Baima Temple (3) No. 53

  The servants poured wine and hung lanterns, and in the East Hall, under the moonlight, they began their feast.

  It's called a flower hall, but it's still indoors after all. The sky has already gotten very cold. Indoors, charcoal fires were lit, the candle flames shone brightly, and there was laughter and conversation between seats, but everyone in their hearts had not forgotten today's purpose.

  As it was a free seating arrangement, the four of us joined forces with Su Li and his group to form a table. The stunning beauty Ruo Yujuan didn't bring any assistants, she came alone, looking particularly independent. She walked lightly, hesitated for a moment, then flashed a dazzling smile that could conquer cities, and sat down at our table.

  She smiled with a thousand charms, and I even felt that she was smiling at Nie Qiuyuan, which made me feel extremely uncomfortable. However, she didn't have any other overstepping behavior, but quietly sat down, drinking and chatting with everyone together.

  After three rounds of drinks, Mr. Fang finally began to steer the conversation towards the main topic that everyone had been expecting.

  "Gentlemen, you are all the most outstanding case-handling experts in Henan Province and are also familiar with the affairs of Henan Province. Today, I have invited everyone to come from afar specifically because of the unresolved case that occurred at Baima Temple some time ago. This matter is of great importance and the Emperor is deeply concerned about it. Gentlemen, your presence here this time is also to share the Emperor's worries."

  Everyone at the banquet, led by the host, drank a full cup with a loud gulp. I also gulped, pouring the wine into my mouth, held it for a moment, then pretended to pick up the tea bowl and drink tea, spitting all the wine into the tea water.

  This is a common trick used by modern drinkers, personally taught to me by Zhang Yang, in case I had to reveal my true form on the spot. Originally, it's better to pretend to wipe one's mouth and spit it out onto a napkin, but since ancient times didn't have napkins, we had to make do. No choice, who made me spill with just one cup? How could I miss this perfect opportunity to investigate the case?

  "You all probably know that the White Horse Temple is a place where the royal family cultivates and understands Buddhism. But now, with the current emperor having just ascended to the throne, such a thing has happened. If it can't be quickly investigated, it will indeed be a stone weighing on the emperor's heart." Fang Xiang said slowly.

  I find it somewhat strange. Thinking about the bold and domineering personality of Mu Gongzi, also known as Emperor Taizong, I feel that the case of Baima Temple would not be a heavy burden on his mind, no matter how mysterious or unbelievable it was. Unless, there is another hidden reason behind this.

  The commander of the case supervision group, Fang Xuanling, told me slowly and I finally gradually understood the ins and outs of the White Horse Temple incident.

  October 15th is the Zhongyuan Festival, a day to resolve disasters and difficulties. The White Horse Temple held a grand Buddhist ceremony to pray for blessings for the people, which is an annual tradition that continued this year as well.

  Actually, the worship of the Water Officer on the Lower Yuan Festival is originally a Taoist ritual. However, with the open atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty and the passage of time, the Lower Yuan Festival has become deeply ingrained in people's hearts and has become a traditional folk festival for sacrifices. Therefore, major temples will also hold grand ceremonies to pray for blessings on this day. The White Horse Temple is the oldest and most prestigious temple in the area, and its rituals are particularly solemn and majestic.

  Baima Temple is located in the east of Luoyang City, with a long-standing reputation. Because it was the first temple built after Buddhism was introduced to China, many emperors who believed in Buddhism came to worship here. In ordinary temples, people would come to make wishes and offer incense on their own, and then monks would chant sutras for them to attain enlightenment. But Baima Temple is different; it is closed today and does not receive visitors from outside.

  On that day, only 120 people participated in the ritual ceremony at Baima Temple, including lay disciples of the temple and local residents who were known for their good conduct and Buddhist faith. In simple terms, these 120 people had all undergone "political scrutiny", and only those approved by Baima Temple were qualified to participate in that day's activities.

  The case of White Horse Temple occurred during the grand ceremony of sacrifice on this day.

  On the fifteenth of October, one hundred and twenty devout laymen arrived at White Horse Temple early in the morning. Master Tanhua, wearing a cloud-patterned brocade kasaya bestowed by the emperor, led the laymen who had been fasting and bathing for three days to the Mahavira Hall.

  Master Dechen and the four senior monks of Baima Temple, Liewu, Lijue, Lizhen and Lichang, ascended to the Dharma platform. The monks and laypeople in the temple stood on both sides of the platform with their palms together, while the offering presenters and the volunteers knelt down to pay respects. At this moment, the bells and drums sounded simultaneously, and the conch shells were blown in unison, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.

  As there were no ordinary people present, all of whom were Buddhist practitioners, the proceedings of the Dharma assembly were also somewhat different from those of general Buddhist events, and instead resembled a normal morning service. The crowd in the hall first chanted the True Suchness Incense Praise, followed by the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra's threefold chanting. After finishing the sutra recitation, the lay practitioners lit incense one by one, then proceeded to the repentance ritual.

  It happened at this time.

  On this day, the abbot of White Horse Temple seemed to be in high spirits. Under his guidance, everyone in the hall closed their eyes and focused on their breathing as they recited the Medicine Buddha Mantra together. They quickly entered a meditative state. Normally, after the abbot finished reciting a section of scripture, he would strike the dharma bell three times, and after nine strikes, the recitation would come to an end. As was customary, everyone closed their eyes and listened as the abbot recited the scriptures. In their minds' eye, they saw lotus flowers rising up into the sky, their spirits were cleansed, and they felt filled with Dharma joy.

  The wooden fish had struck six beats, and the chanting of sutras by the monks seemed to have come to an end. Then, the people heard the wooden fish strike its last three beats slowly and clearly. When they opened their eyes, something unbelievable happened.

  The majestic Daxiong Treasure Hall, the incense on the altar had not burned much, and the fragrance wafted to the tip of one's nose. The offerings were still placed on the offering table, and the clock showed the same time as before. However, in an instant, all 120 lay Buddhists, from the abbot to the ordinary monks of Baima Temple, had vanished into thin air, leaving not a single person behind!

  This is the situation described by a lay disciple who attended the Dharma assembly at White Horse Temple that day. If it were just one person saying this, it would be okay, but what's even more frightening is that after these 120 people opened their eyes, they looked at each other in dismay, with their mouths agape. The situation described by all of them was exactly the same.

  This sudden disappearance is obviously not a fake!

  I was also stunned. Such a thing, no matter how you say it, is against the principles of science, unless there are really ghosts and gods in this world!

  It's not just me who is shocked. Although everyone received a secret message that briefly described the White Horse Temple case, after listening to the details of the case, everyone present still felt it was quite unbelievable.

  It seems that it has completely cut off all our previous guesses. Originally, I thought the case was too simple and there were some loopholes that hadn't been mentioned. Now it looks like there aren't any loopholes to fill in?

  It was just hundreds of monks, in the time it took to strike the Dharma bell nine times, "whoosh" and not a single hair was left. This is really a mysterious and inexplicable thing, so much so that one can only suspect that those 120 people conspired together to deceive others.

  How is this possible... 120 people, from all walks of life, have nothing to do with each other, some don't even know each other, and they agree to cheat together, what can they gain?

  "Gentlemen, the case has been explained. This is all we have for now," said Lord Fang Xuanling calmly. "His Majesty hopes you can solve this case as soon as possible. For now, he just wants to hear your opinions. Are you going to divide tasks and work together, or do you plan to investigate separately?"

  The following is the author's nonsense time ***

  Author: Come on, you've crossed over and aren't in your original body anymore, OK? Are you still going to be a one-hit wonder?

  Ye Liu Yue: Ah? Really! I forgot! This is a very serious scientific question, next time I'll definitely find someone to try it with.

  Author: Who would you like to try with?

  Ye Liu Ying: Lonely night, huh?

  Author: Why?

  Ye Liu Yue: No reason, just a quiet night.

  (Ye Ye Gong Zi: Is this the rhythm of sending out good person cards? I've already fainted in a small black room...)

  Author: I'm so fed up, who says you have to drink with others? Can't I just try it myself? Alas, this group of people, why doesn't any one of them have a conscience? It's killing me.