The Great Wei Music Bureau

Let’s continue from the last chapter. Li Yi had just finished reciting Monk Shenxiu’s verses, and then teased Master Zhengjue, and then continued the story.

All the monks who read and listened to Shenxiu's verses thought it was good, very good, and that Shenxiu's position as successor was now secure. However, Master Hongren only shook his head and sighed after reading Shenxiu's verses, hoping that something better would appear.

There was a monk in the temple who couldn't even read. His name was Huineng. When he heard others praising Shenxiu's verses, he had doubts in his heart. But he couldn't read, let alone write, so he had to find a senior brother who could write to write for him. He asked Shenxiu to ask, and he wrote:

"There is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a mirror stand. The Buddha nature is always pure, where is there dust?

The body is a bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror. A bright mirror is inherently pure, how can it be stained by dust?

There is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a mirror stand. There is nothing at all, so where can dust gather?

After finishing reading Master Huineng's stanza, the monks sighed. Li Yi smiled and said, "It seems that everyone has clearly seen the difference between these two people. Their Buddha minds and Buddha natures are very different, right?" The monks all nodded in agreement, and Li Yi continued to preach the Bodhi Stanza.

Master Hongren would go to the wall early every morning to see if there were any new verses. The next morning after Monk Huineng had someone write the verses for him, Master Hongren came to see the verses as usual. When he found Huineng's verses, he was extremely excited. He had finally found the successor he was looking for, but Master Hongren erased Huineng's verses with his own hands.

When the monks heard this, they all expressed confusion and astonishment. Li Yi smiled and said, "Don't be impatient, listen to me finish the story. When I finish, you will understand why Master Hongren did this." The monks had to patiently continue listening to the story.

Master Hongren secretly inquired and finally found Huineng, the author of the verse. After a conversation with Huineng, he found that Huineng's understanding of Buddhism was indeed much higher than that of others. That night, he passed his robe and bowl to Huineng, and then told Huineng, take my robe and bowl and run away!

Zhengjue couldn't bear to listen any longer and asked, "Why did Master Hongren let Huineng escape? Li Yi, this story doesn't make sense!"

Zhengyuan pushed his fellow apprentice to sit on the cushion and said with a smile: "Brother, don't worry. Listen to the story of Mr. Li and you will understand it naturally." Li Yi saw this and bowed to Zhengyuan. Zhengyuan also bowed in return. Li Yi continued to speak.

In this way, Huineng quietly fled the temple and lived in seclusion in the secular world. Later, on the day when Master Hongren passed away, Shenxiu searched everywhere but could not find Master Hongren's robe and bowl. You know, without the inheritance of the robe and bowl, Shenxiu could not become the abbot even if he wanted to.

Later, he finally found out that Master Hongren had secretly passed on the robe and bowl to Huineng. Shenxiu was furious and claimed that it was Huineng who stole the robe and bowl. He ordered people to capture Huineng. As a result, all the people sent were influenced by Huineng and stood against Shenxiu.

Unable to take over the position of abbot, Shenxiu left the temple himself, preached in the northern border, and established a new temple. After several years of twists and turns, Monk Huineng finally returned to the temple and became the abbot.

However, the opposition between Shenxiu and Huineng had already formed. The two temples in the north and south argued for many years over the authenticity of the Dharma. In the end, the Southern School where Huineng lived won.

After finishing the story, Li Yi looked at the monks who were deep in thought and said with a smile: "I have finished my story. What do you think? Have you explained all the doubts just now?"

Zhengyuan looked at Li Yi with a kind face and said to the monks, "Everyone go back and experience it for yourselves. Today's morning class ends here." After that, he turned to Zhengjue and said, "Brother, you should work harder. I have something to discuss with Mr. Li."

Zhengjue performed a Buddhist salute, Zhengyuan returned the salute, and then took Li Yi and Jiyun to his own meditation room.

After the three of them sat down, Zhengyuan asked Xiang Jiyun, "Jiyun, how much did you understand from the story that Mr. Li told you?" Jiyun pondered for a moment and said, "The four elements of Buddhism are empty, just as Master Huineng said. After listening to Mr. Li's story, I feel that I should re-understand the scriptures and re-experience the true meaning of the four elements being empty."

Zhengyuan shook his head and sighed, "Jiyun, you are still far from enlightenment!"

Jiyun didn't quite understand. Zhengyuan smiled and looked at Li Yi and said, "Donor Li, please tell us the aftermath that was omitted in the story, so that we can understand the true meaning of it."

Jiyun cast his gaze on Li Yi. Li Yi was full of surprise. He didn't expect that Monk Zhengyuan actually knew that he had a trick up his sleeve and had not told the whole story. He was thinking about how to finish the story to achieve the best effect.

In the Zen room, Zhengyuan closed his eyes and thought deeply. Jiyun looked at Li Yi expectantly. After some thought, Li Yi said, "Master Zhengyuan, you want me to help you guide your beloved disciple. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to just talk."

Zhengyuan smiled and said, "Mr. Li, I still say the same thing. As long as you convert to Buddhism, I will definitely teach you everything I know, even the position of abbot of Xishan Temple."

"Who cares about your lousy position as abbot and your lousy temple? Stop talking nonsense. If you don't come up with something practical, don't even think of asking me to do anything!"

Zheng Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Then, Mr. Li, how about this? From today on, Mr. Li will preside over the daily morning class. Whether you preach the sutras or explain Buddhist stories, it's up to you. In return, as long as you stay in my temple for one day, I will teach you the Vajra Magic Skill for one day. How do you think?"

Monk Zhengyuan's plan was to teach Li Yi slowly and help him lay a solid foundation until Li Yi was completely integrated into the Buddhist temple, and then pass on the essentials of the Vajra Power to him. In this way, it would not be considered as passing on the power to outsiders.

Li Yi guessed what Monk Zhengyuan was planning, but he also had his own plans. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Morning classes are too early, I can't get up, so I can only attend evening classes. Besides, although I live in the temple, I'm not a monk! I can't get used to vegetarian food."

Zhengyuan smiled and said, "Don't worry about the food. The monks only eat the five non-vegetarian and three abominable foods. You can drink alcohol and eat clean meat. Old Na will ask the kitchen to deliver a separate meal for you. But we don't have any wild game. How do you do it?"

Li Yi thought for a moment and said, "That's it. When will you start teaching me?" Zheng Yuan smiled and said, "You can start today, but you have to ask Mr. Li to finish the story first."

So Li Yi told the story and asked Xiang Jiyun: "Do you think the monk Shenxiu did anything wrong?" "No, he didn't do anything wrong. But he was not as good as Monk Huineng in terms of Buddhism."

Li Yi shook his head and said, "No, after the monk Shenxiu went north to build a temple, he became the leader of the Northern Zen School. He advocated that the practice of Buddhism should focus on 'gradual enlightenment'. What is gradual enlightenment? It means reciting scriptures every day, thinking about the true meaning of Buddhism, and constantly realizing it until you truly understand it. This process is like the transformation of a golden cicada, so it is called Zen."

Li Yi pointed at the big word "Zen" on Zhengyuan's back and said, "Zen and cicada have the same pronunciation, and the word "Zen" in Buddhism is derived from the word "cicada". The so-called sitting meditation is the way to gradual enlightenment."

Jiyun suddenly asked: "So, what we are practicing is the gradual enlightenment Zen of monk Shenxiu? And not the orthodox Zen of monk Huineng? Is what the donor said true or false? When did it happen?"

Zhengyuan raised his hand and pressed it down to signal Jiyun to stay calm and listen to what Li Yi said.

Li Yi then continued, "The orthodox theory needs to be judged by the world. Jiyun, please listen to me. After the monk Huineng returned to the temple to take over as abbot, he became the leader of the Southern School of Zen Buddhism, but he advocated that the practice of Buddhism emphasizes "sudden enlightenment". So what does sudden enlightenment mean?

It is the same as reciting scriptures every day, but not forcing understanding. Just keep reciting scriptures and practicing until at some point in time you suddenly realize the truth. This is called sudden enlightenment, which is like reading a book a hundred times and its meaning will become clear. "

Jiyun was a little confused and asked Zhengyuan, "Master, I am stupid and don't understand which is better, gradual enlightenment or sudden enlightenment. I also don't understand who is more orthodox between the two masters Shenxiu and Huineng, and whose Buddhist teachings are higher. Please help me solve this doubt." Zhengyuan smiled at his beloved disciple and pointed at Li Yi, who looked displeased.

Li Yi raised his hand and slapped Ji Yun's bald head, then blew on his palm and cried out in pain. He cursed, "You little monk, I am teaching you on behalf of your master. I saw that you were stupid and wanted to teach you a lesson, but you dared to resist with the Vajra Magic Skill! I tell you, you are not allowed to use the Vajra Magic Skill when I teach you a lesson next time!"

Jiyun said helplessly: "Master Li, I have never used the Vajra Magic Kung Fu. I have been practicing since I was a child. My body has been honed and tempered for many years. I am so strong without using Qigong."

"Oh, you still dare to be stubborn. Then let me ask you what happened to Miss Yan'er that night..."

Before Li Yi could finish, Ji Yun immediately bowed and admitted his mistake, interrupting Li Yi's words, "Hey, Mr. Li, I know I was wrong. If you teach me a lesson next time, I will never resist or run away. I will let you beat and scold me."

Li Yi squinted at Jiyun and said coldly: "That's more like it! Little monk, monks don't tell lies, and they must keep their promises!"

Jiyun nodded, and Li Yi stood up, took the magic wand that he had placed beside him, and was about to hit Jiyun on the head. Jiyun subconsciously wanted to dodge, but was frightened by Li Yi's angry eyes, so he had to stay where he was and let Li Yi hit him.

As a result, there was a "clang" sound, the staff was blown away, and then stood back to its original place. Li Yi shook his numb hands, and Ji Yun rubbed his head with both hands, grinning.

Seeing this situation, Li Yi felt a little relieved and cursed in his heart: You little bald donkey have disturbed my good things for the past two days. I will stay in the temple for a few days. I will have many opportunities to teach you a lesson. Just wait!

Li Yi thought about this and looked at Zheng Yuan again. The latter looked calm and seemed to be smiling. No wonder, this was not the first time that Li Yi injured a monk in the temple in front of him. He was just used to it. Moreover, he had asked Li Yi to teach his beloved disciple. He had already mastered the essence of Jiyun Vajra Magic Skill, so a few hits would not be a problem.

Zhengyuan said, "Donor Li, you have already beaten me, and this is also a lesson for Jiyun, so just finish what you are saying."

Li Yi sat down, rolled his eyes at the old monk, and continued to teach Jiyun: "Do you know why I hit you?"

"Because I am too stupid to understand the true meaning."

"I hit you to make you wise up!"

"Donor Li, I am not a Confucian or Taoist, why should I open my mind?"

Li Yi raised his hand to hit him again, but suddenly remembered what Ji Yun had just said, so he stopped and scolded him, "Idiot, this enlightenment is not to let you become a Confucianist, but to let you stop being stubborn and stubborn!"

Jiyun looked at Li Yi with a puzzled look, and the latter said angrily: "You, don't think that it is either this or that. There is no absolute good or bad in this world, nor is there absolute good or evil. Everything is relative. Take gradual enlightenment and sudden enlightenment for example. They are both Zen methods, and there is no distinction between high and low.

It just depends on the person. For someone as dull as you, if you want to gradually realize, it is not impossible to reach the other shore, but I am afraid it will take a long time to practice. If you want to realize it suddenly, it requires more opportunities and karma, and everything is subject to fate. "

Jiyun became even more confused and asked, "How should I practice then?"

Li Yi said to Zheng Yuan angrily: "Is this your most proud disciple? He is as stupid as a pig! I can't teach someone like him! I don't care anymore!" Li Yi was not going to teach a monk to comprehend Buddhism. He just took advantage of the situation and kicked the ball back to Zheng Yuan.

Zhengyuan smiled and said, "Jiyun, you didn't understand what Mr. Li said. You can slowly comprehend it after you go back. As for how to practice in the future, you just need to follow the original practice method, continue to study the scriptures, and reflect on yourself every day.

Also, during the time that donor Li is in the temple, you are responsible for taking care of his daily life. This way you can ask the donor for advice at any time, and it will also help you find opportunities. You must practice both gradual enlightenment and sudden enlightenment. Once the opportunity comes, you will be able to realize the true meaning of Buddhism."

When Li Yi heard this, he cursed in his heart: You old bald donkey, you asked this little bald donkey to ask me for advice, it's obvious that you asked him to monitor me! What a sinister monk! Aren't you afraid of losing your virtue!