Chapter 25: Confrontation in the Hut

  Inugawa Jiro wore a katana and entered the Buddhist hall surrounded by Japanese soldiers.

  He gazed at the vivid statue of Guanyin in the center of the Buddhist hall with a conqueror's eye, and couldn't help but admire the profundity of Chinese culture and the exquisite craftsmanship.

  Looking at the Bhikkhunis who were frightened and at a loss, Inukawa Jiro smiled, with a hint of complacency in his laughter: "Masters, do not be afraid. China and Japan share the same culture and ancestry. I am also a devout Buddhist. My father loves Chinese ink paintings, especially those of Sesshu Toyo, who was a disciple of Tianyi Temple in Ming Dynasty. Therefore, I can be considered as part of the Caodong school. Linji and Caodong are the two major branches of Chan Buddhism, with the same master, so today I came to pay homage to the precious temple and continue the Dharma connection."

  "Amidst Buddha, the Buddhist door is a place of quietness. Since the donor has come to worship, why bring soldiers and armor into the temple? Look at the donor's boots and steel knife, with an aura of killing, can there be a heart to worship Buddha? The ancient Buddha, can it tolerate the light of knives and swords? This poor nun does not know what the donor's true intention is!"

  Inugawa Jirō burst out laughing: "Master, you're quick-witted. I won't beat around the bush either. Today, I've come to your temple with two requests: first, I'd like to ask the nuns of your temple to go to the Imperial Army Headquarters and hold a memorial service for the spirits of our fallen soldiers; second, since the entire Mount Suishō has been designated as a military restricted area by the Imperial Army, I'd like to requisition your temple as a military base."

  "Amidst the chaos, I recite the Buddha's name: 'Amitabha! The patron's words are fluent in the national language, and he claims to be a descendant of my Zen sect, Caodong. He should know Master Benji's 'Interdependent Origination' theory: 'All things are interconnected and interpenetrating; although the boundaries between them are clear, within one is the other, and within the other is the one, mutually entering and no longer distinguishing between self and others.' Now that my great China is ravaged by war, with countless lives lost, I, a humble monk, offer prayers for the departed. Why must we distinguish between you and me?"

  Inukawa Jiro was usually single-mindedly focused on espionage, and had only a superficial understanding of Buddhism. As for Zen, particularly the Soto school which is known for its profound teachings, he knew next to nothing. He had thought to show off his knowledge, but when faced with Ryoen Shitai's questioning, which showed her mastery of Buddhist principles, he was left speechless. So he directly stated his purpose: "We want to requisition the temple as a military base for the Imperial Army!"

  Lianyin Shitai continued, "The Buddhist door is originally a place for cultivating quietness and clarity. How can it be suitable for battles with knives and swords? Moreover, this temple has been established for 500 years, although it has experienced many ups and downs, but it has never been stained by the sword. For 15 generations, until I myself, naturally cannot set such a precedent! It's a sin!"

  Inukai Takeru was a young and radical officer, who had achieved success at an early age and naturally wanted to show off his abilities everywhere. He tried two things, but both were unsuccessful, so he couldn't help but feel frustrated.

  Although since the Meiji period, many schools of Japanese Buddhism have become accomplices to militarism, deceiving Buddhists into becoming cannon fodder for aggressive wars by distorting Buddhist scriptures and claiming that Japan can "unify Asia and unify the world with the wonderful Dharma", fabricating fallacious arguments for aggression and killing without sin. However, despite this, Japan is still a country deeply influenced by Buddhist culture, especially among soldiers, who are even more devout in their belief in Buddhism due to their fear of death and the uncertainty of the battlefield. Therefore, there is still some hesitation in killing monks and other Buddhists.

  Inokawa Jiro was at a loss when his eyes glanced behind Enshō's back, and he finally made a discovery: among the female practitioners who were substitutes for Buddhist ascetic practices, he found an acquaintance, Mrs. Hou, with whom he had exchanged letters several times. It just so happened that this could be used as material! So, he changed to a gloomy face and said: "Today, I came to the treasure temple, but actually there is another official business. I received a secret report saying that your honorable temple has relatives of enemy soldiers and anti-Japanese elements. This time, I also want to take them back for interrogation!"

  After saying that, he pointed at Mrs. Fang and waved his hand. Several ferocious Japanese soldiers immediately rushed over, lifted up Mrs. Fang, and were about to drag her out.

  Mrs. Fang struggled desperately, her hair disheveled as she shouted "Master save me!", she knew clearly that once she fell into the hands of these beastly soldiers, the tragic fate that awaited her would be unbearable.

  The young Fang Zhengwu was so frightened that he burst into loud wails.

  "Wait! She is a refugee who has come to my temple, and as a Buddhist, she has renounced worldly desires and conflicts. What does this have to do with the war between you military men? Her husband has just died in battle, leaving behind an orphaned child and a widow, defenseless and helpless. And yet you still won't spare her? Where is your sense of justice? Where is your conscience? This is sacred ground, under the watchful eyes of Guanyin Bodhisattva. You are soldiers, constantly surrounded by guns and bullets - don't you fear retribution? If you must take her away, then please step over my corpse first!"

  The other nuns also gathered around, closely guarding Mrs. Fang.

  The surrounding Japanese soldiers saw Yuanshi's righteousness and severity, and they didn't dare to be presumptuous.

  "Inugawa Jiro chuckled and said: 'Since the master has come out to plead, I can give the master this face. Can't the master also give me a little bit of face and make some concessions?'"

  Yuan Shifu remained silent for a moment, then led the nuns to the Japanese military headquarters to hold a memorial service for the spirits of the dead Japanese soldiers. This was no different from collaborating with the enemy; a group of nuns going to the lair of the ferocious Japanese devils would also be courting disaster. The first concession could not be made!

  Lao Yuan Shifu remained silent for a moment before gritting her teeth: "Alright, please give us three days; after three days, we will all withdraw from Cui Yun An!"

  The crowd was shocked and shouted in unison: "Master!"

  "The Dharma Realm is the same as the mind and body, the mind and body are the same as the Dharma Realm! If there is a Buddha in one's heart, then it is already in the Tao field. The heart, vow, and action correspond to the Buddha, which is truly the Bodhisattva responding to the world, corresponding to the Buddha is corresponding to the Dharma. It is said that the nature of the mind is neither born nor destroyed, all phenomena are only dependent on false thoughts for differences, if separated from false thoughts, then there would be no appearances of all realms." The Master of the Law comforted him with a smile.

  "How can we also not keep them in this pure land of Buddhism!" The nun glared at the devils, saying indignantly.

  "The Buddha's teachings are not difficult to attain, but the consequences of our actions will not disappear; all living beings are equal and can attain enlightenment through the power of karma. Even if it takes hundreds of thousands of kalpas, the effects of our actions will not be lost, and when the time comes, we will reap what we have sown. It is said that in the underworld, there is a couplet that reads: 'In the mortal world, all harm to heaven and reason is caused by you.' And in the underworld, it says: 'From ancient times to the present, who has been spared?' The law of cause and effect is clear: those with good fortune must follow the natural order, while those with bad fortune must not further harm the natural order. Let him go!"

  Zong Ni listened to Yuan Shi Tai's words and wept silently.

  After Guizi left, Lianyuan Shitai neither ate nor drank, kneeling in front of the Guanyin statue in the main hall for three days and three nights.

  Three days later, Lianyuan Shitai led a group of nuns carrying small statues of Guanyin down the mountain.

  Inukai Takeru formally turned Cuīyún ān into the "Imperial Army Officer Club", turning a sacred Buddhist site that had been pure for generations into a filthy place for the Japanese military.

  Mrs. Fang was grateful for the kindness of Yuan Shi Tai, who had saved her life, and entrusted Fang Tian Jue to Rui Xuan. That night, she shaved her head and became a nun, with the Buddhist name "Liao Yin". From then on, she retreated into the empty door, studied Buddhism diligently every day, and made rapid progress in Buddhist studies due to her innate intelligence and good education. She was highly respected by Yuan Shi Tai. After Yuan Shi Tai's death, Liao Yin Shi Tai took over as the abbot and became a great master of the Linji school of Zen Buddhism.