Shocked inwardly, Jingqing suddenly thought: Although Master Kong Yin himself has not attained enlightenment, perhaps he once encountered someone who had.
Thus, after much deliberation, he asked: “Master Kong Yin seems to know what this monk means by chance. What exactly is it?”
“Of course.” Master Kong Yin smiled faintly and waved to the several senior disciples at his side. With a weary demeanour, he said: “You may all withdraw. I wish to speak privately with Master Jingqing for a few moments.”
The disciples immediately pressed their palms together and chorused: “We obey!”
With that, they rose as one and swiftly exited the main hall.
Now, only Masters Kong Yin and Jingqing remained in the hall.
Only then did Master Kong Yin say with longing: “In the first few decades of my life, I pursued enlightenment as if possessed, frenziedly seeking it. Yet I could never find that opportunity, never unlock the door to a new world. In time, I came to understand that in this lifetime, I was fated never to touch that lofty ultimate chance.”
He smiled and continued: “But I am already content with this life and dare not crave more chances. If the Buddha comes to guide me to rebirth in the Western Paradise and asks what regrets I hold, I shall tell him: I was meant to perish in infancy, yet I have lived to this day. I am grateful to the world and dare not speak of regrets…”
“But I believe the Buddha surely knows that for nearly a century, I have spoken no falsehoods, harboured no delusions, acted in unity with my knowledge, and devoted myself wholly to the Buddha. Thus, I hope he will honour my sincere heart and let me see her once more. Then, this life will be complete.”
Jingqing asked in astonishment: “Who is the ‘she’ Master Kong Yin speaks of? Could she be like this monk?”
Jingqing’s words remained vague, but he trusted Master Kong Yin would understand.
Master Kong Yin did, of course. In his mind arose the image of that girl: maternal in her loving kindness, stern as a teacher, yet childlike as a maiden. She had remained unchanged from his earliest memories until the day he left her.
He knew Lin Wan’er never aged and that she was no enlightened being. Thus, with a smile tinged with tears, he said: “She differs from Master Jingqing. She is the finest mother, the finest teacher, the finest playmate and friend. She is… a true living bodhisattva.”
Jingqing was utterly bewildered but, considering Master Kong Yin’s age of over one hundred and twenty, he instinctively assumed he was reminiscing about some long-departed elder or benefactor from his life.
This, he rather envied in Master Kong Yin.
For Master Kong Yin cultivated in Japan’s more secularised Buddhist circles.
Here, he could openly voice his innermost thoughts and longings without reproach for clinging to worldly ties as a Buddhist.
Yet in Chinese Buddhist circles, there seemed greater emphasis on severing mortal bonds and retreating into the void. Even if one could not truly sever them inwardly, one dared not let others know.
Thus, he smiled in consolation: “If this person earns such high praise even from Master Kong Yin, she must surely have been reborn in the Western Pure Land. On the day Master makes his passage, she will certainly reunite with you before the Buddha.”
Master Kong Yin merely shook his head with a smile and said no more.
In his mind, Lin Wan’er’s youthful form reappeared.
He murmured inwardly: “How could Miss be with the Buddha? The Buddha will surely protect her until five hundred years, even granting her immortality.”
Just then, a shout came from outside: “You fool! The abbot master is debating scriptures with Master Jingqing. Instead of guarding the gate properly, what business brings a lowly novice like you here?!”
Then another voice: “Brother Yuan Cheng, I have come to report to the abbot. There is a child from the abbot’s relative’s family at the gate seeking an audience!”
The first voice rebuked: “Idiot, you believe whatever people say? Such words are obviously a clumsy lie. Go drive that prankster child away at once!”
With that, the man moved to eject the novice.
The novice dared not force his way in and could only shout towards the main hall: “Abbot! The young lady at the gate says Miss Zhengping has arrived! It is Miss Zhengping!”
The two men’s quarrel and the novice’s shout were all in Japanese.
Master Jingqing knew little Japanese and thus could not understand the dispute outside.
Master Kong Yin at first paid the commotion no mind. Having discussed matters with Jingqing all morning, he was utterly exhausted and thought it time to rest, resuming in the afternoon.
But when he suddenly heard “Miss Zhengping has arrived,” his body jolted as if electrocuted. His pupils contracted sharply, and excitement made him tremble all over.
In that instant, he forgot his fatigue and rose from the cushion, stumbling towards the door.
Yet after prolonged sitting and at his advanced age, his legs failed to support him upon rising. He nearly toppled over. Master Jingqing, opposite, immediately stood and steadied him, then asked with concern: “Master Kong Yin, has something happened? Why such alarm?”
Master Kong Yin felt his legs entirely unresponsive, as if severed at the hips. Yet inwardly, he was overwhelmed with agitation and yearned to reach the door at utmost speed, even if by crawling.
For he knew that in this world, the only one who would speak the name Zhengping to him was Lin Wan’er; all others had long since been laid to rest!
Lin Wan’er, to whom he owed an immeasurable debt, must be at the gate of Kinkaku Temple right now!
Thus, with tears streaming down his aged face, he said to Jingqing: “Master Jingqing, please escort me to the temple gate. I beg you!”
