Chapter 184: First visit to Qingsong Temple

When Uncle Wu saw him making a heavy oath, he immediately said apologetically: "Zhang Haotian, I know you are a loyal and trustworthy man, but it is related to the safety of Master Hu, so I must be more cautious."

Zhang Haotian smiled faintly and said, "Uncle Wu, do you know where Master Hu is? You want me to inform him?"

Uncle Wu saw that he had guessed it, so he nodded and said, "Yes, I do know a way to notify Master Hu, but it may take you a while."

Zhang Haotian said: "I'm not in a hurry to go back. If I can help Master Hu, it will be my honor."

Uncle Wu smiled at him gratefully, and stopped talking, saying, "I went over and followed Master Hu for a while, and once went to the same place with him. In ten days, maybe you can find him there."

Zhang Haotian immediately said: "Where is it?"

Uncle Wu said: "There is a small-scale temple in the southeast of W County, 600 kilometers away from here. It is called 'Qingsong Temple'. The temple has some connection with Master Hu. As far as I know, he will stay in the temple for three days every year on the first day of the July 1st of the year. As long as Master Hu is still alive, this habit will never change. If you go, you will not see an elderly man who is about the same height as you and is very majestic. In a temple with a strange female Bodhisattva behind the Main Hall, then... then..."

He didn't say anything later, and looked gloomy. Naturally, if Zhang Haotian didn't see such a person, it would prove that Tiger Master is really no longer alive.

Zhang Haotian carefully wrote down the address that Uncle Wu said, and nodded, "Don't worry, Uncle Wu, if Master Hu was in the place you mentioned, I would tell him and let him be careful."

Uncle Wu looked at him gratefully and said, "Thank you, I really hope that Master Hu is there. He will definitely like him when he sees a talent like you. If you can click you, you will benefit greatly throughout your life."

Zhang Haotian really wanted to meet this legendary figure, but when he thought of something, he said, "What if I see the descendants or apprentices of Master Hu this time?"

Uncle Wu pondered for a long time and sighed, "Then you advise him not to do anything in the way, so as to leave blood for Master Hu or pass on his unique skills. The world of the world is no longer the world of the past. The younger generation will no longer follow the old rules like his fathers. If Master Hu was there, he might have made them more cautious with his decades of reputation, but it would be different if others were there. What's more, this person is much worse than Master Hu in terms of skills and experience. The world of the world is dangerous. If he wants to inherit Master Hu's reputation, he will only lose his life in vain."

Seeing Zhang Haotian agreeing, Uncle Wu slowly untied a jade plaque with a tiger's head carved from his neck and handed it to him and said, "This jade plaque was distributed to various contacts by Master Hu. I heard that it was taken from the same piece of jade, and there were 18 pieces in total. This is the sixth piece. If you meet Master Hu or his descendants of Master Hu and give him this jade plaque, he should believe you."

Zhang Haotian looked carefully and saw that there was indeed a capital letter "Lu" carved beside the tiger's head, so he hung the tiger's jade plaque around his neck and covered it with clothes.

Uncle Wu then said, "Zhang Haotian, then you go quickly. Maybe Master Hu will go to Qingsong Temple in advance, and it may not be true. The sooner you inform him, the better."

Zhang Haotian knew that before Liu Desheng was sure whether Master Hu was alive, he would take good care of Uncle Wu on the surface, so he nodded and helped him back to the ward, and then said goodbye.

After leaving the hospital, Zhang Haotian rented a taxi and went to W County. The road was full of wide and flat highways. He arrived at W County at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

After arriving at W County, he did not delay at all, but instead recruited a local taxi to the "Qingsong Temple" in the southeast.

After chatting with the taxi drivers along the way, Zhang Haotian realized that "Qingsong Temple" was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It was named after the lush ancient pines in the temple. It was just located on a high mountain and the transportation was not very convenient. W County is a historical ancient city, with old temples that have been around for thousands of years. Therefore, there are not many people who usually go to "Qingsong Temple".

The driver said it was right. After walking twenty kilometers southeastward and passing through a village, there was only a bumpy and difficult loess road. The bottom of the taxi was not high and was often wiped. According to the driver, if it rained, there would be no car willing to run to "Qingsong Temple".

After walking the five-kilometer loess road, you can see a big mountain from afar, and halfway up the mountain, you can see a building with red walls and green tiles, which is a temple.

The taxi driver sent Zhang Haotian to the foot of the mountain. Zhang Haotian gave him an extra 100 yuan, asked him to call him, and asked him to wait at the foot of the mountain, saying that he was just going up and checking, and if there was nothing special, he would turn around.

From the foot of the mountain, along a narrow bluestone staircase, within half an hour, Zhang Haotian arrived outside the temple and saw that the temple was very old, but the high eaves of the walls could be seen everywhere. There was a gate in the middle, and there was a long black plaque above the gate, which was written in the three seal characters "Qingsong Temple".

The temple gate was open at this time, but no one was guarding outside. Zhang Haotian climbed more than a dozen steps and walked in.

Inside the gate, there are four evil statues of gods, which are the four great Vajras of the Dharma protector under the Buddha's seat. Bypassing these statues, you will see two small doors on the left and right. Zhang Haotian once read a book and had a first look at Buddhist architecture. He knew that one big and two small three doors were called the Sanmen Hall. Generally, the entrances of Buddhist buildings are three doors, and the so-called "mountain gate" also comes from this.

After leaving the Sanmen Hall, I saw a huge courtyard. In this courtyard, the most conspicuous one is the ancient pine trees with twisted branches and green branches. As soon as I stepped into it, the rosy scent plunged into my nose, making people feel refreshed.

In the courtyard, there is a huge building, which is the most important main hall in the temple. All the buildings in the temple are built around this main hall.

Zhang Haotian walked forward slowly in front of the green eyes, with the pine fragrance. It was so quiet that it made people feel dust-free. Only by chance, the "chic" sound of birds came from the branches, making people feel particularly crisp and melodious.

Zhang Haotian has also visited other temples, but there are more or less tourists and people who worship Buddha. But he has not even seen a monk in this "Qingsong Temple" so far, and it is really quiet.

After climbing more than ten stone steps, he arrived outside the gate of the Main Hall. A huge statue of Sakyamuni was sitting cross-legged, and next to Sakyamuni, there were two standing Buddha statues.

Zhang Haotian read the book and knew that these two standing Buddha statues were the two famous disciples of Sakyamuni, Venerable Kashyapa and Venerable Ananda. After Sakyamuni Nirvana, Venerable Kashyapa continued to lead all his disciples and called them the first ancestor. After the Nirvana of Kashyapa, he was passed down by Ananda and called the second ancestor. Many Buddhist writings in later generations were completed by these two Venerables in the name of Sakyamuni.

However, at this time, Zhang Haotian's eyes were set against the three Buddha statues, where there were more than ten cushions. A thin monk was sitting cross-legged in front of the statue. Behind him, eight monks sat cross-legged in two rows, but they did not hear the sound of chanting. The whole hall was as quiet as if no one was there.

Uncle Wu said that if Master Hu came to this "Qingsong Temple", he would go to a hall behind the Main Hall with a strange female Bodhisattva. Zhang Haotian did not think about disturbing these monks, so he would go around behind the Main Hall.

However, just as he was about to take a step, the monk sitting in front suddenly turned his head.

Zhang Haotian knew that he had discovered him, and couldn't help but secretly praised the man's ears for being very sensitive. When he was going up this step, he walked slowly, and his footsteps should be extremely light, but he didn't expect that he could hear them.

At this time, the monk stood up and walked towards Zhang Haotian.

Only then did Zhang Haotian see clearly that the monk was about 60 or 70 years old, with a small figure, no more than 1.65 meters, no beard on his face, and his eyes were wrinkled like slack skin, but his eyes were indifferent and his face had a kind of calmness, which made people feel awe-inspiring at first sight.

While the old monk was walking, he seemed to Xu Ruqingfeng, but he soon arrived in front of Zhang Haotian, and said to him in a peaceful and charitable tone: "Donor, don't you know what's the price to do when you go to my temple?"

Zhang Haotian also said to him: "Master, my name is Zhang Haotian. I am from the south. I have been very Buddhist under the guidance of my parents since I was a child. This time I came to W County to do business. I heard that there is an ancient temple here, so I wanted to come and visit the Buddha. I don't want to disturb your cultivation, Master, it's a sin."

The old monk smiled slightly and said, "It is really rare for Mr. Zhang to have such a Buddha-reasoning spirit at a young age. Even those who practice Buddha can still attain Bodhi even in the bustling city. What is there to disturb me? Mr. Zhang, since you want to worship the Buddha, please come in."

Listening to the old monk's words, he was a man of Taoism. Zhang Haotian even respected him and thanked him again, and then went in.

The old monk took him around the eight monks sitting cross-legged. Before the statue of Sakyamuni, Zhang Haotian glanced back and saw that the eight monks were all between fifty and sixty years old. Although they were of different appearances, they were all lowered their eyes and folded their hands together, as if they had entered a state of meditation. He couldn't help but say, "Master, when I went to another temple, I saw monks who were going to Buddha, I had to recite scriptures. I didn't expect that the masters here were so quiet."

The old monk still smiled and said, "Reciting scriptures often has a mouth but no mind, but it is just a pretense. The monks in this temple have been practicing Buddhism for twenty years, and have long reached the point where they have entered into meditation, which seems to be sedate but not sedate, and are in a hazy way, and are in harmony with the Buddha. Those scriptures are in their hearts, not in their mouths."

Zhang Haotian only read a Buddhist book, and he knew the basics. He had not come into contact with the real Taoist monk. He listened to the old monk's words and admired him more and more, and said, "Master, are there only a few masters here?"

While going to the Buddha to fetch incense, the old monk said, "I only collect real people who forget the dust and leave the dust here. Now those who want to enter the Buddhist sect want to use the Buddha's name to make money, and they cannot stand the real hardship."

Zhang Haotian nodded and saw the old monk handing over the incense, so he went to catch it. He still vaguely remembered some of the rules mentioned in the book, so he lit it with the candlelight in front of the Buddha, then raised his head and bowed to Jiujing, and then inserted it into the incense burner.

When the incense burning was finished, I turned around and saw that the old monk was still smiling, and I knew that my movements were enough.

He said immediately: "Master, I don't know where your merit box is. I want to donate one."

The old monk shook his head and said, "This temple does not draw lots and does not donate merits. Donor Zhang comes to come and worship Buddha sincerely, which is already a merit."

Zhang Haotian felt aroused and smiled, "I see that in other temples, the lottery is all about money, and he tried every means to ask good men and women to donate more merits. The master doesn't want money. I'm so polite. I don't know how you masters live. Besides, the incense and candles laid by the Buddha also cost money?"

The old monk said, "Those who practice Buddhism can eat simple food. If you have already given me a gift from this temple, you will not have to worry about donor Zhang."

Zhang Haotian understood that the "great kind man" mentioned by the old monk was probably the tiger master, but he naturally would not point it out and said, "Since that is the case, I will donate the money to other temples to express my respect for Buddha."

The old monk said, "This is OK, but there are many scum in Buddhism. Zhang Shi mainly wants to do good deeds, but he does not have to rely on Buddhism. He can do good deeds in everyday encounters."

The more Zhang Haotian heard it, the more respected the monk was, and he said, "The master said it makes sense. It's a pity that no one came here, and few people could hear the master's teachings."

The old monk said: "Most people in the world just want to ask the Buddha to bless the Buddha to get promoted and make money, live a hundred years old, and have a glory of wives and children. If they do not have wisdom, they will not listen to the true Buddhist principles. Even if there are many people, so what? The seeker will not respond. They will only say that the Buddha in this temple is not effective and will not improve themselves."

Speaking of this, he stared at Zhang Haotian and said, "Master Zhang, I see that you have a strong stature and a unique character, and you have a unique appearance. However, your murderous aura in your eyebrows is too strong, so you should practice more Buddhist principles."

When Zhang Haotian heard this, he was shocked and hurriedly said, "I would like to ask the master for advice."

The old monk smiled and said, "There are many people in the world who believe in Buddhism. But believing in Buddhism but not studying Buddhism is superstitious. Worshiping Buddha but not studying Buddhism is considered to be not a true Buddhist. Practicing Buddhism is not about learning intelligence, but about learning wisdom. Wisdom is promoted from concentration. If the mind can concentrate on chanting and not dispersing and engage in the principles, wisdom can be produced. You must remember that Buddha is not a god. All sentient beings on the earth have Buddha nature. Daily life is the temple. According to my eyes, Mr. Zhang is a person who can swim when encountering water and rise when encountering wind. If you are close to the Buddha's heart, it will definitely be of great benefit to your life."

Zhang Haotian only felt that the old monk seemed to see through him, and he kept calling him awesome. No wonder that Tiger Master came often. It is also a blessing in life to be able to chat with such a master.

However, he was still thinking about the whereabouts of Mr. Hu, so he bowed respectfully and said: "Master's words, I must remember them in my heart. But this trip was not easy. I don't know what other Bodhisattvas there are in the temple. I want to worship them."

The old monk said, "There are two Eighteen Arhat Halls on both sides of this Great Hall. Zhang Shi is mainly interested. I can accompany you to see it."

Zhang Haotian wanted to go to the back of the Main Palace, but the old monk said so, so he had to say, "thank you, thank you, haven't asked the master for your Dharma name yet?"

The old monk smiled slightly and said, "Master Zhang called me Wuchen."

Zhang Haotian immediately said: "Master Wuchen, then please help me lead the way."

Wuchen responded and took him out. He first arrived at the left side of the hall, but saw nine arhats there, which were vividly shaped, but it seemed that they had been re-colored.

After watching for a while, Zhang Haotian went to a hall on the right with Wuchen. There were also nine arhats here. Together with the nine arhats on the left, they were the very famous eighteen arhats. They were the dragon subdued, the tiger subdued, the lion laughed, the elephant riding, the deer, the cloth bag, the banana, the long eyebrows, the joy, the contemplation, crossing the river, reaching out, the tower, the ears, the door, the happiness, the bowl, and the arhats sitting quietly.

Wuchen had the intention of promoting Buddhism to Zhang Haotian, so he said, "Master Zhang, do you know the origin of these eighteen Arhats?"

Zhang Haotian shook his head and said, "I don't know this."

Wuhen said: "Before the Song Dynasty, there were only sixteen Arhats, also known as the Sixteen Venerables. According to the scriptures, sixteen disciples who were proficient in Buddhism received the instructions of the Buddha and did not enter Nirvana, and saved all sentient beings in various identities in the world. In the Song Dynasty, they joined the two venerables, namely the Arhat of the Bob, also known as the Venerable of the Suige Pavilion of the Suige Pavilion, and were a practitioner who begged for alms. The Arhat of the Meditation was called the Venerable of the Nogira, who was born in a warrior in the past and had great power. The Arhat of the Joy of the Ahmad, was originally an orator in ancient India. There was also a Arhat of the Smile Lion, named Raphdo, who was originally a hunter. Because he no longer killed animals after studying Buddhism, the lion came to thank him, so he was named this name."

Zhang Haotian heard that he was saying these words, so he smiled and said, "Master Wuchen, you mean that no matter what you have done, you can learn Buddhism and become a Buddha, right?"

Wuchen nodded and said, "Not only people, birds, animals, flowers and trees, they all have Buddha nature. Donald Zhang, if you can eliminate some anger, you will definitely increase your blessings."

While speaking, the two had already walked out of the Arhat Hall on the right. Zhang Haotian saw at a glance that there was indeed an independent hall behind the Main Hall, but he closed the door tightly and deliberately said, "Ah, there is still a hall there, what is it offering, is it Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva or Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

As he spoke, he headed towards the hall.

However, Wuchen stopped in front of him and said, "This is an abandoned temple. The Bodhisattva inside has been damaged and there is nothing to see. Donor, it is not too late. The temple rules that if you don't leave any foreign guests, you'd better ask for it back."

Zhang Haotian had sharp eyes and saw a big lock hanging on the hall gate. Obviously no one would have. It seems that Master Hu had not arrived yet, so let's wait a few more days to see if he would not arrive on the first day of July.

He smiled and said, "Since that's the case, then okay, Master Wuchen, then I will say goodbye first."

Wuchen nodded and said, "Master Zhang, I hope you can remember my words and learn more about Buddhism when you have time."

Zhang Haotian agreed, said goodbye to him, and strode down the mountain.

When I returned to the county town, it was seven days before the first day of the July 1st. I rested for a night, and the next morning, Zhang Haotian got up and practiced the knife skills in the hotel with his hands as a knife, and then I wandered around the county town. Only then did I find that W County is rich in medicinal materials and Chinese medicine spread all over the streets.
Chapter completed!