The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 85 White Jade Bodhi
Immediately, a monk who was in charge of receiving guests stepped forward, bypassed the temple gate, glanced at Du Yuan's head, and asked:

"Senior brother, are you here to stay for a night or to offer incense?"

Du Yuan quickly shook her head and said:
"I'm wrong, I'm not a monk, little master."

But these words only made the guest monk even more envious.

Based on experience, the more unusual the worshipper, the more generous they tend to be!

Although his clothes are not luxurious, such a person cannot be judged by his appearance alone.

For example, last year or the year before, he heard that a beggar donated a full 1,000 taels of silver to the Prajna Temple in Shanning County!

One thousand taels!
This is strange too, and he even had a premonition just now.

There's no mistake, they must be a powerful but unassuming family!

Thinking of this, the guest monk, his heart burning even more, clasped his hands together and smiled:
"That's alright, sincerity is all that matters. So, who exactly are you, benefactor?"

"I have heard that the Buddha has manifested his power at your temple, and that is why I have come to pay my respects!"

Oh dear, that's even better! Now you'll have to come up with even more money!

The monk, who was in charge of receiving guests, became even more enthusiastic and invited Du Yuan inside.

"You may not know this, but just after noon today, the only thousand-year-old Bodhi tree in our temple blossomed on its own, facing east!"

"The host even personally asserted that this is a scene of flowers blooming to welcome the Buddha!"

A little past noon, isn't that when I say "Amitabha"?

But that shouldn't be the case, since it faces east, but I came from the west.

With this thought in mind, Du Yuan felt a great sense of relief.

He thought to himself that he shouldn't be that outrageous.

Thinking of this, Du Yuan looked back at the direction she had come from, and it was indeed west!

"That is indeed an auspicious sign!"

"That's right, that's right. Come, let me take you over to have a look."

Even though the monks had deliberately chosen a secluded path where there should be few people, the place was no different from other places because of the large number of worshippers.

But the monk in charge of the guest was completely unaware that no matter how crowded the crowd was, once he led Du Yuan forward, the road would always quietly part for various reasons to allow them to pass unimpeded.

They were only concerned with telling Du Yuan, both openly and subtly, how ancient and ancient their temple was, and how many believers had generously donated incense money out of pity for their hard work.

He led Du Yuan to a spot not far in front of the main hall.

Du Yuan then saw the large, blooming Bodhi tree in the distance.

"Benefactor, this is the Bodhi tree. Look, the flowers are in full bloom!"

Indeed, the flowers are in full bloom, a sea of ​​silvery white.

Exactly, isn't it placed facing east?
Why is it facing right in my direction?

"Little master, isn't this Bodhi tree supposed to face east?"

The monk who was in charge of receiving guests smiled and said:
"Because there are so many believers, I specially led you from the east. This place is quieter and has fewer believers. See, we had a smooth journey all the way here, didn't we?"

Du Yuan was taken aback.

Such is the way things are, by chance and circumstance.

"Come, benefactor, let me show you around."

Du Yuan didn't say anything, but just nodded and followed.

Strangely enough, when Du Yuan arrived, she clearly saw throngs of pilgrims under the Bodhi tree, all devoutly worshipping and pressing their palms to the trunk, hoping to receive a bit of protection. However, when Du Yuan arrived, the pilgrims in front had already dispersed, and those who came later were nowhere to be seen.

In this crowded temple, a pure land has been specially set aside for this purpose.

The monk who was in charge of receiving guests stopped at the stone steps and bowed to Du Yuan, saying, "Benefactor, please make yourself at home."

Du Yuan returned the greeting with her palms together and climbed the steps alone.

In an instant, the trees were covered in silvery white blossoms that rose with the wind, rustling and fluttering like snowflakes, as if paying a silent tribute to those who came.

There's no mistake, the trees covered in silvery white blossoms are clearly welcoming me.

As for the saying "flowers bloom to welcome the Buddha," Du Yuan knew in her heart that it was nothing more than an exaggerated saying made up by the world.

After all, his Buddhist teachings were still in the nascent stage.

Thinking of this, Du Yuan's worries vanished, leaving only tranquility. She spoke little, thought little, and simply stood there peacefully, letting the rare silence and fragrance permeate her body and mind.

Though confined in a cage, one can regain freedom.

Perhaps this is the feeling of great freedom that Buddhism speaks of?

After a long while, Du Yuan's mind gradually calmed down, and she slowly withdrew her thoughts from that clear state.

Facing the ancient, gleaming Bodhi tree, I clasped my hands in prayer and bowed deeply.

I thank the flowers for blooming and welcoming guests, and for granting me this moment of tranquility.

He then turned around and bowed deeply towards the majestic and solemn Mahavira Hall in the distance.

I thank this precious place for lending me this space, allowing me to be at ease.

As Du Yuan stood up, a gentle breeze blew by, and a few leaves from the Bodhi tree fluttered down.

A jet-black fruit was revealed.

This piqued Du Yuan's curiosity, and upon closer inspection, she discovered that it was a Bodhi fruit that appeared to have been buried in the soil for many years.

Upon picking it up, the outer shell of rotten wood instantly peeled away, leaving only a white jade bodhi seed lying peacefully.

Such a wondrous sight astonished Du Yuan, filling her heart with indescribable joy.

I never imagined that I would encounter such a predestined opportunity today.

After playing with it for a while, Du Yuan turned around and walked to the guest monk's side.

At that very moment, the believers who had been watching from the sidelines stepped forward.

No one noticed the strangeness beforehand, and therefore no one knew that the guests welcomed by the blooming flowers were right beside them.

They simply walked past Du Yuan and headed towards the Bodhi tree.

Du Yuan showed the white jade bodhi to the guest monk and said:
"I am fortunate to have this opportunity today."

The guest monk also exclaimed in surprise:
“We produce many Bodhi fruits every year, but we haven’t seen naturally formed white jade Bodhi seeds for many years. And yours is one of them.”

After examining it closely for a long time, the monk in charge of the guest ceremony felt that this was more than just a rare white jade bodhi seed.

Because it is more warm and pleasing to the eye than real jade.

But after a moment, he returned to his true feelings and said:
"Even among white jade bodhi seeds, this is an extremely rare find. Normally, it would take quite a bit of effort to bring one home!"

Du Yuan understood perfectly what the guest monk meant.

So after smiling, he put his hands behind his back and began selecting from the small seals.

They naturally overlooked the Yin De Bao Qian (a type of precious coin), as they did not recognize its value and would only accuse themselves of being unreasonable.

Du Yuan hesitated slightly before giving up on the few strings of copper coins she had saved from storytelling. They wouldn't agree to take away such a precious white jade bodhi for such a small amount of money.

In the end, Du Yuan chose the bag of silver that Qian Youcai had given her.

After taking it out, it was handed to the monk who was in charge of receiving guests:
"Having received this karmic connection, I should naturally repay it. Please accept this as a donation!"

The monk was overjoyed to see the bag full of silver.

While holding the silver, he kept chanting Buddhist mantras to Du Yuan.

Du Yuan smiled and said:
"Then I'll take my leave!"

The guest monk exclaimed in surprise:

"Aren't you going to offer incense, benefactor?"

Du Yuan glanced at the main hall and said:

"The intention has been made, no embellishment is needed."

"Farewell."

After bowing with her hands clasped in prayer, Du Yuan turned and left.

The monk who was in charge of receiving guests did not see them off. He simply stood there watching Du Yuan's figure. For some reason, he thought of that mad old monk.

Neither of them offered incense, so they can both be said to be unattached to appearances.

But the old monk's detachment from appearances was clearly an extreme form of arrogance.

Perhaps this person is the correct answer?

(End of this chapter)