Chapter 51: Choices (3)

On September 13th, the eighth year of Tianbao, Li Linfu, the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty, visited Daci’en Temple to fulfill a vow with his wife.
Since Daci’en Temple had been notified in advance by the Prime Minister’s residence, the abbot ordered the monks to clean the main buildings such as the Mahavira Hall and the Dharma Hall. Along the main paths of the temple, colorful canopies and banners adorned with fish and dragon motifs were set up. Although Li Linfu had emphasized that this was a private visit and there should be no excessive extravagance, necessary ceremonial guards were still required.
Gao Xiuyan, the general of the Jinyiwei, even mobilized military forces to search the entire Jinchang District to ensure no troublemakers would take advantage of the situation to endanger the safety of the Prime Minister’s family.
However, despite the searches, Gao Xiuyan had no authority to impose martial law. Unless the imperial family visited Daci’en Temple to worship, even major events like the reception of Buddhist relics would not warrant such measures.
To ordinary believers, today was no different from any other day. They came to Daci’en Temple in groups, offering incense, meditating, worshipping Buddha, and making vows. The Prime Minister was too distant for them to truly concern themselves with.
Li Linfu’s luxurious carriage stopped at the side gate of Daci’en Temple. With the help of his servants, the Prime Minister stepped out of the carriage, trembling. Following behind him was his wife, Lady Li Yang.
Looking up at the Daci’en Temple pagoda in the center of the courtyard, Li Linfu couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. The last time he had been here was to welcome Buddhist relics alongside the emperor. That was in the second year of Tianbao—six years had passed in the blink of an eye. If it weren’t for accompanying his wife to worship and fulfill a vow, he probably wouldn’t have had the time or mood to visit this national temple of the Tang Dynasty. (Note 1) The unpredictable politics kept him preoccupied; how could he possibly find peace? With a bitter smile, Li Linfu led Lady Li Yang inside the temple. His wife was his lifelong partner; she had married him when he was just a minor official. Therefore, Li Linfu held her in great respect and often shared his worries with her.
Though he was naturally flirtatious and had been intimate with countless women, he had never disdained Lady Li Yang. Those concubines were merely playthings to him, while she was his true wife.
Unfortunately, Lady Li Yang was weak and sickly, giving birth to only one daughter for Li Linfu. The lack of a male heir was a severe blow to him. Although he wanted to pass on his vast wealth to the woman he loved, fate wouldn’t allow it—what could he do?
It seemed fate intended to tease him, even denying them the chance to enjoy the world’s splendor together.

The legitimate daughter born to Lady Li Yang was named Li Wan’er. After marrying Pei Yuanyan, the deputy head of the Guanglu Temple, she fell ill with a strange disease and suffered for months. Lady Li Yang was extremely anxious and worried, even turning gray from stress. Aside from eating and sleeping, she spent her days locked in her room, praying to the Buddha statue inside. Yet the golden Buddha seemed to ignore her prayers, offering no divine light, and Li Wan’er’s condition showed no signs of improvement. It was then that a guest in the household advised her that the Buddha at Daci’en Temple was very powerful and would grant all wishes.

Hearing this, Lady Li Yang rushed to Daci’en Temple to pray, asking the Buddha to protect her only child’s health and safety. Sure enough, the Buddha at Daci’en Temple proved more effective than those elsewhere—within just ten days, Li Wan’er’s condition improved, and she eventually fully recovered. Overjoyed, Lady Li Yang wanted to go to Daci’en Temple to express her gratitude. After discussing it with her husband, they decided to donate 50,000 guan as an offering to thank the Buddha for his blessings.

Seeing his wife’s devout joy, Li Linfu didn’t know what to say. He had never believed in gods or spirits; to him, Buddhism and Taoism were merely delusions concocted by monks. If there was anything in this world he relied on, it was power. Only by holding supreme authority could one control one’s own fate and that of others.

Unaware of the time, they had arrived in front of the Mahavira Hall. Outside the hall, dozens of banners made of gold-threaded silk were displayed, along with many long poles bearing banners printed with lion and divine king motifs. They had indeed gone to some effort to welcome them, but could these compare to the 50,000 guan in donations? Li Linfu sneered and shook his head before leading Lady Li Yang into the hall.

The Mahavira Hall was the most magnificent building in Daci’en Temple, with an imposing layout. On the side walls inside the hall hung over 200 various embroidered paintings and gold/silver statues. More than a dozen gilded monks stood quietly on either side, holding incense and flowers. At the center of the hall stood Buddha Sakyamuni, flanked by his disciples Mahakasyapa and Ananda.

The Buddha sat in lotus position, hands folded on his knees, with a lotus platform in his palms, symbolizing his intention to guide all beings. But if believing in Buddha could save all beings, then what was the need for emperors, ministers, or the imperial court?

“Amitabha, how good. This humble monk has been waiting for the Prime Minister for a long time.”

Just as Li Linfu was mocking Buddhism and Taoism, a loud voice rang out from within the hall.

Li Linfu looked up and saw an old monk dressed in a red robe walking briskly toward him.

“Elder Huineng, it’s been a long time since we last met. You seem even healthier now.”
Li Linfu immediately put on a professional smile and stepped forward.
“Amitabha. I spend my time immersed in Buddhist teachings, studying scriptures and principles, which helps keep my energy balanced and my mind at peace.”
After saying that, Elder Huineng turned to Lady Li Yang and bowed slightly: “Madam, I wonder if the condition of that female donor has improved?”
Lady Li Yang quickly joined her hands in prayer and replied, “Thanks to the blessings of Buddha, my daughter has fully recovered. My husband and I have decided to donate 50,000 strings of incense money to your temple for the well-being of our family.”
“Excellent! With such kindness from you and the Prime Minister, surely you will receive Buddha’s protection.”
Elder Huineng bowed again, expressing gratitude on behalf of all the monks at Daci’en Temple.
“Elder Huineng, I would like to ask for a fortune-telling session today to predict my husband’s fate. I hope you’ll kindly perform the ritual for me.”
Lady Li Yang said this with deep reverence, bowing to Elder Huineng.
“Amitabha. Buddhism teaches us to help others overcome hardships. Your request is reasonable, and I shall certainly fulfill it. Please follow me.”
Elder Huineng paused for a moment, then smiled at Li Linfu and said, “I’ll predict the fortune for madam. Prime Minister, why don’t you go to the side hall and rest for a while?”
With that, he called over a young monk and said, “Juekong, take the Prime Minister to the side hall to rest. Don’t neglect such an honored guest.”
“Yes.”
Juekong watched as his master and Lady Li Yang walked away, then said to Li Linfu, “Prime Minister, this way, please.”
“Hmm.”
Although Li Linfu was dissatisfied with Lady Li Yang’s sudden request for a fortune-telling session, he couldn’t show it openly, so he followed the young monk to the side hall to rest.
Though this side hall on the east side was not as grand as the main hall, it was more delicate and refined. Compared to the main hall, there were even more worshippers offering incense here. Li Linfu patiently followed the young monk to a chair and sat down, lifting his robe as he did so. A monk brought him tea, but the Prime Minister had no desire to drink it.
Li Linfu looked east and saw a statue of Guanyin Buddha at the center, with many young women coming to worship her.
So that’s why, Li Linfu thought with a wry smile. He had wondered why the incense offerings here were as strong as those in the main hall—turns out it was because of the Guanyin statue. (Note 2) It is said that during the Southern Dynasties, there was a layman named Bian Yuezhi from Jiyin. At the age of fifty, he had no children. After marrying a concubine for several years without success, he prayed to Guanyin Buddha for descendants and vowed to recite the Guanyin Sutra a thousand times. He recited it every day, and by the time he reached a thousand repetitions, his concubine became pregnant and soon gave birth to a son.

Of course, Li Linfu would not believe such a thing, but many young married women who had not yet borne children would come to pray devoutly for children. Just as Li Linfu was about to turn away, a brightly colored red dress caught his eye. The red dress was so vivid and eye-catching that Li Linfu dared not look directly at it. The owner of the red dress was a young woman, though it was not yet known whether she was married or not. For some reason, Li Linfu felt that she seemed familiar. Out of courtesy, however, he did not approach her directly to greet her. The woman lit a bundle of incense in her hand, inserted it into an incense burner, knelt on a mat, joined her hands, and closed her eyes in prayer. The more Li Linfu watched, the more puzzled he became—this woman resembled… someone he knew. After a while, the woman in red finished praying to the Bodhisattva and stood up to go home. The moment she turned around, Li Linfu was shocked as if struck by lightning and exclaimed, “Suzhen!” The woman in red was not frightened by Li Linfu; instead, she stepped forward and said, “Sir, I am not Suzhen. My name is Shen’er.” “Oh, um, I’m sorry. I was rude just now,” Li Linfu said with a bright smile. “Why did you call me? Do you know me?” the woman in red asked, not intending to let Li Linfu off so easily. “It was just a mistaken identity. Your appearance and mannerisms remind me of an old acquaintance of mine,” Li Linfu said with a wry smile. “Hehe, if I’m guessing correctly, this Suzhen must be your lover from your youth?” Shen’er teased him lightly, covering her mouth. “Who exactly are you?” Li Linfu grew alert, his tone suddenly rising. “If I say I’m the reincarnation of Suzhen, would you believe it?” the woman in red asked, waving her sleeve and smiling faintly. “Stop talking nonsense!” Li Linfu snapped in anger and immediately turned to walk away from the hall. Note 1: The Da Ci’en Temple Pagoda: Built within the Ci’en Temple, it is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Note 2: Guanyin is not the highest deity in Buddhism, but due to her role in granting children, her influence in China is much greater than that of Buddha Sakyamuni.