Chapter 1, A Lamp Before the Buddha
Elder Zhenru hurriedly arrived with several monks, grasping the fainted youth's left hand. After a brief pulse examination, he said: "There is no need for the female benefactor to panic; your son’s pulse is normal. It seems he suddenly stood up after kneeling for a long time, which caused him to feel dizzy and fall. " While instructing the temple monks to carry the youth to a small couch in the side hall, the elder personally recited the "Great Peacock King Mantra Sutra" to dispel misfortunes and pray for blessings for the youth
He was originally a seasoned traveler, making a living by painting landscapes and writing travel essays. In the five years following his university graduation, he traveled extensively across much of China. Unexpectedly, he encountered a mudslide in the Yimeng Mountains, and... then inexplicably found his soul trapped in an everlasting lamp, lingering in the small flame for three months. Initially, he experienced terror, anxiety, anger, and confusion... enduring great torment. However, in the ancient temple deep in the mountains, listening daily to the monks chant and observing the pilgrims come and go, he gradually cultivated a sense of calm. Since it had come to this, he decided to stay put, after all, his soul remained, though he could see nothing and hear nothing.
The young boy stepped forward, kneeling beside his mother on the round seat made of bulrushes, imitating her as he respectfully bowed three times to the Buddha statue. The elderly woman appeared to be in her fifties, with fair skin, kind brows, and gentle eyes. Her face did not seem particularly aged, but her hair was predominantly white with only a few strands of black, and her demeanor appeared somewhat frail, lacking vigor.
The handsome young man gazed intently at the lotus petal-shaped longevity lamp on the incense table and replied, "Mother, I will remember." He then muttered to himself, "Last night there was a violent storm; how did this lamp not get blown out?"
The monk was rather timid; instead of helping to save the person first, he hurriedly went to find the abbot, Master Zhenru.
The old woman’s sorrowful weeping interrupted Chen Caozhi’s reverie. Pity the hearts of parents everywhere; thinking of how his parents in a past life would grieve upon hearing the tragic news of his demise in a mudslide brought tears to the corners of his eyes. Open your eyes, face this world with composure, live well, and honor this old woman, who cherishes her son more than her own life, as if she were your own mother. After all, I originally bore the surname Chen.
By the way, he also has a nickname called Liu Chou. According to the memories of Chen Caozhi that have merged in my mind, this is because Chen Caozhi was exceptionally cute in his childhood, resembling a finely carved jade figure. His parents feared that heaven would become jealous and that he would not grow up, so they gave him the nickname Liu Chou, intending to deceive the heavens.
Chen Caozhi opened his eyes and immediately sat up. Due to the merging of soul memories, the call of "Mother" was filled with genuine emotion.
As Elder Zhenru sincerely recited the "Great Peacock King Mantra Sutra," the tranquil halls at the foot of Wulin Mountain were suffused with the compassion and vastness of Buddhist teachings, yet Chen Caozhi still felt a bit afraid to open his eyes
The old woman said with a hint of displeasure: "This is a longevity lamp, how can it be extinguished? Do not speak such foolish words again!"
Every time the stormy night arrives, with the howling winds and torrential rain, he truly fears that the lamp will extinguish. The everlasting lamp is the resting place of his soul; if it goes out, he may very well be finished. In addition to fearing the wind and rain, he is also afraid that the attending monk will oversleep and forget to refill the lamp with oil. Life is truly difficult, filled with trepidation. Thus, he desperately needs to truly transcend into someone else's body. Helpless, he is like the demon sealed in a brass bottle from "One Thousand and One Nights," facing the coming and going of the worshippers. He silently calls out: "Let me transcend into you; I will make you an emperor, I will point out the treasures of the world to you one by one, and I will help you marry the most beautiful wife in the world"
"Ugly child, do you see that lotus lamp in front of the Buddha? That is the longevity lamp your mother made a wish for you at Lingyin Temple on this very day ten years ago, praying for my child to be free from illness and disaster, to be safe and sound. Your mother is getting old, and I fear I will not be able to accompany you to the temple to offer incense and fulfill vows in the future. You must remember, every year on the eighth day of the fourth month, the Buddha's birthday, you must come to the temple to offer incense and make donations. Do you remember?"
The monk approached with a small high-waisted oil can and said with a smile: "Please allow Chen Tanyue to add oil to your longevity lamp; it has always been the little monk who has done it in the past"
With a puff, the young man exhaled forcefully, yet the longevity lamp did not extinguish in response. Instead, the flames surged, and a brilliant ray of light emerged from the fire, piercing into the young man's forehead. He let out a cry of "Ah!" and fell backward, the high-waisted oil can in his hand flying out.
"Ugly child, come here, kneel down"
He possesses no devilish powers; this is merely a reckless promise. His cries go unheard, and even if heard, they are not believed. Thus, he remains in the flames, but it is not without gain. From the idle chatter of the monks and pilgrims, he learns that it is now the second year of the Shengping era of the Eastern Jin, with Emperor Sima Dan, a very young emperor who is only sixteen years old this year. General Huan Wen has already conducted two northern expeditions, reaching the former capital, Luoyang. The power of the Eastern Jin is greatly enhanced, and the lands south of the Yangtze River are relatively stable, with the people living in peace and contentment.
The elderly woman was taken aback, rushing to the young man's side, exclaiming: "Ugly child, ugly child—"
... ...
The youth, approximately fourteen or fifteen years old, wore a small black lacquered crown made of fine gauze on his head. He was dressed in a moon-white, finely woven, large-sleeved shirt, with a flowing robe and wide sash, his sleeves fluttering gracefully. His figure resembled a slender spring willow, and his complexion was as radiant as the full moon in autumn. He had a high nose bridge and bright red lips, and his ink-like eyebrows were adorned with a spirited flair. Unfortunately, his gaze appeared somewhat vacant, lacking in sharpness, which somewhat diminished his overall presence.
Elder Zhenru also let out a sigh of relief and smiled, saying: "Master Li Gong mentioned ten years ago that Chen Tanyue possesses extraordinary roots and is protected by various deities and Buddhas. He will be able to turn misfortune into fortune and encounter auspiciousness in times of difficulty. The female benefactor can rest assured; Chen Tanyue will surely be safe and sound, blessed with longevity and prosperity"
Chen Cao said: "Mother, I am fine now. I just felt a sudden dizziness earlier, but I am better now"
The old woman felt delighted upon hearing Elder Zhenru's words, and her gaze towards her son became particularly affectionate. However, neither she nor Elder Zhenru noticed that at this moment, Chen Cao's eyes exhibited a different brilliance than before. Previously somewhat dull, they now sparkled with a lively and profound depth, adding a touch of extraordinary charm to his already handsome features.
Lingyin Temple has been open for thirty years, and the number of devotees has gradually increased, with the incense offerings becoming more prosperous. However, this is the first time I have seen such a handsome young devotee.
The elderly woman with gray hair on the main hall turned around and greeted warmly. Behind her, the towering sandalwood Buddha statue stood majestically at a height of eight zhang. The statue's left hand hung down, forming the "Wish Granting Mudra," symbolizing the ability to fulfill the wishes of all beings. Its right hand was bent and raised, forming the "Fearlessness Mudra," signifying the capacity to alleviate the suffering of all beings
The young boy stared blankly, his deep, dark eyes reflecting two points of flame. For some unknown reason, he suddenly felt an intense urge to extinguish this everlasting lamp, a thought that was overwhelming and uncontrollable
Thus, Wang Xizhi could still gather friends to roam the mountains and waters, elegantly composing his "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering"; at this time, Xie An was still in seclusion at Dongshan in Kuaiji, spending his days leisurely in the woods with courtesans, waiting for the opportunity to rise again; the gentlemen of Jiangdong, who valued demeanor and appearance, wore wide sleeves and flowing robes, took Five Stone Powder, engaged in leisurely conversations with a whisk, traveled in ox carts, discussed music, debated calligraphy, practiced the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, expressed their feelings for nature, and exhibited various carefree and unrestrained behaviors that disregarded etiquette; this was a manifestation of profound insight and perception, exquisite appreciation and deep affection, an artful approach to life. Compared to the chaotic Western Jin and the bloody Northern Dynasties of the Five Barbarians, the Eastern Jin was indeed a noble and splendid era that many longed for.
Chen Caozhi has awakened, listening to the profound and esoteric scriptures recited by the elder. For a moment, he does not wish to open his eyes. Indeed, he still bears the surname Chen, but his given name is Caozhi, with the courtesy name Zichong. It is remembered that Wang Xizhi had a son named Wang Caozhi. The character "Cao" in ancient times was a good word, signifying integrity and the principle of knowing what to pursue and what to refrain from. However, for him, a time traveler from over sixteen hundred years later, the name "Caozhi" feels rather awkward. Yet, this name was given by his ancestor Chen Su, and he has no way to change it. So, Caozhi it is; he will get used to it.
Master Li Gong, the founding patriarch of Lingyin Temple, Hui Li, traveled thousands of miles from the Western regions to Qiantang County to propagate the Dharma. Upon seeing a remarkable peak on Wulin Mountain, he remarked that this peak had flown from the Lingjiu Ridge in the Western regions, thus naming it Feilai Peak. Consequently, he established the Lingyin and Lingjiu Temples. Chen Caozhi's mother can be considered one of the first followers. One day, Master Hui Li, while gently patting the head of five-year-old Chen Caozhi, said, "This child is extraordinary and will surely have future blessings." However, as Chen Caozhi grew older, apart from his exceptionally handsome appearance, he was quite mediocre in reading and writing. Nevertheless, he was very filial to his mother and showed great affection for the son and daughter left behind by his deceased elder brother. His virtues of pure filial piety and brotherly love were as commendable as his looks.
The young boy took the high-waisted oil can, walked to the incense table, and slowly filled the lotus lamp with green oil. The flame flickered like a bean, gradually rising. That small flame shimmered with brilliant colors, possessing a dazzling beauty. Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if the flame was about to detach from the wick and ascend into the air.
Mother
The elderly woman was overjoyed, grasping her son's hand and repeatedly asking, "Ugly child, how do you feel? Where does your body feel unwell?"
The old woman looked left and right, confirming that her son was safe, and then solemnly thanked Elder Zhenru