Chapter 3557

The identity of Kongyin, compared to Sun Zhidong, is not that sensitive.

Therefore, in Lin Wanan's view, going to Jinge Temple to see Kongyin is much easier than going to Yanjing to see Sun Zhidong originally. (Details in Chapter 2531, updated on December 30, 2022. Recently, some short dramas have aired plots very similar to Lin Wanan's, and the author refrains from commenting.)

When Lin Wanan asked the monk at the gate to pass on a message, the monk indeed did not show the same vigilance and caution as the guards Sun Zhidong had in Yanjing.

Upon hearing Lin Wanan claim to be a relative of Master Kongyin and that she was acting on the orders of her elders, the monk instinctively chose to believe her words.

Buddhism was transmitted from China to Japan, and Jianzhen's eastward journey brought Chinese Buddhist theories to Japan, which Japan then fully studied. However, after the Meiji Restoration, Japanese Buddhism and monastic precepts underwent significant changes.

Before the Meiji Restoration, Japan strictly followed the bhikkhu precepts of India and China: monks were forbidden from consuming meat and alcohol, and from marrying. After the Meiji Restoration, Japanese Buddhism gradually became secularized, and most monks were allowed to marry and have children.

Given this broader context, let alone visiting temples to see relatives, even coming to a temple to see one's father or grandfather has become quite ordinary.

Although Master Kongyin never married, he has lived over 120 years, so who knows whether he has any relatives or friends in the mortal world? This seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl, though wearing a mask, reveals through her large eyes that she is pretty and cute. Her two ponytails give a somewhat mischievous impression, but at first glance she seems very sincere and pure-hearted, so it's unlikely she would lie in a sacred Buddhist place.

Thus, the monk said: "Miss, please wait a moment. Our abbot is receiving guests and has instructed not to be disturbed. I will inform him immediately after his audience ends."

Master Kongyin recently sets aside three hours each morning to exchange Buddhist teachings with Master Jingqing, and has instructed that no one should disturb him. The monks in the temple strictly observe this rule, and no one dares to interrupt during this time.

Lin Wanan, however, said: "This is urgent. Please inform him as soon as possible. Master Kongyin will certainly not blame you if he learns of it, but if there is a delay, he might indeed rebuke you."

The monk hesitated for a moment, seeing that Lin Wanan was not joking, and then nodded, saying: "Then please wait a moment, Miss—I will go notify him right away."

Lin Wanan nodded and urged him: "Please make sure to convey my words exactly as I said them, Master."

The monk then said: "Miss Zhengping has arrived, correct? I understand."

As he spoke, he wondered to himself: Zhengping is clearly a man's name—could this little girl really be Miss Zhengping? It doesn't match her cute demeanor at all.

Lin Wanan added: "Also, please tell Master Kongyin that, given his advanced age, he must not come out to meet me in person—I will go in to see him myself."

The monk grew even more doubtful, thinking: "Little girl, even if your family is related to Master Kongyin, with him being over 120 years old, it's impossible for him to personally come out to greet a little girl like you! You must be dreaming..."

Still, despite his bewilderment, he turned and hurriedly ran toward the main hall.

At this moment, in the main hall.

Master Jingqing had just finished lecturing on the sutras. Master Kongyin, leaning on his weary body, kept clapping and sighed: "The profundity of the Buddhist Dharma lies in the fact that after reading it, everyone gains different insights. The broader one's perspective, the wider the world one discovers. I have read this sutra for decades—Japanese, Chinese, and even Sanskrit versions—but I have never attained the depth of understanding that Master Jingqing has. Many details I never grasped in my life. Now, having been enlightened by Master Jingqing, I suddenly feel as if sweet dew has poured over my crown and all obstructions have vanished. I am truly deeply grateful!"

Master Jingqing said humbly: "Master Kongyin, studying the Buddhist Dharma sometimes relates to one's state of mind, sometimes to one's environment, and sometimes to fate. My insight comes not from my own deep understanding, but largely from fortunate circumstances. If Master Kongyin were to encounter his own fate, he would surely gain an even deeper insight than I have."

For ordinary people, the Buddhist Dharma is scripture; for monks, it is doctrine; for those who enter the Dao through Buddhism, it becomes a guide for cultivation.

Some things cannot be interpreted until one reaches the corresponding level—just like wartime intelligence hidden in newspaper articles: to the uninitiated, it looks like an ordinary article, but only those who master the specific communication code can discern the core meaning within.

The Buddhist Dharma is the same.

After Master Jingqing attained enlightenment, when he looked back at those sutras, he naturally gained a deeper understanding. Master Kongyin, who has not attained enlightenment, could spend a lifetime reading them and still not perceive that deeper layer.

Master Kongyin could not help but sigh: "Though the words 'fate' and 'opportunity' are simple to say, many people spend their entire lives without encountering them—especially such a great opportunity as Master Jingqing's. Among ten thousand people, it is hard to find one. How could I dare to hope for such a thing?"

Master Jingqing's expression froze.

His description of his own opportunity was vague and indistinct.

It was almost like luck.

Yet, in Master Kongyin's words, there seemed to be a hint—that he clearly knew exactly what his own opportunity was.

At that moment, Master Jingqing felt shocked, and then suddenly thought: Although Master Kongyin himself has not attained enlightenment, perhaps he once met someone who had, and thus spoke from experience.

After pondering repeatedly, he asked: "Master Kongyin seems to know what you mean by 'opportunity.' Could you please specify what it refers to?"

"Naturally." Master Kongyin smiled faintly, waved his hand to the several senior disciples beside him, and said wearily: "You may go now. I wish to speak a few words alone with Master Jingqing."

The several disciples immediately pressed their palms together and said in unison: "Disciples obey!"

After speaking, they all rose together and quickly stepped out of the main hall.

In the main hall, only Master Kongyin and Master Jingqing remained.

Master Kongyin then said with a look of longing: "In the first few decades of my life, I was like one who had gone mad from deviation—obsessively pursuing enlightenment, but I never found such an opportunity, never managed to open the door to a new world. Over time, I realized that in this lifetime, I am destined never to reach that lofty, ultimate opportunity."

After saying that, he smiled and added: "However, I am already very content in this life and dare not seek any further opportunity. If the Buddha were to come to receive me and guide me to rebirth in the Western Paradise, and asked me what regrets I still have in this life, I would tell him: I should have perished in swaddling clothes, but to have lived until today already fills me with gratitude toward the world—I dare not speak of regrets..."

"But I believe the Buddha surely knows that over the past nearly a hundred years, I have never spoken rashly, never entertained foolish thoughts, united knowledge and action, and wholeheartedly devoted myself to the Buddha. Therefore, I hope he will remember this sincere heart of mine and allow me to see her again—then my life will be complete."

Master Jingqing asked in surprise: "Who is the 'she' that Master Kongyin speaks of? Is she perhaps like me?"

Master Jingqing's words remained vague, but he believed Master Kongyin would understand.

Master Kongyin naturally understood. In his mind arose the image of a girl who was as loving as a mother, as strict as a teacher, yet as innocent as a maiden—the girl who, from the time he first remembered, until the time he left her, remained unchanged.

He knew Lin Wanan would never age, and that she was not one who had attained enlightenment. Thus, he smiled, though tears hid in his smile, and said: "She differs from Master Jingqing—she is the best mother, the best teacher, equally the best playmate and the best friend. She is... she is the true living Bodhisattva."

Master Jingqing was utterly bewildered, but recalling that Master Kongyin was over 120 years old, he instinctively guessed that he must be mourning some long-dead elder or a benefactor from his life.

He even felt a little envious of Master Kongyin.

Because Master Kongyin cultivates in the increasingly secularized Japanese Buddhist world.

Here, he can openly express his thoughts and longings, and no one will blame him, as a Buddhist, for still holding affection for the secular world.

But in the Chinese Buddhist world, it seems they place greater emphasis on severing worldly ties and renouncing secular life—even if one's heart cannot truly cut those bonds, one dare not let others know.

Thus, he smiled and comforted: "If someone is praised so highly by Master Kongyin, then surely she has been reborn in the Western Paradise. And if it is truly the day of your rebirth, Master, then surely you will meet her again before the Buddha."

Upon hearing this, Master Kongyin merely shook his head and smiled, saying nothing more.

In his mind, the image of Lin Wanan from her youth reappeared.

He murmured in his heart: "How could the Miss be in the Buddha's presence? The Buddha will surely protect her and let her live to five hundred years, even grant her longevity."

Just then, someone outside suddenly shouted: "Scoundrel! The abbot and Master Jingqing are discussing the sutras—you, a little novice, fail to guard the gate properly and dare to run in here to do what?!"

Then another voice said: "Senior Brother Yuangcheng, I am here to report to the abbot—outside, a child from the abbot's relatives' family has come to seek an audience!"

The man who had just scolded said: "Idiot, you believe whatever others say—this kind of talk is obviously a clumsy lie, and yet you actually believed it! Hurry up and drive away that mischievous child!"

After saying that, he moved to drive the little novice out.

The novice dared not force his way in, so he could only shout loudly toward the main hall: "Abbot! The little girl outside says, 'Miss Zhengping has come!' It's Miss Zhengping!"

The argument between these two, as well as the novice's shout, were all in Japanese.

Master Jingqing understands little Japanese, so he cannot comprehend what is being argued outside.

At first, Master Kongyin also did not take the outside argument to heart. He had exchanged Buddhist teachings with Master Jingqing all morning, was already exhausted from head to toe, and thought it was time to rest—he would continue in the afternoon.

But when he suddenly heard the words "Young Lady Zhengping has arrived," his body felt as if struck by lightning, instantly tensing, his pupils constricting sharply, his whole body trembling with excitement.

At this moment, he had forgotten his utter exhaustion, and in an instant rose from the futon, staggering toward the door.

But having sat cross-legged for too long, and being of advanced age, when he tried to stand his legs gave out, and he nearly fell; seeing this, Master Jingqing immediately rose to support him, then anxiously asked: "Master Kongyin, has something happened? Why are you so flustered?"

Kongyin felt his legs utterly unresponsive, as if severed at the hips, yet his heart surged with excitement, and he only thought of reaching the door as quickly as possible, even if he had to crawl.

For he knew that in this world, the only person who could address him by the name Zhengping, besides Lin Wan'er, had long since passed away.

At this very moment, Lin Wan'er, to whom he owed a debt as great as a mountain, must surely be waiting at the gate of Jinge Temple.

Thus, tears streaming down his face, he pleaded with Master Jingqing: "Master Jingqing, please take me to the temple gate, I beg you!"