702: Chapter 702 [At the Buddha Family, All Requests are Granted] 702: Chapter 702 [At the Buddha Family, All Requests are Granted] The voice of surprise naturally came from Master Hui Wen, and it was naturally Ye Chenfeng that surprised him.
For a moment, other people also looked over, and many had seen Ye Chenfeng in front of The Mahavira Hall just before.
The unexpected incident had made a deep impression on everyone, and now, as the Divine Monk Hui Wen of Ziguang Temple singled him out from the crowd and expressed his surprise, Ye Chenfeng’s attention dramatically soared.
Naturally, this was something Ye Chenfeng did not wish to see.
Although it wouldn’t matter much in a different place for the attention to be on him, being stared at by over a hundred people in a temple made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
“Old man, I’m stepping out for a moment,” Ye Chenfeng said to Chu Renkuang, ready to leave.
However, just then, along with a Buddhist chant, a voice rang out, “Esteemed guest, please stay a moment, Amitabha.”
“What!”
Once more, everyone’s gaze converged on Ye Chenfeng, because it was clear that Master Hui Wen was addressing him.
Ye Chenfeng, who had taken a step forward, suddenly stopped, and a hint of a chill flashed in his eyes.
Could this Master Hui Wen be like the old monk Ye Chenfeng encountered in Zen Temple, intent on keeping him here?
“May I ask what the master wants?” Ye Chenfeng asked with a smile.
Everyone was infinitely curious about Ye Chenfeng; the incense he had offered in front of the Buddha statues had snuffed out repeatedly.
Being noticed by Master Hui Wen among the crowd made Ye Chenfeng instantly the center of everyone’s attention.
Chu Qingxue and her sisters suddenly remembered something, the old monk on the back mountain of Zen Temple.
He was extremely attentive to Ye Chenfeng and in the end even gave them a map to find him.
What was so different about Ye Chenfeng that he could draw such attention from these eminent monks and even cause the incense offered in front of the Buddha statues to extinguish?
This phenomenon, unexplainable by science, puzzled them both.
Did Ye Chenfeng have something on him?
“You are fated with our Buddhist teachings, after this meeting concludes, this humble monk wishes to invite you for a few cups of tea, if I may?” Master Hui Wen spoke in a tone of negotiation.
“What!”
Everyone was taken aback; to be invited for tea by Master Hui Wen was an immense opportunity.
Yet Master Hui Wen spoke as if negotiating, as though afraid Ye Chenfeng would refuse.
Ye Chenfeng smiled, “Why not.”
“Amitabha!” Master Hui Wen revealed a smile and chanted a long Buddhist salute.
Even Chu Renkuang couldn’t help but look envious and asked, “Ye, have you practiced meditation or worshiped Buddha previously?”
“I haven’t,” Ye Chenfeng shook his head.
“That means you have a strong connection with the Buddhist teachings; Master Hui Wen picked you out in an instant.
Master Hui Wen is a highly accomplished monk, usually traveling across the seas.
It is rare to meet him; you are quite lucky, Ye,” said Chu Renkuang with envy.
People of their status usually believed in this.
“Is that so, old man?
I don’t feel that way,” Ye Chenfeng thought to himself, certain that Master Hui Wen’s invitation to tea was not going to be anything positive.
“The Monk Konghai from the Japanese Buddhist Shingon sect requests an audience!
He has come to witness the profound depths of the Buddhist Law in the Divine Land!” A long cry came from afar, drawing the attention of the crowd.
The voice seemed to come from the heavens, making it impossible to locate its source.
“A Japanese monk?”
A wave of commotion and heated discussion arose among the crowd.
Even Ye Chenfeng’s expression changed—had a Japanese monk come to join the fray?
Master Hui Wen on the platform had a piercing gaze as he looked toward a particular direction.
Sure enough, in that direction, there was an additional person, appearing as if from thin air.
This person was none other than Konghai, who had been with Heimu.
Konghai was a middle-aged monk in robes, standing there with a ramrod-straight posture, his fingers twirling Buddha Beads, his clear eyes moving about, and an air of spiritual energy and wisdom emanated from his entire being.
At a glance, everyone could tell that Konghai was a highly accomplished monk; his demeanor was entirely different.
“Buddhist friend from the East Ocean has come a long way, your sincerity is commendable,” Master Hui Wen responded.
“As monastics, we should be upfront.
Konghai has come to Ziguang Temple this time for two reasons: first, to appreciate the profundity of the Divine Land’s Buddhist Law, and second, to witness the wonders of Buddhism’s Martial Arts.
I hope Master Hui Wen would be so kind as to impart your teachings!” Konghai said.
Master Hui Wen suddenly smiled, “Buddhist friend, Buddhism originates from the same source; there’s no division between the Divine Land and the East Ocean.
Where is this talk of appreciating and witnessing coming from?”
Konghai too revealed a trace of a smile, “Master Hui Wen is mistaken.
The Buddhism of my country and that of Divine Land do indeed have vast differences.
For instance, in my country, there are over eighty million Buddhists, making up seventy percent of the total population, which is completely different from that of the Divine Land.
Saying they originate from the same source is baseless; the Buddhism of my country and that of the Divine Land are fundamentally different.”
“That’s but one opinion of many,” Master Hui Wen replied.
“Konghai ate only vegetarian meals and drank dew for a month just to experience the Divine Land’s Buddhist teachings and Martial Arts.
I hope Master Hui Wen will not disappoint,” Konghai stated firmly.
Master Hui Wen laughed, “I fear I cannot fulfill your wishes, for Ziguang Temple does not have a single Martial Monk; thus, your wish to witness our Martial Arts cannot be granted.”
Far from being disappointed, Konghai’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light, “Master Hui Wen, a monastic does not speak falsehoods.
I have heard that you come from Shaolin, and it is said you have the experience of slaying five traitorous monks skilled in Esoteric Buddhism who were selling off national treasures.
The claim that Ziguang Temple has no Martial Monks surely cannot stand, can it?”
“Gasp!”
The crowd was stunned into disbelief, with such a tale attached to Master Hui Wen.
Ye Chenfeng had heard of the fearsome prowess of Esoteric Buddhist masters, and now he was filled with curiosity about Master Hui Wen.
“Buddhist friend, I have let go of the past,” Master Hui Wen replied calmly.
“But have you truly let it go?” Konghai asked in return, insistent on challenging Master Hui Wen.
Suddenly, Master Hui Wen smiled, “Since the Buddhist friend is so determined, I shall make arrangements concerning Martial Arts.”
Konghai’s eyes lit up fiercely, nodding his head in delight, “I thank you, Master Hui Wen.”
However, Ye Chenfeng felt as though Master Hui Wen had glanced his way—could it be that he intended for him to step up?
After scanning the devout followers around him, Konghai spoke, “Master Hui Wen, I have a question.”
“Please ask, Buddhist friend!” Master Hui Wen invited.
With a smile, Konghai said, “Many laypeople now bring offerings and worship the Buddha in the temple, presumably a large portion for wealth and success in their endeavors.”
Many people around nodded, as that was precisely why they had come to burn incense and pray.
Konghai continued, “The Buddhist scriptures say, ‘Within the Buddha’s gates, all requests are granted.’ Therefore, I would like to ask Master Hui Wen, can one pray for wealth by burning incense and worshipping the Buddha?”
Master Hui Wen didn’t directly answer Konghai; instead, he turned his eyes to Ye Chenfeng.
Everyone was surprised, unsure what Master Hui Wen intended.
“This layperson here, how would you address the doubts of Buddhist friend Konghai?” Master Hui Wen unexpectedly asked Ye Chenfeng.