie and his party were invited to enter Lumen Temple.
There are large tracts of bamboo growing beside the road. The bamboo poles are straight and green, and the breeze blows from time to time, and the rustling sound brings a bit of coolness. When we arrived in front of the temple gate, we saw two tall ginkgo trees on both sides, like two guards.
When we got to the living room, we served tea. Zhike put his hands together and said: "The abbot is feeling slightly unwell today and is resting in his Zen room. If the officials are free, it is better to stay in the temple for a day. Lumen Temple is a scenic spot in Xiangyang, you can visit around it."
Wang Xiaolie said: "I am in charge of several states, millions of people, and tens of thousands of troops. Where can I find my time? I went up the mountain today to talk to the abbot about official matters, so I cannot stay long. I would like to ask you to go and talk to the abbot. If your health is not very serious, just say a few words."
The monk who knew the guest looked troubled. After thinking for a while, he folded his hands and resigned to Wang Xiaolie.
Chen Yuyi said: "This is a pure place for Buddhism, so why not rest for a few days for defense? The surrounding scenery is really good, and there are also places where Meng Haoran and Pi Rixiu live in seclusion, and many literati and poets visit it."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Counsellor, to be honest, I don't want to ask these outsiders for worldly affairs. If I really have free time, it would be okay for me to go up the mountain to visit the scenery. But today I have something to do, and Zen Master Fa Deng is missing. , you will naturally feel unhappy in your heart.”
Chen Yuyi said: "Zen Master Faleng is an eminent monk. He does good deeds in the village and is loved by the people. Why don't you miss him on purpose?"
Wang Xiaolie shook his head and said nothing.
Not long after, the monk Zhike came back. He folded his hands and said: "Officials, the abbot is waiting in his Zen room to welcome you."
Wang Xiaolie stood up, and with Chen Yuyi and his entourage, followed Zhike Monk. When I got to the backyard, I turned to a door. This door looks very ordinary, even a little mottled. On both sides of the door, there are a few jujube trees.
The monk who knew the guest stood in front of the door and said, "The abbot is waiting for the officials inside, and the poor monk will not go in."
Wang Xiaolie said to Chen Yuyi: "Let's go in and leave the entourage outside the door. After all, this is a pure place of Buddhism, so it's not good to make noise."
After saying that, he stepped forward and opened the two doors.
Inside is a small courtyard. Near the door, several flowering trees were planted. It seems that they were planted casually, without any particular care, but they were kept very clean. There is a pool next to it, with several lotus plants growing in it, and several flower buds on top. There were a few fish swimming in the water, which seemed to be caught from the nearby river. They were not rare species.
Beyond the pond is a small vegetable garden. Gourds, luffa and other vegetables are grown all over the fence. There are seasonal leafy vegetables and two racks of cucumbers planted in the garden. Beside the cucumber field is a small leek garden. In the field, a young novice stood by the bucket, and an old monk held a gourd to water the water.
No need to ask, that old monk must be Zen Master Fa Deng, the abbot of this temple. These Buddhist monks each have their own unique temperament. Some people like to wear colorful clothes and attend high gatherings, while others like to meditate in peace and quiet. They are all different.
Wang Xiaolie stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Wang Xiaolie, the envoy of the South Jingxi Road, came to pay a visit to the Zen Master."
Zen Master Fa Deng straightened up and put down the water ladle. He turned around and looked at Wang Xiaolie, paused for a while, and sighed helplessly: "A few days ago, Xiangyang Mansion invited me to preside over a Dharma conference. If I didn't agree, I asked for twenty ultimatums. I originally thought that Xiangyang could handle such a small matter. , but I don’t want to cause trouble with the officials. If I had known this, why should I be so greedy? "
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why did the Zen Master say that?"
Fa Deng said: "The benefactor is a hero of the time, rarely compared to others, and he should be able to save the country and the people. However, it is not a blessing of Buddhism. During the time when the benefactor is in Xiangyang, I only hope that I will not see the benefactor and that we will be well." It’s really not what I wanted to see you come to my door today!”
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment. He turned to Chen Yuyi and said, "I don't understand what Zen Master said."
Chen Yuyi said: "This is a Buddhist meditation opportunity. It is normal for you not to understand it before the opportunity comes."
Wang Xiaolie lowered his head and thought for a while, then said with a smile: "I don't think it's necessarily some kind of Buddhist Zen idea, but the Zen master has lived for decades and has become a mature man. Now I am in charge of a large army stationed in Xiangyang, and I can decide life or death with just one word." A few days ago, I won a great victory over the Jin army at Jingmen. Who in the world doesn't know about it? Therefore, the Zen master used these words to flatter me without leaving any trace."
Without thinking, Zen Master Faleng adjusted his robes and walked out of the small garden. Putting his hands together to Wang Xiaolie: "The donor thinks too much and is obsessed with appearance. If the poor monk is greedy for worldly wealth, he may not do what the donor said. It's just that the poor monk practices Zen, which is naturally different. - Please come inside."
Wang Xiaolie had a strange feeling when he saw Zen Master Faleng. I can't describe this feeling, I just feel it's a little different.
When they arrived at the abbot's room, the young novice monk served tea and stood by.
Zen Master Faleng said: "The official made a new loose tea in Xinyang Army. In the past two years, more and more people are drinking it. When I drink this tea, it is the simplest and most peaceful. It is used for drinking and entertaining guests. Official Please give it a try."
Wang Xiaolie saw that the tea leaves in the cup were round and straight, the soup was light green in color and smelled of a refreshing fragrance. He smiled and said, "In just one or two years, this tea has become very different from when I made it. From the looks of it, it is good tea!"
After saying that, he picked up the cup and took a few sips, feeling the fragrance lingering on his lips and teeth.
Chen Yuyi drank it and felt that it was different from the tea he usually drank. The taste is fresh and fragrant, something I have never tasted before. I just said yes, but I really can’t say what’s good about it. Even though Chen Yuyi and Wang Xiaolie drank a lot together, they were still not used to loose tea.
Zen Master Faleng said: "There are experts who make tea, and I have mountain spring water here. It will naturally taste very special when brewed."
After drinking tea, we chatted a few words. Wang Xiaoxing said: "The Zen master must know why I came to Lumen Mountain today."
"I know, I know." Zen Master Fa Deng nodded. "In order to do something right, I asked the Xiangyang Mansion for twenty ultimatums. If I don't want to, the ultimatums are all in the hands of the officials. The officials don't want to issue ultimatums, so they came to me."
Wang Xiaolie said, "Does the Zen master know why I don't want to issue an ultimatum?"
Zen Master Faleng looked at Wang Xiaolie, shook his head and said, "Why don't the officials want to tell you? I'm afraid that I may not be able to explain it clearly. How can I know?"
Wang Xiaolie laughed and said: "What Zen Master said is interesting. If I don't understand, how can I withhold it? At this time, everyone is short of money. If the ultimatum can be exchanged for money, how can I withhold it without knowing it?"
Zen Master Faleng raised his head, looked into Wang Xiaolie's eyes, and asked slowly: "Excuse me, officer, why do you not want to issue an ultimatum?"
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment, his mind turned around a few times, but he didn't know what to say. Indeed, the main reason is that I deliberately restrict religion. But why restrict religion? Telling others because of past life knowledge? This is not funny! Because of my attitude toward religion, I feel that using ultimatums to make money is dishonorable, which is the second reason for not issuing ultimatums. But why? When Zen Master Faleng asked, he suddenly felt that he couldn't explain clearly.
Seeing that Wang Xiaolie was silent, Zen Master Faleng said calmly: "Donor, many things in the world are things that I feel I understand in my heart, but it is difficult to really say it out. It's not that I can't tell people, but it's hard to explain the truth. In this world , if it doesn’t make sense——”
Having said this, Zen Master Faleng shook his head.
Wang Xiaolie smiled and said: "If you can't tell a truth, you can still make people understand it. For example, it's a Zen machine."
Zen Master Faleng picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. Putting down the tea cup, he slowly said: "The donor has a certain opinion about me and Buddhism, so he speaks sarcastically. But he doesn't know that the monk practices Buddhism. He has long been worried about the honor and disgrace in the world, but the donor has nothing to focus on. It's just that The donor and I met today because we were destined to talk about something serious. The donor focused on ridiculing the monk, but I felt that the conversation was boring. "
Wang Xiaolie was stunned for a moment. Indeed, due to the influence of my previous life, I always felt that the monk was not a good monk and that the Dharma was not the true Dharma, so it was inevitable that I would ridicule him. When Fa Deng said it, he found it boring.
But if we don’t say this, what can we say? I don’t know much about Buddhism and I have no interest. I came today just to tell Zen Master Faleng about my attitude. Zen masters are also Chinese citizens and should serve the country and cannot stay aloof. Who would have thought that when we talk about it now, we don't even talk about anything serious, we just talk about nonsense.
From the attitude of Zen Master Fan Deng, it seems that he is not opposed to contributing to the country, but he just wants to issue some ultimatums of his own. Could it be that I thought wrongly?
