ragginovel Chapter 3 Bodhi poses a difficult question: How can one have the best of both worlds?
Chapter 3 Bodhi poses a difficult question: How can one have the best of both worlds?
The wilderness was silent, save for the sounds of the wind and footsteps.
A man and a monkey travel together.
The monkey took a few steps and then glanced at Zhong Xuan.
Learn the rhythm of his steps, the rise and fall of his breath, and even the calm and gentle look in his eyes when he looks ahead.
It's as if the heart's desire is hidden in these steps and gazes.
But Zhong Xuan suddenly felt the sound of the wind all around him...
Was there a moment of stillness?
Then the flow returned to normal.
But vaguely, it seemed as if a towering, majestic gaze swept across them, then quietly disappeared.
The outlines of the distant mountains blurred slightly in the twilight, then became clear again, as if gently traced by an invisible hand.
The monkey seemed to sense something as well.
It suddenly tilted its head back, its nose twitched, and it took a deep breath towards the night sky.
It was as if it were smelling something intangible and intangible, yet undeniably real.
It made a low growling sound in its throat, its golden fur stood up slightly, but then slowly flattened itself in the next moment, looking surprised and uncertain.
Zhong Xuan offered no explanation, nor did he turn back.
He simply kept walking, his steps steady and his breathing unchanged.
Some roads you have to walk alone.
Some truths can only be understood through personal experience.
Some people, if they like watching, they can watch more.
Otherwise, even though he walks slowly, he will eventually keep those eyes out.
This will prevent the gods and Buddhas of the heavens from freely spying on the human world.
Let all living beings also have a space of freedom.
His profound Dao is the Dao of all living beings.
……
The road ahead is long, with days rising and nights setting, and the journey filled with hardship and dew.
The two people and the monkey traveled for an unknown number of days before finally catching a glimpse of the Lingtai.
Two days later, the morning mist at the foot of Lingtai Mountain had not yet dissipated.
Zhong Xuan and the monkey stood under a blue stone archway.
Suddenly, the sound of a woodcutter's song drifted from the woods, its melody clear and melodious.
"Watching chess, the axe handle rots; chopping wood, the sound of hammering echoes; strolling slowly along the valley entrance by the clouds."
"Selling firewood to buy wine, laughing wildly to indulge in my own pleasure."
"On a clear autumn path, I rest my head on a pine root under the moon and wake up at dawn."
"...sitting quietly and explaining the Huang Ting."
The song lingered around the archway, then gradually disappeared into the mist.
Zhong Xuan stopped and listened for a while before looking up.
The archway is old and mottled with moss, with four simple characters carved in the center:
The mind is in a square inch.
The handwriting is somewhat blurred, yet it exudes a serene and otherworldly aura.
"Brother! Is this the place?" The monkey scratched its ear and tilted its head back, its eyes sparkling.
It looked around excitedly and curiously.
"Yes." Zhong Xuan gazed quietly at the bamboo forest path behind the archway.
The stone steps wind upwards, disappearing into the depths of the clouds and mist, with no end in sight.
Just then, two figures slowly walked down the mountain.
One wore a moon-white Taoist robe, the other a light blue short shirt; both were young, with delicate features and clear eyes. Their steps were light and untouched by dust, clearly indicating they were accomplished young disciples.
"Pine Waves".
"Bamboo Rhythm".
The two children announced their names, their clear and melodious voices echoing through the mountains.
After Songtao recognized the guest, he couldn't help but look surprised. He turned to Zhuyun and whispered, "Our patriarch ordered us to go down the mountain to welcome a junior brother... I thought he was some immortal incarnation, how come he's just a mortal boy?"
Zhu Yun frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over Zhong Xuan. Seeing his coarse clothes and simple belongings, her expression softened with disdain. She simply said:
"Gentlemen, since it is the Patriarch's request, please come up the mountain with us."
The monkey was extremely perceptive to changes in people's expressions. It immediately bared its teeth and squeaked, pointing at the two children as if it wanted to confront them.
Zhong Xuan reached out and gently patted its shoulder, saying in a gentle voice, "Brother Monkey, when in Rome, do as the host says."
He turned to the two boys, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Thank you for leading the way."
Seeing his composed demeanor and dignified bearing, Songtao Zhuyun said no more and turned to lead the way up the mountain.
But as they walked, the two children gradually realized that something was wrong.
The boy's footsteps behind me were steady and unhurried... yet they carried a subtle rhythm.
He was clearly just an ordinary mortal, only possessing a few wisps of spiritual energy to nourish his body.
But every step on the stone steps felt like a blow to the heart.
It even made them slightly unsettled, making it difficult for them to calm down.
Thinking back to this person's face, all I can remember are those warm and bright eyes.
The two exchanged a glance, both utterly shocked!
They dared not be negligent any longer, and their steps became more solemn.
Amidst the rustling of pines and the rhythm of bamboo, I thought to myself: Truly worthy of being a guest personally invited by the patriarch.
Zhong Xuan remained unperturbed by either favor or disgrace, strolling leisurely.
The stone steps wind their way into the clouds, and the fragrance of bamboo and the melody of pine trees waft over your clothes.
After walking for a short while, the mountain path suddenly opened up.
A tranquil courtyard is nestled amidst ancient pines and a sea of clouds.
Zhong Xuan looked up and understood the place.
This is the front courtyard of the Xieyue Sanxing Cave.
From afar, one can see ancient pines providing shade, a clean stone platform, and a cauldron standing quietly in the courtyard, with wisps of smoke rising from it.
Ancient pines provide ample shade, smoke rises from the cinnabar cauldron, and a dozen or so disciples dressed in various colored Taoist robes stand nearby.
Whether sitting or standing, they would discuss metaphysics and philosophy, sweep the floor and hoe the garden, grow flowers and prune trees, gather firewood and start fires, carry water and transport slurry, etc.
Beside the alchemical cauldron, an old man in a gray robe stood with his hands behind his back.
He was slender, with white hair that reached his shoulders. He wore a simple gray robe, had a kind face, and deep, unfathomable eyes that seemed to hold the stars and the moon.
It is:
The Greatly Enlightened Golden Immortal has no blemish on his appearance; the wondrous form of the Western Patriarch Bodhi.
Neither born nor dying, the three paths are in motion; with all energy and spirit, boundless compassion prevails.
Emptiness and stillness naturally change with nature; true nature allows itself to be as it is.
With a dignified body that lives as long as the heavens, a great Dharma Master who has enlightened his mind through countless eons.
The monkey was taken aback at first, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and blurted out, "Grandmaster, Grandmaster!"
It immediately took two steps at a time and hurriedly stepped forward to kneel down.
The person before me is a recluse who embodies the cultivation of the three religions, the Bodhi Patriarch.
"You monkey, aren't you going to introduce your brother?"
Bodhi Patriarch smiled slightly, his deep, unfathomable eyes looking at the newcomer.
His voice was like a clear spring flowing with jade:
"I am Subhuti, residing on Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, in the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars. I do not know where you come from, nor where you intend to go?"
Zhong Xuan readily agreed:
"Reporting to the Ancestral Master, I, Zhong Xuan, come from the mortal world and have nowhere to go."
"After a hundred years of cultivation, I have encountered this world by chance; after fifteen years of accumulating karma, I have finally come to this mountain to seek the Dharma."
The boy's voice was clear and bright, each word distinct, gently echoing in the quiet courtyard.
The disciples around held their breath, and no one made a sound.
But at this moment...
"Gurgle..."
A loud rumble came from beside Zhong Xuan's feet.
The monkey clutched its stomach, staring longingly at everyone, then glanced at Zhong Xuan with an expression that said, "I really didn't mean to."
The solemn atmosphere was instantly shattered.
Bodhi Patriarch laughed heartily, pointing at the monkey and scolding him with a smile.
"You unruly monkey! You've heard of hunger before you've heard of the Way!"
Bodhi Patriarch then turned around and led the man and the monkey around the back mountain.
The disciples of the fairy boy all looked around curiously, wondering which one would be their junior brother.
Upon reaching the back mountain, the patriarch walked gracefully, pursued by a man and a monkey gritting their teeth.
The stone steps on the back mountain seemed endless, gradually enveloped by clouds and mist.
The Bodhi Patriarch in front of us was now just a blurry shadow.
Zhong Xuan gradually grew tired, and the monkey only realized this after he slowed down. He gritted his teeth and helped him walk together.
But the mountain road was now so steep that neither the front nor the back could be seen.
The clouds and fog finally cleared around them, even as the man and the monkey were exhausted and still didn't stop.
They had appeared on the cliff top of the back mountain without anyone noticing.
Below is a vast expanse of pine trees rustling in the wind, a truly beautiful sight.
With his back to the man and the monkey, the patriarch casually flicked his whisk and said:
"The secret to immortality is something that you and your brother both desire."
"But in this world, how can one have it all?"
"My karmic connection with you is limited, so I can only grant permission to one of you."