Chapter 91 2. Bazhi Toutuo lectures on Buddhist philosophy to Yang Du: the human world is like a circle

In cool autumn, Yang Du returned to Beijing from Qingdao with his family.He Sanye told him about the Tang paintings in Fayuan Temple about current events in the capital.Yang Du is a person who loves antiques and calligraphy and paintings the most. Fayuan Temple has produced Wu Daozi's paintings. They are both famous paintings and antiques. How can we not go and see them? Yang Du excitedly came to Fayuan Temple, entered the mountain gate, and came to the scripture building. There were more than ten monks standing around a dead tree, and two young and strong men were holding an ax each. , as if to cut down a tree.Yang Du stepped forward to watch.

At this time, a tall old monk with white beard and floating chest came out of the meditation room, leaning on a crutch full of bumps, separated from the monks, and came to the tree.Isn't this the Master Jichan whom we haven't seen for more than two years?Yang Du was about to go over to greet him, but saw Ji Chan raised his crutch, tapped lightly on the dead tree a few times, then raised his left hand, stretched out his palm with tight fingers, and said in his mouth: " Destroying dead trees and leaning on the meditation hall, reading all the wind and frost, the years are long. Knowing that Bodhi has no trees, even adding a knife and ax will not hurt. Hey! The eyes are full of refreshing autumn light, so why don't you borrow a branch to perch."

After Ji Chan finished chanting, the two strong monks swung the sharp axes in their hands and chopped down the dead tree with just two or three blows. "Okay!" With the sound of dead trees falling to the ground, the surrounding monks couldn't help shouting. Cutting down a dead tree requires such a solemn ceremony. Yang Du thinks that Buddhist life is very interesting.He stepped over the fallen dead tree and shouted to the old monk who had turned back to his room: "Master Jichan!" Ji Chan turned around and saw that it was Yang Du, surprised and delighted, he quickly stopped and said, "Xizi, when did you return to Beijing, how do you know I'm in Fayuan Temple?"

"How did I know you were in Fayuan Temple, I came here for Wu Daozi's painting." Yang Du said as he came to Jichan's side. "How long have you been in the capital?" "Four or five months." Ji Chan replied.He asked again, "I heard that you have been prosperous for a year, how come you have the time to spend such a long vacation in Qingdao?" "Let's talk about those things slowly. I heard that there is a painting of Wu Daozi hidden in Fayuan Temple, is it true?" "Really, I'll accompany you to see it!" Ji Chan sent someone to call Dao Jie, and the two accompanied Yang Du into the studio that had been closed for a long time.Yang Du stood in front of the statue of Guan Yu and looked at it carefully for a long time, then walked away a few steps and looked at it from a distance, the more he looked at it, the more excited he became, and the more he looked the more itchy.

"National treasure, this is a real national treasure!" He slapped the shoulder of the Daoist who was accompanying him suddenly, startling the abbot. "No wonder it caused a sensation in the capital. This is a real painting of Wu Daozi, look how realistic the sash is!" Even though it is confirmed that it is a national treasure, Daojie is still very happy to hear this.Because Yang Du is a celebrity and an expert, and Daojie also knows that he has a deep personal relationship with President Yuan Da, so it is naturally different from others when he utters this sentence from his mouth.Yang Du couldn't help but ask: "Master, if someone who knows the goods wants to buy your painting, will you sell it?"

"Sell it!" Dao Jie's eyes lit up. "How much?" Yang Du asked seriously. "At least one hundred thousand silver dollars." "One hundred thousand silver dollars." Yang Du thought in his heart: It's worth it, but it's a pity that he can't come up with so many silver dollars for a while.The remaining 200,000 yuan from buying a house has been spent nearly 10,000 yuan in Qingdao in the past few months. I sent 10,000 yuan to my brother and invested 120,000 yuan in Hunan Huachang Antimony Mining Company. I only have 60,000 yuan left , and the mother will bring his wife, children and uncle to live in Beijing next month, and needs money.I only blame myself for having less money!Yang Du sighed in his heart, and didn't hold any more thoughts.

Seeing Yang Du pondering, Dao Jie asked tentatively: "Lady Yang, do you think the price has been raised?" "Not high, not high!" Yang Du hurriedly said, "It is indeed worth 100,000 yuan. If someone comes to ask the price, just raise it up, and don't push it down." "Thank you!" Dao Jie was more confident about the value of this painting. After leaving the studio, Jichan accompanied Yang Du into his meditation room.The two chatted while drinking tea.Talking about the great changes in the country over the past year, Yang Du was amazed at the quick verification of the prophecy of the elder Wuyu of Xuedou Temple.Jichan also praised his old friend for adapting to the current situation and doing good things for the country.When talking about state affairs, the hidden pain of not joining the cabinet was triggered again.Yang Du didn't want to talk about it, so he changed the subject: "What has the mage been up to lately?"

Jichan pointed to the book case and said, "I want to compile the poems of the past few years again. Xizi, to tell you the truth, although I am only sixty-two years old this year, I always feel that I will not live long. You are strange No?" Yang Du said with a smile: "You are so strong and pure-hearted, I am afraid that you will not go away if you live to be a hundred years old, and you will never think of such a thing as death." Jichan smiled slightly, and said: "Even if you live to be a hundred years old, you still have to leave. We Buddhists regard this matter as normal. All things go on and on, this birth and that death, birth and death, eternal cycle, changing every moment. , reincarnation is endless, in things it is change, in people it is life and death, in fact, objects in the world only change, there is no life and death. There is no beginning and no end, no birth and no death, neither increase nor decrease, neither go nor come. So it is, so it is with human beings, it's the same with Sakyamuni, and it's the same with me."

When Yang Du saw that Jichan spoke of life and death in such a profound way, he seemed to understand something, but couldn't express it for a while, so he just nodded vigorously. Jichan took a sip of tea and continued: "Having said that, I still have some things to do in this world, and other things have been basically done. Only this collection of poems and essays has not been finalized, so I can't let it go. In addition, the former A few days ago, Yu Mei'an, a layman in Hengyang, sent me the "New Continuation of Eminent Monk Biography" edited by Daojie, and asked me to write a preface. Layman Yu is my friend for many years, and this book is also well edited. This preface I can't refuse, and I also want to take this opportunity to say a few words."

As he spoke, he pointed to the stack of manuscripts piled high on the desk.Yang Du took down some of the manuscripts and flipped through the catalog.It turns out that this book is based on the "Biography of Ming Eminent Monks" written by Shamen Ruxing at the end of the Ming Dynasty. From the Northern Song Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, there are sixty-six volumes in total.Yu Mei'an called Liang Shamen Huijiao's "Biography of Eminent Monks" the first collection, Tang Shi Daoxuan's "Continued Biography of Eminent Monks" was called the second collection, and Song Shizanning's "Song Eminent Biography" was called the third collection. The book is called four episodes.He believes that these four episodes of biographies of eminent monks include all the Buddhist figures in China for thousands of years.

"Master, I think you should be the number one eminent monk today." Yang Du put down the manuscript and said with a smile. "You can't say that." Jichan said flatly, "Xizi, who do you think an eminent monk should be?" Yang Du thought for a while and said, "The so-called eminent monk is of course a monk who is proficient in Buddhist scriptures." Jichan nodded and said, "You are right, but this is only the first meaning of an eminent monk, that is, an ordinary eminent monk." Like many great intellectuals at the time such as Liang Qichao and Zhang Taiyan, Yang Du also had a great interest in Buddhism.It's just that I have been busy with constitutional government and state affairs these years, and have no time to study Buddhist scriptures. Now that there is such a good mage in front of me, why not ask him for advice?So he asked, "What other qualifications should a real eminent monk possess?" Ji Chan said: "Xi Zi, I always thought that you have the roots of wisdom. If you take refuge in my Buddha, you will surely achieve the right fruit in the future. It is fate that you and I meet each other. Let me tell you some Dharma today!" Yang Du said happily: "Master, the Buddha said that to save yourself, you must also save others, and to save others is to save yourself. You can save me, a layman, today!" "Amitabha, what a good word!" Ji Chan picked up the rosary hanging on his chest, and said reverently, "Learn the Buddha's teachings, understand the teachings, seek wisdom from knowledge, and perfect precepts and actions. This is the first meaning of an eminent monk. Knowing the impossible It can be said that there is no Buddha to learn from, knowing the Dharma is illegal, and a Buddha is not a Buddha, this is the second meaning of an eminent monk.” When Yang Du heard this, he was puzzled: Just now he was still lecturing on the teachings of Buddhism, but now he is saying that there is no way without Buddha, what is going on? He imitated the appearance of sending Zen, and made a pious appearance, but there were no rosary beads on his chest, and his hands seemed to have nowhere to put them. "Master, my disciple is quite confused about the second meaning of the eminent monk, so I dare to ask the master for detailed instructions." Hearing that Yang Du called himself a "disciple", Ji Chan simply put on the expression of Master Su Ri giving lectures, half-closed his eyes, and said word by word: "If you are famous for the Dharma, then the law and the law are evil and right. Different views, the view of the Dharma has not been eliminated, and the attachment to the Dharma arises. If you are famous for studying Buddhism, the Buddha and non-Buddhist saints will see differently, and the view of the Buddha has not been eliminated, and the attachment to the ego arises. Two seeing and two attachments are both Heart barrier. There is no cure for this barrier, what kind of eminent monk?" Yang Du seemed to understand a little bit, and continued to listen to the Master: "The Dharma spoken and the person who can speak, the Buddha he has learned and the person who can learn, all form two phases with one mind. This is the difference between one's own mind and does not come from outside. , good and evil are formed by opposites, delusion and enlightenment are formed by the same, if there is something, there is everything, if there is nothing, there is nothing, a single thought does not arise, and all conditions are silent, so there is no way to have no Buddha, only one is an eminent monk, this is the second meaning.” From existence to nonexistence was originally the result of the change of mood.This is really an unfathomable science.Yang Du asked again: "Does an eminent monk still have a third righteousness?" "Yes." Jichan counted the rosary again, and continued, "All dharmas originate from causes and conditions, and are formed through treatment. There is no law, but there is dharma because of illegality; there is no Buddha in the first place, but there is Buddha because of non-Buddha. Get rid of delusions, so they appear. True, there is no truth to be manifested even if it is false. The reason why emptiness is broken is that there is no emptiness to be understood. Therefore, the third meaning of an eminent monk must be able to speak the law when there is nothing that cannot be said, and what is said is the law that cannot be said; If there is no Buddha to learn from but to learn from Buddhism, the student who studies has no Buddha to learn from.” Hearing this, Yang Du suddenly clapped his palms and smiled and said, "Master, the disciple finally understands the meaning of an eminent monk. First, learn the Buddha's Dharma, then learn the Buddha's Dharma without the Buddha's help, and then learn the Buddha's Dharma in the absence of the Buddha's help, just like on a circle. Turned around, and finally returned to the starting point." "That's right." Jichan let go of his hands and opened his eyes, and said, "Xizi, I said you have the root of wisdom, and I was right. To tell you the truth, I became a monk at the age of seventeen and spent four years in Buddhism. Fifteen years, and it was not until the last few years that I really understood that there is no Buddha in the world, and the Buddha is the highest wisdom and the highest understanding. The world is just like what you said, a circle, and in the words of our Buddhist school, it is a reincarnation. Two people stand at the same point in a circle. One person did not go around the circle, while the other went around a circle and then returned to the original place. On the surface, the two are in the same position, but in fact, they are in the same position in terms of mood. , There is a difference between the two people. Another example is that there are two idioms in our country: ignorant and ignorant, great wisdom is like stupid. The world has only gone half a circle, and I don't quite understand the reason. After I go through that half circle, everything will be clear. I still have some things to go out today, so I will stop here. You I often come to Fayuan Temple for a walk when I have free time, and it is also a blessing in my Buddhist sect to save you, a peerless talent." These words gave Yang Du a sense of enlightenment.Within half a month, he went to Fayuan Temple one after another to talk about Buddhism with Jichan, and he gained a lot. In the afternoon, Daojie suddenly came to Huai'an Hutong, and said to Yang Du anxiously: "Layman, go to the temple quickly, the mage is critically ill, please hurry up and see him for the last time!" As if there was a sudden thunderbolt, Yang Du was stunned: "What's going on? I went to see him the day before yesterday and he was fine, why did he suddenly become critically ill?" He told Mr. He to quickly set up the carriage. Dao Jie said: "Get in the car first, and I will tell you after I get in the car." Sanye He raised his whip, and after a few clear rings in the air, the big green horse pulled up the car carrying three people and rushed towards the Fayuan Temple in the south of the city.In the car, Dao Jie told Yang Du in detail what happened in the past few days. The day before yesterday, Jichan sent the original copy of the terms of protection of the temple to the Department of Etiquette and Customs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in person.This provision was revised by Jichan after more than four months of repeated deliberation, and it also contained the efforts of many monks and nuns in the north and south.The Buddhist Association hopes that the Ministry of the Interior will review it and promulgate it as a law in the name of the Republic of China government, so as to protect the legitimate interests of monasteries across the country. Du Kaida, director of the Department of Etiquette and Customs, was the middle-level official who accompanied Zhao Bingjun and the German minister to Fayuan Temple to watch Wu Daozi's paintings that day, and greeted Daojie before leaving.He looked at the painting that day and thought: It would be great if this painting belonged to me, and I have to find a way to get it in the future.Seeing the envy of the German Minister and Chief Zhao, he changed his mind and thought again: get it over and give it to Chief Zhao, and then Chief Zhao will transfer it to the German Minister. The benefits are endless.I thought about it for a long time, but I couldn't think of a good idea for a while. Seeing the terms of protection of the monastery submitted by Jichan, his eyeballs moved, and a good idea immediately came to his mind, and he was secretly proud: This is really a good opportunity sent by the Buddha!He sent an order to invite Zen to come in, and he personally received it.He also ordered to serve fragrant tea to Jichan.Although Jichan didn't drink his tea, he felt very comfortable in his heart. Thinking of the cold reception he received in the yamen of the former Ministry of Rites of the Qing Dynasty two years ago, he couldn't help but feel very emotional: After all, it is a democratic republic, and the officials who handle things are really kind. It's a very old-fashioned style. "May I ask which monastery the master lives in the capital?" Director Du picked up the Gaiwan tea and asked with a pleasant face while removing the lid. "The poor monk puts up orders for Fayuan Temple." Jichan replied neither humble nor overbearing. Fayuan Temple!Director Du was overjoyed: It's all over now, don't go around talking about Wu Daozi's paintings again.A smile spread across his face, and he asked again, "The Taoist abbot of Fayuan Temple must be very good with the mage?" "He is the disciple of the poor monk." Jichan straightened his body. "The abbot of Daojie discovered an ancient painting of the Tang Dynasty in the temple a few days ago. Has the mage heard about it?" "I know." Jichan habitually raised his left hand and counted the beads one by one. "This is really a treasure!" Director Du showed a salivating expression. "It may be a treasure in the human world, but in the eyes of our Buddhist disciples, these things are indifferent." Jichan said calmly, without any expression of joy on his face. The director of the Etiquette Department of the Republic of China government was originally a master who was well-versed in the former upright government office, good at coping, and good at observing words and feelings.Hearing this, he immediately answered: "Master is really a monk with profound morality and deeds. He sees through everything in the secular world. In fact, Fayuan Temple is a place to meditate and worship Buddha. It is very incongruous to hang Wu Daozi's paintings there. , and this painting is unlikely to enhance the reputation of Fayuan Temple in the Buddhist circle." When Ji Chan heard it, he became alert: What does this mean?So he listened attentively to what the official said. "The terms of protection of the monastery sent by the master today are very good. The government of the Republic of China works for the people, and the monks and nuns are also citizens of the country. The government of the Republic of China will undoubtedly do things for them. Director Zhao will definitely present it to President Yuan, Yuan The President will definitely approve the announcement." Jichan didn't expect things to be done so smoothly and perfectly, which made him overjoyed.He put his palms together hurriedly: "On behalf of monks and nuns across the country, I would like to thank Director Du and the government of the Republic of China." "This is our duty, so we don't need to thank you." Director Du said with a smile, "The government should do things for the people, and the people should also help the government. I would like to ask the master to convey the matter to the abbot of Fayuan Temple. Daoist Master." Because of the vigilance just now, Ji Chan immediately thought that Director Du was going to make an idea of ​​Wu Daozi's painting, and his face became serious.Usually the thing to say at this time is "Excuse me, what's the matter", but he deliberately didn't say it. Director Du noticed the change on the old monk's face, and felt a little unhappy when he saw that he didn't answer, so he put away his smile and said solemnly: "Now the government also has difficulties, one is the lack of money, and the other is the lack of weapons. The master knew that Germany is a powerful country among foreigners, with both money and good guns. The government wants to borrow money from German banks and buy a batch of new guns in Germany. After seeing the ancient painting in Fayuan Temple, Minister Rand appreciated it very much. Mr. Zhao told me that if he gave this painting to him, then it would not be a problem to buy weapons from Germany. What the Master just said is good, the ancient painting is right It is a dispensable thing for Buddhism, but now it will play a big role for the government. The government is helping Buddhism and issuing an order to protect the temple; Buddhism is also helping the government by donating the ancient painting. In this way, everyone All good. Master, what do you think?" No wonder Director Du was so polite, no wonder the terms of protection were approved so smoothly, it turned out it was all for this painting of Wu Daozi.To put it nicely, the donated paintings are for the government, but in fact they are all for themselves.This kind of pre-Qing palace scene abounds. I didn't expect the newly established government of the Republic of China to be the same as the downfall of the former Qing court! Thinking of this, a suffocation surged into Jichan's heart.He suppressed his anger and said coldly: "The ancient paintings are the property of Fayuan Temple, and have nothing to do with the Chinese Buddhist Association. Director Du wants ancient paintings, and the old monk can't make the decision. The old monk has to discuss with the Taoist leader." Speaking of getting up. Director Du hurriedly stood up and said, "Master, don't get me wrong. Mr. Du himself never wants that ancient painting. The ancient painting was given to the German Minister. Mr. Du's suggestion is purely for the government. Please go back and follow up with Mr. Du." The Taoist abbot explained that Buddhism must also put the national interest first." Jichan returned to Fayuan Temple angrily and told Daojie about it.Hearing this, the young and vigorous Daojie immediately became angry and shouted: "Whatever it is for the government is for himself, so that he can use this painting to attract foreigners and find a backer for himself!" The monks in Fayuan Temple were all dreaming of selling paintings for 100,000 silver dollars and sharing 2300 yuan each. When they heard the news, they were all angry, and they all chattered around the steps, ancient paintings It is the public property of Fayuan Temple, everyone has a share, and no one has the right to give it away!Some people also told Jichan that they would rather not have the government issue a protection order than send out the ancient paintings!Some people said bluntly that the government just promulgated a decree, which is useless.They haven't gained a firm foothold yet, so they have no ability to manage the affairs of the Buddhist world.In the end, what we got was a dead letter, but they actually took a hundred thousand silver dollars! In the evening, a low-ranking official came to Fayuan Temple to find Master Jichan.The old monk who guards the gate is the one who is most eager to get money.He is over seventy years old, and his lay relatives have only one nephew.He told his nephew that he would be buried with his parents after he died, and asked his nephew to fulfill this wish for him.But my nephew was unwilling, saying that it would cost a sum of money, and the family could not afford it.The old monk janitor thought that if he sold the painting and got a hundred taels of silver for himself, his nephew would not stop doing it, and he could sleep with his parents forever after death.In the afternoon, he was also the one who made the most noise when he learned that the Ministry of Internal Affairs wanted ancient paintings.When he heard that the visitor was an official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, regardless of his official status, he complained all over his head and boiled it down to one sentence: the painting cannot be left outside the temple gate. If you want it, you can buy it with 100,000 silver dollars. !When the official heard this, his heart turned cold.After finding Jichan, Jichan also told the truth.The official hurriedly left Fayuan Temple and reported all these to Director Du. Yesterday Master Jichan went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to inquire about the news, to see if the clauses had been approved.When I arrived at the Department of Etiquette and Customs, I couldn't see Director Du. After sitting on the bench for a long time, a deputy director surnamed Bai came out to meet him. Deputy Director Bai tensed his face and said in an official tone: "Old monk, you don't go to the temple to eat fast and chant Buddha, what do you come to us for? If you are asking for alms, then you have gone to the wrong place. The yamen of our Republic of China government never sent Monk or something." These few words made Ji Chan feel angry.For many years, this Bazhitutuo has been widely respected by monks and laymen for his virtue and poetic talent. How has he ever been ridiculed in this way?He wanted to jump up and scold this bastard bureaucrat, but thinking about his status as president, he gritted his teeth, swallowed his saliva, stared at Deputy Director Bai for a long time before saying: "You Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to beg for alms, I’m the president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, and I’m here to ask if the clauses to protect the temple have been approved.” "Oh," Deputy Director Bai said in a drawn-out tone, "Are you asking about the terms? We are too busy with so many important matters. How can we have time to take care of your monks and nuns? Take care of yourselves!" Seeing Deputy Director Bai's appearance, Jichan felt angry again.He suppressed it again, and said, "Director Du said well yesterday that the government of the Republic of China wanted to serve the people and take care of things like protecting temples. Why doesn't it care about it now?" "Oh," Deputy Director Bai drew out again. "That's what I said yesterday, and today there are new instructions from Shangfeng: The government doesn't care about monks." "Why did you have such instructions when you went up to the peak?" Ji Chan unconsciously raised his voice. "I met with President Sun Da in Nanjing. He said that no matter who they are, as long as they are Chinese, the national government has the responsibility to protect their legitimate rights and interests." After finishing speaking, he took out Sun Yat-sen's note and said, "This is a letter from President Sun." Deputy Director Bai didn't even look at Sun Yat-sen's note, and said with a sneer: "Monk, don't look at the old emperor anymore. Now is not the time for President Sun to be majestic. Now it is President Yuan's world, we We all listen to President Yuan. He, President Sun, has the ability to keep his position first. The stage is down, and he wrote a note to instruct us, what a joke!" Jichan was full of reverence for Sun Yat-sen, seeing him laughing at Sun Yat-sen like this, he was full of anger and could no longer bear it.He stood up suddenly, pointed at the other person's nose and cursed: "You are really a villain! What are you, dare to disrespect President Sun?" It turns out that Deputy Director Bai is just a lucky villain.He was originally Zhao Bingjun's follower for many years, running errands, serving tea and water, and serving him well.In order to reward him for his loyalty, Zhao Bingjun asked him to be the section chief of the Etiquette Department when he was appointed as the chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He was promoted to the deputy chief of the department just last month.After becoming a dignified deputy director, Bai Heicha, the word "little man" is the most taboo after his fortune.Ji Chan's words aroused his anger filled with hatred.He rolled up his sleeves, slapped Jichan across the face, and cursed, "Get rid of your stupidity, you old bald donkey!" How could this eminent monk who was over sixty years old and famous all over the world could bear this insult, and immediately fainted from anger.When he woke up, he found himself lying outside the gate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with no one around him.He struggled to stand up, leaning on the wall all the way back to Fayuan Temple.He slept on the bed, and told his successor disciples one by one what had happened to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.Dao Jie was angry and hated, and burst into tears.When it was almost dawn, Dao Jie found that Master was having difficulty breathing, and his complexion was getting worse, and he was extremely anxious.He tightly held Ji Chan's hands, which were already cold. "Master, Master!" Dao Jie called softly. "Daojie, take a trip to Huai'an Hutong for me, and invite Layman Yang to come, I have something important to tell him." Jichan opened his eyes with difficulty, and said to the disciple Sifa who had been waiting by his side. "Master, disciple, please send someone away. Disciple will guard you." Dao Jie said weeping. "I want to ask Layman Yang to do something important. You should go there yourself and be more serious. Don't worry, I won't die in two days." Jichan's hand moved slightly, as if he was about to struggle out of Daojie's hand.Dao Jie let go of his hand, and ordered Da Xing to stand by, while he flew to Yang's house in Huai'an Hutong. Yang Du listened to the narration on the road along the road, feeling bored and anxious, unable to say a word, just told He Sanye to hit the horse and go quickly.After entering the Fayuan Temple, he took three steps in parallel and went straight to the meditation room. After only a few days of seeing each other, the old friend with a red face and a dignified look suddenly became pale, emaciated and dying.He yelled "Master" in grief and anger, but he was so angry that he couldn't speak. Jichan opened his eyes and saw Yang Du sitting on the side, with a slight smile on his face, and said softly, "Xi Zi, you are here, good, good." Then he said to Dao Jie, "Give me two sips of tea." Daojie brewed a strong pot of Tiantong tea, helped the master up, and sat on the back of the bed.After drinking a few sips of tea, Ji Chan felt a little better, looked at Yang Du with lost luster eyes, and said slowly: "Did the Daoist tell you everything that happened in the past few days?" "Tell me everything, mage, you have to think about it." Yang Du comforted his old friend. "I didn't expect President Yuan's government of the Republic of China to be the same as the former upright officialdom." Jichan sighed long. "The poor monk has been a monk for more than 40 years, and the morale of the world has not been cleansed. Finally, he can't suffer this strange humiliation and fall here. This can be regarded as a bad fate!" Dao Jie interjected angrily from the side: "The etiquette department treated Master like this because they didn't get the ancient painting, and it was all because of this painting. I think it's better to burn it!" "Daojie, don't do this, it has nothing to do with ancient paintings." Jichan panted, "After I die, you hide the paintings in the plywood again. No matter how much the etiquette department pesters you, you can't let them get it. .A temple rule was also set: until the time of peace and prosperity, this painting must not be allowed to see the light of day again. Have you written down my words?" Dao Jie nodded with tears in his eyes: "The disciple will keep it in mind." "Let's not talk about this matter. Life and death have their own destiny, not to mention that our Buddhism has no birth and no death, so you don't need to be sad. Xizi, I invited you here because I want to have a last word with you." Yang Du leaned forward and said sadly, "Master, please tell me!" "Xizi, it has been sixteen or seventeen years since I met you in the 21st year of Guangxu. You have great ambition and talent, and a strong desire to use the world. Although I am an outsider, I can understand it." Ji Chan Pulling his right hand out of the quilt, Yang Du quickly held it with both hands. "Although you are a little bit unsatisfactory right now, you are still successful in general, and you may make bigger careers in the future. Whether this career is worth doing, the old monk may have a different view from yours. Even so, You should work hard, and whatever step you achieve counts as one step! What I want to tell you today is that the world is vast and the sea of ​​suffering is boundless, and only my Buddhist school is the ultimate blissful world where all troubles can be solved. Buddhist classics are broad and profound, Buddhist My son is empty-minded. Xizi, one day you feel that the sufferings of the world cannot be solved, I hope you will escape into Buddhism and take refuge in my Buddha, and it will be over once and for all, and you will be promoted to the realm of enlightenment." Yang Du said gratefully: "I will definitely follow the Master's instructions." "One more thing, I want to ask you a favor." "Whatever, you can tell me, as long as ordinary people can do it, I will try my best to do it." Yang Du said very sincerely. "You don't have to say it so seriously." There was a wry smile on Jichan's face. "For you, this matter is not difficult. Although my collection of poems and essays has been compiled by myself, it is not yet finished. After my death, all these poems and essays will be delivered to you, and you will help me clean up and compile them. If you have the opportunity, Two or three hundred copies of it were engraved and distributed to my mentors and friends during my lifetime. I have made a list of my mentors and friends." Yang Du immediately agreed: "Master, don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter well, and I will definitely print it out and donate it to the Buddhist and poetic circles." "Okay, thank you." There seemed to be a little anger in Jichan's eyes. "Xizi, the reason why I asked you to compile it is to borrow your great talent. You know that I don't study much, and my knowledge is rudimentary. If there are any wrong characters or wrong words in the poem, please Help me change it, don't let Bazhitutuo be ridiculed by future generations, let alone let Bazhitutuo confuse future generations of readers." After forty-five years of hard training, I still haven't lost the heart of passing on fame. At the end of the day, I still confess my poems so solemnly, which shows how hard to change human nature!Yang Du said while thinking: "Master Qiji and Jiaoran are the current generation. His poems are not only unique in the Buddhist world, even if they are placed in the literary world, they are worthy of being called masters. If there is any flaw, I will definitely repair it properly." "Okay, okay." Jichan nodded slowly.He looked around the Zen room and saw that Dao Jie was still waiting on him, so he said to him, "I'm much better now, you go to the Buddhist hall to cook, you don't have to stay here." Dao Jie is a spiritual person, he knew that the master must have something heart-to-heart to say to his old friend, so he quietly left the meditation room. "Do you remember what I told you about Junior Sister Jing Wu two years ago?" Ji Chan asked Yang Du when there were only two people left in the room. "Remember, remember." Jing Wu is not an ordinary junior sister, the story between her and Ji Chan has been deeply imprinted in Yang Du's mind. "Jing Wu likes my poems, and I have devoted myself to writing dozens of poems for her. These poems are written in another manuscript, not compiled into my collection of poems, but placed in a pillow case." Ji Chan pointed Pointing to a small black lacquered long wooden box beside him, he said, "Please take it out." Yang Du moved the pillow box and opened it to see that there was a stack of poem manuscripts neatly placed inside.In that era, what men put in their pillow boxes were scriptures that they read day and night, or valuable documents of land deeds, or keys to unlock the lock of money.The poem manuscript for Jing Wu was stored in the pillow box, and Yang Du's heart moved unknowingly.He saw three words inscribed on the cover of the poem manuscript: "The Collection of Overturned Boats".Side signature: Monk Three Shadows.Yang Du thought: I've never heard anyone call him Monk Three Shadows, what's the matter with this name?He gently turned the next page, and Ji Chan had an inscription: These few words showed that the two knew each other deeply.Yang Du doesn't want to read any more, let's savor it slowly in the future! "I wanted to ask someone to go to the Temple of Mercy and ask Jing Wu to come to Fayuan Temple. We will meet again in this life, but I am afraid that Jing Wu will be emotionally fragile, cry, and there will be many people talking, and there will be a lot of bad news. Take some time to go to the compassionate temple." An, give her this book of "The Collection of Overturned Boats". Since the manuscript is handed over to you, you can read it naturally. If you see something, please don't tell the world." Hearing what Jichan said, Yang Du's heart itch.He subconsciously turned a page, and what caught his eye was a poem titled "Lord of the Nunnery of Mercy":