Walking to the entrance of the Grand Hall of the Great Hero, Su Xiaoqi unexpectedly saw Liang Jingchen, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
He stood at the entrance of the Grand Hall of the Great Hero, clad in silver-white armor.
Their eyes met, and they exchanged a look. However, with so many people around, they avoided any suspicion. Their gazes crossed for just a moment before passing, as if they didn't know each other.
A welcoming monk was already leading the way, guiding people from various residences to their designated viewing spots.
Due to the large crowd, those of higher status stood inside the hall, while those of slightly lower status stood outside.
Everyone was quiet and solemn, not uttering a word, waiting for the auspicious hour.
At a quarter past the Chen hour, the Bathing of the Buddha ceremony at the imperial temple, Ganquan Temple, officially began.
It was presided over by the abbot of the temple, Master Yuan Hui.
First, the Buddha image was respectfully welcomed. Monks donned their robes and took their ritual implements to the hall, arranging themselves in order from east to west. Upon hearing the chime, they bowed three times. Then, six individuals stepped forward to respectfully welcome the Buddha image. Two ritual attendants held chimes, two attendants carried incense trays, and the presiding monk led the procession, followed by attendants, all chanting in unison, "Namo, our original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha." The Buddha image was escorted from the sutra hall to the great hall. The presiding monk offered incense, laid out the ritual items, and bowed three times. The assembly sang together a praise: "Homage to the enlightened one, the supreme benevolent, who sees all sentient beings suffering. Descending to the Tusita heaven... If one takes refuge in the enlightened one, they shall not fall into the abyss."
Second, the Buddha image was seated and bathed. The temple bells and drums sounded in unison. Master Yuan Hui placed the Buddha image in a golden basin, then offered incense, laid out the ritual items, and bowed three or nine times to the Buddha. The assembly chanted the "Mantra of Bathing," three times invoking "Namo, Bodhisattva of Fragrant Cloud Canopy," and then sang a praise: "The Bodhisattva descends from the clouds, born into the palace of King Suddhodana... Nine dragons spout water to bathe the compassionate visage, and all dharma achieves its rightful place."
Third, prayers were offered and the Buddha was circumambulated. Master Yuan Hui, upon hearing the chime, bowed three times and respectfully recited eulogies. The assembly sang the "Praise of the Buddha" and then the "Gatha of Praising the Buddha": "The praise of the Buddha is boundless, achieved in countless kalpas. The towering six-zhang golden visage... expounding the true dharma." They then sang: "There is none like the Buddha in heaven or on earth, nor is there any comparison in the ten directions. I see all that exists in the world, and nothing is comparable to the Buddha." After the singing, the circumambulation began, with everyone chanting: "Namo, the World-Honored One of Saha, the guide of the three realms, the compassionate father of the four forms of life, the teacher of humans and gods, the manifest teacher of the three kinds, Shakyamuni Buddha."
Fourth, merit was dedicated and refuge taken. After circumambulating the Buddha, they returned to their places and first recited the "Verse of Dedication": "May all troubles from the three obstructions be dispelled, may true wisdom be clearly understood; may all karma be eliminated, and may we forever practice the Bodhisattva path in every life." Then they sang the "Threefold Refuge": "Taking refuge in the Buddha, may all sentient beings comprehend the Great Way and develop the unsurpassed mind. Taking refuge in the Dharma, may all sentient beings deeply enter the sutras and possess wisdom like the ocean. Taking refuge in the Sangha, may all sentient beings lead the assembly harmoniously and without obstruction."
After a series of chants and praises, Master Yuan Hui declared the Bathing of the Buddha ceremony concluded with merit complete. Upon the sound of the chime, the assembly sang together: "The merit of bathing the Buddha is supreme and magnificent, all immeasurable good fortune is dedicated..."
During this time, the Grand Hall of the Great Hero was filled with a solemn and majestic presence, inspiring those who saw it to straighten their backs and feel a sense of reverence.
Next was the ceremony of washing the Buddha's water.
This originated from a story that when the Buddha was speaking under the Bodhi tree, the heavens suddenly rained flowers and fragrances, and nine dragons spouted water. Therefore, people in later generations made bathing water from sweet tea, and in the temple, believers would sprinkle this water on the Buddha, and then drink it.
After the bathing ceremony in the morning, the temple tour and the release of life began. By the pond for releasing life, the crowds were so dense that only heads were visible.
It was here that Su Xiaoqi finally saw Shen Yun.
Because the Grand Princess was to return to the meditation rooms with the ladies of the noble families to continue her Buddhist practice after the life-release ceremony, Su Xiaoqi said goodbye to her and, together with Shen Yun who had found her, released a small turtle and then quietly withdrew.
"You came just in time. If you had been any later, Yi Yi would have made me accompany her back to the meditation quarters." Because Madam Du, née Rong, was devout in her worship of the Buddha, she was also returning to continue her prayers.
Du Yiyi was also being restrained by her. Su Xiaoqi had planned to accompany Du Yiyi if Shen Yun couldn't come.
Who would have thought he would actually come.
"When has your husband ever failed to keep his promise to his wife?" Shen Yun held Su Xiaoqi's hand, remembering his promise to take her to the temple fair at the foot of the mountain.
The temple fair at the foot of the mountain was set up along both banks of the Yuan River, which flowed out of the capital. It had been held for many years and had become established.
When Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun arrived at the temple fair, they saw banners fluttering, gongs and drums sounding, filling the sky and shaking the earth, with a hundred performances converging, making it exceptionally lively.
Upon closer inspection, there were acts such as pole climbing, somersaults, string and percussion storytelling, magic tricks, circus performances, martial arts displays, fireworks, and water acrobatics.
Visitors arrived by carriage, horse, or on foot, and guests from all directions, shoulder to shoulder. Those who came to offer incense, worship Buddha, and visit the temple fair numbered in the tens of thousands.
They also saw some common people, who were not permitted to enter the life-release pond of Ganquan Temple, releasing small turtles, birds, and fish by the Yuan River.
An amusing scene they witnessed was that shortly after someone released a small turtle and fish by the river, as soon as that person left, someone else immediately scooped them up and returned them to the vendor.
Su Xiaoqi shook her head repeatedly as she watched.
Shen Yun, however, appeared accustomed to it.
Some people were devout in their Buddhist practice, while others used it to make a living. There were all sorts of people.
As the two walked along the road, the man handsome and the woman beautiful, they attracted the attention of passersby.
Su Xiaoqi also noticed some women with incense pouches, carrying incense and candles, asking for "yuan dou" (緣豆, beans for fate/connection) along the road.
Regardless of whether they knew each other or believed in Buddhism, people were willing to give some yellow beans, no matter the amount, just to establish a connection.
When they saw Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun, they particularly liked to ask them for some.
Su Xiaoqi was initially bewildered when asked, not knowing what to do facing the woman holding out a cloth bag.
What did she want? How could she have "yuan dou"?
Unexpectedly, Shen Yun chuckled softly, took a white cloth bag from his sleeve, and gestured for Su Xiaoqi to give some to the woman.
Su Xiaoqi followed his instruction and gave her a small handful.
Then she looked at him in confusion: "When did you pack these?"
Shen Yun smiled without answering.
Su Xiaoqi playfully tugged at his arm and shook it, acting spoiled: "Husband."
Her voice was soft and sweet, her appearance charming, and her peach blossom eyes were full of allure. Shen Yun could not resist this. He drew her into his embrace and explained gently.
In fact, besides the Dharma assembly and the temple fair, the Bathing of the Buddha festival also featured the custom of "shedding beans to forge connections."
The so-called "shedding beans to forge connections" was because the Buddha believed that the acquaintance of people was a predestined connection from previous lives, which is why there is the saying "A thousand miles come together by fate."
Yellow beans are naturally round, and "round" (yuan) sounds like "fate" or "connection" (yuan). Therefore, connections are made through roundness. The day of bathing the Buddha became a day of shedding and eating beans.
Shen Yun also pointed to some vessels placed in front of residences by the river, which contained boiled yellow beans. These were placed outside the door for passersby to take and eat, signifying their desire to connect with neighbors and common people, to live in harmony, and to protect the peace of the region.
The yellow beans he had were taken from a large winnowing basket at the entrance when they left Ganquan Temple, specifically to distribute beans at the temple fair.
This was to show that they, as a couple, were connected to the Buddha and acted with kindness towards others.
"Oh." Su Xiaoqi felt that the customs of ancient people's festivals were simply too numerous.
No wonder Granny Xu had brought a lot of yellow beans with her.
When they entered the temple to observe the Dharma assembly, the beans were also placed in the temple, presumably to express their group's connection to the Buddha.
"Then, husband, can you tell me, besides these customs, what else is there to the Bathing of the Buddha festival?" Su Xiaoqi felt like a bumpkin, not understanding their customs at all.
Shen Yun narrowed his eyes and said, "There's one more thing. You won't need it, so you don't have to worry about it."
"No, you have to tell me. Otherwise, I won't understand and will make a fool of myself later." Su Xiaoqi insisted.
Shen Yun lowered his head and leaned closer to her, whispering, "Does my wife really want to know?"
Su Xiaoqi nodded. Of course, she wanted to know. She was not comfortable with too many unknowns; it made her feel too passive.
Shen Yun smiled. Whether it was Su Xiaoqi's imagination or not, she felt that Shen Yun's smile carried a hint of mischief.
"Praying for children. Many people like to go to the Guanyin Temple on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month to worship the Guanyin who grants children." Shen Yun said, his eyes drifting to Su Xiaoqi's flat abdomen, his voice seeming to fade in and out.
"It's a bit early for my wife to ask these things now. Moreover, your husband believes that a woman praying alone is of little use. Ultimately, it still depends on..."
"Shen Yun..." Su Xiaoqi was furious. She finally understood.
This scoundrel Shen Yun was teasing her. She, who had been foolishly tilting her head and listening intently.
Being called out by name by Su Xiaoqi, Shen Yun did not get angry. Instead, he laughed softly, his laughter extremely joyful.
Su Xiaoqi, angry, pinched his soft waist hard. But besides hurting her own fingers, Shen Yun was completely unfazed.
Su Xiaoqi stomped her foot in anger. Fortunately, Shen Yun pointed to a high platform not far away and said, "Traveling monks are lecturing, and visitors are singing and dancing. The sounds of people and music are lively."
Su Xiaoqi looked over in that direction. The crowd was bustling, colorful, and exceptionally lively.
Turning her head again, she saw a familiar figure.
"Huh, isn't that Daoist Master Zhang?" Su Xiaoqi asked in confusion.
Shen Yun chuckled and nodded, "Let's go see him."
After more than half a year, he had indeed traveled to this place.