I studied in modern times

Chapter 1044 The Guiyi Army (3)

Mount Mobang, Xihe Road, and even the entire Northwest region, are sacred mountains and spiritual refuges for all Han and Tibetan people.

Because here stands a royal temple built by the combined efforts of Han and Tibetan peoples—Zisheng Zen Temple.

The Seven Treasures Pagoda in the Zen temple enshrines one of the most precious Buddhist treasures in the world today—the tooth relic of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Moreover, the Venerable Puji Huai'en, who was bestowed with a purple robe by the emperor at Zisheng Chan Monastery, is also regarded as a living Buddha by the Han and non-Han believers in the Northwest.

It is a living Buddha who has cultivated great wisdom and achieved great enlightenment, and can ascend to the Western Paradise.

This Living Buddha's status was recognized not only by the leaders and officials of the Han and Tibetan ethnic groups.

He gained his position by using his unparalleled eloquence in debates, which led hundreds of eminent monks to pay homage to him.

It is recognized by believers, government officials, and religious circles.

Thus, this Living Buddha's status was transcendent.

Moreover, he publicly promised that after his death, he would be reincarnated in the homes of believers in Miaochuan, continuing to use Buddhism to help believers eliminate disasters and difficulties, and to deliver the souls of the deceased, until there are no more disasters in Miaochuan, until the people of Miaochuan are free from resentment, and until all beings in Miaochuan live in peace.

Such a compassionate heart, such a grand aspiration.

What else could he be but a living Buddha?
In any case, Master Puji Huaien's influence in the Northwest region is growing day by day.

Especially among the grassroots herders/laborers.

This great monk's status is now comparable to that of Guru Padmasambhava, who came to Tibet to spread the Dharma.

The main point is that this former monk, whose Dharma name was Zhiyuan, is nearly seventy years old.

However, his energy was still incredibly abundant.

He can still walk briskly, spreading blessings, preaching, and debating scriptures everywhere.

In the past year alone, this master debated scriptures with others 32 times, toured five prefectures including Xi, Lan, He, Tao and Min, met with tens of thousands of believers, and bestowed blessings and touched heads on countless people.

In addition, he gave dozens of sermons, attracting thousands of monks to listen to his teachings.

A true Buddhist superman!

Such a kind and approachable monk with such profound Buddhist knowledge.

How could they not subdue the Han and non-Han believers in the Northwest?

Its influence has even spread to Hexi and the Western Regions.

Monks from Dunhuang and Khotan came to pay homage.

Of course, the purpose of these former Buddhist remnants from the Western Regions coming here was not simple.

But it's okay!

With a deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy, Zhiyuan easily used his eloquent tongue to turn the monks' visits and pilgrimages into gold dust on his own body.

At this moment, this eminent monk is regarded by believers throughout the Northwest as a living Bodhisattva and Buddha.

He personally walked down from the meditation room on Mount Mobang and onto the official road.

He solemnly put on the imperial purple kasaya, which he rarely wore, and took the imperial staff specially made for him by the Imperial Household Department on the orders of the current emperor. In his hand, he also held an alms bowl, which was also made by the imperial court.

He gazed silently at the official road ahead.

Dust billowed, and the cavalry charged fiercely.

"Amitabha!" Monk Zhiyuan clasped his hands in reverence and praised, "Excellent! Excellent!"

"The guardian deities of Xihe Road have arrived!"

The monks and warriors behind Zhiyuan all clasped their hands in prayer and exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!"

"Homage to the Dharma Protector Vajra!"

"Homage to the Great Sun Tathagata Buddha!"

Since Zhiyuan came to this Mobang Mountain by imperial decree to spread and propagate the Dharma.

He consistently portrayed himself to the outside world as the reincarnation of a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha.

At the same time, the Zhao Emperor of Bianjing was proclaimed to be an incarnation of the Great Sun Buddha.

Naturally, the envoy sent by the government to Xihe to govern the people and pacify the tribes was a Dharma Protector Vajra or Arhat.

Therefore, in the murals of Zisheng Zen Temple, Vairocana Buddha is always depicted above all other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and is always surrounded by many Dharma protectors, Vajras, and Arhats.

The other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, however, were constantly bathed in the light and illumination of Vairocana Buddha. ...

Lu Huiqing spotted the figure of the monk Zhiyuan from afar.

He and Monk Zhiyuan were old friends!

At the beginning of the Xining Reform, the monk Zhiyuan was a guest of honor of Wang Anshi.

Wang Pang was particularly fond of this senior monk and often chatted with him about everything under the sun.

At that time, Lü Huiqing had just been introduced to Wang Anshi and had not yet shown his talent; he was not the guardian deity who would later become known.

Therefore, Lü Huiqing at that time put a lot of effort into deliberately getting close to and pleasing Guo Zhiyuan.

He even gave Zhiyuan a considerable amount of money.

By the time Lü Huiqing began to rise rapidly within the New Party group, Zhiyuan had already followed Wang Shao to Xihe Road to make his mark.

Unexpectedly, more than a decade has passed in twists and turns.

The two unexpectedly met again on Xihe Road!
Moreover, this monk Zhiyuan has accomplished a great deal in Xihe!
In terms of status, he was not much lower than the pacification commissioner who was in charge of the administration—anyway, Lü Huiqing knew that Zhiyuan had the privilege of reporting directly to the emperor.

The Emperor once told him—regarding the matters concerning the monks of Xihe, Your Excellency should consult Master Puji Huai'en.

And this big monk is indeed quite interesting.

Although Lü Huiqing did not visit him after taking office.

However, Zhiyuan wrote to him many times, reporting and introducing the situation of the monk leaders in Xihe and even Qingtang.

He even sent someone to Lanzhou to express his loyalty to him, saying frankly, "If you ever need my help with matters concerning the monks of Xihe, I will gladly die for you!"
This is indeed a very interesting monk!

Lü Huiqing dismounted and strode quickly to the monk Zhiyuan.

Monk Zhiyuan bowed respectfully with his hands clasped: "It has been many years since we last met. I am delighted to see that Generalissimo still retains his former charm!"

Lü Huiqing stepped forward and returned the greeting: "The people of Xihe owe much to your teachings and guidance, Master. I should have come to pay my respects to you much earlier, but alas..."

He turned to look at the bewildered descendants of the Guiyi Army: "I am bound by imperial orders, and have been delayed until now. I hope you will forgive me, Master!"

"Amitabha!" Zhiyuan bowed and said, "You flatter me, sir!"

As he spoke, he also looked at the descendants of the Guiyi Army, whose skin color and appearance were quite different from those of the Han people in the Central Plains.

He recalled the contents of the imperial edict sent from Bianjing, and a smile appeared on his face.

Immediately, the high monk's expression became solemn and dignified, filled with boundless compassion.

He stepped forward, leaning on the imperial-bestowed monk's staff and carrying the imperial-made alms bowl.

The Han and Tibetan soldiers along the way respectfully made way for them.

He slowly walked up to the elderly, women, and children whose eyes still held unease and fear, and said in standard Ganzhou Uyghur language, "Esteemed benefactors, there is no need to panic!"

"This old monk, Puji Huai'en, is the abbot of Zisheng Zen Monastery on Mount Mobang!"

"Now that you have come to Mobang Mountain, you have come home!"

"This old monk will certainly make proper arrangements for all of you benefactors!"

The imperial decree from Bianjing was to order him to cooperate with Lü Huiqing to find out the background of these descendants of the Guiyi Army.

They also inquired in detail about the geography, topography, power, and troop deployment of the Hexi region.

If possible, it would be best to draw up a map, make a sand table, and present it to Bianjing.

Zhiyuan will certainly cooperate fully in this regard.

Because when he followed Wang Shao to open up the border, he had heard that there were countless temples in Dunhuang in Hexi.

Before their destruction, these temples hid a large number of Buddhist scriptures, documents, and treasures in some secluded places.

If these Dunhuang manuscripts could be rediscovered...

This would be of great benefit to him and his sect.

Not to mention, if the Song Dynasty were to recover Hexi and even the Western Regions in the future...

How much benefit and advantage can his sect gain?

(End of this chapter)