Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“The Bodhi is not a tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand.”

“Originally there is nothing; where can the dust alight?”

This was indeed a thought-provoking Buddhist gatha.

In my previous life, I was profoundly shocked when I first heard these words, and I practically regarded Xu Qingqing as a celestial being.

That was why I couldn’t believe it when she used a handkerchief to frame me.

I didn’t believe that someone with such great wisdom and broad-mindedness would stoop to such a lowly tactic.

But the truth was right before my eyes.

Having lived it all before, I naturally knew that she had plagiarized all of this.

This thunderous gatha came from a Buddhist master of a later generation, not from the frivolous and vain Xu Qingqing.

Many of those present were clearly stunned by these words as well.

People whispered among themselves, praising and contemplating the verse while quietly admiring Xu Qingqing.

“Though Miss Xu is young, she possesses innate spiritual roots. No wonder Master Bianshan couldn’t help but converse with her.”

Even the Abbot couldn’t help but chant in a low voice, “Amitabha.”

I let out a cold sneer.

“Heh!”

That sound was starkly out of place amidst the chorus of praise.

I looked at Bianshan and said calmly, “Non-arising is inexpressible, and arising-arising is also inexpressible. Form is not different from emptiness, and emptiness is not different from form. Affliction is Bodhi, and birth and death are Nirvana. Monk Bianshan, you are well-versed in the Dharma; what do you say to these verses?”

Bianshan was dazed, the astonishment in his eyes impossible to suppress.

He took a deep breath and bowed respectfully. “The Princess has innate spiritual roots; this humble monk is ashamed to be inferior.”

The gasps of the crowd rose like a tide. At first, it was just a small ripple, but it soon grew into a colossal wave, surging forth from all directions.

I laughed aloud. Only when the crowd’s astonishment and praise reached their absolute peak did I add a chilling sentence: “Unfortunately, these were all said by others. They have nothing to do with me.”

In an instant, everything around us fell silent.

I continued, “Someone told me these words in a dream. They said that someone had stolen their words to claim as their own, making grand speeches here to deceive the world and steal fame. I am young and haven’t read many Buddhist scriptures, so naturally, I couldn’t come up with such profound words. But can Xu Qingqing? Monk Bianshan, do you believe she can?”

Bianshan’s face turned pale, and his body swayed as if he were about to collapse.

I spoke again. “I have always heard that Monk Bianshan is compassionate and treats all pilgrims equally.

“But that day, a single gatha from Xu Qingqing knocked open your door, and you allowed her to break your monastic precepts.

“Monk, today I have recited so many gathas; what should you do now?

“Is it that as long as anyone produces a few profound words, you will allow them to demand whatever they want from you?

“In your eyes, those who cannot recite a gatha are but pink skulls, while those who can are Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. But does a Buddha need you to ferry them to salvation?”

Everything around us seemed to freeze.

Bianshan stood there blankly, his eyes empty, as if he no longer knew what day it was.

Everyone watched me in silence.

I could feel a strange emotion flowing between the crowd and me.

Indeed!

Buddhas ferry all living beings.

But why would someone who has already attained Buddhahood need a person to ferry them?

Bianshan should have been saving the sentient beings trapped in the mire, not Xu Qingqing, who was already high above, possessing wealth, power, and status.

He locked himself in his room, studying scriptures intensely, thinking that doing so brought him closer to the Buddha, and thinking that a few more conversations with Xu Qingqing constituted cultivating a Buddha-heart.

In truth, the Buddha-nature is the nature of all beings; the appearance of the Buddha is the appearance of all beings; and the realm of the Buddha is the realm of all beings.

What he needed to cultivate was always within the mortal world-the very world he was desperately trying to escape.

After a long while, Bianshan closed his eyes, and a single tear fell.

“The Princess is right. This humble monk has a mind of discrimination. If one cannot ferry oneself, how can one ferry others? This monk will leave the monastic life and return to the secular world. Only when I have understood the mundane world and let go of my emotional ties will I be qualified to transcend the red dust once more to serve my Buddha. Thank you for your enlightenment, Princess. This monk is eternally grateful.”

He slowly and methodically removed the prayer beads from his hand and respectfully returned them to the Abbot.

Just then, a sharp cry came from below the steps.

Xu Qingqing hurried up, clutching her skirts. She looked at me with reproachful eyes, her face full of grief.

“Sister Zhaohua, are you going to force Bianshan to return to secular life just for your own selfish desires?”

Behind her, Song Tingye approached with rapid strides, his eyes seemingly spitting fire.

“Song Zhaohua, what are you trying to do now?”