Guanyin

Author: Tang Shigui
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: [Excerpt:] King Weide heard this and was greatly astonished. He thought, "These two boys are even more profound in their insights than one another. I, who am seated on the throne and have long practiced Buddhism with unwavering dedication, have now attained many spiritual powers, yet I still fall far short of these two boys. The boy named Baoshang opened his mouth and said, 'All phenomena are empty.' Thus, he judged everything in alllands across the three realms and ten directions—everything, its characteristics, and all conceptual terms—as neither real nor true. Since everything is empty and illusory, why should I ask for their names? No wonder the boy asked me, 'Why do you ask for their names?' King Weide felt deep shame and discouragement and sighed, "Alas, my enlightenment is truly too lacking." King Weide was deeply moved. To encounter boys of such extraordinary insight was truly a blessing from three past lives. He, of course, did not know that these lotus-flowered boys were the incarnations of Ashvini—the Dual Horse Boy from ancient times. He rose and bowed, kowtowing in gratitude, saying, "Reverend boys, with your great compassion, you have spoken such sublime Dharma. Today, my old man has ears and eyes refreshed, and my mind has been opened. I must assume you have karmic connections from past lives, as you have attained such holy wisdom today. I hope you will guide me further and preach more sublime Dharma so that I may quickly embrace the correct path and attain enlightenment." Baoyi pointed out, "Don't you often study the Dharma with the Buddha of Golden Light? You must know that the teacher of this world is the Buddha of Golden Light. He knows all and can do all. However, over the years, your opportunity has not yet ripened, and you have not yet awakened to the supreme Mahayana Dharma or attained holy wisdom and enlightenment. Today, you encountered us while in meditation in the garden, and this is the result of your many years of practice and accumulated merits. Your opportunity has ripened!" The boy named Baoshang continued, "Yes, King Weide! Your ability to be here today is the result of planting many good roots in past lives. We need not preach to you; the Buddha of Golden Light will guide you. Let us go pay respects to the Buddha of Golden Light together!" At once, King Weide went with the two boys to the dwelling place of the Buddha of Golden Light. The two boys fell prostrate before the Buddha's throne, casting themselves at his feet in reverence, then rose and clasped their hands together, reciting a verse to present their offerings:
"What is the offering to the supreme, two-footed one?
Incense, flowers, music, and dance;
Clothes, medicine, and bedding—
What is the superior offering?"
The Lotus-flowered boy's "supreme, two-footed one" refers to the most noble among two-footed beings, meaning Sakyamuni Buddha. Thus, this verse asks about how to offer to the Buddha.
That day, King Miao Zhuang, accompanied by his chief minister and Grand Tutor, came personally to Golden Light Temple for inspection. The temple was so vast that halls, pavilions, towers, and pavilions were scattered throughout, with lush pines, bamboos, flowers, and grasses. The courtyards were neat and clean, with winding paths leading to secluded corners, creating an elegant environment. Behind the temple, many spacious caves had been newly carved into the cliffs for the residence of monks and nuns. King Miao Zhuang was very satisfied and immediately ordered officials like the Star Observer and the Ritual Officer to select auspicious dates and draft the rituals for the Princess's ordination. Thus, everyone began to busy themselves again.
According to the schedule, September 17 was the grand ceremony to bid farewell to the former king's mausoleum. That day, Princess Miao Shan still wore her princess attire, sat in a palace carriage, with ceremonial guards and attendants leading the procession, and slowly walked out of the palace gates, heading straight for the royal mausoleum in a grand procession. When Princess Miao Shan arrived before the mausoleum, she was deeply moved: "Where have the former kings gone? They once lived in glory and honor, yet now they have all returned to the earth and are inevitably subject to the cycle of rebirth. No matter what, they are still my ancestors. She knelt down and respectfully worshipped the ancestors of past generations, carefully confessing her own faults and explaining her reasons for ordaining. After offering wine and silk, completing all the rituals, the procession turned back to the palace.
At this time, both sides of the road were packed with crowds. Originally, people from all directions had come to watch the princess's grand farewell ceremony. Everyone wanted to see the beauty of the Third Princess, and they cheered and danced, creating a festive atmosphere. Princess Miao Shan, smiling and clasping her hands at her chest, greeted the crowd as best she could from the carriage.
On September 18, the grand ceremony to bid farewell to the court was held. Early in the morning, Princess Miao Shan, dressed in her princess robes, first went to the rear palace to pay respects to her mother. Seeing her daughter leave, the mother was deeply grieved. Her daughter had been raised by her and all her hopes were pinned on her. Now that her daughter was ordaining, what else could she hope for? After paying respects to her mother and meeting the ministers and officials, Princess Miao Shan rushed straight to the noon gate to bid farewell to the court. At this time, King Miao Zhuang had already taken his seat on the throne. The Third Princess walked gracefully to the hall. Seeing her beloved daughter, King Miao Zhuang felt unbearable sorrow at the thought of her leaving to live in seclusion in the Buddhist monasteries. Just as King Miao Zhuang was overwhelmed with emotions, the Third Princess began the grand courtly farewell ceremony. She lay prostrate on the golden steps and said, "Your servant is ungrateful, as she has set her heart on the Buddha and cannot stay by Your Majesty's side at all times. I deserve a thousand deaths. I pray that with the Buddha's power, you may be granted more blessings and longevity. Tomorrow, I will leave the palace to ordain, so I come to bid farewell today. I hope Your Majesty takes good care of yourself." At this moment, King Miao Zhuang's heart was like being pierced by arrows, and two lines of tears streamed down his face. He did not know what to say, but only ordered that his carriage be sent to bring his daughter back to the palace. Seeing her father so heartbroken, Princess Miao Shan could not help but shed tears and felt a little reluctant to leave.
On September 19, it was Princess Miao Shan's day to leave the palace to ordain (to this day, the Chinese Buddhist tradition commemorates the Bodhisattva Guanyin's ordination on the 19th day of the ninth lunar month). At dawn, Princess Miao Shan got out of bed, washed, and dressed. Since she had not yet been tonsured, she still wore palace attire. Along with her, her nurse and palace maid Yonglian also left for ordination. Additionally, the people who had once served in the kitchen with the princess, moved by her kindness, also prepared to join her in the temple to serve her. Of course, these people also had some karmic roots, and they all wished to abandon worldly luxury. The First and Second Princesses came to see her off with warm smiles. When their younger sister truly left, they could not help but feel a little reluctant, and everyone wished each other well.
At this moment, a palace maid reported, "The attendants are ready. Please give the Third Princess your instructions." Princess Miao Shan paid a grand farewell to the palace gates and bowed nine times in the direction of her father's sleeping quarters before bidding farewell to her two older sisters. With a heavy heart, she climbed into the carriage and left the palace. Princess Miao Shan and her entourage moved forward in a solemn and reverent atmosphere. Ahead, banners led the procession, followed by canopy-covered carriages. Pairs of incense burners burned various fragrances, with smoke curling gracefully; pairs of flower baskets were filled with all kinds of rare flowers, emitting a fragrant and beautiful scent. Bells rang, drums beat, and the melodious sounds of Buddhist music filled the air. Princess Miao Shan sat in the carriage, hands clasped at her chest, with a dignified, kind, and amiable expression. Her nurse and Yonglian stood on either side of the carriage, one holding a white jade ruyi and the other a brush made of yak tail hair. General Gaya led 300 imperial guards to escort the procession. The First and Second Princesses also came in carriages to see her off, each accompanied by a large entourage of palace maids, making the procession even more magnificent.
That day, people from all directions gathered at the palace, Golden Light Temple, and the roads between the two places. Some had arrived early in the morning to wait. The crowd grew larger and larger. Some held fresh flowers and herbs, some clasped their hands at their chests, and some cheered and danced, filling the road with a festive atmosphere. Thanks to the imperial guards clearing the way, the procession was able to move forward. Princess Miao Shan sat in the carriage, unable to contain her inner excitement. She looked at the magnificent and beautiful Yamato Mountain in the distance, thought of the ancient and solemn Golden Light Temple, recalled the Buddha's guidance, and remembered her years of practice in hardship and tribulation. Her heart became solemn and calm. She longed for Yamato Mountain, for Golden Light Temple, for a life free from the noise of the world, for a quiet and self-reliant life of Buddhist practice. Of course, she also knew that the path to enlightenment was long, and greater hardships and suffering awaited her in the future. As she thought, she forgot everything around her.
The long procession moved continuously, turning a bend in the mountain, and a magnificent golden and bright temple came into view—this was Golden Light Temple. A white stone path led through the mountain gate to the main hall of the Great Buddha. Red walls surrounded the temple, and the halls were grand and majestic. The trees in the courtyard were towering, truly a temple worthy of the prosperous forest land.
After returning to Golden Light Temple, Master Miao Shan continued to hold lectures every third, sixth, and ninth day, inviting lay Buddhists and believers to listen to the scriptures. Thus, months passed, but the lotus vase still had not grown a willow branch. However, Master Miao Shan was not in the least anxious. She continued to practice the Dharma, chant scriptures, meditate, and teach. Yet, one outsider was anxious. This outsider was a young boy named Shen Ying. He was the 500th son of a blessed longevity elder from ancient times and had accumulated merits through many rebirths, though his enlightenment was still far off. When Master Miao Shan returned from meditating on Mount Meru to Golden Light Temple to preach the White Jade Vase, Shen Ying was among the villagers listening to the lecture and found everything Master Miao Shan said fascinating. He longed to see the white jade vase grow a willow branch and to witness Master Miao Shan's enlightenment and attainment of Buddhahood. Later, when Master Miao Shan was taken by the king, his curiosity was left unfulfilled. Now, although the holy nun did not claim to be Master Miao Shan, all the monks, nuns, and villagers still called her Master Miao Shan, which once again piqued Shen Ying's interest.
Shen Ying was both clever and mischievous, often playing tricks on adults and children to trick them. One day, he suddenly came up with a prank. He prepared a jar of magical water, broke a willow branch, secretly took it to Golden Light Temple, and hid it. Then, he sneaked into the temple's firewood room and lit a fire in the firewood. Soon, the flames grew fierce, and the nuns were startled to see the firewood room on fire. They were initially panicked but quickly calmed down and rushed to put out the fire with buckets and water. Seeing that no one was in the meditation hall, Shen Ying seized the opportunity to sneak in, climb onto the altar table, pour the water from the jar into the vase, insert the willow branch, and then slip away.
The villagers below saw the temple on fire and ran up the mountain to help. With their numbers, they quickly extinguished the fire. Although the fire was fierce, it was extinguished in time, so no major disaster occurred, though some firewood houses were burned. After the hustle and bustle, it was evening. Everyone had eaten dinner and settled down, returning to their meditation rooms to do their duties. No one noticed that the vase now had magical water and a willow branch.
The next morning, the nun Xingkong, who was on duty, cleaned the temple as usual. When she wiped the altar table, she suddenly noticed several green willow branches in the white jade vase. She thought she was seeing things and looked closely again. Sure enough, the vase had willow branches in it. She was overjoyed and threw down her cleaning rag, rushing to the main hall. At the entrance, she bumped into Yonglian, who was entering. Yonglian scolded, "What is the matter that makes you so reckless?" Xingkong stopped in her tracks, her eyes spinning, saying, "Yonglian, I saw that the white jade vase now has clear water and willow branches, so I was very happy and wanted to go tell Master Miao Shan. I didn’t expect to bump into you. Please don’t mind."
Yonglian looked closely at her eyes and asked seriously, "Is that really the case?" Xingkong swore, "It really is! Even a little nun like me wouldn’t dare to lie." Yonglian said, "I will go tell Master Miao Shan immediately." She rushed to Master Miao Shan’s meditation room.
Master Miao Shan was talking with her nurse when Yonglian entered. She said, "You came at the right time. I was just about to tell her something. I think today is going to be different. Last night, when I was in meditation, I suddenly felt a white lotus bloom in my heart. This might be a sign."