r18novel Chapter 28 Cultivating the Mind in the Mortal World
Chapter 28 Cultivating the Mind in the Mortal World
May you smile as you witness the passing of a thousand autumns, and return still a young man.
The village is a haven of peace in the world, like a corner forgotten by time, quiet and serene.
In the early morning, a light mist veils the village like a gentle gauze. A rooster crows, awakening the slumbering world. Wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys of farmhouses, drifting slowly in the breeze. In the fields, dewdrops roll on the blades of grass, refracting iridescent light. An old ox grazes leisurely on the ridges, occasionally swishing its tail.
The stream beside the village flows gently, making a crisp sound. The pebbles and small fish on the riverbed are clearly visible, and the water plants sway with the current. Willows droop along the banks, their slender branches lightly brushing the water's surface.
In the afternoon, sunlight streamed into the courtyard. Elderly people sat in wicker chairs, squinting in the sun, gently fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans. Children played and laughed in the alley, their voices echoing between the earthen walls. Women sat at their doorways, doing needlework and chatting.
As evening fell, the setting sun painted the sky orange-red. Weary birds returned to their nests, their calls particularly clear in the stillness. Villagers, carrying their farm tools, walked home in the fading light. The entire village was enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere, like a secluded paradise.
The villagers seemed oblivious to the fact that among them was a young man dressed in simple monk's robes, with a serene and profound gaze. He joined the villagers in making fires, cooking, chopping wood, farming, laughing, joking, and playing. The villagers would talk to him, but no one cared whether he had been there or was still there.
He watched as the newborn arrived in the world with a loud cry, its rosy face and clenched fists seemingly filled with fearless anticipation for the world. The parents' laughter and the blessings of relatives intertwined to create a warm ocean—a beautiful picture of life's beginning. However, not far away, on a sickbed, an aging person struggled against illness, their body growing thinner with the torment of pain, the light in their eyes gradually dimming, the tears and reluctance of family and friends casting a shadow over their life. The impermanence of birth, aging, sickness, and death, as natural as the alternation of day and night, is cruel; every scene is a testament to the fragility of life.
On the streets and alleys, people's joys and sorrows unfolded before him like a vibrant, colorful painting. The tranquility was shattered by a couple's argument; anger contorted their faces, and sweet vows of the past were cast aside like a storm sweeping across a calm lake. Meanwhile, young couples smiled at each other in a corner café, love flowing in their eyes; the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them—the most beautiful form of love. Those who achieved success basked in the cheers and applause, their triumphant air making them feel as if they owned the world; but the losers wept alone in a corner, their setbacks weighing heavily on them like a mountain, plunging them into the abyss of despair.
He witnessed the meteoric rise of those who had achieved great success, their luxurious lives and the sycophancy of others like dazzling fireworks. But the wheels of fate turned mercilessly, and when fortunes changed, they plummeted from the heights to the depths, their wealth vanished, their friends left, leaving only loneliness and confusion. These ups and downs, in the eyes of a Buddhist practitioner, were like fleeting dreams, vanishing in an instant.
He simply observed quietly, like a mirror, detached from the conflicts and joys and sorrows. Behind this seemingly indifferent demeanor lay a profound understanding of Buddhist principles. In his countless observations, it was as if he had experienced countless reincarnations, each scene a profound impact on his soul.
In this long period of observation, he witnessed the ever-present impermanence of life. A healthy body can be eroded by illness in an instant, and a solid business empire can collapse due to a single misjudgment. People struggle in the waves of impermanence, like a lone boat adrift on the sea. He knew that desire was the undercurrent within this impermanence, driving people to pursue wealth, status, and fame. For more wealth, some toil day and night, resorting to any means necessary, losing their kind nature in the process, blinded by greed and envy, and trapped in the vortex of desire from which they could not extricate themselves.
He also witnessed the complexity of love. Parents' love for their children is selfless and profound, yet children sometimes fail to understand this love, drifting apart in the rebelliousness of growing up; the love between lovers is sweet and passionate, but it can also become fragile amidst the trivialities and temptations of reality, with arguments and misunderstandings acting as cracks that destroy the original beauty of love. However, within these complex emotions, he also saw the power of love—it can become a support in times of hardship, a ray of light in the darkness.
He understood that everything in this world is illusory. What people cling to and pursue is as light as a feather in the face of life and death. Happiness and pain are merely ripples in the long river of life, destined to disappear in the torrent of time. Those who remain kind amidst suffering are like beacons in the darkness, allowing him to see the brilliance of humanity. They are not defeated by adversity, nor misled by illusion, but hold fast to the purity of their hearts.
During his travels, he witnessed the full spectrum of society. In the bustling city, people hurried about, their eyes filled with weariness and confusion. They moved between skyscrapers, struggling to make ends meet, gradually losing themselves in the pursuit of material things. In contrast, in remote villages, simple villagers lived simple lives. They worked in the fields, living in harmony with nature, and caring for each other. The swaying wheat fields and the evening smoke from chimneys exuded a peaceful and serene atmosphere. This contrast made him ponder how people could find a balance between prosperity and simplicity.
He encountered many people struggling with hardship. One businessman, once incredibly wealthy and successful, lost everything in a single failed investment. He fell into deep despair, feeling life had lost its meaning. He told the businessman, "Wealth is like fleeting clouds, constantly coming and going. The hardship you've experienced is an opportunity for self-cultivation. Letting go of your attachment to wealth is the only way to see the true meaning of life." Under his guidance, the businessman began to reflect on his life and gradually emerged from despair. Another woman was suffering terribly from her lover's betrayal. He told her, "Love is fickle, like flowers blooming and fading. His betrayal is his karma. You shouldn't let his mistake become a shackle on your heart. Letting go of resentment is the only way to liberation." The woman slowly let go of her pain and rediscovered herself.
In helping these people, he gained a deeper understanding of Zen principles. He realized that Zen principles are not about escaping reality, but about maintaining clarity in this world and not being bound by illusions.
He is Shang Yun, who uses the time machine to go back to the past time and time again, experiencing different lives, going through trials in the mortal world, and cleansing his soul.