20-3:The Unwavering Wisdom

The car wound its way up the mountain road, passing by several temples that were inaccessible due to the narrow path. It wasn't until they neared the peak that they found a temple with a smooth, convenient road and ample parking. The temple, named "One Zen Temple," had a tourist bus parked in front, with a few leisurely visitors milling about.

One Zen Temple was built into the mountainside, a modestly sized but impressive structure. The grand bell tower at the entrance showcased the architectural style of the mid-Tang period. Heavy wooden doors, studded with copper nails, opened to a courtyard where an ancient locust tree stood, its bare branches a testament to the passage of time. Behind the temple, a steep stone stairway ascended, resembling a long, winding ribbon that disappeared into the mist.

Ding Yuanying and Han Chufeng stepped out of the car and approached the gatekeeper monk. Ding Yuanying politely said, "Excuse me, Master. We have come to Wutai Mountain in hopes of meeting a highly accomplished master in Buddhist teachings. Could you please guide us?"

The gatekeeper monk replied, "Amitabha! The abbot of this temple, Master Zhixuan, is the esteemed master you seek. However, he seldom meets visitors. If you wish to tour the temple, please purchase a ticket. For an audience with a high monk, you might visit another temple. Each has its esteemed masters. Amitabha!"

Ding Yuanying handed over an envelope containing fifty thousand yuan, saying, "Please deliver this to Master Zhixuan and tell him we sincerely seek an audience."

The monk took the envelope, made a gesture of respect, and went inside to report. After a while, he returned the envelope, saying, "The master declined."

Han Chufeng, in front of the monk, took another fifty thousand yuan from his black leather bag, added it to the envelope, and handed it back, asking the monk to try once more.

The monk repeated the process but returned again, saying, "The master declined, again."

Fifty thousand yuan more only added an extra "declined."

Even a hundred thousand yuan couldn't secure a meeting with the master. Han Chufeng was at a loss. Ding Yuanying then took a plain envelope from his pocket and handed it to the monk, saying, "Please try once more. If the master still refuses, we will not trouble you further."

The monk hesitated but accepted the envelope and went in again.

Only Ding Yuanying and Han Chufeng remained at the entrance. Han Chufeng asked, puzzled, "What's your plan?"

Ding Yuanying replied, "I wrote a poem. It's not a plan, just leaving it to fate."

This time, the monk stayed inside longer. When he returned empty-handed, it seemed a hopeful sign. Indeed, he said, "Please follow me."

The monk led them through the temple, past the Grand Buddha Hall, where a golden Buddha sat surrounded by Buddhist artifacts, incense burning before it. They wound their way to the Mindfulness Pavilion, where a 60-year-old monk in a gray robe awaited. The monk introduced him, "This is Master Zhixuan." After making his greetings, he left.

Master Zhixuan invited them to sit. The room was simple, with a few Buddhist paintings on the walls and a central table with four wooden chairs. Ding Yuanying's poem and the envelope lay on the table. Master Zhixuan pushed the items forward slightly and asked, "What is the true scripture? What do you seek in your practice?"

Han Chufeng read the poem:

Enlightenment

Cease speaking of fate, Practice without seeking scripture. One grief, one joy, one rise, one fall, Which is predestined? The cassock bears no purity, The mundane does not stain the true nature. The ancient temple's thousand-year chime, All speak of dreams.

Understanding the depth of the master's question, Han Chufeng realized his own ignorance. He waited for Ding Yuanying's answer.

Ding Yuanying responded, "The true scripture is the path to ultimate enlightenment, which can be realized but not practiced. Practice to become a Buddha is about seeking; enlightenment is about understanding. Practice restrains nature; enlightenment acts from nature. The enlightened create from within; practitioners are bound by rules. Those free from negative karma have faith without evidence, existing between cause and effect, thoughts and mind. The truly enlightened are unbound, desiring nothing, yet nothing is undesired, adhering to no precepts, yet not lacking them, thus attaining nirvana."

Master Zhixuan asked, "Without aiming to become a Buddha, what is Buddhism?"

Ding Yuanying replied, "Buddha is enlightenment, not a person. Everyone has enlightenment, but enlightenment is not a person. The human form can perish; enlightenment is birthless and deathless. It appears when awakened, obscured when not. Full enlightenment manifests as Buddha for teaching, not for endless worship. The boundless teachings of Buddhism transcend culture and serve humanity."

Master Zhixuan smiled, acknowledging Ding Yuanying's insight. He said, "Your words show you are not a follower of traditional Buddhism. You have reached the threshold of enlightenment, a step away from the ultimate truth, yet this step is as hard as climbing to the heavens."

Ding Yuanying replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I have reached the threshold but not entered. With Christianity, I cannot enter the narrow gate; with Buddhism, I cannot attain the path. My poem reveals my character. I sought peace of mind by visiting you today."

At that moment, a young monk entered and informed Master Zhixuan that everything was ready. Master Zhixuan invited them to the Tea Fragrance Pavilion for a conversation, where they discussed the deeper aspects of faith, morality, and societal values over a pot of mountain spring tea.

In their discussion, Master Zhixuan offered profound insights and reassured them that the true path is beyond material offerings, focusing on enlightenment and compassion.

In the end, Ding Yuanying left with a sense of peace, carrying the words and wisdom of Master Zhixuan, understanding that the journey of enlightenment is not about the destination but the continuous seeking and understanding of truth.