The Twenty-Ninth Section Predicts Good and Evil Fortune

  Kude's words poured out, attributing the reason why Chang'an had not been ravaged by war for hundreds of years to the protection of the high monks of Donglin Temple over the centuries, or rather, the uninterrupted chanting and blessings that had continued for hundreds of years. Zhang Nianhe was the youngest in age, and he half-believed Kude's words, while Nianyue listened with a faint smile.

  Ye Zhenran said with admiration: "Donglin Temple has been praying for the well-being of the people of Changsha every month without fail since Master Dao Yan, which is truly a great act of kindness and deserves respect."

  Kude and the monk said: "Although monks say they have no home, they are homes all over the world. From ancient times to the present, people's evaluations of Master Dao Yan are not uniform. However, Master Dao Yan helped Ming Chengzu obtain the world, creating more than 200 years of peace in the Great Ming Dynasty, which is indeed a blessing for all living beings."

  Ye Qingli nodded in agreement: "What the Master said is absolutely right. Those who do great things are not bound by trivial matters. Although Master Dao Yan's actions may have caused temporary bloodshed, they ultimately achieved long-lasting peace and stability. The merits and demerits of his actions will be judged by history."

  Ku De and the monk listened to Ye Qingli's words, involuntarily striking his chest in praise: "What Master Ye said is deeply in line with great righteousness. The monk had a pleasant conversation with you four for a moment, and I'm delighted. Please have a cup of tea and let me express my gratitude."

  Yezhen listened to him and found it interesting, picked up the teacup and took a sip, saying: "Master, we came all the way from Xishan today, but I feel that the scenery here is beautiful and unique, with the sound of Buddhist chanting lingering in the air, just like a paradise on earth. The only regret is that the incense fire at Donglin Temple is not prosperous. If it can promote the development of Xishan tourism resources and make Donglin Temple known to the public, I think it will be able to restore its former elegance, but there is one thing that makes me feel uneasy in my heart."

  Kude and the monk listened to Ye Zhenran's description of the development of Xishan after tourists flocked there, and his heart was also moved. But listening to Ye Zhenran's anxiety, he seemed to have a twisted meaning, and unconsciously raised his voice, saying: "Little Ye Shizhu, just speak freely, the monk wants to hear why you are anxious."

  "Master, what I'm worried about is that once the tourism resources of Xishan are developed, a large number of tourists will destroy the original quiet and serene environment of Xishan. Secondly, for Donglin Temple, the massive increase in incense guests will make it more difficult to protect the temple's architecture and culture, and will also disturb the monks' quiet meditation." Ye Zhenran expressed his conflicting thoughts.

  Kude and the monk hurriedly stood up to pay respects to Ye Zhenran, saying: "Master Ye is truly a Bodhisattva with a kind heart. If you can develop Xishan and let Donglin Temple be known to all fragrant guests, restore the prosperity of Donglin Temple in those years, it will be a great meritorious deed, with boundless merit."

  Ye Ziran listened to the words of Ku De and sensed his mentality, knowing that the decline of Donglin Temple over the years had left this high monk with a sense of discontent. At this moment, hearing Ye Ziran's words about developing Xishan and rebuilding the temple, he was somewhat moved, and smiled, asking: "Master, do you think developing Xishan will be beneficial or harmless to Donglin Temple?"

  Ku De said: "Exactly, minor obstacles won't hinder great virtues. Only hope that in the future development of Xishan, we can protect the heritage within Donglin Temple."

  Ye Ziran replied: "That's for sure. Donglin Temple is a treasure of Changsha, the government will certainly protect it, and I will strongly promote the tourism project in Xishan if I have the opportunity in the future."

  "Master Xiaoye has such a grand wish, the Bodhisattva will surely bless you with a high and distant career, everything will go smoothly." Monk Kude looked at Ye Zhenran and sighed: "Earlier I saw Master's face, his forehead is wide and his eyes are sharp, his ears are long and his arms are strong, he has a unique aura with great nobility. But the印堂 is gray and black, the nose tip is wrinkled, recently there is also a sign of great disaster, I was puzzled by two completely different auras on one body. Now it seems that Master Xiaoye himself has cultivated good karma. Therefore, all fate follows the heart, fate is born from the heart, a kind heart can change fate. Master Xiaoye will surely avoid difficulties and achieve greatness."

  The most abstruse and mysterious words, Zhang Nianyue listened as if she had fallen into a cloud of fog, without knowing what to do. But when she heard that Ye Zhenran had a great ominous sign recently, she couldn't help but tense up, and when Sude Monk paused here, she hastily interrupted and asked: "Master, you said he has a great ominous sign recently, what exactly does it refer to?"

  Kude and the monk chanted "Amitabha Buddha" and looked at Ye Zhenran, saying: "The disaster of blood light is coming fiercely. If this omen were on someone else's body, it would be difficult to avoid. But I see that the fortune of Master Ye is in his body and he will surely pass through safely."

  Zhang Nianyue heard that it was a disaster of blood light, and became even more uneasy. He hastily asked: "Master, what is this disaster of blood light you speak of? Since you know there will be a disaster of blood light, is there a way to break it?"

  Kude and the monk smiled and shook his head, saying: "It's not possible, it's not possible, Zhang Shizhu, if there is a time in life, it must be there. If you try to avoid it, you will break the fortune of your whole life. How about this? I have been carrying a jade block with me for decades, reciting scriptures and chanting Buddha every day, which has already possessed spirituality. I'll give it to Little Ye Shizhu, wear it close to your body, and there should be some help." Kude finished speaking, took out a small piece of warm jade the size of a child's palm from his chest, and handed it to Ye Zhenran, saying: "Little Ye Shizhu, hang it on your chest, can avoid evil and bring good luck, bless you for a lifetime of peace."

  Ye Ziran took a look at the jade and knew that its color and texture were quite old, estimating that the value of this jade was not trivial. He declined politely and refused to accept it.

  Kude and the monk said: "Xiaoye Shizhu, I gave you the jade pendant, it was also due to your karma, it was a matter of cause and effect. 'To know the past cause, this life's recipient is', no need to make excuses."

  Zhang Nianyue took it from his hand and hung it around Ye Zhenran's neck, saying: "This is the master's kindness, you just take it, and remember to repay Donglin Temple in the future."

  Ye Ziran smiled awkwardly, seeing Ye Qingli looking at them with concern, and quickly pushed Nian Yue's hand away, putting the jade into his collar and saying, "Thank you, Master."

  Ku De said: "Although Xiao Ye is in the officialdom, he has a predestined relationship with Buddhism. Moreover, every move he makes can bring blessings to the people. As long as he cultivates goodness for the rest of his life, there's no need to thank him, just understand."

  "May I ask Master, what is Buddhist affinity?"

  Kudai monk smiled slightly and said: "The Buddha-nature is fully possessed by everyone, each one is perfect. It depends on you. What is the Buddha after all? What is the Buddhist affinity? The Buddha is not a carved statue, its greatness has no outside, its smallness has no inside, it is everywhere, there is a Buddha in your heart, you are the Buddha, this is the Buddhist affinity."

  Ye Qingli nodded and said to Zhang Nianyue: "Nianyue, you and Nianheng are young, and later you will understand the meaning of Buddhism. What is called Buddhism is to advise people to do good deeds. As long as a person always has a kind heart, they are connected with Buddha."

  Kude Xinran said: "Although Ye Shi's master is in the mundane world, he has a Buddhist heart and fully embodies the meaning of 'unbiased, unobstructed, perfect and all-pervading'. Good, good!"

  Ye Qingli smiled slightly, she and Ye Lao were both old friends with Sude Master, they knew that although Donglin Temple was not prosperous, Sude Master was a man of status in the Buddhist world, often invited to lecture or perform grand ceremonies, economically he was not destitute. Sude Master's greatest wish was to rebuild the temple and restore Donglin Temple's former glory, so he had a pleasant conversation with Ye Zhenran, also because both parties had such intentions. However, Sude Master said that Ye Zhenran recently had a bloody disaster, which could not be prevented. Sude Master did not easily predict good or bad fortune for people, this time predicting Ye Zhenran's future was probably because he saw that Ye Zhenran was somewhat special. Ye Qingli now also had increasing interest in Ye Zhenran. This Ye Zhenran, not only did his uncle have a deep understanding of him as an old friend, but his daughter also had a crush on him, and today Sude Master was also very interested in him after meeting him for the first time. This Ye Zhenran seemed to have quietly entered her family life from multiple angles.

  Five people were drinking tea and chatting in the Zen room of Donglin Temple. Zhang Nianheng, who usually didn't care about anyone except his family members, was unusually humble today, not only asking Sude Monk for advice on the origin of Donglin Temple and some anecdotes he had heard from his mother before, but also showing great respect to Sude Monk. After chatting for a while, Ye Qingli found that it was already 5 o'clock in the afternoon, so she stood up and bid farewell, and Sude Monk saw her off at the temple gate.

  All the way down the mountain, Zhang Nianyue lost the excitement she had when climbing up. Ye Zhenran knew that she was troubled by Sude's words and worried about herself, feeling very moved in her heart. However, with her mother Ye Qingli by her side, it wasn't convenient to say any comforting words, so she could only joke: "Nianyue, don't take Sude's words too seriously, many things are a matter of believing or not believing."

  This remark triggered Nian Yue's fierce opposition: "Mù Tóu, how can you be like this? Ask Mom, Master Kǔ Dé's prophecies are always very accurate. You should go out less recently and don't leave Yù behind. Remember this."

  Ye Qing nodded in agreement and said, "Xiao Ye, Master Ku De's most famous skill is that he can predict the future fortune or misfortune of a person by observing changes in their facial complexion, which has been proven many times. Don't be careless."

  Zhang Nianyue continued, "Wooden head, did you hear that? The jade pendant on your body shouldn't be taken off, it's not some cumbersome object."

  Ye Ziran nodded in agreement: "Alright, Nianyue, I won't take it off." Turning his head, he asked Ye Qingli: "Auntie, predicting a person's future path seems to be the job of a Taoist priest, why would a Buddhist monk also do this?"

  Ye Qingli shook her head and said, "The Taoist's predictions are based on the theory of the I Ching, with the profound and mysterious teachings of Taiji, Liangyi, Sixiang, and Bagua. Although there are some skilled fortune tellers among them, most are deceiving the world and stealing fame. The monk's prophecies are different from divination, as Buddhist law is not separate from worldly law. When the Buddha was in the world, he used many worldly expedient methods to guide others, and prophecies by monks throughout history are not uncommon, with several instances recorded in the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. Monk Kude had a life of hardship and struggle, traveling extensively throughout the country in his youth, leaving footprints in major temples, and was known for his broad knowledge and deep understanding of various worldly laws. He had a unique perspective on people, but he never lightly told fortunes or used it to seek wealth." Ye Qingli sighed softly and said, "The behavior of high-ranking monks is indeed admirable."

  Ye Ziran nodded in agreement, "Listening to the words of Master Kude, indeed he has a profound understanding of Buddhist Dharma and Chan principles. It's surprising that such a great monk is hidden in this small Donglin Temple."

  The four returned home, had dinner, and Ye Zhenran was about to bid farewell. Zhang Nianyue wanted to keep him for a chat, but was rejected by Ye Zhenran. Fortunately, Nianyue understood that he left early because he didn't want to be too close in front of his future mother-in-law, although reluctantly, she could only give up.