"You're welcome. Well, I have to go back after I light the incense. Master, if you are busy, you can go ahead. Don't worry about me. " After Hu Tan said that, he entered the temple hall. When he looked up, he realized that the Buddha statue was gone. In its place was a golden painting with two Bodhisattvas. They were both Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Ever since the previous incident, Hu Tan had specially studied Buddhist knowledge. He knew that this was the Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Guanyin. She had remarkable powers and was in charge of more matters than the child-giving Guanyin. Hu Tan was not greedy. He silently prayed, hoping that he and his family would be safe. Then, he lit an ordinary incense stick and bade farewell.
After Fangzheng sent Hu Tan off, he opened the envelope. It was not a letter, but an invitation.
When he opened it, Fangzheng was stunned.
"Baiyun Monastery is holding a blessing Dharma Assembly at the beginning of next month. They are even inviting me?" Fangzheng was truly astonished!
Baiyun Monastery was a medium-sized monastery. It occupied a large area and was located on Baiyun Mountain. Baiyun Monastery held many Dharma Assemblies every year, almost every month. But every year, after the New Year, the Dharma Assembly would be the largest and grandest. It was called the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly.
This Dharma Assembly was to pray for the people of the world. Therefore, a single monastery could not bear the consequences. Often, they would invite other monasteries to organize it together. All the monasteries that were organized would have their names printed in the name list, and there would also be large posters hung outside. This way, be it the news media or the householders and devotees attending the dharma assembly, they would all see these posters, promoting the reputation of the various monasteries.
It could be said that any monastery that could enter the Baiyun Monastery's Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly was like an official monastery that had been given a certificate. Those who were not qualified to go were like wild monasteries. Although he didn't say it out loud, he didn't think it was correct. However, that was how the world was. Baiyun Monastery did not invite you, so how could you call yourself a monastery? It must be fake, right? Are you a scammer?
This was the influence of Baiyun Temple!
It was also because of these benefits that countless monasteries fought to participate in Baiyun Monastery's Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly every year. However, Baiyun Monastery's Zen Master Baiyun was not a materialistic person. Under normal circumstances, regardless of the size of the monastery, as long as he knew of it, he would basically send out invitations. As such, Zen Master Baiyun was respected by everyone in Black Mountain City. No one dared to criticize his character.
However, One Finger Temple did not receive such treatment back then. After all, it was too remote. Furthermore, Zen Master One Finger kept a low profile, so Baiyun Monastery did not know of One Finger Temple's existence. As such, One Finger Temple had never received an invitation to the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly.
He thought of how Zen Master One Finger would look in the direction of Baiyun Monastery every year at this time, silently helping to pray and recite the scriptures. Fangzheng smiled. "Old Dad One Finger, you have never been there before. This time, we have been invited. You should be happy, right? Hehe … "
Fangzheng smiled and put away the invitation. The Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly was next month. There was still half a month left, so he wasn't in a rush.
In the following period of time, Fangzheng cleaned the temple hall, recited scriptures, wrote, walked the dog, and teased the squirrel. He led a carefree life …
However, some people felt uneasy.
"What? Baiyun Monastery is inviting One Finger Temple to participate in the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly? "Wu Ming looked at the monk in front of him in shock.
"Senior Martial Brother, I just received news. It had been confirmed that he had indeed been invited. I know that you are not on good terms with One Finger Temple, so I came to inform you immediately, "said Hong Xiang.
"Hong Xiang, you did well. There will be benefits for you in the future. This matter will end here. Don't tell anyone, got it? Especially Senior Brother Wu Xin. He is too honest and has always been prejudiced against me. It will easily cause trouble, "exhorted Wu Ming.
"Don't worry, Senior Martial Brother. I'm with you. Senior Martial Brother Wu Xin is too stubborn," assured Hong Xiang as he patted his chest.
Wu Ming nodded as he pondered over how to deal with Fangzheng. He had suffered at Fangzheng's hands twice, especially the last time. He had been reprimanded by Fangzheng in front of so many people. He had lost all his dignity. He had to seek revenge!
At that moment, Hong Xiang whispered, "Senior Martial Brother Wu Ming, actually, it's not difficult to deal with Fangzheng."
"Oh? What ideas do you have? Tell me! "Wu Ming's eyes lit up as he asked.
Hong Xiang came over and whispered, "Baiyun Monastery is located on Mt. Baiyun. Although Mt. Baiyun is part of Mt. Changbai, it's located in the middle of a river. The mountain is perennially surrounded by rivers. To ascend the mountain, one has to take a ferry …"
When Wu Ming heard that, he laughed out loud. "That's good. That's good. Hmph! When the time comes, Fangzheng will definitely be utterly embarrassed. Let's see if he still has the cheek to participate in the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly! Perhaps, when he returns, his heart will explode and he will renounce asceticism. Haha! "
Fangzheng did not know that someone was plotting against him. He continued leading his days in peace.
Occasionally, visitors would come up the mountain to offer incense and pray for blessings.
Time passed in a blink of an eye. Half a month passed. Seeing that the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly was about to begin, Fangzheng had no choice but to make a trip down the mountain to seek Wang Yougui's help.
"What? Baiyun Monastery is inviting you to participate in the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly? "Wang Yougui was immediately excited when he heard that.
Fangzheng grinned. Why did he feel that Wang Yougui was happier than him? Who was the abbot?
Wang Yougui laughed out loud when he saw Fangzheng nod. "That's great! That's great news. Your One Finger Monastery is really going to become famous! If it can become a tourist attraction, the city will give it some support. Our village will become famous as well. Haha! "
Fangzheng was immediately rendered speechless. Indeed, the village chief was the village chief. His thoughts were completely different from his own.
"Alright, don't worry. While you are away, I'll get people to watch the monastery for you. I guarantee you that when you return, it will be spotless. Not a single hair will be missing," guaranteed Wang Yougui as he patted his chest.
With Wang Yougui's guarantee, Fangzheng felt relieved. Wang Yougui also asked if Fangzheng had enough money to go out. If it was not, he would give it to him. Although Fangzheng wanted it, the money was not incense money. He could not accept it, so he tactfully rejected it. He carried a bag and left the village. Inside the bag were the rations he needed for his journey to Baiyun Monastery. He was probably too poor to afford a restaurant.
After leaving the village, Fangzheng finally embarked on his journey to Baiyun Monastery. As for Squirrel and Lone Wolf, they were left in the monastery to watch the place.
This was the first time Fangzheng was going to such a faraway place alone. He felt a little apprehensive but when he thought of the place he was about to go, he felt a little excited. The only thing he was worried about was that he did not have much money left.
One Finger Village had a bus that went to the neighboring village. Every day, it would go to a few villages before heading to Songwu County. It would be sent back in the afternoon. There was only one bus a day, so he could take it early in the morning. If he was late, he would have to wait until the next day.
Fangzheng boarded the bus. The bus was filled with acquaintances. Everyone was no stranger to Fangzheng as they engaged in a lively conversation.
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