Chapter 56

Guangxiao Temple is bustling with incense and a steady stream of visitors. When you come to Guangxiao Temple, there is one attraction you must not miss: Guangxiao Bodhi, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Guangzhou.

Inside Guangxiao Temple, a bodhi tree stands, transplanted by the high monk Zhiyao from India. It is the first recorded bodhi tree sapling to be transplanted to China.

Zhiyao once prophesied: "One hundred and seventy years after my passing, a bodhisattva in human form will expound the supreme Dharma under this tree, benefiting countless beings." One hundred and seventy-four years later, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng indeed received the precepts and preached under this tree, fulfilling Zhiyao's prophecy.

However, when Qin Yu and his companions arrived at the bodhi tree, they found it already surrounded by a crowd, forming a circle. Unlike the typical Chinese crowd that gathers for entertainment, these people were silently staring at the center, not making a sound.

"Let's go take a look."

Mo Yongxing, who loved to join in the fun, was the first to rush into the crowd. Using his physical advantage, he squeezed his way through to the front, ignoring the angry glares from those around him.

With Mo Yongxing clearing the way, it was much easier for Qin Yu and the other two to follow and reach the front of the crowd. When they looked into the circle, they saw two elderly monks sitting opposite each other on cushions, both wearing kasayas. Those familiar with Buddhism knew that only the abbot of a temple or a highly respected master had the right to wear a kasaya, indicating that these two elderly monks were of no ordinary status.

"Qin Yu, what are these two monks doing? They've been sitting here motionless for a long time." After watching for a while, Mo Yongxing noticed that the two monks were not moving, and the crowd was also silent, which made him feel bored. He asked Qin Yu.

"They are probably in meditation." Qin Yu was not sure, but it seemed that the two were in meditation. However, Buddhist meditation is very particular, usually conducted in a quiet meditation room with incense burning. The bodhi tree area, with its constant flow of people, was inevitably noisy.

"The two masters are about to engage in a Zen dialogue. The one on the left is Master Zhi Ren from Guangxiao Temple, and the one on the right is Master Jian Kong from Nanhua Temple. They have been having a Zen dialogue under the bodhi tree every day for several days now," a middle-aged man nearby overheard Qin Yu and Mo Yongxing's conversation and explained quietly.

"Zen dialogue, what are they debating? Don't monks advocate for no desires and no attachments, and the emptiness of the four elements? Why are they debating?" Mo Yongxing continued to ask.

"Zen dialogue is a form of debate where the participants use subtle and profound words to test each other's depth of Zen practice." This time, Qin Yu explained to Mo Yongxing.

However, he found that his explanation was not very effective. Not only was Mo Yongxing still confused, but even his cousin Zhang Hua and Tong Min looked puzzled. He had to clear his thoughts and explain in more detail.

The term "Zen dialogue" originally referred to the mechanism and sharpness of an arrow in Zen Buddhism. It is used to describe the profound and often non-logical words used by Zen masters to express their own realm or test the other person. The Sixth Patriarch Huineng's famous "Wind and Banner" dialogue is an example of a Zen dialogue. Zen dialogues have several characteristics: they are quick and do not allow for much thought, and they are sharp and direct, like an arrow. Huineng's statement, "It is not the wind that moves, nor the banner, but the mind of the benevolent," directly points to the heart, like a thunderclap.

"Actually, it's not just Zen masters who engage in Zen dialogues. Ancient scholars also enjoyed participating in Zen dialogues. In 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' the two jade characters often engage in Zen dialogues. In Chapter 22, there is a section called 'Bao Yu's Enlightenment through Listening to a Play,' which includes a Zen dialogue."

"Young man, you are quite knowledgeable for your age. Nowadays, young people only know about foreign idol dramas and don't care about our traditional culture."

The middle-aged man gave Qin Yu a thumbs up, clearly praising him. However, his words made Mo Yongxing and Zhang Hua feel a bit embarrassed, as they were the type of young people who knew little about traditional culture.

"Our Sixth Patriarch was a famous Zen dialogue master. The 'Thirty-Six Pairs' he passed down are the main methods of Southern Zen dialogues. Since you understand Zen dialogues, you must have heard of the story of 'One Night of Enlightenment.'"

"Yes, I've read about it in books. It tells the story of a Zen dialogue between the Sixth Patriarch Huineng and one of his five major disciples, Master Xuanjue."

The story of "One Night of Enlightenment" is something Qin Yu had read in a local history book from Yongjia. Before becoming a disciple of the Sixth Patriarch, Master Xuanjue was already a renowned monk who practiced Buddhism on Xianyan Mountain in Ruian County.

One day, while reading the "Vimalakirti Sutra," Xuanjue suddenly felt a profound clarity, realizing that the realm described in the sutra was no different from his own inner world. He decided to travel outside the mountains to seek further enlightenment and find someone to verify his understanding.

By chance, Xuanjue met Huineng's disciple Xuance, and they hit it off immediately. They decided to visit the Sixth Patriarch together.

When they arrived at the Sixth Patriarch's temple, the Sixth Patriarch was sitting on a cushion. Without waiting for Xuance to introduce him, Xuanjue walked up to the Sixth Patriarch, shook his staff loudly, circled him three times, and then stood holding his staff, neither bowing nor speaking.

The Sixth Patriarch looked at him and said slowly, "As a monk, one should possess the 3,000 rules of conduct and 80,000 minor precepts. Where are you from, and why are you so disrespectful?"

Xuanjue replied, "Life and death are the most important matters. The impermanence of all things is swift and unpredictable. Other matters are unimportant to me, so I did not pay attention to the rules of conduct or etiquette."

The Sixth Patriarch asked, "If that is so, why don't you understand the principle of no birth and no death, no fast and no slow?"

Xuanjue answered, "In my understanding, there is no birth or death, no existence or non-existence in the world. Therefore, understanding or not understanding does not exist, and there is no fast or slow."

The Sixth Patriarch was pleased and said, "Exactly, you have grasped the true meaning of Zen."

Hearing the Sixth Patriarch's praise, the surrounding monks were amazed. The Sixth Patriarch rarely praised others, and this wandering monk was clearly extraordinary.

With the Sixth Patriarch's approval, Xuanjue followed the Zen etiquette, straightened his kasaya, and respectfully bowed three times to the Sixth Patriarch.

Xuanjue's sudden change from arrogance to respect was unexpected, but what surprised the monks even more was that after the ceremony, Xuanjue got up to leave.

The Sixth Patriarch asked, "Are you leaving so soon?"

Xuanjue, however, decided to engage in a Zen dialogue with his teacher.

"Originally, there was no movement. How can there be fast or slow?"

The Sixth Patriarch, unperturbed, replied, "If there is no movement, who is it that knows there is no movement?"

"Only the benevolent can distinguish," Xuanjue answered.

This was a Zen dialogue. The Sixth Patriarch smiled and said, "You have deeply grasped the meaning of no birth."

The Sixth Patriarch's words seemed to affirm Xuanjue, but they also contained a hidden Zen dialogue. Since no birth lies in the mind, how can it be grasped?

Xuanjue, understanding the hidden Zen dialogue, responded, "Does no birth have any meaning?"

The Sixth Patriarch: "If there is no meaning, who can distinguish?"

Xuanjue: "Distinguishing is not a matter of meaning."

The rapid exchange of Zen dialogues left the surrounding monks bewildered, but Xuance was deep in thought. The Sixth Patriarch, seeing Xuanjue's profound understanding, was very pleased and invited him to stay in the Zen room for the night, where they practiced Zen together.

The next day, Xuanjue bid farewell to the Sixth Patriarch and left the temple. Later, he wrote the "Song of Enlightenment" during the prosperous era and was known as the "Master of No Form." People referred to his night-long Zen dialogue with the Sixth Patriarch as "One Night of Enlightenment."

Zen dialogues in Zen Buddhism are not easily understood by those without a deep understanding of Buddhism, especially the rapid and unthinking exchanges that test one's insight and intelligence.

"Still a bit confused. Monks just like to play riddles."

Qin Yu quietly told the story of "One Night of Enlightenment" to the others. After hearing Qin Yu's explanation, Mo Yongxing and the others were even more puzzled.

"Buddhism teaches that the Buddha helps those with a karmic connection and emphasizes wisdom. This is probably what it means," Tong Min said thoughtfully.

"Young man, you are quite knowledgeable. You even understand the Zen dialogue in the story. Well done, well done." The middle-aged man was surprised by Qin Yu's familiarity with the story and his memory of the Zen dialogues between the Sixth Patriarch and Master Xuanjue.

"These are all summarized by our predecessors. I am just repeating what I have read," Qin Yu humbly replied.

"What's wrong with repeating what you've read? If you ask any young people on the street, they probably wouldn't even know the name of the 'One Night of Enlightenment' story."

"If you have time to read this, you might as well read 'Playboy Magazine,'" Mo Yongxing muttered under his breath.

"Amitabha!"

"Amitabha!"

Just as Mo Yongxing muttered, the two masters in the circle opened their eyes. The master on the right, Jian Kong, clasped his hands and asked slowly:

"Master Bodhidharma meditated for nine years. Where was he facing when he meditated?"

PS: I started writing at 8 PM. Writing this chapter was really tiring. I wanted to capture the essence of Zen, but my writing skills are not up to par. I had to make several revisions to get to this point. If you are interested in the story of "One Night of Enlightenment," you can look it up. My book has finally surpassed 1,000 followers. I hope you can give me some more recommendations to encourage me.