Chapter 368 Unknown

I saw an old monk coming over, first bowed to the crowd, and then sat on the high seat specially set up for the preaching monk.

Immediately afterwards, the people and believers who were admiring the lanterns in the temple came one after another after hearing the news. If they arrived early, they would sit on the ground.

In fact, Yuan Zai didn't feel strange.

Monks preach scriptures and Dharma to each other, pay attention to solemnity, the more profound and obscure the better, but there is no need to explain scriptures to ordinary people, you can do whatever is popular, after all, most people can’t understand those things. Crape words.

I saw the old monk with gray eyebrows and solemn treasure face chanting the Buddha's name, then his face changed, imitating a woman's voice, and said:

"The kind mother told Mulian: 'I made karma for my previous life, slaughtered pigs and sheep widely, and never practiced good deeds. All over the body, there are always sores and diseases. Suffering is endless day and night, and ten thousand lives and ten deaths a day.' The loving mother called Mulian to come closer, Mulian, Mulian..."

With two calls, several young monks began to beat the wooden fish and used various musical instruments to create an atmosphere.

On the high platform, the old monk continued to chant while covering his face with his sleeves, showing the appearance of "I am miserable":

"I live in this world without thinking about it, being greedy and killing pigs and sheep all day long, there will be no good or evil in the world, how can I expect to suffer new disasters today.

Hunger and thirst are common in hell, and they are boiled in soup, or climb mountains of knives and sword trees, or lie on iron beds for a long time.

What's more, plowing and pulling out tongues, foreign copper irrigation mouths are suffering, and I have not smelled the water vapor for several years, and my body is full of hunger and sores..."

There was a sound of sobbing, and Yuan Zai found that the soft-hearted and ignorant women around him had already hugged each other and cried bitterly.

at the same time.

The four figures landed on the top of the Buddhist hall, looking at the absurd farce below.

After watching for a while, Duke felt that the people of the Tang Dynasty were so easy to deceive, especially those older women. Redeem yourself and your family.

After a good time on the Lantern Festival, I just became sad.

But Pan Ming didn't find it strange. After all, people in this era don't have many entertainment activities. Books are hard to come by, let alone watching movies and TV dramas. Now it's rare to watch a performance.

Of course, the monks know how to measure, and the story of Mulian saving his mother is told, which implies that believers can stop with one offering of offerings.

At present, during the Lantern Festival, it is better to tell more festive stories. In this way, they began to tell historical legends, folk stories, and promote the prestige and achievements of the saints...

vulgar!

It is indeed a common saying!

If it wasn't for the occasion, Lu Li would have wanted to scold: A group of crooks shaved off their hair, put on cassocks, and brought a wooden fish, so they can bluff and deceive!

The most shameless thing is that he even called it:

wash away sins.

From the beginning to the end, no vision manifested, Lu Li could clearly see that the old monk sitting on the high platform opened his eyes many times, sneaking a glimpse of the utensils donated to the believers.

"It's really an eye-opener. The method of buddhist tongues blooming lotus flowers is well-deserved." Duke teased unceremoniously.

"The knives in the hands of Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty and Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty are still too blunt." Pan Ming looked disdainful.

"It made the benefactors laugh, the poor monk Chu Jin is the abbot of this temple."

After saying that, a figure appeared behind Lu Li, seemingly silently, but he noticed it immediately.

Chu Jin, whose common surname is Chen, was said to be able to recite the Fahua at the age of seven, became a monk at the age of nine, and was promoted to lecture at the age of eighteen. At the end of Kaiyuan, he served as the abbot of Qianfu Temple.

Under Lu Li's scrutinizing gaze, Chu Jin, who was wearing a tattered cassock, said neither humble nor overbearing: "The poor monk already knows the purpose of the four benefactors, please move forward and follow me to the main hall."

"lead the way."

After the words fell, the four of them fell from the back of the courtyard without disturbing anyone, including Yuan Zai.

In the past, Prince Zhang Huai voluntarily abandoned his mansion, and only now did he have this vast Qianfu Temple in front of him.

When he came here just now, Lu Li had already scouted everywhere, and found that the Sanmen Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, and the Great Hero Hall were all missing. Not only that, the lecture hall, Sutra Pavilion, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Patriarch Hall, and Jialan Hall are all complete.

How much money would it take to get it built?

Xu Shi noticed the disdain flashing in Lu Li's eyes, Chu Jin turned around and asked, "Did the benefactor misunderstand my temple?"

"Hehe, there is no misunderstanding."

On the side, Duke replied on his behalf: "I just feel that your monastery's kung fu of spreading lotus blossoms is really amazing, and slaughtering faithful men and women like fat sheep can make them willing."

"Sure enough, the benefactor misunderstood." Chu Jin shook his head, "No one dares to be greedy for the money donated by believers. They will either melt it down to build a golden body for the Lord Buddha, or use it to build a multi-treasure pagoda."

"When the poor monk first came to Qianfu Temple, he recited the Lotus Sutra one day, and when he reached the "Seeing the Pagoda", a pagoda suddenly appeared in front of him. He sat in meditation for six years and vowed to build the pagoda."

"However, our power is limited, so we can only talk about it, please believers to raise donations, and raise money from all directions."

tower.

It used to be a place to store monk bone relics, but it became a symbol in this dynasty. As long as conditions permit, monks will build a pagoda in the temple and stand in front of the Daxiong Hall.

But when the four of them were about to step into the treasure hall, they found that the courtyard was indeed empty.

The incense is so prosperous, how difficult is it to build a pagoda?

Unless the old monk has a big heart...

Well, Duobao Pagoda.

Just hearing the name makes me feel extraordinary, so I named it Duobao.

"I wonder how much money is left in your temple?" Pan Ming said calmly.

Chu Jin put his hands together and proclaimed the Buddha's name, and said frankly: "It took six years to raise 500,000 yuan for charity, and there is still a shortfall of 500,000 yuan."

Lu Li was speechless for a while, a piece of mutton pastry was worth 10 cents, if it was the money to build a pagoda, go buy the pie...

At this point, there is nothing that cannot be said. Li Bing asked: "Then why do you want to deceive believers? The monk who is in charge of preaching is ordinary, and you can even be called a philistine."

The old monk was not intimidated by Li Bing's appearance, and seemed to have mastered his energy-raising skills, and asked: "Everyone is not from my family, why are you talking nonsense? As long as you donate money, we will take care of all crimes and guarantee them After death, I will never fall into Avici Hell."

Frankly speaking, this statement cannot be verified.

At least Lu Li and the others couldn't verify it.

However, Chu Jin took the initiative and said: "Everyone has great luck, if you are willing to enter my sect, the poor monk will perform the method with your own body and show off the magical powers of Buddhism."

It was the first time Pan Ming and Duke heard this statement, and they looked at each other in blank dismay.

Li Bing remained expressionless.

As for Lu Li, he thought he would be immune to similar words, but when the monk said these words, he felt inexplicably irritated, very irritated.

Seeing that the four were silent, their attitudes were already very clear, Chu Jin still did not give up, and while walking ahead to lead the way, he said: "The poor monk knows that the three distinguished guests have prejudice against my Buddhism."

Which three?

Naturally, it was the trio of Lu Li, Pan Ming, and Duke.

"The emperors of the previous dynasties destroyed Buddhism because they believed that Buddhism was not about production, and lived on alms and alms."

"But this temple is different. Planting grain, growing vegetables, chopping firewood, carrying water, all kinds of work are all done by yourself."

Chu Jin spoke eloquently, "When the weather gets warmer after a while, our temple will hold a 'general invitation' activity. All monks and nuns from poor monks and down will go to the fields to work."

"A day without work, a day without food!"

"Every famine year, the gate of the mountain is opened, and food is distributed to the victims."

Speaking of this, a divine ring rose from the back of the old monk's head, as if a real Buddha came into the world.

In fact, those words cannot be false. Qianfu Temple has a history of nearly 70 years, and it is not the first time Chu Jin has taken charge of this temple. Lu Li and others can ask the nearby residents to find out what happened.

"Ben meow... Shaoqing didn't ask about the smell of meat, nor did he smell blood."

After saying that, Li Bing deliberately put on a straight face, dissatisfied that Lu Li kept putting his hand on his head.

Regarding this, Lu Li didn't seem to have seen it. If he doesn't pet the cat now, he will regret it when he goes back in a few days.

After the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, the clear rules of "abstaining from killing and eating meat" have been basically established, and Li Bing has an extremely sensitive sense of smell. It shows that the monks of Qianfu Temple really strictly abide by the precepts——

Several meals a day consist of rice porridge as the main food, served with pickled vegetables, stewed tofu with green vegetables is considered a delicacy, if one suffers from a serious illness, nutrition must be supplemented, and one can only eat some honey and crispy cheese.

Self-sufficient, vegetarian and Buddhist.

Satisfying these two requirements is indeed worthy of the name of a master.

After patiently listening to the explanation, Duke spoke quickly and said, "So, we have misunderstood. There is a world of difference between the great virtue and those who bully the world."

Lu Li nodded, and added in his mind: The premise is that believers can really be blessed by the Lord Buddha after death, otherwise, they are still thieves.

The Daxiong Hall, located in the center of the entire temple, enshrines Sakyamuni and other great Dharma Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats.

All major events were held here. It can be seen from this that Chu Jin did not neglect everyone, and the four of them gradually put away their preconceived attitudes.

"The poor monk knows that you are here for the murder case in Pingkangfang, isn't it?"

After entering the main hall, Lu Li took his hands away temporarily to show the Lord Buddha a face.

Li Bing, who had regained his freedom, put his claws on his back, regained his aloofness, and nodded for him to continue talking.

"Benefactor Zhang is not a murderer. He feels that he has no chance to win a prize in the Toad Palace, so he decides to go back to his hometown to study his homework, and he will go to Beijing to take the exam next year."

"Besides, the benefactor Zhang came from a poor family, and he really didn't have the money to redeem his confidante, so he had to write a letter to refuse."

Lu Li had a weird face.

The old monk is not the person involved, how did he know so clearly?

However, he did not open his mouth to inquire. The case was handled by Li Bing at the sole discretion, and he came here to help make a appearance.

"Empty talk has no proof, what about Confucian scholars?"

Li Bing is full of official air, but his heart is extremely uneasy: I knew that the host of Qianfu Temple was so talkative, so I brought Yuan Zai directly in...

That's right, it was regretting that it shouldn't have asked Lu Li for help.

"After hearing the news of Miss Mingyue's death from the poor monk, he was chanting scriptures for her in the guest room." Master Chu Jin lowered his eyebrows and said in a low voice, "Speaking of which, the two murders are indeed related to this temple."

Everyone suppressed their distracting thoughts and knew that the main event was coming.

"Some time ago, two girls, Fuxiang and Mingyue, came to this temple to pray for blessings. It stands to reason that they should have been accompanied by Jiansi or other successful monks..."

Speaking of this, Chu Jin sighed helplessly, and his face without sadness and joy finally changed, and he blamed himself: "But that day the poor monk summoned forty-nine great virtues from the whole temple to practice Dharma and Hua Samadhi, and there was no time to take care of it." other."

In front of the golden body of the Lord Buddha, the old monk naturally would not lie, and told the whole story completely.

It turned out that after six years of hard work, Chu Jin had a whim, and had a premonition that the construction of the Duobao Pagoda would be completed in the near future, and the remaining 500,000 yuan would be made up by the saint.

Because of this, he summoned all the eminent monks with mana in the whole temple, practiced the Lotus Samadhi, and wrote a volume of "Golden Lotus Sutra", a volume of "Bodhisattva Precepts", and a volume of "Contemplation of Samantabhadra Sutra". There are one thousand volumes of the Lotus Sutra and thirty-six volumes of gold characters, and the town pagoda.

Under such circumstances, the two ladies Mingyue and Fuxiang were targeted by the evil spirits, and the accompanying monk Zhike was mortal and did not notice any abnormality.

By the time Chu Jin reacted, it was too late.

"The incense in Qianfu Temple is very prosperous, so why are there evil spirits? I heard that Huai Gan, an eminent monk of the Pure Land Sect, lived here in the past to practice the samadhi, and he attained the samadhi three years later." The voice came from outside the hall.

Not long ago, Yuan Zai was fed up with the layman's tricks to fool the people. He simply left the courtyard and searched for clues.

"Siqing, Shaoqing."

He walked quickly, first saluted the two superiors, then nodded to Pan Ming and Duke who did not know him, and finally looked at Chu Jin with a bad expression, as if he was asking for an answer.

"Does the benefactor know why Master Huaide came here to practice?" Chu Jin didn't care about the provocation in Yuan Zai's words, and said to himself: "Not long after the temple was completed, Prince Zhanghuai died unexpectedly. This is his old house, and it is unknown. .”

Prince Zhang Huai, Li Xian.

An heir who was admired by his father and wanted to entrust his family and country, and a prince who was praised by his courtiers as the chastity of the world and the gift of the three dynasties, was falsely accused of treason, and the false accuser was his biological mother Wu Zetian.

Li Zhi knew the whole story in his heart, and wanted to protect him, but Wu Zetian retorted: To conspire against a son of man is not tolerated by heaven and earth;

A sage crown prince, a cowardly father, and a femme fatale mother.

According to legend, a person with resentment will turn into a ghost after death, so what about the crown prince?

Lu Li thought it would be tricky.

Anyway, Chu Jin said it in a very cryptic way, summarizing it with an unknown birth. After all, Prince Zhanghuai is the uncle of the saint today, and they both come from the same origin.

"The poor monk built the multi-treasure pagoda not for his own selfish thoughts, but just to save the dead."

"Actually, there is no need to elaborate. The four benefactors will believe everything the poor monk said in the grand court meeting two hours later."

Words are full of determination.

Reminiscing what Chu Jin said earlier, the remaining 500,000 yuan will be funded by the emperor himself, and Lu Li believed it a little more.

all in all.

The whole case is not complicated. The two girls had a bad life, were targeted by unknown persons, and died unexpectedly.

However, there is still a doubt.

Why did they cross half of Chang'an City to come to Qianfu Temple to offer incense?

"Buddha Tongji Volume 22, Shimen Orthodoxy Volume 7, and Lotus Sutra Holder Record Volume 1": In July of this year, Xuanzong dreamed that there was a Dharma name on the nine layers and gold characters on the bottom. In the next morning, an envoy was sent to test it, and he gave 500,000 yuan and 1,000 pieces of silk. In the following year, he welcomed the teacher to Huaelou, and bestowed the imperial forehead of the "Duobao Pagoda" and a hundred pieces of silk. In the third year of Tianbao, at the second hour of the Spring and Autumn Period, forty-nine great virtues were called together to practice the Lotus Samadhi and play it as a constant form. The master also pricked blood to write one volume of the Golden Lotus Sutra, one volume of the Bodhisattva Precepts, and one volume of the Sutra of Contemplation of Samantabhadra, and received three thousand grains of relics. He also wrote one thousand parts of the Lotus Sutra and thirty-six parts in gold characters to town the pagoda. In the second year of Qianyuan, he died, and his life span was sixty-two. The original Fahua Lanruo, the head of Xilong was buried by imperial edict. His posthumous title is "Zen Master Dayuan".

ps. This story is adapted from this.