Chapter 1446

"Daughter-in-law, you can't say that. My money is your money. If I lose, you lose. Why are you so cold?" Yan Aohan grinned, looking playful.

"I can't be bothered to argue with you." Zhu Yanyi never argued with Yan Aohan. She knew she would lose anyway.

The next day, Zhu Yanyi left some Spirit Spring water and dried meat for Heizi. She locked her in the hotel room, then went to the Zang Palace with Yan Aohan.

At the entrance, Zhu Yanyi told the welcoming monk who she was. The monk led them inside.

Zhu Yanyi noticed the buildings were very colorful. The walls had many paintings of Buddhist stories. She stared at them, fascinated.

"The Buddha cut her flesh to save a pigeon. I didn't know this story was painted here," Zhu Yanyi said, pointing to a mural.

The monk pressed his palms together. "Lady patron, you don't know. The Buddha teaches us that we must give up some things to gain others."

Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly, not quite agreeing. "I don't have the Buddha's big heart. I know the story ends with the Buddha jumping on the scale to match the pigeon's weight. But the logic is wrong. How can a person weigh only as much as a pigeon?"

"No, lady patron. Don't just look at the surface. The Buddha teaches that all living beings are equal. A pigeon is small, but it has life. With life, it is no different from a human." The monk explained quickly.

Zhu Yanyi tilted her head. "Are all beings really equal?"

"Of course, they are equal."

Zhu Yanyi smiled. "In our Huaxia land, there are many folk tales. One is very popular and makes people sad. It is The Legend of the White Snake."

Yan Aohan saw Zhu Yanyi wanted to play. He didn't stop her.

"I have heard of The Legend of the White Snake," the monk said. He seemed to like stories.

Zhu Yanyi looked at her. "Since you know it, what do you think?"

"I admire Master Fahai. He protected the Dao by removing demons. It is very admirable." The monk said seriously. Monks always admired other monks.

Zhu Yanyi glanced at her. "I am glad I am in a good mood. Otherwise, I would smash your bald head."

"Ani, you are bullying our Buddhist disciple again." Master Zhihui appeared. He wore a kasaya today, looking more formal.

Zhu Yanyi looked at Master Zhihui. "Am I the kind of person who bullies others? I just disagree with her idea."

"Oh?" Master Zhihui looked at her. "What are you talking about?"

"The Legend of the White Snake." Zhu Yanyi pointed to the wall. "I saw the painting of the Buddha feeding the eagle. It felt ironic. This young monk said it teaches equality. So I wanted to discuss the White Snake story."

"How does that relate?" Master Zhihui was confused.

Zhu Yanyi said, "If Buddha says all beings are equal, what is the difference between humans and demons? The White Snake married Xu Xian to repay kindness, not to harm her. Why did Master Fahai, a Buddhist disciple, try to stop them? She even tricked Xu Xian into Jinshan Temple and locked her up. This forced the White Snake to flood Jinshan, causing great disaster.

In my view, Fahai caused the trouble by meddling. But she faced no punishment. The White Snake was crushed under Leifeng Pagoda. They say she can only return when the West Lake dries up and the pagoda falls. This keeps her from her family. Where is the equality? I see hierarchy. It is very clear.

Buddhist disciples are first class. Humans are second. Demons are third. Humans and demons can be sacrificed for Buddhist disciples."

Zhu Yanyi looked at Master Zhihui. "Grandpa Zhihui, am I right?"

Master Zhihui paused. "Ani, you are the Medical Buddha Girl. These words are blasphemy against the Buddha."

"Grandpa Zhihui is overthinking. The Buddha watches the world's joys and sorrows. The Buddha has no heart or emotion. The Buddha's heart is vast. She does not care about personal grudges. If my words make you think I blaspheme, then the Buddha is not pure. Then what is the difference between Buddha and humans?" Zhu Yanyi smiled at Master Zhihui.

Master Zhihui paused again, then sighed. "It has been eight years. Your character is even more extraordinary. Let's go. Don't make things hard for my disciple here."

"Grandpa Zhihui also wants to cheat sometimes. You say I make it hard. I just gave him a trial. If he understands, he improves. If not, he can return to secular life." Zhu Yanyi answered with a smile.

Master Zhihui laughed and scolded. He pointed a finger. "Nonsense. The young monks here will return to secular life when their time comes. They know what to do. You don't need to interfere."

Zhu Yanyi stuck out her tongue. "I almost forgot. The monks in Zang Palace will return to secular life. They can marry and have children. So the Buddha here is actually human. No wonder they think all beings are equal."

Zhu Yanyi tilted her head and looked at Master Zhihui. She walked around her, looking her up and down. Master Zhihui felt nervous. "What are you looking at, girl?"

Zhu Yanyi smiled. "I thought about how monks here marry and have children. Why haven't you returned to secular life, Grandpa Zhihui? Can you marry without returning? Or did you already marry and have children, but didn't tell us?" She made a funny face.

"Nonsense. I have not married or had children." Master Zhihui scolded with a laugh. "Let's go. Don't embarrass me here."

Zhu Yanyi stuck out her tongue and followed Master Zhihui into her meditation room. The three of them sat down.

A young monk brought tea and left.

Zhu Yanyi looked around the room. "Grandpa Zhihui, you live very well here."

"I belong to Zang Palace. I am one of them. Naturally, my treatment is good."