"He's just starting a business at such a young age, what's there to listen to?" Qi Er touched his bald head and curled his lips: "I don't have to waste that effort!"
Hu Laodao said: "Qi Er, you are too self-righteous. Don't think that you can't become an eminent monk at a young age. Buddhism is vast and boundless, and magical powers are everywhere!"
Qi Er curled his lips, and although he didn't refute, he obviously disagreed.
Mr. Hu said: "Everyone, when the time comes, let's go and listen. Won't it be clear at a glance whether it is true or false, whether it is high or low?"
Qi Er said: "Mr. Hu, I don't think everyone is wasting their time. Listening to his nonsense, we might as well sit here and talk, right?"
"You kid, your structure is too small!" Mr. Hu shook his head and said, "You make judgments before seeing the real person. How can you study Buddhism with such a mentality?"
"Mr. Hu, why are you protecting that kid like this?" Qi Er blushed.
Mr. Hu shook his head: "You, even if you are a villain, you can judge a gentleman's heart. Even if I tell you, you don't understand. Whether you are an expert or a common person, I can see clearly with these eyes!"
"Well, I'll just listen to Mr. Hu and hear what he has to say!" Qi Er blushed and snorted.
Looking at his appearance, Mr. Hu knew that he was not convinced and that he might have some evil idea. This Qi Er was not good at Buddhism, but he was very skilled in martial arts and had few opponents in Donglai Town.
Master Zhanran seemed to be a well-educated monk and should be able to block Qi Er's crooked moves. Instead, he became a little interested to see what Qi Er would do.
Two days passed quickly. In the early morning of this morning, after Mr. Hu had washed up early and punched once, his whole body was warm and refreshed.
After breakfast, he strolled out of his house and walked slowly eastward. Halfway up a mountain outside the town, there was a small temple hidden in the woods. It was the Yuanxin Temple built by Zheng Yuanwai.
When he came to the temple, the main hall in the middle was closed. There was a group of people in the open space in front of the temple, each sitting on a tree stump, which was very peaceful and comfortable.
Seeing him coming, people greeted him one after another: "Brother Hu..."
Mr. Hu returned the favor with a smile, then sat down next to a thin old man and said with a smile: "Executive member Zheng, why are you sitting here?"
This old man's clothes are simple, but the workmanship is fine. The clothes fit him perfectly, and he exudes energy. Sitting in the crowd, he seems to stand out from the crowd.
"Can't I sit here?" the thin old man said with a smile.
Mr. Hu said: "At least if you sit at the front, you can hear clearly, right?"
The thin old man smiled and said: "This Master Zhanran is not an ordinary person. You can hear clearly even sitting here."
"Has Member Zheng seen the power of Master Zhanran?" Hu Laoxiao asked.
The skinny old man nodded and praised: "Master Zhanran is young, but he has supernatural powers that ordinary people can't see. It is our great blessing that he can stay here temporarily."
"What magical powers does Master Zhanran have?" Hu Lao asked hurriedly.
The thin old man shook his head and said with a smile: "Let's not talk about it for now, we will know later."
Mr. Hu said with a smile: "Zheng Zheng is also trying to show off. Well, I want to hear how Master Zhanran's Dharma is."
This thin old man is Zheng Xiyun, the richest man in Donglai Town.
Everyone was talking about it. They were not here to listen to the Dharma, but just to join in the fun. Buddhism was quite prosperous in the Xihua Dynasty, but few people understood Buddhism. Most of them went to the temple to worship the Buddha and ask for his blessing. As for going further, there was nothing they could do.
.
Most of the many Buddhist teachings are exclusive to monks. Most of those who can understand the Buddhist teachings are those who have read books and have a certain degree of cultivation. Ordinary people do not know all the Chinese characters, so how can they understand the wonders of the Buddhist teachings.
However, no monk has come to Yuanxin Temple for a long time. Suddenly a monk came, and he was a young monk. They wanted to see what it was like and came just to watch the excitement.
"Boom..." A copper bell suddenly rang, and everyone who was talking and discussing trembled, as if a basin of water was poured on their heads. Suddenly all their thoughts disappeared, their minds became clear, and their hearts suddenly calmed down, and there was no more talking*
*, they all straightened up and sat down, staring ahead.
"Squeak..." The door of the main hall opened, and a bald young monk slowly came out of the main hall, his steps were calm and comfortable, as if he was stepping on white clouds.
Everyone felt refreshed and stared at him with bright eyes.
He was wearing a purple cassock, which was a little worn, as if it had been washed many times.
He has an ordinary appearance, his skin is as gentle as jade, and his whole figure is carved from white jade. His eyes are deep and boundless, calm and calm, without sadness or joy, just like the eyes of the Buddha statues in the temple.
As soon as he showed such a majestic appearance, everyone immediately suppressed their distracting thoughts and looked at him blankly. They felt a sense of confidence and did not dare to look down on him just because he was young.
Li Muchan stood in front of the main hall, looking at everyone quietly with calm eyes.
He took the name of Zhanran and appeared in the Kingdom of Xihua. It was an act of seclusion. He received enlightenment from Master Kongjing and knew the importance of faith and the method to increase strength.
He suddenly understood why the Buddha wanted to save people, not purely because of compassion, but for merit, and merit is not invisible but real power.
The source of power of merit is faith, which can be condensed into Xiang's body and enhance his strength. He found a way to break through the great master.
He came to Xihua Kingdom this time just to test whether this method is useful. Donglai Town is the easternmost town in Xihua Kingdom, and his first stop was here.
He wanted to test his skills in a small way, step by step, start from here, step by step, and slowly experiment. If he can really find a way to increase his strength, he can naturally avenge the original attack.
"Dear donors, you are polite, Monk Zhanran." He titheted and said with a smile: "Today all the donors are here to listen to the monk's sermon. It is considered a predestined relationship. The monk wants to talk about the practice of Buddhism. It is better to practice the Dharma than to believe in it. Practice the Dharma."
Only then can you become a Buddha." Li Muchan said with a smile.
His voice rang clearly in everyone's ears, and his words were as round as pearls. They felt comfortable listening to them and believed them unconsciously.
Li Muchan said warmly: "Buddha once said that everyone has Buddha nature and everyone can become a Buddha. The road to becoming a Buddha is not simply about reciting a few Buddhist mantras and reciting Buddhist scriptures several times. It has its own fundamental method and a key step.
Only when you understand your mind and see your nature, open your mind's barriers, and see the Tathagata, and see your true face, can you let go of everything and see that everything is empty."
Li Muchan added: "The monk will first explain how to practice. Meditation is the fundamental method. Only by entering the state of concentration can the original mind be released and wonderful things can be born. And how to meditate, there are laws to follow. Those who do not understand the method of concentration will be in trouble for life.
It is difficult to enter Buddhism even if you practice hard."
As he spoke, he stretched out his hand, and suddenly a futon flew out of the hall and landed lightly behind him. He slowly sat down and said with a smile: "Precepts, concentration and wisdom. It is extremely difficult to keep the precepts. You don't need to be too strict when you first practice.
Later, as I improve my cultivation, I will naturally be able to observe the precepts."
He talked eloquently, and then showed everyone how to meditate and how to stop thoughts, and then let them try it themselves. Each tree stump was round and big like a futon, and they could sit cross-legged on it and meditate.
Following Li Muchan's instructions, everyone tried it one after another, and then sat quietly in silence. They found that their minds were clear, and then they saw white light in front of them, and their bodies were as light as feathers, as if they would fly at any time.
At this moment, a roar came from a distance. After a while, when he got closer, a figure flashed past, but they appeared together.
Everyone was immersed in a calm state. After hearing the whistling sound, they slowly opened their eyes. Their hearts were as calm as water, and they looked at Qi Er calmly.
Li Muchan tithes: "This donor, please sit down."
Qi Er stood at the door of the temple with his arms folded and sneered: "No, I'm here to listen to the Dharma. I wonder what Dharma the master taught?"
Li Muchan smiled and shook his head: "I'm just going to teach you a little bit about how to get started. Would you like to hear it, donor?"
"Maybe it's possible to talk about "The Dharma of the Heart"?" Qi Er sneered.
Li Muchan said: "Although the mental method is simple, it is profound and wonderful. It is probably too time-consuming to teach and difficult for everyone to understand. It requires a certain level of cultivation to truly understand it."
"It's really funny. If you don't know the Dharma of the mind, why do you come out to teach it?!" Qi Er curled his lips and said disdainfully: "What about the Huayan Sutra?"
Li Muchan laughed and said: "Huayan is too long, and it takes more time to talk about it."
"Then what scriptures can you preach?" Qi Er said disdainfully.
Li Muchan said: "I can teach these Buddhist sutras, but if I only listen to the lectures without listening to the Dharma, it will be all in vain. I will let everyone practice the Dharma first, and then I will teach the Dharma. Your understanding will be deeper."
Qi Er shook his head: "It's really ridiculous. I have been following Master for many years, and I never knew that to listen to Buddhism, you must first practice Buddhism!"
Li Muchan smiled: "You eminent monks, it's okay if you don't say anything!"
"What do you mean by that?" Qi Er frowned.
Li Muchan shook his head and said warmly: "The eminent monks propagate the Dharma to cultivate believers, and the monks propagate the Dharma to create Arhats and Bodhisattvas."
"What a loud tone!" Qi Er sneered: "Just you -? Have you become an Arhat yourself? You have also created Arhats and Bodhisattvas!"
Li Muchan smiled: "How do you know that I have not reached the Arhat realm?"
"You——?" Qi Er shook his head: "You are still an Arhat at your age?"
Li Muchan smiled: "Who said you have to grow old to become an Arhat?"
As he spoke, he lightly pointed to the ground, and suddenly a small bud emerged from the crack in the stone. Then the bud grew into a green branch. A small flower bud appeared on the branch, grew in the wind, and gradually turned into a blooming lotus.
The lotus is as white as snow, bright and flawless, swaying gently in the wind.
Li Muchan bent down and plucked the lotus flower, gently gave it away, floated it in front of Qi Er, and said with a smile: "Is this the Arhat realm?"
"...It doesn't count!" Qi Er said with wide eyes.
Li Muchan laughed, shook his head and said, "Okay then, can you tell me how to do it?"
"It takes a lotus planted in the fire." Qi Er said.
Li Muchan pondered for a moment and then said with a smile: "This is easy to do. Go and bring the pot from the temple, boil some hot water, and I will demonstrate."
"Okay!" Qi Er agreed quickly, turned around and ran, quickly entered the yard next to him, quickly brought a pot, then set it up with a few stones, picked up a load of water, poured it into the pot, and placed it underneath
Make a fire and burn it.
Everyone watched Qi Er busy in silence, and no one helped, but Qi Er was very familiar with this place. After all, he had lived here for several years before being kicked out a few years ago.
He was excellent in martial arts and nimble in his skills. He became proficient in making fires and boiling water. He quickly made the fire strong and the water in the pot slowly boiled.
Gurgling, gurgling, the water is boiling, and the steam is steaming.
Everyone gathered around. Li Muchan walked to the pot with a smile and said with a smile: "Buddhists don't talk about magical powers. Once they pay attention to magical powers, they will have attachments and fall into the devil's path. Today I will risk falling into the devil's path.
Show your magical powers to strengthen everyone’s righteous faith.”
He stretched out his hand and pointed, and suddenly a lotus flower emerged from the boiling water. The stem slowly stretched and rose, and the flower slowly bloomed, finally blooming into a huge white lotus that swayed in the wind.
Li Muchan smiled at Qi Er: "How about this donor?"
"Okay, okay!" Everyone shouted loudly, with excited expressions.
Qi Er nodded slowly: "It's indeed amazing. I'm convinced. Please accept me as your disciple, Master!"
Li Muchan smiled and said: "I see that the donor is very violent and has murderous intentions. Has he violated the precept of killing?"
"Master, there are rogue bandits who came to our town and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble. I can only kill them. It will be regarded as justice for heaven. Is it considered a violation of the killing rule?" Qi Er said unconvinced.
Li Muchan shook his head and said: "Restraining killing is not for others, but for yourself. Once you kill someone, it is inevitable that the demons will attack you when you enter samadhi."
"I'm not afraid of demons." Qi Er hummed.
Li Muchan sighed: "One of these heavenly demons comes from outside the sky, and the other comes from the heart. Once you kill someone, you will plant inner demons, which cannot be avoided. Therefore, Buddhists abstain from killing for the sake of achievement."
"So that's it!" Qi Er suddenly nodded and said, "I thought it was mercy."
Li Muchan smiled slightly: "Compassion and compassion. After practicing Buddhism and reaching a certain level, you will naturally develop compassion, not forced compassion. The precepts are not for compassion, but for practice. The world doesn't know it, and many eminent monks should not reveal this secret.
, I am venting here, hoping that I can cross the river and reach the other side."
"Master, please accept me as your disciple!" Qi Er suddenly knelt down on the ground and kowtowed heavily. His head collided with the green bricks, making a "bang bang" sound. Each time the impact was 10%, his forehead turned blue in the blink of an eye.
No luck.
Li Muchan pondered and smiled: "Well, I think you have a lot of wisdom and a good nature, so I will accept you as a registered disciple."
"Thank you Master!" Qi Er raised his head and was overjoyed: "Disciple Qi Er has met Master!"
"You are my chief disciple, and I give you the Dharma name Jiukong." Li Muchan said warmly, stretched out his palm and gently stroked the top of his head, and the top of his head that had grown a layer of green stubble suddenly became smooth and bright again.
Li Muchan suddenly slapped Baihui with his palm and shouted: "Duh!"
Qi Er immediately formed a mudra with his hands, crossed his legs and sat upright, closing his eyes, like an old monk entering a state of concentration, truly entering a state of concentration.
Li Muchan turned around and smiled at everyone: "All donors, you may wish to sit quietly for a while, and you will receive benefits. Even if you cannot understand the wonders of Buddhism, you can prolong your life."
Everyone was in admiration for him at this time, showing such magical power. They no longer had any doubts. Li Muchan's youth had become his capital. To be able to practice to such a level at such a young age, the method he practiced was naturally exquisite.
Since there is such a wonderful method, it doesn't matter if they are older, maybe they can practice it like him and become Arhats.