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墨書 Inktalez
While joking, they suddenly heard a series of tapping sounds from the Stone Path outside the railing, causing everyone to be startled. "Who dares to intrude here?" After a moment, a figure in a robe entered—a Barbarian Monk. He had thick eyebrows over a foot long and bright blue eyes that sparkled with spirit, exuding an otherworldly aura with every gesture. The Barbarian Monk walked straight up to the high platform and sat across from the Chancellor, saying, "A man from the mountains has come to pay his respects to the Chancellor." The Chancellor had already realized that he was no ordinary monk and quickly stood to return the greeting, asking, "May I ask where you come from, Master?" The Barbarian Monk laughed and replied, "Has the Chancellor forgotten an old friend? As the saying goes, 'Those in high positions often forget,' and it seems to be true." The Chancellor scrutinized him closely; his face seemed somewhat familiar but he couldn't recall who it was. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he turned to several ladies present, saying, "Shao You once dreamed of attending a banquet hosted by the Dongting Dragon King while on a campaign against Tubo. On his way back, he passed by Mage Nanyue and saw an old monk sitting cross-legged on a Dharma platform, explaining Buddhist scriptures to his disciples. Could this Master be the old monk from Dream?" Upon hearing this, the Barbarian Monk clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Exactly! You only remember one fleeting encounter from Dream, yet forget ten years of companionship. Who still claims that Yang Chancellor is exceptionally clever?" The Chancellor looked confused and said, "Shao You had never left his parents' side until he was sixteen. After passing the imperial examination and becoming an official, aside from being sent on missions to Yan and leading campaigns against Tubo, he has always stayed in the capital and never visited other places. How could he have spent ten years with you?" The Barbarian Monk shook his head with a smile, "It seems the Chancellor has not yet awakened from that great Dream."
Yang Chancellor asked, "May I ask Master if you can help Shao You achieve enlightenment?" The Barbarian Monk replied, "What difficulty is there in that?" Saying this, he raised his staff and struck it heavily against the railing twice. Instantly, white clouds rolled chaotically through the valleys and surged up onto the platform, surrounding the Chancellor completely. The mist grew thicker until he could not see his own hand before him; it felt as though he had fallen into a dream. After an unknown amount of time passed, the Chancellor suddenly shouted loudly: "Master! Master! Why do you not use proper means to enlighten Shao You, but instead use this illusion to mock me?" As soon as he finished speaking, the clouds dispersed, and the Barbarian Monk, along with the two ladies and Six Young Lady vanished without a trace. The Chancellor was taken aback; when he opened his eyes and looked closely, he found that all the pavilions and curtains had disappeared. He was alone on a mat in a small temple. The incense burner had gone out, and a crescent moon hung over the western peak. He touched his head; his hair had just been shaved short and stood upright like bristles. Around his neck hung a string of one hundred eight prayer beads—he looked just like a little monk with none of the authority of a current Chancellor remaining. His expression was dazed and anxious.
After a long while, he realized that he was indeed the little monk Seongjin from Lotus Temple. He recalled being punished by his master and following a strongman to Fengdu, then being reborn as a son of the Yang Family. He achieved success at a young age by topping the imperial examination and became an official at Hanlin Academy, leading troops into battle until he rose to become Chancellor. Later on, he submitted a request for retirement to return home and enjoyed drinking with two princesses and Six Young Lady while playing music every day—only to find it was all just a spring dream in the end. The Chancellor couldn't help but sigh: "The Master must have seen my rampant thoughts in my heart; that's why I experienced this worldly illusion—to make Seongjin understand that wealth and power as well as romantic love are ultimately nothing but fleeting illusions."
He hurriedly ran to wash his face in the mountain spring, put on his monk's robes and hat, then went to the abbot's room. The disciples had already gathered there when the Master asked loudly: "Seongjin, tell me how does it feel to be human?" Kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down his face, Seongjin said: "I have achieved great enlightenment! I was foolish and ignorant; my rampant thoughts led me to such an end—who can I blame? I should have fallen into reincarnation without ever escaping; it is you who awakened me from this great Dream, allowing me to understand my true self as Seongjin. Your immense kindness is something I could never repay even if I lived through countless lifetimes!" The Master said: "You came here driven by your interests and will leave when your interest wanes; what does that have to do with me? You say you dreamed of human reincarnation; clearly you still separate dreams from reality—your dream has not yet ended! Zhuang Zhou dreamed of being a butterfly; did Zhuang Zhou dream of being a butterfly or did the butterfly dream of being Zhuang Zhou? It is ultimately hard to distinguish. In this world, who can clearly say what is true and what is false? Since you believe that Seongjin is your true self and regard your dreams as dreams made by your true self, then you do not see yourself and your dreams as two different things. Which is dream—Seongjin or Shao You?" Seongjin replied: "I am dull-witted; I truly cannot distinguish between dreams and reality. Please guide me!" The Master said: "I will now speak about the great teachings of the 《Diamond Sutra》to enlighten your mind. Furthermore, there are new disciples arriving; please wait for them."
As they were speaking, a guarding Daoist Priest entered to report: "The Eight Fairies, who visited yesterday under Madam Wei, have come again requesting an audience with Master." The Master instructed them to bring them in. The Eight Fairies approached Master with their hands together in prayer position and bowed their heads: "Although we serve beside Madam Wei, we are truly ignorant and unable to suppress our rampant thoughts. When desire stirred within us, we suffered heavy punishment—cast down into mortal realms as if trapped in an unawakened dream. Thankfully you are compassionate enough to personally come for us. We returned yesterday to Madam Wei's palace to repent for our past sins before bidding farewell to her; henceforth we shall forever return to Buddhism. We humbly request Master forgive our past transgressions and provide us with clear teachings." The Master replied: "Your wishes are indeed beautiful; however, Buddhist teachings are profound and cannot be taken lightly. One must practice great virtues and make great vows in order to achieve anything significant. You must reflect carefully on this."
Upon hearing this, the Eight Fairies withdrew to wash off their makeup and remove their silks and satins. They took golden scissors to cut off their long hair before returning once more before Master saying: "Since we have changed our appearance, we vow never to betray Master's teachings!" The Master said: "Well done! Well done! Your sincerity as Eight Fairies is truly moving!" He then led them into the main hall where he explained scriptures. As he spoke about “the white hair light shining across worlds while heavenly flowers rain down like rain,” nearing completion of his discourse, he recited four lines of verse. Both Seongjin and the eight nuns suddenly comprehended their true nature and attained peace through extinction. Seeing that Seongjin had mastered discipline thoroughly, the Master addressed all disciples: "I originally came from afar to spread Buddhist teachings in China. Now that I have found someone worthy of passing on these teachings, it is time for me to leave." Saying this, he handed over his robe along with a bowl for alms, a clean bottle, a staff, and a scroll of 《Diamond Sutra》to Seongjin, then departed towards the western heavens.
Afterward, Seongjin led the monks of Lotus Temple, vigorously promoting Buddhist teachings among people. Immortals, dragon gods, humans as well as various spirits respected him just as they did Master Liuguan. The eight nuns also served alongside Seongjin, ultimately attaining Bodhisattva paths leading them to rebirth in paradise.
Thus concludes this ancient legend.
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