The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism - Chapter 231

Chapter 231: 231


Looking up, the hall had three huge words written across it: "Heavenly Kings Hall!"

Fangzheng felt wistful . He was indeed in a large monastery . It looked much more impressive than his tiny monastery that only had one Ten Thousand Buddha Hall . Past the Heavenly Kings Hall, he turned around and saw a golden-armored general pressing his palms together against a demon-felling pestle . The statue was no stranger to Fangzheng . One Finger Monastery also had one . It was a Skanda . From the stance the Skanda had, Hongyan Monastery was run as a mid-ranged monastery . Traveling monks who came could get a day of free board and lodging .

Past the Heavenly Kings Hall was Hongyan Monastery's main hall, the Mahavira Hall . Right at its entrance was a bronze-cast tripod that had lots of incense burning in it that reached the firmaments . On the tripod were written the words: "The country flourishes and people live in peace . "

Fangzheng did not enter the Mahavira Hall and instead entered the monks' living quarters . He was headed to the abbot's quarters .

Zen Master Hongyan was inside, waiting for Fangzheng . The moment Fangzheng stepped in, Zen Master Hongyan stood up and pressed his palms together . "Abbot Fangzheng, it must have been difficult for you to come all the way here . "

Fangzheng returned the bow . "Abbot Hongyan, you are too polite . It wasn't that far, nor was it difficult . "

They exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats . Zen Master Hongyan smiled . "Abbot Fangzheng, it is the good fortune of my Hongyan Monastery that you have come . "

Fangzheng shook his head . "Zen Master Hongyan, you are embarrassing This Penniless Monk . This Penniless Monk has not read more than a hundred scriptures and experienced life for less than twenty years, so how can This Penniless Monk live up to your words? It is you who is famous . This Penniless Monk feels fortunate coming to Hongyan Monastery to learn how to setup a Dharma Assembly and be an abbot . From one such as yourself . "

"Heh heh, Venerable Fangzheng, you sure are polite . Back then, you crossed the river on a reed and engaged in Lotus Flower Conveyance . What you said benefited This Penniless Monk greatly . In terms of delivery and explanation of the scriptures, This Penniless Monk is far inferior to you," admitted Zen Master Hongyan frankly .

Fangzheng smiled bitterly . He had nothing to do with the Lotus Flower Conveyance . It was all thanks to the System . Fangzheng suddenly had an ominous feeling . . .

As the saying goes, the good predictions don't happen while the bad ones do .

Zen Master Hongyan wrung his hands . "This Penniless Monk wonders if he will be lucky enough to hear you deliver the scriptures tomorrow?

Fangzheng felt a string of curses run through his head . He wished he could accept the request, but last time was all thanks to the system!



Fangzheng shook his head decisively . "Zen Master Hongyan, This Penniless Monk cannot readily give sermons . Fate will determine the future . As Buddha said: "scriptures are not to be readily instructed . " If it's easily instructed, it would be worthless . " Fangzheng was prepared to see Zen Master Hongyan look displeased .

However, Zen Master Hongyan appeared composed . Although there were hints of disappointment, it was mostly of understanding . He nodded . "This Penniless Monk was being greedy . Venerable Fangzheng, since you wish to learn how to organize a Dharma Assembly, let Hong Xiang show you around . Ask him if there's anything you want to know . If Hong Xiang doesn't know, This Penniless Monk can provide you with the answers . "

Fangzheng thanked him . He had come here precisely for that reason .

After bidding Zen Master Hongyan farewell and walking out of the abbot quarters, Fangzheng heaved a sigh of relief . Thankfully, Zen Master Hongyan was a reasonable man . If he encountered someone persistent, he was truly unsure how to face him .

Hong Xiang had been waiting outside all along . Zen Master Hongyan had likely instructed him beforehand . "Abbot Fangzheng, what do you wish to see? This Penniless Monk will bring you anywhere . "

"This Penniless Monk doesn't know himself . Just tell me the details of your Dharma Assembly . "



Hong Xiang chuckled . "In fact, there isn't a lot of detail in organizing a Dharma Assembly . The main thing is to follow the core idea of each Dharma Assembly's theme . Some monasteries organize a Cundi Bodhisattva birthday Dharma Assembly that has religious conversion as their main theme . Then, their Dharma Assembly will revolve around the monk's ordination ceremony and procession . And for our Dharma Assembly, it's a Blessing Dharma Assembly . This Dharma Assembly is different from the Spring Welcoming Blessing Dharma Assembly . We are not the stars of the show but the devotees . If devotees pray for blessings, are kind and sincere, they would usually be recipients of good fortune . "

He opened a door and waved Fangzheng inside . "Next is to recite the scriptures at an appointed time . This is tradition and also a form of catharsis . The scriptures can cleanse the soul of the people and also bless the world with good fortune . "

He followed Fangzheng into the hallway . "In addition, we will provide vegetarian meals . Devotees can eat for free but they are not to take the food of the premises or waste it . Of course, if they were to eat and not offer any incense money, it would be equivalent to surviving on the kindness of the world . But if they were to donate some incense money, even if it were a cent, they would be providing for the world, gaining merit . "

He continued as they headed to their destination, wherever that may be . "Our Hongyan Monastery is different from other monasteries . We are not too particular about things . That is because from our point of view, a Dharma Assembly is an assembly to spread kindness as well as a gathering for believers . Once everyone is here, they can offer incense and pray for peaceful and blissful days . Therefore, our Dharma Assembly is less solemn and more lively . "

Fangzheng listened to Hong Xiang's explanations as they walked . He understood the Hongyan Monastery's Dharma Assemblies a bit better now . Just as Hong Xiang said, the Dharma Assembly was in fact a Buddhist festival, and what was one to do during a festival? Celebrate! Devotees with heart will come to the monastery to burn incense and pray for a blessing . There will be a handful of activities once there are more people . However, dancing and singing clearly do not match the solemn environment of a monastery . The reciting of scriptures and mass blessing become the best form of reciprocation . Then, there was the vegetarian meal .

Thinking of the vegetarian meal, Fangzheng could not help but feel a headache . It was very, very, very difficult for his One Finger Monastery to provide vegetarian meals . . . mainly because he was too poor .

Apart from that, Fangzheng also received a pleasant surprise in the evening . He saw the two brothers, Hong Qianxi and Hong Qianjie . They had changed into a new set of clothes and looked a lot better . They were running to and fro inside the monastery . Fangzheng recalled what the System had said . It seemed like it was possible for him to reward them . But how was he supposed to reward them? That was a problem . . . It was impossible for him to make them pregnant, right?



Fangzheng looked at the two before disappearing . Yet his white monk robes were too eye catching .

Hong Qianxi's jaw dropped . "Brother, I . . . I think I saw Brother Water Ghost . "

Hong Qianjie jumped in frighr . "Bro, stop pulling my leg . This is a monastery . What kind of water ghost is fierce enough to dare enter a monastery?"

"Didn't I tell you that the water ghost was a monk? Perhaps, it lives here," said Hong Qianxi .

Hong Qianjie shuddered . "Stop it . I already have goosebumps . Although Brother Water Ghost is a good ghost, we are separated by life and death . It's best we do not meet him . Let's head to the Mahavira Hall . Buddha is consecrated there . It's unlikely he can enter . "

Hong Qianxi nodded as the duo entered the Mahavira Hall . Three incarnations of Buddha were consecrated there—the past, present and future . The duo offered incense and prayed silently, "Brother Water Ghost saved us . Buddha, please allow him to be reincarnated . . . "

If Fangzheng heard that, various entities wondered what he would feel .