Li Xiuyuan, Zhu Yu, Zhang Bangchang, Qian Jun and others came to the treasure hall of Xiangguo Temple.
On the way, Zhang Bangchang smiled and said: "Brother Li, you are so good, why did you buy a sheep? We came to visit Xiangguo Temple. You see, the sheep you bought knows you now and has been following you."
Behind you, I can’t even drive him away. Could it be that Brother Li, your righteous deed has moved this sheep?
, to make it have the heart to repay gratitude?"
"Haha, it would be interesting if that were the case. Brother Li might not be willing to eat it at that time, so he has to keep it healthy."
"How can anyone keep a sheep by their side?"
Qian Jun and Zhu Yu also laughed and said that they did not mean to be sarcastic, they were just joking about this matter.
Li Xiuyuan just smiled: "I think this sheep has spirituality. It doesn't run anywhere else and runs specifically to this Buddhist place. Maybe this is a kind of fate and can bring good rewards. And I think that sheep
There is something weird about him, and none of his words are true. If you don't want to waste time with him,
If he keeps getting entangled, I might really have to take him to the Yamen to ask him clearly."
"Okay, okay, Brother Li, you love to be serious, so we won't talk to you about this matter. Come, let's go to the treasure hall to offer incense and pray for blessings. It's a rare occasion. How can we not offer a stick to the Bodhisattva in the temple?"
Where's the incense?" Zhang Bangchang said.
A few people thought it was reasonable, so they entered the treasure hall and lined up with other pilgrims to prepare incense.
There are many Bodhisattvas enshrined in the treasure hall of Xiangguo Temple, such as Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva holding a treasure vase, Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a lion, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva sitting on a white elephant, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, etc., and there are also Arhats
Venerable, the Buddhist Vajra, of course the one in the middle is worshiped by the Lord Buddha.
Because there are so many pilgrims in the temple.
There were many pilgrims burning incense and worshiping Buddha in front of almost every Bodhisattva. Several people lined up and finally squeezed in front of the statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva, which was less crowded.
Li Xiuyuan watched many pilgrims kneel down and offer incense without saying a word. He just stood by and looked at the temple, with no intention of offering incense.
"Brother Li, why don't you burn incense and pray for blessings? This Xiangguo Temple is very effective. Many people have come to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha and have been protected. Although we scholars don't believe this, it is better than nothing. Praying for our parents and elders is also a blessing.
It’s a sign of filial piety.”
Zhang Bangchang said.
Li Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head and said: "No, I don't need to. My parents at home are healthy and live a long and worry-free life. There is no need to burn incense and worship Buddha."
"Brother Li, just think of this prayer as a sincere thought. We've already come here anyway. How can we really come to Xiangguo Temple just to have a look? How can we do it without burning a stick of incense." Qian Jun also said on the side.
Li Xiuyuan declined politely: "I'd better forget it. Master has told me that no matter which temple I enter, I cannot worship gods or Buddhas, otherwise something will happen."
"How can something happen if you burn incense and worship Buddha? Your master must have fooled you." Zhang Bangchang didn't believe it.
Li Xiuyuan shook his head and said: "It's not me who has something wrong, it's the Bodhisattva in the temple who has something wrong."
"What a bunch of nonsense. People who are so disrespectful to Buddha and Bodhisattva dare to enter and leave this important place of Buddhism. Are you really not afraid of God punishing people like you?"
A pilgrim behind him couldn't help but accuse Li Xiuyuan: "If you don't burn incense and worship Buddha, then go out and don't talk nonsense in front of the Bodhisattva. If the Bodhisattva blames you, can you take the responsibility?"
Li Xiuyuan looked back, but he thought that the man with a somewhat majestic air looked like a court official. He did not expect that the court officials also believed in Buddhism so much that they lined up to offer incense.
"Isn't this the prefect?"
Zhang Bangchang recognized this person, smiled and saluted.
This person is Fang Shengyu, the prefect of the capital.
Although the official position is not small, because he is at the feet of the emperor, this prefect is very aggrieved, and his power is not as good as those of prefects from other places.
Although Fang Shengyu is in his thirties, he is a devout believer in Buddhism and worships Bodhisattva at home. Today, he heard Master Shikong lecture. He and his wife specially came to burn incense, worship Buddha, and listen to the teachings of Buddhism.
"Who are you?" Fang Shengyu glanced at Zhang Bangchang and didn't recognize him.
Zhang Bangchang smiled and said: "Zhang Bangchang, a late student, last time the official family hosted a banquet for hundreds of officials, the late student and the prefect sat across the table."
"Zhang Bangchang? Is it Zhang Bangchang, the two-ranked Jinshi? Well, I often hear about your talents."
Fang Shengyu stroked his beard and smiled, his attitude became much kinder.
Did he know that Zhang Bangchang was not only a second-ranked Jinshi, but also a member of Tongtian Pavilion. He would be appointed as an official in the future and would have a bright future. If he reached his age, he would definitely achieve more than the position of magistrate.
It's natural to get acquainted with such a potential junior.
While the two were chatting enthusiastically, Mrs. Fang, the lady next to Fang Shengyu, said with a cold face: "If you don't burn incense and worship Buddha, please get out of the way and don't block my way.
But if we prepare fine tribute incense for the Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva will definitely protect people like us.
Rather than protecting rude people like you who don’t believe in Buddhism.”
Li Xiuyuan smiled but was not angry. He just stepped aside and said, "Can expensive incense reflect his sincerity? I don't think so. What's the difference between this and bribing a Bodhisattva? If a Bodhisattva can bribe, then what if it's a bad person?"
Even if you bring something more valuable as an offering, the Bodhisattva will also protect you.
What? If you protect him, doesn’t it mean that the Bodhisattva is blind and unfair? Is such a Bodhisattva worth visiting?"
"If this lady thinks that paying homage to the Buddha with precious treasures can show your sincerity, then you are definitely not worshiping the real Bodhisattva. You just have ghosts in your heart and hope to take this opportunity to live in peace of mind. In this case, what is standing in front of you?
It doesn’t have to be a Bodhisattva, just put a piece of rotten wood
is allowed."
When Mrs. Fang heard this, she was very angry and said: "You, how dare you talk nonsense in front of the Bodhisattva? All the Bodhisattvas here are listening, and the Bodhisattva will definitely punish you."
Li Xiuyuan said: "Madam, I am not talking nonsense, I am just saying a truth. If madam doesn't like it, I will just not say it. I think a real Bodhisattva must have a big mind and great wisdom. Why?"
Will you punish me for my few words? Even if
If someone points at the Bodhisattva and curses angrily, the Bodhisattva should not punish him, because if the Bodhisattva does not even have the mind to bear the abuse, then the four elements are empty and it is nothing more than a lie."
"O Great Merciful Bodhisattva, this rude person next to you is really disrespectful to you, you should punish him." Fang was left speechless and didn't know how to refute.
She doesn't have Li Xiuyuan's wisdom and can argue with this arrogant person, so she can only punish this rude person by saying that the Bodhisattva appears.
Li Xiuyuan shook his head and smiled.
This is a false believer who actually asks the Bodhisattva to punish others. Doesn’t this instigate the Bodhisattva to do evil? If the Bodhisattva really does it, doesn’t it violate his compassionate heart?
Only this ignorant woman could do such a contradictory thing.
However, what he said just now was unintentional, but it sounded intentional. Many pilgrims nearby stopped to listen. Li Xiuyuan's words made them seem to have a clear understanding in their hearts, as if they were awakened. The meaning contained in it
The truth cannot be explained by ordinary people, and it is worth thinking about seriously.
This is a very knowledgeable person, and he also has some research on Buddhism.
Many people secretly admire Li Xiuyuan.
Because what he said made sense, and it was not like a shrew insulting others with open mouth.
When I saw Li Xiuyuan, he stopped talking because of the lady's worship to the Buddha. It seemed that he didn't want to waste his words on an unlearned person.
So a scholar came out and bowed his hands and said: "What this young man said just now is very reasonable. He was just playing the piano to the cow. How could the cow understand the profound meaning of this young man's words? I dare to ask this gentleman
Young Master, I have a question. If you follow what Young Master said before, worship Buddha
If you are bribing the Bodhisattva, then shouldn’t the people of the world burn incense and worship Buddha?”
"But many people who burn incense and worship Buddha have truly received the protection of Bodhisattva. Many people who do not believe in Bodhisattva have indeed been harassed by evil spirits. So what is going on?"
Li Xiuyuan glanced at the scholar and saw his inquiring attitude. He couldn't help but smile and was willing to communicate with such a person instead of discussing these principles with this woman who knew nothing.
"I have been able to answer your question a long time ago. Since you are interested in asking, I will not hesitate to answer your doubts."