Chapter 209: After The Deed, Flinging Off His Robes, Deeply Concealing His Identity And Name
After the girl called the police and returned, the old monk put on his kashaya and stood by, waiting with the girl.
After a long while; “Wuwuwuwu…”
From afar, the sound of sirens could be heard, and before long, alternating red and blue lights appeared in the old monk’s vision.
The old monk clasped his hands together and said to the girl beside him, “Child, this humble monk finds it troublesome to stay long. You will need to resolve the aftermath yourself with a strong heart. Amitabha.”
After speaking, the old monk turned and left.
The girl behind him shouted, “Master, will we meet again?”
The old monk waved his hand and said loudly, “We will meet if fate allows. There is no need to linger. Hahahaha.”
Then, he left uninhibited, laughing.
The girl stared at the old monk’s receding figure, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
The old monk walked unhurriedly, muttering to himself, “After completing the deed, I will leave with my clothes, hiding my name and achievements deep within. Hehehe.”
Let’s say it was right for this old monk to leave. In this day and age, it’s best to just leave quickly after doing good deeds, and don’t seek any reward or fame. If you injure a thief while catching them, it becomes your problem. Although subduing such villains might earn you a reward for bravery, the old monk didn’t need that at all. He, who disdained even getting identification documents, how could he care about such things?
He did what he did, and then he left, without any intention of lingering.
People like him, their hearts do not dwell on anything. To put it colloquially, they go with the flow. This “going with the flow” actually has a profound meaning. “Going with the flow” refers to encountering all things, while “flow” signifies that the inner heart can be present and still, not getting entangled in what is encountered.
This is the same as constant Zen meditation. The mind is not swayed by anything, nor is it entangled by external circumstances. One simply resolves the problem. Once the problem is resolved, it is done, and one does not continue to ponder how it was.
Many things about cultivation are contained within seemingly simple common sayings.
It’s like how many people cannot bear the loss of friends and loved ones. Look at a light, turn it on and then off. A person’s death is like a lamp going out. When the lamp is off, why think about it? Just be grateful that the lamp once provided you with light.
It’s also like seeing flowers bloom and fade. The moment of blooming also dictates the time of wilting. Rather than dwelling on the wilting of the flower, it is better to be grateful for the beauty it once bloomed for you.
The old monk sang cheerfully as he traveled; “The sun sets in the west, red clouds fly. Soldiers return to camp after target practice, after target practice. The red flower on my chest reflects the rosy clouds, and cheerful songs fill the sky…”
After traveling a long distance, the old monk arrived at a village to beg for alms. On the way, he met a white-haired old woman sitting in front of her doorway.
The old monk walked up and spoke gently;
“Amitabha, elder sister, this humble monk is a wandering monk passing through this place. I wish to beg for a meal from you. Do you have any leftover food that you could give this humble monk a bowl of? This humble monk is not picky and will eat both meat and fish. Namo Amitabha.”
The old woman looked at the old monk with confusion, thinking, “What kind of monk is this? His face looks like it was scratched by the widow Wang from the village head! Besides, don’t monks abstain from meat and eat vegetarian food? Why does this one eat everything? Is he not a proper monk?”
Seeing the old woman’s expression, the old monk said compassionately, “Please do not misunderstand. This humble monk is not picky about meat or fish because I fear causing you trouble. If it is inconvenient, then this humble monk will not disturb you.”
Upon hearing this, the old woman understood and quickly grabbed the old monk’s kashaya, saying, “Master, please don’t go. It was my misunderstanding. Wait a moment, I will go get you something to eat. I happen to have a few meat pies at home, I’ll go get them for you.”
Without waiting for the old monk to say anything further, she hurriedly went home, brought back the meat pies, handed them to the old monk, and also gave him one hundred yuan.
The old monk accepted the pies but did not accept the money. He accepted money based on the situation. This old woman, at her age, was sitting by her door. Although her living situation seemed decent, it wasn’t exceptionally good. The old monk couldn’t bear to take it, and said, “Amitabha, thank you for your kindness, elder sister. This humble monk only needs food, not money. Please take the money back. Well said, well said.”
The old woman, perhaps influenced by some culture, believed that all monks accepted money and insisted on giving the money to the old monk.
“Master, please don’t think it’s too little. I, an old woman, have no children by my side. Although life is not bad, I don’t have much money. Please take this hundred yuan; it’s a small token of my appreciation.”
How could the old monk agree? Although they were strangers, in a sense, he was also saving sentient beings. But from another perspective, the old woman offered him the kindness of a meal. This goodwill was like that of a loved one, how could he bear to take it?
“Amitabha, elder sister, please stop persuading me. That you could kindly give this monk food, and did not show any dislike despite this humble monk not being picky about meat or fish, is already great compassion. Please take the money back. While money is useful to this humble monk, it is not as valuable as your kind intention towards this monk. It’s not that this monk is looking down on the amount, but rather I wish for you, elder sister, to keep this money for your own use. Namo Amitabha.”
Seeing that no matter how she persuaded him, the old monk wouldn’t accept, the old woman finally relented, and even shed tears, sighing in her heart, “This is a true monastic. Although he seems different from other monks, his heart is always considering others. Namo Amitabha.”
After thanking the old woman, the old monk continued on his way.
On the road, carrying the meat pies, he chanted the Rebirth Mantra: “Namo amida poye, duota qiegaduo yie, duodieyie ta, amililidupo pibi, amililida, xidang pobi, amililida, pijialan di, amililida, pijialanduo, jiamini, jiajiana, jiduo jialibi, suopohe.”
After chanting it seven times consecutively, he began to eat.
While walking, he saw a stray dog rummaging through a trash heap. The old monk took out half of the pie he was holding and called to the puppy, “Come here, child, have some pie.”
Although the puppy was a stray, it looked very intelligent. Seeing the old monk call it, it wagged its tail and trotted over happily.
The old monk placed the meat pie on the ground and murmured to the puppy, “Thoughts are not me, my heart is Buddha. Awakened and knowing, awake and not attached. Thoughts move with the heart, the sword breaks all demons. The Great Dao is without limit, no words can express it. Rebirth, spiritual escape into the void. Om Mani Padme Hum.”
An invisible Buddha’s Light shot from the old monk’s hand towards the puppy’s crown.
The puppy’s eyes sparkled with spirit. It nuzzled the old monk’s leg happily. The old monk smiled compassionately, “We have a karmic connection. Today I will bestow upon you the method to awaken your spirit. I hope one day you can attain enlightenment and awaken. Namo Amitabha.”
The puppy seemed to understand the old monk’s words, and quickly bowed to the old monk. Its appearance was as if it were thanking the old monk, and even more so, as if it were paying homage.
“Hahaha, go eat. When absolutely necessary, do not kill life.”
“Woof, woof woof.”
