Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 3 Sweeping Monk

The six lines (yáo) are symbols in the I Ching, the origin of divination, and the basic composition of the sixty-four hexagrams.

The Bagua (Eight Trigrams) that we are familiar with in later generations are composed of three lines. For example, the Qian trigram (乾卦) has three yang lines, and the Kun trigram (坤卦) has three yin lines.

Then, by combining the eight trigrams in pairs, sixty-four hexagrams are formed.

Therefore, in the divination of the I Ching, the six lines can be used to calculate all things under heaven, encompassing everything.

When Zhan Zhao first practiced the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi", he thought it was like the "Six Meridians Divine Sword", using the six meridians in his hands to unleash formless sword qi.

Later, it turned out that it was not the same thing at all.

The original meaning of the hexagram is "interaction" or "effect". It refers to the interaction between different directions and the interaction between yin and yang. All things in the world are constantly exchanging and changing. In the "formless sword energy of the six lines", it is the opportunity to transform the hexagram into sword energy and to absorb the hexagram image into the dantian and sea of ​​qi.

Based on the lower dantian, condense the six acupoints and transform them into the six hexagrams. The yin hexagram stores the softest true qi, while the yang hexagram stores the strongest sword essence. Then, according to the interaction of the Qian and Kun hexagrams, open up the primordial qi sea within the dantian.

The "Six Meridian Divine Sword" requires extremely profound internal strength to wield all six meridians of sword energy simultaneously. It is almost impossible to achieve without the opportunity of having the Northern Darkness Divine Art like Duan Yu.

However, once the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi" is successfully mastered, the true qi transforms infinitely between yin and yang, requiring no external seeking.

Zhan Zhao is still young, and has only condensed the Six Yao Acupoints so far. His accumulated true energy is not enough to be inexhaustible and continuous, but he also does not have the predicament of being unable to control the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

He can now separate sword energy from his body, transforming it into an invisible force that spreads throughout the enemy's six directions, revealing their fortune before they can even execute their moves.

Therefore, as soon as the "scholar" appeared, Zhan Zhao knew that this person was definitely not a lost pilgrim. Taking the initiative, he easily dealt with the situation.

"I never expected that the Six Doors wouldn't just stay outside, but would actually send people into the temple directly. They're getting more and more audacious!"

For Zhan Zhao, this was nothing more than a minor incident, but Ding Hai became tense and quickened his pace: "Junior Uncle, let's hurry to the Dizang Temple!"

The interior of Daxiangguo Temple is divided into four courtyards.

Manjushri Monastery, Guanyin Monastery, Samantabhadra Monastery, and Ksitigarbha Monastery.

It is named after the four great Bodhisattvas, making it very easy to remember.

The Dizang Academy is responsible for the examination and recruitment of monks, examining their aptitude and discerning their character.

The two arrived in the courtyard and saw that the spacious hall contained rows of tables and desks, where many monks were writing documents.

Is this a Buddhist temple? How is it different from a secular government office?

Just as Zhan Zhao was silently complaining, a monk came up to him and asked, "Junior Brother Dinghai, what brings you here today?"

"Senior Brother Dingming!"

Dinghai clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "This is my newly initiated junior uncle..."

"Ouch!"

Upon hearing the story, Dingming's smile was so warm it almost overflowed: "Junior Uncle, the Prajna lines are faintly visible between your eyebrows, and your forehead is full like a lotus platform. You clearly have the Buddhist potential to cultivate for many lifetimes. Grandmaster Uncle Chiyuan never accepts anyone into the temple. No wonder he made an exception for you, Junior Uncle!"

'It's not just a resemblance, this is the government office!'

Zhan Zhao remained silent.

In fact, the Daxiangguo Temple is not as secular as it seems.

But Chiyuan is not only the head monk of Guanyin Temple, but also a revered monk and master in Buddhism. For such a person to bring back disciples and still obstruct their entry into the temple shows that the Dizang Temple is being unreasonable.

However, some rules are unchangeable. After offering some compliments, Dingming cautiously added, "Junior Uncle, when Buddhist disciples enter a temple, they are all first appointed as novices, without any seniority or Dharma name..."

According to Buddhist practice, after formally becoming a monk, one must first be ordained as a novice monk, receive the ten precepts of a novice monk, and obtain a certificate of ordination.

Only when one reaches this stage, possessing monastic status and being exempt from taxes and corvée labor, can one be called a monk; otherwise, they are just wild monks.

Zhan Zhao didn't object to this; in fact, he was quite pleased: "It's good to be a novice monk without a Dharma name! You should be down-to-earth and take it one step at a time!"

"Junior Uncle is too modest!"

Dinghai felt that Daxiangguo Temple had struck gold, and Dingming also breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly took out a booklet: "Novices also have daily chores, so Junior Uncle can choose whatever he likes. Zisheng Pavilion is more relaxed..."

The daily routine of a novice monk consists of studying scriptures, observing precepts, and balancing work and rest, namely, meditating and chanting scriptures, memorizing daily lessons, and observing the novice monk's rules.

However, there were also chores such as sweeping, burning incense, ringing bells, and cooking, so it wasn't all about pure cultivation.

There might seem to be miscellaneous tasks, but you have to understand that this is the Great Xiangguo Temple, the number one temple in the world. Countless people would do anything to get in, so this is already an extremely high starting point. Zhan Zhao didn't care at all. He took the booklet, glanced at it, and quickly selected an item: "Let's sweep the floor."

"Ah? Okay! Okay!"

Dingming blinked, picked up his pen and quickly wrote: "Zhan Zhao, from Yujie Village, Wujin County, Changzhou Prefecture, aged fifteen, a novice monk, doing odd jobs such as sweeping the floor."

Both parties are very satisfied.

Next, the clothing will be distributed.

Monks wear robes and tunics, hemp shoes and cloth bags. Since they do not shave their heads, they also have a special top bag and a monk's hat to tie their hair.

Most importantly, it is a Buddhist scripture.

"This is the Pure Tathagatagarbha, the essential teaching of our Great Xiangguo Temple."

"Within it is a method of cultivation, which emphasizes that all sentient beings inherently possess the Tathagatagarbha nature, which is originally pure and undefiled, like the moon appearing after the clouds disperse. When external circumstances disturb, one should realize that one's own nature is unmoved and unshaken, and thus attain great peace..."

Zhan Zhao politely opened it.

In fact, he had no faith in Buddhism itself, and didn't even have a good impression of it.

After all, a major incident involving the abbot occurred in his previous life, causing a great uproar and becoming a laughing stock.

While it's not fair to generalize, it will inevitably have some impact.

However, Zhan Zhao practiced martial arts from a young age, but not his family's secret techniques. Instead, he was taught by a Taoist priest who was addicted to alcohol. This priest once said that he owed the Great Xiangguo Temple a favor.

Although the Drunken Taoist did not formally accept Zhan Zhao as his disciple, Zhan Zhao regarded the Drunken Taoist as his mentor and decided then and there that if he had the chance to travel the world in the future, he would help the Great Xiangguo Temple to repay the favor on behalf of his master.

In addition, being new to the martial world and lacking experience, the invitation from the Great Xiangguo Temple to become a disciple of the number one temple in the world and broaden one's horizons is a good choice.

However, he showed little interest in Buddhist scriptures.

"what?"

Zhan Zhao had casually opened the scroll, but his expression quickly changed after reading the section on mental cultivation: "This mental cultivation manual is something even novice monks can learn?"

Dinghai and Dingming nodded in unison: "Yes! When we were novices, we received the teachings of the Pure Tathagatagarbha and each of us gained something from them. Junior Uncle, you might as well take a closer look!"

"it is good."

Zhan Zhao became completely absorbed in it.

His immersion was not due to a lack of reaction to the outside world; he had been protected by the power of the Six Lines, just as he had been in his hometown before.

His movements, sitting, lying down, eating, and communicating were all the same as usual, except that ninety percent of his mind was focused on comprehending martial arts, leaving only the most basic reactions to the outside world.

Dinghai and Dingming were unaware of this and led the boy to the monks' quarters where the novice monk lived.

Choose a bed, put down your luggage, and greet the novices in the same monastery.

soon.

A very handsome young novice monk has appeared in the Daxiangguo Temple.

Holding a broom in one hand and a scroll of scriptures in the other, he would concentrate intently on the scriptures while sweeping, muttering to himself.

That's it.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhan Zhao finally snapped out of his reverie, letting out a long sigh of relief, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes:

"This mental cultivation method may seem simple, but it is actually incredibly useful. I have only just begun to understand it, yet I have already grasped the essence of this 'Mind Clarity Technique.' When the mind is as clear as ice, all directions are bright and clear. It can eliminate distracting thoughts and remove malevolent energy, and it is quite beneficial for cultivating internal strength."

"The entire 'Pure Tathagatagarbha' is absolutely profound and extensive. The fact that Daxiangguo Temple treated it as an introductory scripture and passed it down so casually is truly audacious!"

"Hmm! I've already received benefits so soon after entering the temple. I hope I won't forget my master's kindness and actually become a monk."

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(End of this chapter)