Chapter 349: Beautiful Spider Spirit VS Cold and Ascetic Monk 53
The news spread like wildfire about the emperor’s canonization of the Wei Palace, and the whole capital was in an uproar.
The people's discussion was like catkins flying in the spring, quickly filling the streets and alleys of the capital. Every teahouse and every market became the center of heated discussion.
"Have you heard? King Wei, the sixth prince who returned from Buddhism, actually has two children!"
An old man in cloth clothes held a teacup in his hand, with a look in his eyes. A bit surprised.
"Tsk, tsk, this is really big news. Didn't it mean that he grew up in Wanfo Temple and devoted himself to Buddhism? Why did he suddenly have a bloodline inheritance?"
A young scholar next to him shook his head, obviously concerned about this matter. Quite curious.
"Hey, who knows? Maybe even the Buddha can't bear to see it, let him continue the incense."
A flower seller interjected, with a bit of joking on her face smile.
These discussions quickly spread to every corner of the capital.
Not only did it alarm the officials in the court, but it also deeply touched the peaceful Buddhist land of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.
After Xuanji returned to the royal family, it was changed to Huguo Temple.
Master Huikong, the abbot, was meditating and chanting sutras in the Zen room. Suddenly he heard the rapid ringing of the bell outside the temple. His heart skipped a beat, knowing that something important was happening.
“Abbott, what’s wrong, there is news from the capital that King Wei Xuanji actually has an heir, and he has been canonized as Crown Prince and Princess by the Emperor!”
A young novice monk hurriedly broke in. , breaking the tranquility in the room.
Master Huikong opened his eyes, and there was an imperceptible fluctuation in his eyes. He then regained his composure and said calmly: "Take me to see the abbot, senior brother."
In the abbot's room, several elders had gathered together, and the atmosphere was dignified.
Master Huikong walked into it and asked directly: "Is this true?"
"It is absolutely true. The imperial edict has been issued, and the people in the capital are talking about it."
An elder handed over a copy of the imperial edict.
Master Huikong took it and read it carefully, frowning.
After a while, he put down the paper and said in a deep voice: "I watched Xuanji grow up. He has a tough mind and extraordinary wisdom. How could he do such a thing? But Buddhism has strict precepts. If there is such a thing, This matter must be investigated."
"What the abbot said is true, but Xuanji is in a high position now, how should we deal with it?" Another elder said worriedly.
Master Huikong pondered for a moment and decided to go down the mountain himself to find out.
He knew very well that this was not only about Xuanji’s personal honor and disgrace, but also about the reputation and future inheritance of Buddhism.
Outside the palace of Prince Wei, Master Huikong was wearing a cassock, holding a Zen staff and walking steadily.
Seeing this, the palace guards did not dare to neglect and reported quickly.
Not long after, Xuanji hurriedly came out, saw the master, his eyes were slightly red, and he said: "Disciple Xuanji, pay homage to the master."
Master Huikong looked at the man in front of him who had been the most The proud disciple has mixed feelings in his heart.
But he didn't say a word, just stared at him, as if he wanted to penetrate Xuanji's heart.
"Master, the disciple is guilty, please punish me."
Xuanji couldn't hide it from the master, and had already guessed the master's intention. He knelt on his knees, touched his forehead to the ground, and said in a trembling voice.
Huikong's eyes were complicated, with pain flashing in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Xuanji, get up, I have something to ask you."
Xuanji stood up according to the words, but didn't He dared to look the master in the eyes and whispered: "The disciple is here."
"What is going on with the two children?"
Huikong's voice was not high-pitched, but his words were clear and revealed an unquestionable majesty.
Xuanji knelt down again and said in a deep voice: "Master, the disciple has violated the Buddhist rules and the crime is unforgivable. These two children are indeed the disciple's biological children. But the disciple has no intention of returning to secular life. He just wants to In the palace of Wei Wang, he raised them personally. "Big."
Huikong's face became more serious when he heard this. He closed his eyes and sighed: "Xuanji, you have been practicing Buddhism for many years since you were a child. You should have no worries. Why did you do this? Such a big mistake?”
Xuanji kowtowed, with a choked voice: "I know that my sins are serious and I dare not ask for forgiveness from the master. But I have love in my heart and cannot bear to have my child wandering outside without anyone to rely on. I am willing to bear all punishments and only ask for the master's permission." I continue to raise They."
Huikong opened his eyes, a trace of unbearableness flashed in his eyes, but then he regained his determination: "Since you have violated the precepts, you must be punished. To atone for previous sins.”
Hearing this, Xuanji was horrified and quickly begged for mercy: "Master, if the disciple leaves, who will take care of the two children? The disciple is willing to meditate behind closed doors in the palace of King Wei, chanting sutras and chanting Buddha's name every day, in order to atone for his mistakes." Kong pondered for a moment, and finally compromised: "It's okay, I think it's your first offense, and it's excusable. You can Stay in Prince Wei's Mansion, but you must strictly abide by the rules and never set foot in the world of mortals again. In addition, the rules of Buddhism cannot be broken. You must receive thirty whips here as a warning."
Xuanji felt mixed emotions in his heart, but more importantly, he felt gratitude and respect for his master.
He kowtowed again and said in a firm voice: "Disciple, I must strictly abide by the commandments and live up to the high expectations of my master."
After saying this, he did not hesitate at all, stood up slowly, and took off his clothes. Wearing clothes, revealing a strong back, shining with crystal luster under the sunlight.
He knelt on the ground again, with his back to everyone, his face firm and his back straight.
Seeing this, the servants of the palace showed unbearable expressions, some sobbed softly, and some bit their lower lips tightly, for fear of making any noise that would disturb the solemnity.
Abbot Huikong took over the ordination stick from the monks. The ordination stick was made of a special material that would not hurt the muscles and bones, but could also make people feel strong pain as a sign of punishment. " The disciple knows that he is wrong and is willing to be punished to atone for his sins.”
Huikong sighed softly, raised the precepts slowly, and said in a deep voice: "Xuanji, each whip is a warning to you for breaking the precepts, and it is also a spur for your future practice."
"Bang."
As the first battle fell, a crisp sound sounded in the air.
Xuanji gritted his teeth, but still groaned in pain.
His back trembled slightly, but he did not waver at all.
One battle after another, each battle was like a heavy hammer hitting the hearts of everyone present. In the blink of an eye, the backs were bloody and bloody, which made people feel unbearable.
At this moment, there was a rush The sound of footsteps broke the tranquility in the courtyard.
After hearing the news, Emperor Xuanwu hurried to the Wei Palace and happened to witness this scene.
His face instantly turned livid, and he shouted angrily: "Stop, my son, how can I allow you to be so humiliated!"
Huikong and Xuanji opened their eyes at the same time, the former slightly Bowing and saluting, the latter struggled to get up, but was unable to do so due to pain.
Huikong faced Emperor Xuanwu with respect but firmness: "Your Majesty, Xuanji has violated the important precepts of Buddhism. As the master, I have the right to punish him. I hope that your majesty will understand my desire to uphold the strict rules of Buddhism."
Emperor Xuanwu glared at Huikong, then looked at Xuanji said distressedly: "Xuanji, why are you so stubborn? You are already the king of Wei, why do you need to suffer like this again?"
Xuanji looked at his father, shook his head slightly, gritted his teeth and insisted. : "Father, although my sons and ministers are noble as the King of Wei, but My faith in Buddhism has not changed in my heart. I am willing to be punished to clarify my will, and I am more willing to raise An An and Youyou here to see them grow up healthily."
Emperor Xuanwu's anger subsided slightly and he looked at his son's bloody body. My heart aches on my back: "You ...Why are you bothering?"
Xuanji smiled, and his voice was slightly weak: "Father, I have my own concerns. Please rest assured, I will live up to your expectations. It will not bring shame to Buddhism.”
Seeing this, Huikong nodded secretly in his heart and continued to perform the remaining duties of the staff.
Every stick falls, crisp and dull.
“Pop.”
“Pap.”
“Pap.”
...
Xuanji knelt on the spot with his back straight, never letting out a moan and clenching his teeth.
My back was already bloody and bloody, and sweat mixed with blood dripped onto the ground and fell into the dust.
Emperor Xuanwu couldn't bear it and turned his back.
He was afraid that if he continued to watch, he would be tempted to arrest this bald donkey and give him thirty beatings with a cane.
After the punishment with the stick was over, Xuanji was covered in bruises, but he seemed to have gained some kind of relief, with a relieved smile on his face.
Huikong let out a long sigh, put down the stick in his hand, and stepped forward to apply and bandage Xuanji with his own hands.
The master and the disciple looked at each other speechlessly, everything was in silence.