Raising his head, he saw three large words above the main hall: Heavenly King Hall!
He sighed inwardly. As expected of a large monastery. This style was indeed much more impressive than his small monastery that only had a Ten Thousand Buddha Hall. After passing the Heavenly King Hall, Zhang Xuan turned around and saw a golden-armored general holding a Demon Subduing Pestle in his hands. Fangzheng was no stranger to the statue. One Finger Monastery had one too. It was none other than the Skanda God. Judging from the Skanda Deity's actions, Red Cloud Temple was set according to the standards of a medium-sized temple. Traveling monks could eat and stay here for free for a day. Any longer than that and they wouldn't be able to receive them.
Past the Heavenly King Hall was the main hall of the Hongyan Temple, the Mahavira Hall. At the entrance of the Mahavira Hall, there was a huge cauldron made of bronze. Inside the cauldron, there was a strong incense burning and smoke rising to the Nine Heavens. Four words were carved on the body of the cauldron: "The country is prosperous and the people are at peace".
Fangzheng did not enter the Mahavira Hall. Hong Xiang led Fangzheng around the side and into the monk's residential area. There was a single room there, which was also the abbot's quarters.
Zen Master Hongyan was waiting for Fangzheng in the abbot's chamber. The moment he entered, Zen Master Hongyan stood up and pressed his palms together. "Abbot Fangzheng, thank you for your hard work."
Fangzheng hurriedly returned the bow. "Abbot Hongyan, you are being too polite. It's not that far, so it's not too tiring."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they took their seats. Zen Master Hongyan said, "It's our Hongyan Monastery's blessing that Abbot Fangzheng is here."
Fangzheng shook his head and said, "Zen Master Hongyan, what you said makes This Penniless Monk embarrassed. This Penniless Monk has read less than a hundred scriptures and has less than twenty years of experience. How can This Penniless Monk be worthy of such words? On the other hand, Zen Master's fame has spread far and wide. It's my great fortune to be able to come to Hongyan Temple to learn various Dharma Assembly arrangements and hosting techniques. "
"Heh heh, Venerable Fangzheng, you are being too polite. Back when you crossed the river on a reed, your Lotus Flower Conveyance was immensely beneficial to This Penniless Monk. In terms of preaching, This Penniless Monk is far inferior to Venerable Fangzheng, "said Zen Master Hongyan honestly.
Fangzheng smiled bitterly in his heart. Lotus Flower Conveyance my ass. It was all thanks to the System. However, Fangzheng also had an ominous feeling …
As the saying goes, good things don't happen, but bad things do.
Zen Master Hongyan said, "I wonder if This Penniless Monk will be lucky enough to hear Venerable Fangzheng preach the scriptures again tomorrow?"
A million thoughts raced through Fangzheng's mind. He wanted to say it, but he needed to say it out loud!
Fangzheng decisively shook his head and said, "Zen Master Hongyan, This Penniless Monk's preaching is not to be taken lightly. If it is fated, it will naturally be preached. Buddha once said, "Sutras should not be taught lightly." If it's spread too lightly, it won't be worth much. "The moment that was said, Fangzheng was already prepared to look at Zen Master Hongyan with displeasure.
However, Zen Master Hongyan wore a neutral expression. There was a tinge of disappointment on his face, but he nodded in understanding. "This Penniless Monk was being greedy. Venerable Fangzheng, since you wish to learn how to conduct a Dharma Assembly, let Hong Xiang bring you around. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask. If Hong Xiang doesn't know, This Penniless Monk can answer for you. "
Fangzheng hurriedly thanked him. This was his goal for coming.
After bidding Zen Master Hongyan farewell and leaving the abbot's quarters, Fangzheng heaved a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Zen Master Hongyan was a reasonable person. If he were to encounter someone who pestered him, Fangzheng would not know how to deal with him.
Hong Xiang had been waiting outside the entire time. Zen Master Hongyan must have instructed him to do so. Therefore, the moment Fangzheng came out, Hong Xiang said, "Abbot Fangzheng, what would you like to see? This Penniless Monk will bring you there. "
"This Penniless Monk doesn't know either. Tell me what your Dharma Assembly is about," said Fangzheng.
Hong Xiang chuckled. "In fact, there isn't much to a Dharma Assembly. It's mainly based on the theme of each Dharma Assembly. Some monasteries hold Zhun Ti Bodhisattva's Christmas Dharma Assembly with conversion as the theme. As for this Dharma Assembly, it mainly revolves around performing strange rituals for disciples. And this Dharma Assembly of ours is a Blessing Dharma Assembly. This Dharma Assembly is different from the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly. This time, we are not the main characters but the devotees. The devotees are praying for blessings today. If the person is kind and sincere, there will usually be a good outcome.
Another thing is to recite the scriptures at an auspicious time. This is a tradition and also a form of baptism. The scriptures can cleanse all life and also bless all life.
In addition, we provide vegetarian meals. Devotees can eat freely but they are not to take it away or waste it. Of course, if one only eats without offering incense money, it would be equivalent to eating all life. And if one were to offer incense money, even if it's just a cent, it would be used to provide for all life. That is merit.
Our Hongyan Monastery is different from other monasteries. We are not particular. This is because a Dharma Assembly is a Dharma Assembly that promotes benevolence. It is also a gathering of believers. Everyone will gather together for a bustle, offering incense and praying for peaceful and blissful days. That's why our Dharma Assembly is less rigorous and more lively. "
Fangzheng listened and watched as he followed Hong Xiang. He gained some understanding of Hongyan Monastery's Dharma Assembly. Just as Hong Xiang said, the Dharma Assembly was actually a Buddhist festival. What was a festival for? Naturally, it was to celebrate. Devotees would come to the monastery to offer incense and pray for blessings. With more and more people, there was naturally a need for activities. However, singing and dancing clearly did not match the solemn environment of the monastery. Therefore, chanting scriptures and collective prayers became the best form of repayment. Then there was the vegetarian meals …
Upon thinking of the vegetarian meals, Fangzheng could not help but feel a headache. It was difficult for his One Finger Monastery to provide vegetarian meals. The main reason was that he was too poor.
Apart from that, Fangzheng received an unexpected reward. He saw Hong Qianxi and Hong Qianjie in the evening. The two brothers had changed into a new set of clothes and looked spirited. They were strolling around the monastery. Fangzheng recalled what the System had said. Fangzheng seemed to be able to give them good karma. But how was he to do it? That was a problem. He could not impregnate both of them, right?
Fangzheng took a glance at the two before he left. However, his white monk robes were too eye-catching. Therefore …
"Brother, I … I think I saw Brother Water Ghost," said Hong Qianxi suddenly.
Hong Qianjie jumped in fright. "Brother, don't tease me. This is a monastery. Which water ghost is so ferocious that he would dare come to a monastery?"
"Didn't I tell you? That water ghost is a monk. Who knows, he might have come from here, "said Hong Qianxi.
Hong Qianjie shuddered. "Cut it out. I'm getting goosebumps. Although Brother Water Ghost is a good ghost, we are separated by Yin and Yang. It's best we don't meet. About that, let's go to the Mahavira Hall. Buddha is consecrated there. He probably won't follow us, right? "
Hong Qianxi nodded. The two went to the Mahavira Hall. The Mahavira Hall consecrated the three Buddhas, the Past, Future, and Present Buddhas. The two offered incense and silently prayed. "Brother Water Ghost saved us. Buddha, please send Brother Water Ghost into Samsara."
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