noveltune Chapter 2091 - 1528: Longxing Temple, Whose Domain Is It?
Chapter 2091 - 1528: Longxing Temple, Whose Domain Is It?
"Heng Bridge leads to the Deserted Island, Hua Yu emerges from the desolate thicket, the Wind and Moon meet kindred spirits, and the mountain and lake find their master...""Oh! Mr. Yao Fu, this sounds like a poem by the renowned official Mr. Sima from the Northern Song Dynasty? However, this Mr. Sima harshly criticized our Japan in the ’Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance’..."
"Haha! Knowing small courtesies but lacking great righteousness, adhering to minor protocols but lacking great virtue, focusing on trivial matters while ignoring integrity and shame, fearing power without revering virtue, the strong inevitably become bandits, the weak must humbly submit... Sen Juzuo, is this the line you’re referring to? Though the Song people’s evaluation is biased, using these words as a mirror, much can be revealed!... However, the Song people have been gone for four hundred years, and our Japan has been bathing in Tang culture for four hundred years, already different from the past..."
"Oh, really? In this chaotic era of the Shogunate... Buddha bless! Hopefully, it’s as Mr. Yao Fu says! ..."
The gentle spring breeze caressed the shores of Moon Lake southwest of Ningbo. Over a dozen Japanese envoys strolled around, appreciating this magnificent scenery, unable to resist shaking their folding fans and reciting Tang and Song poetry.
As the Translator, Shi Wende followed closely behind with a solemn expression. He didn’t want to be too close to the Japanese envoy, as it reminded him too much of unbearable memories. But the governor had already given him orders to always monitor the Japanese’s movements and situation, to act as a competent "spy," to prevent any mishaps.
In fact, the lifesaving token granted to him by the governor was meant to drive him today, a preemptive blessing. How could one refuse the governor’s rewards and orders? Reluctantly, Shi Wende had to run to the Japanese side every day. Among the guests disputing in the Guest House, many were his acquaintances, making him feel awkward both inside and out. So, following the Japanese envoy leaders to "tour the mountains and waters" was relatively easier...
"Si Ming stretches three thousand li, the morning sees the red clouds of Red City. As the sun rises, red light scatters, shining on the snowy cliffs... Mr. Shi, after touring Moon Lake today, why not walk around Si Ming Mountain tomorrow? ..."
Mori no Kiyoshi smiled and suddenly turned his head, looking at the Translator Shi Wende, suggesting a new idea. Shi Wende’s expression stiffened, feeling that this "smiling" Japanese monk wasn’t a kind-hearted monk. He thought for a moment about the location of Si Ming Mountain, hesitated a moment, and responded to Mori no Kiyoshi.
"Sen Juzuo, I dare not be called a kind friend; just call me Mr. Shi Translator... Si Ming Mountain is too far from the city, and quite rugged and difficult to traverse. Firstly, it’s not very convenient, and secondly, I must ensure the safety of your dignitaries... Without a permit from the Market Department or the Magistrate’s government, I dare not take you there..."
"Oh! Is that so? ..."
Mori no Kiyoshi looked disappointed and shook his head. He glanced at the thoughtful Envoy to Ming, Yao Fu Shouhuang, then looked at the nervous Shi Wende and said with a smile.
"Buddha bless! If that’s the case, let’s go to Xinglong Temple tomorrow instead! It’s close to the city and is an ancient temple from the Eastern Jin. It’s customary for tribute missions to go there for worship, discussing Buddhism and meditation... Mr. Shi Translator, please rise early tomorrow to take us there..."
"Xinglong Temple on the city outskirts? Sure, how dare I disobey! ..."
Seeing Shi Wende nod with relief, Mori no Kiyoshi blinked and looked at the elder Envoy to Ming, Yao Fu Shouhuang.
"Mr. Yao Fu, after circling the lake today, will you still have the strength to visit Xinglong Temple together tomorrow?"
Yao Fu Shouhuang smiled gently and shook his head. He hinted and sighed.
"Oh, growing old! Today’s running about has left me exhausted, unlike you young folks... I must rest tomorrow. Sen Juzuo, you should take the others and this sturdy Translator along!"
"Ah! Sure. Mr. Yao Fu, I will make good wishes and offer incense on your behalf before Buddha..."
Mori no Kiyoshi nodded and smiled gratefully at Yao Fu Shouhuang. Shi Wende was oblivious, and thus the itinerary for the next day was set. The many hidden connections intertwined on the "Light of the Nation" plaque at the Guest House were destined by some predetermined fate, unknown to what end.
The day quietly passed as the sun set and the moon rose. Early the next morning, Mori no Kiyoshi took a few Japanese and the Ming Translator Shi Wende to Xinglong Temple to offer incense. Shi Wende had already arranged for servants to notify the temple the previous day.
Backed by green mountains and facing the Yong River, Xinglong Temple bore a long legacy. Combining the beauty of nature with the ambiance of Buddhism, its scenery appeared elegant and solemn from afar, and up close, it was full of natural spirit. Upon reaching the mountain gate, towering ancient trees flanked both sides, with hundreds of years old ginkgo and cypress trees forming a shaded avenue. A few hundred steps ahead, one could see the time-worn temple walls, the central lotus pond, and the distant Great Hall.
A kind and benevolent old abbot sat leisurely by the springtime lotus pond that had yet to bloom, along with a few young monks. Seeing the approaching Japanese envoy, he didn’t rise but twiddled a flower and smiled faintly, asking.
"Who are you?"
Shi Wende hesitated, puzzled. He reached into his robe to produce an "offer" of sincerity. Mori no Kiyoshi, however, stepped forward, smiling and speaking in strange Tang dialect with a Ningbo accent.
"No name, no surname."
"Where are you going?"
"To the mountain."
"What’s in the mountain?"
"The empty mountain is silent, nothing at all."
"There’s a temple and people, how can there be nothing?"
"Cease delusional thoughts, observe the truth. When a thought arises and vanishes, truly, there is nothing to be seen."
The two exchanged philosophical banter, almost in an instant. After a brief moment, the old abbot clapped his hands and laughed heartily, standing up from the cushion to bow.
"Amitabha, so, you are a junior from the Tiantai Sect!...Junior, please follow me into the main hall!"
"Oh? What are we doing in the main hall?..."
"To have tea!..."
"Haha! Great, to practice!..."
Mori no Kiyoshi laughed heartily, for discussing Buddhism and practicing Zen was his forte. Shi Wende widened his eyes, appearing somewhat bewildered. Clearly, this serene temple was hardly his territory, and his future seemed uncertain. He glanced at the other Japanese, some were clapping and laughing, citing "Zhaozhou Monk," while others were seemingly struggling to understand, murmuring some Sanskrit Buddhist text. On this mission, each of the Japanese had Buddhist knowledge surpassing his!
"Hmm? Since Sen Juzuo can barely communicate using Tang language with Master Ci Ku, why involve me?"
Shi Wende felt some doubt, yet he saw the old abbot and Mori no Kiyoshi once again sitting opposite in the Great Hall. Ignoring others, the old abbot pondered for a moment, then suddenly picked up a sesame cake from the incense table in front of the Buddha and asked.
"Does Japan have this?"
Mori no Kiyoshi’s eyes flared as he understood the old abbot’s question, and he replied with a smile.
"We do."
Then, the old abbot picked up a date and asked again.
"Does Japan have this?"
"We also do."
"Why come here?"
Mori no Kiyoshi respectfully nodded and indeed replied.
"Greetings, venerable monk!"
"Haha!..."
The old abbot laughed heartily once more, and the surrounding monks all laughed. The accompanying Japanese now understood too and laughed out loud one after another. In Xinglong Temple, only Shi Wende, still culturally inadequate and bewildered, didn’t know whether he should laugh along.
"Oh! Translator Shi, we were just reenacting an old event...Forty-two years ago, in the fourth year of Jingtai, a large tribute mission arrived in Ningbo. Amongst them was a famous Japanese senior monk, named Xiao Yun Monk, who visited this Xinglong Temple for reverence. At that time, the abbot was your country’s Master Dufang, who used sesame cakes and dates to symbolize the Buddhist law, discussing the similarities between the Buddhist heritage of the Ming Dynasty and Japan...The Buddhist heritage of the two countries is just like two plum blossoms, blooming in the snow. So it’s said, ’In front of us, the scenery varies, only the plum blossoms alike.’"
Mori no Kiyoshi turned his head, smilingly explained a few sentences to Shi Wende, earning his goodwill. Then, he once again stood up with great respect, and with Master Ci Ku accompanying him, offered three sticks of incense in front of the Buddha. Afterward, he took out two shiny gold coins from his embrace, without using silk to wrap, directly placing them into the donation box.
"Buddha’s blessing! This is a donation to your temple!..."
"...?!"
Seeing the golden light of the gold, the old abbot’s face twitched, struggling to maintain his expression. He didn’t show joy, but furrowed his brows and said.
"What do you mean, junior brother?..."
"Senior brother, this is a donation from the mission to your temple!...Also, thanks for the self-annotated ’Heart Sutra’ gifted by Master Dufang forty-two years ago..."
Upon hearing it was a gift in return for scripture transmission, Master Ci Ku raised his brows and could not refuse. After all, transmitting Buddhist scripture is an extremely solemn matter within the Buddhist sects, which cannot be done without something in return. He pondered for a moment, gazing at Mori no Kiyoshi for a while, suddenly smiling and saying.
"Junior brother, do you have any wishes?"
"Wish to drink tea and discuss Buddhism with you, senior brother."
"Shall we find a quiet room?"
"That would be best."