I have been a saint in the world for three thousand years

The next morning, dawn broke.

The shopkeeper really kept his promise and personally handed the clothes that he had made overnight to Ali.

After putting on new clothes, Ali's face was filled with irrepressible joy, and her eyes were shining with unprecedented brilliance.

In her memory, there were only a few times when she wore new clothes, even at the end of the year or during festivals.

The little girl looked her new clothes up and down, looking here and there.

Yan Xiu smiled and said, "Now that we have put on new clothes, it's time for us to get going."

Ali tied her small purse securely around her waist, held Yan Xiu's hand tightly, and walked towards the vast world outside the door with joy.

"Grandpa, A-Li and Brother Yan are out playing!"

She turned back into the house and waved her hands playfully at Mr. Chu as a farewell.

...

...

Fanyin Temple is located in the southern part of Lingchuan Prefecture, covering an area of ​​nearly 100 acres. Such a scale is truly spectacular.

This is also thanks to the fact that Lingchuan Prefecture itself has a vast territory, which is enough to carry the solemnity and grandeur of this Buddhist holy land.

Otherwise, where in the world can one find such a magnificent Zen Pure Land?

Yan Xiu held A Li's little hand, and two figures, one tall and one short, came to the front of Fanyin Temple.

The rippling Lingquan Lake is like an unpolished mirror, with golden light shining in the morning light, echoing with the distant bells in the temple, adding a bit of ethereal charm.

As you enter the mountain gate, you will see two rows of towering ancient trees lining the avenue, their branches and leaves overlapping, casting mottled light and shadows.

The main hall in the temple is magnificent, with flying eaves and interlaced brackets.

The magnificent glazed tiles sparkle in the sun, reflecting the solemnity and splendor of the thousand-year-old temple.

The curling smoke, interweaving with the sounds of chanting and wooden fish, creates a tranquil atmosphere that transcends the hustle and bustle of the world.

The monks were dressed in plain clothes, and their movements revealed a sense of calmness and composure.

Yan Xiu stared at the majestic temple in front of him, but a cold and sharp light flashed across his eyes.

Because throughout the ages, Buddhism has not left a very good impression in his memory.

When the common people in the vast land of Yuan Dynasty were busy working for their livelihood and were suffering.

Those monks who live in seclusion from the world do not need to work, do not perform labor or produce, but they enjoy the richness of thousands of acres of fertile land.

Day after day, just by reciting Buddhist scriptures and meditating, they can have inexhaustible wealth for a lifetime.

If we leave them alone and allow them to develop, it won't be long before they become greedy leeches that devour the flesh and bones of the Yuan Dynasty.

In this light, the three wars that destroyed Buddhism in the previous life are understandable.

"Brother Yan, aren't we going in?"

Ali asked, tilting her head back.

During the time when Yan Xiu was meditating for a moment, an endless stream of believers had already entered the Fanyin Temple like streams merging into the river or the sea.

Yan Xiu gathered his thoughts and put on a gentle smile: "Of course we have to go in, otherwise our trip would be in vain."

After saying that, he took Ali's soft little hand and slowly walked through the gate of Fanyin Temple.

Yan Xiu and Ali quietly blended into the endless stream of believers, walking leisurely and slowly towards the majestic and solemn Main Hall.

Along the way, various fortune-telling stalls are neatly arranged in front of the temple, like miniatures of the human world.

The believers sat or stood in front of the stalls, with different expressions on their faces, all listening attentively to the monks' low and philosophical interpretations of the lots.

Yan Xiu stared intently and walked with firm steps.

However, Ali's eyes were deeply attracted by the surrounding scene, sparkling with the curiosity unique to children.

The main hall was crowded with believers.

Everyone held burning incense in their hands, looked solemn, and knelt devoutly towards the towering Buddha statue in the center.

“What a generous gesture!”

Yan Xiu's gaze swept across the hall and finally stopped on the giant Buddha statue shining with golden light.

This giant Buddha is made entirely of gold, with lowered eyebrows and eyes, hands pinched into lotus fingers, and a peaceful and solemn expression, appearing lifelike.

The value of this Buddha statue alone is probably inestimable.

Yan Xiu turned to look at Ah Li and asked softly, "Ah Li, do you want to pray?"

Ali was also influenced by the solemn atmosphere and nodded.

Yan Xiu took out three incense sticks, lit them and handed them to Ali.

After Ah Li took it, a trace of confusion appeared on her little face. She tilted her head and asked, "Brother Yan, aren't you going to worship together?"

Yan Xiu did not answer when he heard this, but just shook his head slightly.

Worship him?

I am the Great Yuan Taoist Master, and I have countless followers. Wouldn't it be a laughing stock if I worshipped this Buddha?

Ali noticed Yan Xiu's subtle emotions and stopped asking.

She closed her eyes with full respect, clasped her hands together, and sincerely told the Buddha her wishes.

Yan Xiu looked at the many believers in the hall, his eyes slightly closed, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind.

Over the years, I seem to have missed a very important piece of information.

Back then, all the people of the Yuan Dynasty were believers of his Taoism.

Now, in just a hundred years, Buddhism has quietly risen like spring grass.

Its influence is growing day by day and it seems to be becoming a trend.

During his stay in Lingchuan Prefecture, Yan Xiu gradually noticed a phenomenon.

The feelings that the few local people have towards this Taoist master are more of a distant and vague awe rather than a sincere belief from the bottom of their hearts.

At this moment, it was as if a cold wind swept through his heart, causing Yan Xiu to feel a strong desire to kill.

And the phenomenon in Lingchuan Prefecture may be just the tip of the iceberg.

If the more than 100 states and counties of the Yuan Dynasty all show this trend, then Yan Xiu will have to consider whether he should follow the actions of the Three Wus and One Zong.

He had no objection to missionary work, but if his foundation was shaken by it, Yan Xiu would never sit idly by.

Just as he was thinking about it, Ali slowly opened her eyes.

"Brother Yan, I'm done with my worship!"

After lighting the three incense sticks, Ali took Yan Xiu's warm hand again.

"Let's go and go shopping somewhere else."

There was no clue about the couplet yet, so Yan Xiu naturally would not leave so easily.

Upon hearing this, Ali nodded heavily, her eyes full of excitement.

The two strolled through the temple, where they saw exquisite murals and sculptures everywhere, telling ancient Buddhist stories.

The well-arranged Zen rooms, the quiet bamboo paths, and the occasional sound of gurgling streams seem to make people forget the troubles of this world.

The sounds of bells and drums from the bell and drum tower in the side hall are sometimes deep and rich, and sometimes clear and melodious.

It is interwoven with the sound of chanting scriptures and wooden fish, forming a harmonious Sanskrit sound.

In the corner of the temple, several ancient plum trees are quietly blooming, and their elegant fragrance complements the solemn atmosphere of the temple.

Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye it was already noon.

Fanyin Temple follows ancient teachings and provides vegetarian food to every believer who enters the temple at 3 p.m. every day.

This kind act makes Fanyin Temple bustling and full of life every afternoon.

Yan Xiu and A Li sat side by side in the dining hall, with two simple vegetarian meals placed in front of them.

They took their time, savoring every bite of their food.

"It seems that the vegetarian food in this Fanyin Temple is indeed well-deserved."

Yan Xiu took a bite and praised it.