Chapter 197 - Conferring Words! (2/2)

The abbot said with regrets, “Such a pity, a pity.”

The abbot had admitted defeat and the monks who had been beaten up earlier had looks of resignation.

Who was this person in front of them? He couldn’t be beaten in a fight! He couldn’t be out-talked with words! Does he even leave a route for retreat?

Of course, they could not out-talk Zhang Ye. What he had said was a gatha by Abbot Hui Neng from his previous world. It was the widely known “Platform Sutra”. Furthermore, during the verse exchange, Zhang Ye had used his mouth to speak. Alright, that’s nonsense, but something isn’t. That is because Zhang Ye had previously eaten many Fruits of Charm (Voice). This was something that increased his voice’s charm. It naturally made his words have a indescribable profoundness. Hence, everyone was shocked. There was reason to it.

Victory had been decided.

The film crew had won. They had finally vented their anger.

With this win, the victors were also more tolerant. Seeing the abbot admit defeat graciously, many people’s impression of him became better. They comforted him a little.

“Abbot, don’t compete with Teacher Zhang.”

“Right, Teacher Zhang Ye is a famous literary person in Beijing. Anything he writes becomes a cla.s.sic. I believe you all don’t watch TV?”

In the past, they only heard rumors. But today, they had witnessed Zhang Ye’s composing prowess. Their emotions were still running high because of hearing the gatha!

In a moment.

The abbot said to the few young monks, “Go and prepare a few rooms in the backyard and settle down all the Almsgivers.”

The few young monks went to do as instructed without a second word. They were already convinced by Zhang Ye. With just that line of ‘there was no Bodhi tree’, he had won the respect of quite a few monks. Do not judge a book by its cover. Zhang Ye’s looks might be ordinary or even a little lousy. But to a Buddhist pract.i.tioner, the outlook did not matter. For Zhang Ye to be able to utter such an amazing gatha, it showed that he was much better than anyone of them in terms of enlightenment and wisdom. He should therefore be treated with the utmost respect. Ignoring any other thing, a knowledgeable person would be their teacher.

Director Jiang was surprised and asked, “Abbot, didn’t you say that you won’t be receiving any film crews here anymore?”

The abbot smiled. “After exchanging knowledge with Teacher Zhang Ye, I have gained a lot. In the past, I was too close minded. Hur Hur, originally there is not a single thing, so where does dust alight?”

Today had been a long day. Director Jiang also had quite a number of shots that had not been filmed yet. The sky was already dark, so they had to do it tomorrow. Should they go back now and come again tomorrow? Wasn’t this a headache? So he did not reject the offer and accept the goodwill of the monastery. He prepared the crew to stay for the night.

Zhang Ye had inadvertently planted the seeds of the willow plant. He had wanted to just vent his anger and then leave, but little did he expect that the monastery would change their att.i.tude. They made him a guest and that made Zhang Ye a little embarra.s.sed.

In the backyard.

There were over a dozen rooms. The place was quiet and there were many plants and flowers in the courtyard.

A young monk said, “Master, the rooms have been tidied up.”

“Well, Almsgivers. You may have your rest now.” The abbot said to Director Jiang and everyone else.

Director Jiang said, “Thank you. There were some misunderstandings earlier. Are those young monks injured badly?” Figuring that he only had only a few damaged pieces of equipment and 2 people with slight injuries, but the other party had 4 people who were injured rather badly, he realized that their side had not suffered as badly as the hosts. They lost physically and even lost in terms of the knowledge battle.

The abbot said in a calm voice, “I have checked on them, they are alright. Almsgiver Zhang did not injure them badly. Actually, there’s no misunderstanding. It was my disciples who misunderstood my gatha and that created all the trouble. Amitabha, please do not hold it against us. My disciples were too hotheaded. It was good that Almsgiver Zhang had taught them a lesson. To have been enlightened by him, it might even be a blessing for them.”

It was clearly them being beaten up.

But now, it had become a form of enlightenment?

The film crew all looked at Zhang Ye. They knew that Teacher Zhang’s bluff had exploded into something bigger. But this made them realize more clearly what Zhang Ye could do. In the whole of Beijing, no one would dare say he was better than Zhang Ye in terms of poetry and writings. This man was too talented!

Director Jiang said to everyone, “Go and have a rest. Sleep early tonight, we still have to continue filming tomorrow.”

Everyone was dismissed. They were all very tired and they went to their own rooms to sleep.

Zhang Ye wanted to leave but he was held back by the abbot, “Almsgiver Zhang, please stay.”

“Oh, is there anything?” Zhang Ye looked back and blinked.

“This old monk has an unreasonable request.” The abbot smiled blandly and pointed at the stone tablet at the front yard, “Can you confer a few words for us? I would like it to be your gatha from just now. This will guide our disciples in future.”

Zhang Ye coughed, “It’s not that suitable, is it?”

“What’s wrong with it?” The abbot did not think much of it, “Please grant my request.”

The young monks also looked at Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye thought about it for a while and acceded. He took a pen and wrote it down.

On the night itself, the abbot instructed for Zhang Ye’s words to be inscribed onto the stone tablet. He did not remove his earlier gatha, he left it there. This showed how big of a heart he had!

The stone tablet was awe-inspiring, every word was cutting!

The body is a Bodhi tree, the mind is a mirror bright, never stop dusting and wiping, lest dust alight.

By origin, there is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a bright mirror. Originally, there is not a single thing, where does dust alight?

In Zhang Ye’s world, Shenxiu and Six Patriarch Master Huineng’s exchange in the “Platform Sutra” miraculously appeared in this world. However, the conversation between the two masters no longer existed in this world. The lead actors had changed to Zhang Ye and one of Qingshan monastery’s abbot!

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