Super Zoo

"In a sense, the essence of Buddhism is actually philosophy, studying Buddhist teachings is to explore the principles of life. Among all the religions in the world, Buddhism is the only one that doesn't claim divinity, doesn't engage in personality cults, and instead inspires followers to discover their own potential. This is very similar to Maslow's humanistic psychology."

Zhao Yun, this middle-aged man, knew quite a bit and along the way, he started to introduce Buddhism to Suming.

Deyuan Temple had existed since the early Ming Dynasty, but was reduced to ashes during the invasion of the World War II. Twenty years ago, all that remained of Deyuan Temple was a small Land Temple at the entrance, without even a temple keeper, practically barren land.

Later, a Huineng Monk came along with the grand vow to restore Deyuan Temple. It took him nearly ten years to travel across half of Huaxia, running around making contacts... or one could say, pulling in investment sponsorship.

Today's Deyuan Temple had been 'begged' into existence by sheer tenacity.

Huineng Monk naturally became the abbot of Deyuan Temple. Unlike ordinary monks who only knew about fasting and chanting, Huineng actually had quite a business mind, was progressive, and in just a few short years, he expanded Deyuan Temple, making it the biggest temple in Yangchuan City. In the city, he came to hold significant sway.

As he was discussing this with Zhao Yun, he saw a fat monk in a dark yellow robe coming out from a side hall in the distance. The monk looked to be in his fifties and was extremely hefty. If not for his obesity, he would resemble a Shaolin warrior monk.

The fat monk spotted Zhao Yun from afar and came over smiling broadly, "Amitabha, Mr. Zhao, you've come. Huff huff..." Just great, before he had even walked a few steps, the fat monk was already panting out of breath.

His smile resembled that of Maitreya Buddha, with his face flesh puffing up.

The old monk is definitely sneaking meat! Suming thought.

"Huineng Monk, you've gotten even fatter."

Learning that the fat monk was Huineng, Suming was initially incredulous, wondering how someone so overweight managed to travel far and wide to raise funds.

But on second thought, Zhu Bajie traveled the lengthy journey of eighty-one thousand miles on a vegetarian diet, and still didn't slim down. Maybe the fate of the chubby is predestined, and has little to do with exercise or dieting.

"Amitabha, so Mr. Su is here. I've long heard of Mr. Su's renowned reputation, such a promising young man." As the old Huineng talked, he jiggled his ample flesh, taking Suming and Zhao Yun to his abbot's chamber to offer tea.

These days, even monks have to keep up with the times, or they'll be left behind and eliminated. Deyuan Temple's transformation from a small Land Temple into the biggest temple in Yangchuan City had a lot to do with Abbot Huineng's openness.

As soon as Suming entered the abbot's chamber, he was somewhat stunned. The 'chamber' in front of him was completely different from the traditional monk's living quarters he had imagined, not exactly luxurious, but spotlessly clean with modern office supplies like LCD TV, laptop, intercom, etc., basically identical to a corporate executive office.

It was only missing a female secretary to answer the phone at the door.

In fact, there was a sign hanging at the entrance of the abbot's chamber: Abbot's Office.

Inside the office, there was a small coffee table with a set of purple clay teapots and cups. Huineng Monk brewed several rounds of tea, and the three of them chatted over tea.

Suming and Zhao Yun were businessmen, and Huineng was a monk, but for the sake of promoting Buddhism and expanding Deyuan Temple, he inevitably had to deal with worldly matters. As they talked, the conversation turned towards the national economic situation.

Whether a company or a temple, publicity is essential for survival and development. Huineng even had his own Weibo account. So, he promptly booted up the computer and followed Suming's 'Taoyuan Interest' account, mutually becoming fans.

"Almost fifty thousand followers..." Huineng Monk pulled out a pair of glasses from the drawer, put them on, and while staring at the computer screen, he mused as he moved the mouse: "The registration date is... oh, only five days ago! Most excellent, most excellent. If there's a chance in the future, Mr. Su, I hope you can help promote Deyuan Temple, it would be a virtuous deed."

Huineng Monk's Weibo account had over seventy thousand followers, but it had been registered for seven to eight years. It had only reached its current size with substantial promotion from Deyuan Temple. Suming's account, in less than a week, had gathered tens of thousands of followers, indicating his significant influence.

However, although Huineng's followers were not numerous, they were all disciples from across the country with high loyalty, absolutely 'hardcore fans.' Many were economically capable adults, and among them were successful, financially robust authorities and celebrities with social status, holding immense potential energy.

As the saying goes, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. Deyuan Temple and the zoo were separated by just a mountain and had no conflicting business interests. Suming had not known the old Huineng until today, but now that they were acquainted, mutual support and cooperation were natural expectations. Suming chuckled and said, "Master is too kind. Our two establishments should definitely keep in touch and promote each other."

After Huineng finished using the internet and shut down the computer, he somehow pulled an iPhone 5S from beneath his roomy monk's robes, "Mr. Su, let's add each other on private WeChat, so we can easily stay in contact in the future."

Suming's mouth twitched twice. Last time there was a new release, Nangong queued to buy it but still didn't manage to get one. This old monk must have truly immersed himself in learning the central principles, taking keeping up with the times to the extreme.

Huineng's WeChat ID was 'Monk Huineng,' with a profile picture of the popular cute monk tapping a wooden fish. Suming stifled a laugh and added him as a friend. Soon after, Huineng received the friend request.

"Hmm? The Great Animal? That's your account, right, Mr. Su?" Huineng was initially taken aback.

"Hehe, yes, we work in different fields. You manage a big temple and are called a little monk; I manage a group of animals, so I'm called the Great Animal. It's a bit embarrassing." Suming said with an awkward laugh. This WeChat account was originally for friends and classmates, and the name Great Animal was meant as a joke, so it was fine. But now, as more business partners and social acquaintances started adding him, the name became somewhat embarrassing. From a certain angle, Suming's skin was actually quite thin.

However, Huineng was only stunned for a few seconds before he looked at Suming with utter seriousness and said, "Amitabha, Mr. Su, this is a good name!"

Ah? Suming was speechless. Was he praising me or scolding me?

Old Huineng spoke earnestly: "This name has a story. Among the Buddhist Devas Eight Divisions, the Dragon Division, Garuda Division, Mahoraga Division, and others, despite having the bodies of animals, have converted to Buddhism, spreading the great path, and becoming the honored protectors of the Buddhist faith. And this 'Great' character, in Buddhism, signifies great wisdom, great detachment, great ease. It seems, Mr. Su, that you possess considerable innate wisdom. Just like Zhao, you are a talent for the protection of the Buddhist faith. Excellent, excellent, Amitabha!"

Suming was completely convinced. With such an abbot in charge, it was no wonder that Deyuan Temple was thriving! When Buddhists explain things, it's sometimes like fortune-telling – the same matter or omen can lead to vastly different interpretations depending on the method. Any religious person you come into contact with is definitely first-class when it comes to verbal skill.

"Buddha indeed has insight, choosing you, old Zen master, to be the abbot of Deyuan Temple. How could the Dharma not thrive?" Suming said with a smile.

"I am unworthy! Excellent, excellent! We still need the support of all the protectors." Abbot Huineng also laughed.

...

After spending the afternoon chatting in the abbot's office, Suming felt he had gained much insight. Abbot Huineng hailed from Zen Buddhism, and his deep understanding of the Dharma went without saying, with his wealth of stories and analogies. What's more valuable is that he wasn't bound to the scriptural text and managed to integrate Buddhist teachings well into daily life. Discussing anything with him never felt dry, and time seemed to fly by.

When he stepped out of the abbot's office, the evening bell of Deyuan Temple resounded. Gazing at the majestic Mahavira Hall before him, Suming was suddenly moved.

Old Huineng, a nationally renowned and virtuous monk, was steeped in the Dharma and had poured his heart and soul into Deyuan Temple. In the eyes of outsiders, he was a monk of high virtue indeed.

But for the growth of Deyuan Temple, for the ideal he held dear: to promote the Dharma, this hermit, already advanced in years, could lower his stature and, like the younger generation, learn to use an iPad, study computers, and use high-tech like WeChat.
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Moreover, Suming saw not a single trace of negative emotion from him because of this. Old Huineng gladly embraced these seemingly unrelated activities to Buddhism, yet through them, he spread the Dharma even more effectively.

This old monk had truly embodied the saying: "The wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the Buddha stays in the heart."

"So, after chatting with old Huineng, you feel much better, don't you?" Zhao Yun said with a smile.

"Indeed." Suming stretched expansively and nodded.

"I knew him when I was younger. Whenever I had troubles on my mind, I liked to come here to sit. Sometimes it seemed we hardly talked about anything, but I would always feel much better."

Zhao Yun made a slight bow towards the distant Mahavira Hall and said softly, "What is meant by universally saving all beings? This is the universal salvation of all beings."

'"Universally saving all beings'? Isn't that phrase a bit grand?" Suming laughed.

"If you're willing, you can donate some money for incense to the temple. It's not easy for old Huineng, and to say he is universally saving beings is no exaggeration," Zhao Yun said.

"Offering incense is no problem, but you say Deyuan Temple is short on funds, isn't that a bit extreme?" Suming asked, puzzled.

Zhao Yun explained, "You probably don't know, but Deyuan Temple started a charity project several years ago, sponsoring children from impoverished areas like Qinghai Gansu to go to school, so the temple's finances have always been tight. I've seen the files of those sponsored children; their living conditions are so tough that city kids can't even imagine. Many are orphans living with a grandparent who is ill, and the family's total annual income, including government subsidies, is just two to three thousand yuan. There are many children the age of Chengcheng who don't even know what computers or smartphones are, let alone QQ and WeChat…"

"For people like us, who have been in the business world for a long time and have seen the ugliest side of humanity, we habitually think the worst of everyone and measure everything by its economic value. Old Huineng is different from us; he is a person of great resolve, great ambition, and great kindness."