AMTBYIGA Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Praying to Buddha

Jing’an Temple is one of the most famous temples in the country. Even on weekdays, it’s not deserted. Every few steps, you can see people coming to visit and fulfill vows. Lin Sui pushed Gu Nian while curiously looking around. There were so many new things that his eyes were about to pop out.

The temple has a long history, and traces of time can be seen everywhere. Through the open doors on both sides, you can see the bronze statues enshrined inside. Lin Sui didn’t recognize most of them, but when he saw the tall, golden Buddha statue, he couldn’t help but feel awe.

Lin Sui pushed Gu Nian all the way to the largest hall of worship. A monk stood at the door with his hands clasped together. When he saw them, he smiled, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

Sure enough, the monk took the initiative to walk over. His peaceful and kind eyes first fell on Gu Nian, and his voice was low and pleasant, “Benefactor Gu, you’ve arrived.”

Gu Nian gave a faint “Mm” sound, his eyes indifferent, obviously not interested in continuing the conversation.

The monk didn’t mind. He turned his gaze to Lin Sui behind him. A wise look seemed to flicker in his eyes, and he nodded slightly, “This must be Benefactor Lin.”

Lin Sui was flattered and nodded, thinking that this should be the monk who suggested the marriage arrangement.

He thought it would be a round, smiling monk like Maitreya Buddha, but he didn’t expect him to look not much older than Gu Nian.

Lin Sui didn’t originally believe in gods or Buddhas, but after personally experiencing transmigration into a book, he couldn’t help but believe in some things.

It is said that this monk is extremely profound in his Taoist practice. Lin Sui couldn’t help but nervously grip the wheelchair, lowering his head and not daring to meet those ancient and waveless eyes, afraid of being seen as a soul occupying someone else’s body.

Fortunately, the monk didn’t say much, just slightly turned his body and gestured towards the hall with his hand, inviting them in. Lin Sui quickly pushed Gu Nian to enter.

Gu Nian suddenly raised his hand, and Lin Sui braked sharply, hearing the man say in a low voice: “I’m not going in, you go by yourself.”

Lin Sui was stunned and was about to speak when the monk immediately said gently: “Benefactor Lin, don’t worry, Benefactor Gu never goes in every time he comes.”

“Oh…” Lin Sui hesitated and released the wheelchair. Before leaving, he thought for a moment and took off the backpack on his back and stuffed it into Gu Nian’s arms.

“There’s water and a jacket inside. Remember to take it yourself if you need it.”

After instructing him, Lin Sui followed the monk inside. Gu Nian lowered his eyes and looked at the backpack in his arms. His slender fingers slowly unzipped the zipper, looking at the rich and comprehensive contents for a long time in silence, but his eyes were somewhat dazed.

Inside the hall, Lin Sui honestly followed behind the monk all the way to the prayer mat, not daring to let his eyes wander around. He immediately retracted his gaze when he saw something golden, for fear of offending a real Buddha.

The monk stopped, and Lin Sui stopped with him, then he heard a soft laugh before he looked up, only to realize that the monk had turned around at some point, looking at him gently, “Benefactor Lin doesn’t need to be nervous, just sincerely kneel and worship.”

Lin Sui nodded, but his body was still tense. His gaze crossed the monk and looked at the kind-faced Bodhisattva high above. The golden body seemed to emit some kind of magical light in this dim temple. Although the corners of the bronze statue’s mouth were upturned, it had a kind of inexplicable majesty.

The monk whispered the rules of kneeling and worshiping beside him. Lin Sui carefully memorized them, took a deep breath, and slowly knelt on the prayer mat.

Lin Sui meticulously followed the instructions step by step, clasping his hands together and raising them from his chest to the top of his head, his body prostrating forward, his hands slowly lowering with the rhythm, palms facing upwards on both sides, and then re-clasping his hands together and returning them to his chest when he rose.

Lin Sui closed his eyes and performed the movements accurately, repeatedly chanting his wishes in his heart while kneeling and worshiping.

Hoping that Gu Nian can get better soon, hoping that one day he can walk all over the world with his own feet.

After repeating this three times, Lin Sui took the incense sticks and carefully inserted them into the incense burner in front of the Buddha statue, which was considered the end.

When he got up, Lin Sui couldn’t help but let out a long breath. Perhaps because nothing happened, the tension in his heart seemed to dissipate with these three bows when he looked at the Buddha statue again. The unique smell of incense slowly soothed his impetuous soul between breaths, pushing Lin Sui to gradually become peaceful.

Lin Sui gazed at the compassionate face of the Bodhisattva, curved his eyes, and silently said thank you in his heart.

The monk stood on the side watching him, the smile on his face a little more genuine, and said in a low voice: “Benefactor Lin can go back now, Benefactor Gu has been watching you.”

Lin Sui blinked in surprise and was about to turn around when he suddenly remembered something and stopped, looking at the monk a little embarrassed.

“Um, do you have bracelets or something like that here?”