The Barefoot Monk reveals the existence of another successor in the Buddha Country, a more talented individual who might be able to transform the resentments. This successor, formerly the Crown Prince of Yinchang Kingdom, left the monkhood to return to his kingdom when his father fell ill and has not been seen since. Xu Zimei agrees to travel to Yinchang Kingdom with the monk. As they prepare to leave, Long Zhou, a legendary powerhouse from thirty thousand years ago, arrives at the temple seeking a monk to break a curse afflicting his gravely ill wife.
Although the Meng Family holds sway in this region, their influence doesn’t extend beyond Longxing City.To command respect from a powerful figure from Long Zhou, the Meng Family would naturally seek to enlist their support.Even if they couldn't win them over, maintaining a cordial relationship would still be beneficial.Therefore, upon Long Zhou's arrival, Meng Kun promptly escorted him to the Cloud Interval Temple.While the Cloud Interval Temple may not be as grand as it was in the era of the Buddha Country, its foundation remains.In reality, Meng Kun typically paid little regard to the Cloud Interval Temple.This was primarily due to its significant decline and the apparent lack of profound skills possessed by the Barefoot Monk.The ebb and flow of worldly affairs, the gains and losses, are quite illustrative of this principle.When an individual holds no perceived value, others naturally lose interest.Meng Kun even provided Long Zhou with a brief overview of the Cloud Interval Temple's status, cautious that he might be misled.However, Meng Kun felt it imperative to accompany him on this particular visit.Regardless of the circumstances, upon arriving, a thorough understanding was essential.Long Zhou now felt like a person on the verge of drowning, clinging desperately to any glimmer of hope....Upon observing the group of individuals in the courtyard, the Barefoot Monk emerged and inquired, "Do you have matters to discuss here?""Master, do you possess the ability to break a curse?" Long Zhou inquired with deference, stepping forward.He adopted a remarkably humble demeanor.The Barefoot Monk’s brow furrowed slightly."A curse?"After a moment of contemplation, he finally responded, "Where is the afflicted individual? I can examine the situation.""However, my abilities are limited, and I cannot guarantee a complete cure."While the Barefoot Monk did not lack self-confidence, he was acutely aware of his personal capabilities.Minor ailments were well within his purview, but for exceptionally complex cases, he typically refrained from making bold claims....At this juncture, upon hearing the Barefoot Monk's willingness to assist, the young boy and girl accompanying the sedan chair eagerly called out, "Mother, please alight and allow the Master to examine you."The curtain of the sedan chair was drawn aside, and the two children carefully assisted the woman in disembarking.The woman, known as Lue Su, carried an air of refined grace and dignified poise, radiating an intellectual aura.She offered a slight bow to the Barefoot Monk and stated, "I implore your guidance, Master."The Barefoot Monk gently shook his head.His gaze first fell upon Xu Zimei, as if seeking his tacit approval."There is no harm in taking a look!"In truth, Xu Zimei could discern at a glance that Lue Su's form was covered in an intricate network of dark lines.It resembled the intricate strings of a puppet, her entire being seemingly consumed by these dark tendrils.Admittedly, even if Long Zhou were to employ his formidable power to combat it, the effects might only be temporary.If the origin of these dark lines remained undiscovered, the fundamental cause of the affliction could never be eliminated.To label this curse as exceptionally potent wouldn't be entirely accurate.The primary concern stemmed from Lue Su's own frail constitution; being an ordinary individual, any curse could prove fatal.This was the crux of the issue.Long Zhou, in fact, felt a surge of righteous anger.He had spent nearly a millennium in seclusion, no longer participating in the world's conflicts.Yet, he found it unfathomable that someone would target him.Furthermore, the saying that a family should remain untouched was violated, as this individual had cursed his wife.This had unequivocally crossed all acceptable boundaries.Long Zhou knew his wife possessed a kind heart and was unlikely to have made any enemies.The only plausible explanation was himself; perhaps old adversaries had resurfaced, as he could conceive of no other reason.He harbored a fierce desire to tear apart the individual orchestrating this from the shadows.However, at present, he was utterly incapable of identifying the perpetrator....As Long Zhou remained lost in his thoughts.Lue Su had already gracefully taken a seat on a chair within the courtyard.The Barefoot Monk approached her.He formed a mudra with his hands, and a luminous golden light emanated from between his index fingers.Then, as he made a motion as if wiping his eyes with his fingers.His Buddha Eye manifested.The Buddha possesses five distinct eyes, representing the ultimate quintessence of sight.These comprise the Flesh Eye, the Heavenly Eye, the Wisdom Eye, the Dharma Eye, and finally, the Buddha Eye.The Flesh Eye is merely the sight of ordinary mortals, conventional and mundane, perceiving only a minuscule fraction of the universe.Upon the activation of the Heavenly Eye, one gains the ability to perceive subtle spiritual energies pervading the heavens and the earth.The Wisdom Eye is not a physical organ but an attribute endowed with profound insight, enabling one to penetrate the fundamental nature of the mortal realm, understand human affairs, and grasp the inherent emptiness of all cosmic phenomena.Conversely, the Dharma Eye stands in direct opposition to the Wisdom Eye, recognizing the substantive within the void and the truth amidst illusion, thereby possessing the capacity to discern all things.As for the Buddha Eye, it is the legendary eye, a divine endowment believed to be attained solely by each successive Buddha Lord.Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form.The Buddha Eye defies verbal description.It exists at the nexus of the infinite and the finite, the absolute and the relative.Beyond description and unprofound, all is encompassed within the Buddha.
The Barefoot Monk has now achieved the state of Dharma Eye.
He was once discovered by the Jade Mountain Buddha in his youth and began his journey learning Buddhist doctrines.
Through chanting Buddhist sutras, meticulously maintaining the purity of the Buddha hall, and being in the constant presence of the true Buddha, his grasp of Buddhist law rapidly advanced.
It is said that even a piece of decaying wood, when nurtured within such an intensely Buddhist atmosphere, could attain profound understanding of Buddhist nature.
However, after reaching the Dharma Eye, the Barefoot Monk encountered a plateau in his progress.
He deeply longed for the fabled Buddha Eye.
Each time he inquired of his teacher when he might finally open his eyes, the Jade Mountain Buddha would merely offer a gentle smile and state, "The moment has not yet arrived; the Buddha Eye awaits its destined opportunity."
"Am I truly fated to be forever apart from the Buddha Ancestor?" the Barefoot Monk would lament.
"The Buddha teaches: It is beyond description. It is beyond description."
The Jade Mountain Buddha consistently evaded a direct response.
Later, the Barefoot Monk gradually came to grasp the truth.
The Buddha Eye could neither be articulated in words nor imparted through personal instruction.
It was something that required a profound sense of fate.
Following this, the Jade Mountain Buddha made his transition, leaving the Barefoot Monk to tend a solitary temple, struggling to keep its traditions alive.
The aspiration for the Buddha Eye became even more distant.
It could be said that for many years, the Barefoot Monk's cultivation and his spiritual state had remained largely unchanged.
Yet, his Daoist Heart had been tempered and strengthened considerably.
Now, with the opening of his Dharma Eye, he immediately perceived the presence of dark lines trailing behind.
Buddhism fundamentally emphasizes salvation.
But what exactly is it that is being saved?
It is a question difficult to answer definitively.
Resentment is saved; poverty is saved.
All the injustices that plague the world, he endeavors to save them all.
The Buddha, in his infinite compassion, embraces all beings and asks for nothing in return.
This is the profound Buddhist doctrine inherent in the arduous path of cultivation.
Observing the newly revealed dark lines, the Barefoot Monk peered intently.
He slightly furrowed his brow and remarked, "This phenomenon is rather unusual. Typically, to cast a curse upon someone, one requires their date and time of birth, along with a significant personal belonging as an anchor."
"However, this curse appears to circumvent those prerequisites, directly utilizing a peculiar object in place of the required item. It can be invoked without delay."
"According to Buddhist records, to enact a curse so directly, the object used must be of an exceptionally malevolent nature."
"Master, is there a method to resolve this?" Long Zhou inquired with urgency.
"To put it simply, it is straightforward. So long as this object is destroyed, the curse will naturally be dispelled," the Barefoot Monk responded.
"If the source of the curse is not eradicated, all your efforts will ultimately prove futile."
