Fulousha, where the capital of the Otsuki clan was located in the past, is a beautiful city-state without a fortress.

I heard from Uncle Su that when our caravan arrived there, the prosperity of the city was no longer what it used to be.

However, during the heyday of the Kushan Empire, the descendants of 10,000 merchants who migrated from Gaofu City, Lan City, and the city-state of Herat on the northwest border still lived in the city, sticking to the ancestral business of merchants for generations.

At the same time, the power of the secular government was fading, and the subsequent states and principalities regarded themselves as the Buddha and took the Dharma as the foundation for governing the world.

Therefore, there is no place like today's Eastern Tuhan land, where the princes divide the dominants and the various tribes fight continuously.

On the contrary, it has become a world of blissful harmony where the whole country is ruled by inaction, every family does not close their doors at night, and everyone has compassion, and the comparison between the two is inevitably embarrassing.

For our businessmen, this Buddhist city-state is also a place where spices are distributed all over the world, and there are still many families engaged in carving Buddha statues.

The Kunlun jade materials transported by my caravan from Khotan do not worry about buyers here at all.

In addition, if this trip to the spice business, it can be said that it will come naturally, and there are all kinds of strange fragrances in the world here!

It was nearly noon when we entered the city, but we saw monks and monks from various temples and monasteries coming out in droves, carrying pottery bowls and looking for alms.

And the merchants and people who live in the city also regard almsgiving and eating as their greatest practice in this life.

Therefore, before the monks arrived at the door of their homes, the wooden barrels and banana leaves for fasting had already been prepared and served by the elders of the family themselves.

When the monks arrive to receive the fast, they clasp their hands together and chant a Buddha verse, and the most important ritual of the day is over.

Such a compassionate scene of harmonious coexistence of fundraising and generosity may only be seen in this pure land of Buddhahood.

The original castle tower has been converted into a shrine dedicated to the statues of the Buddhas, and there are no soldiers to defend the city, and there is no checkpoint to collect taxes.

Our horse caravan did not encounter any obstacles, and drove into the streets of the inner city, where we happened to meet dozens of monks who had entered the city to beg for food.

As a lay disciple of Buddhism, I was very emotional when I saw this scene.

I hurriedly turned over and dismounted, and led all my men to stand respectfully on the side of the road, allowing the monks to pass first.

"Big brother, do you remember the puja of Kuma Buddha at the beginning of the year?" Duo'er stood in front of the horse and performed the Buddha prayer very reverently, and turned back to me and asked.

"Of course I do! One of the teachings he preached was that the Buddha was said to have lived in the garden of solitude in the Gishu of the kingdom of Sawei, and there were about 1,250 great bhikshus guarding him. Every day when it was time to eat, the Buddha would put on his robe, pick up the rice bowl, and lead the monks to beg for food in the acropolis. Regardless of whether the donor is rich or poor, he goes door to door to beg for food. This is how the practice of begging and recruiting monks of Buddhism in the following countries in the future came about! ”

After listening to Do'er's inquiry, Master Kuma's voice was still in front of his eyes and ears.

But I still haven't understood the meaning of this Buddhist almsgiving, what kind of practice it is.

"Big brother, do you know why Buddhist monks beg for alms?" Duo'er really asked.

"I don't know much about this, but monks should have a heart of forbearance and compassion, and begging must be a Buddhist practice, right?" I replied casually.

"Big brother really has deep roots, hehe. The begging of the Buddhist monks is indeed the right way to cultivate the mind, and it is also the basis for the monks to practice the contentment of few desires. There are many precepts that need to be followed, such as not eating at noon, no more than seven donors at a time, and so on. ”

Influenced by her mother since she was a child, Duoer often walks in Buddhism and has dabbled in many Buddhist classics from Tianzhu.

Therefore, she is also a lay disciple of the Buddha, and her understanding is far better than mine.

"In this way, Master Fa Xian's trip to Tianzhu to obtain the Vinaya Sutra should also be among them!"

I smiled curiously, in the Western Regions in the north and the Han Kingdom in the east, although each monastery pursues Buddhism, the way of cultivation seems to be different, and the rules of each family are different.

Practicing in this way, leaving the Buddha Hong

The original intention of promoting Buddhism and benefiting all sentient beings may be the opposite.

And to unify the way of Buddhism in the world, the scriptures are really indispensable!

At this point, I finally understood Master Faxian's good intentions of dragging his old body and coming thousands of miles to Tianzhu to seek the true scriptures.

"What the eldest brother said is very true. The Buddha said that if you want to enter the Six Perfections, you must first have a clear mind. All the methods of refining the mind, cultivating the mind, and upholding the heart all come from the Vinaya Sutra of the Tianzhu Buddha Kingdom. ”

As we spoke, another group of monks who had returned from their fortunes passed by our horses.

It was not until after noon that the monks in the city began to dwindle, and the caravan walked slowly along the shade of the linden trees along the street.

Uncle Su said that all living beings in the city-state of Fulousha are Buddhists, and there is not much pursuit of material desires in this world, and there are basically no decent restaurants and inns in the city to live in.

So every time my caravan came here, it would pass through the city and camp on the banks of the long river outside its east gate.

Behind the long street is an empty open-air bazaar, and after three or two castles of the former Kushan royal family, we are in the heart of the entire city-state.

A tall brownstone temple greeted us, bearing a resemblance to the Brahmin temple on the Daliluo River.

On the square in front of the hall, the black Buddha carved white pagoda is arranged like a dense forest, and many towering ancient Bodhi trees are dotted among them.

From time to time, there are monks wrapped in maroon monk's robes and their right shoulders exposed, walking quietly in Tallinn.

The sound of cicadas in summer has been heard, and the solemnity of this thousand-year-old temple is complementary, making all passers-by feel awe.

"Duo'er, what is the Six Perfections?"

For the first time in these years, I discussed Buddhism and Buddhist rituals with Little Sister Duo'er, and I met such a Pure Land of Buddhism, I couldn't help but ask her reverently.

"Brother, you also grew up in the Khotanese Buddha country, how can you not know the Six Perfections?"

Doll raised her hand to the temple and saluted, then looked back at me in surprise.

"I'm ashamed and ashamed, although my brother is a lay disciple of Buddhism, he usually only knows about giving and performing rituals, and has a compassionate heart that does all good and all evil, but he really knows very little about the Dharma of Buddhism! Amitabha! ”

After speaking, I also folded my palms and sang a Buddha verse respectfully in the direction of the temple.

"The Mahayana sutras record that generosity, vows, forbearance, diligence, meditation, and wisdom are the six perfections, or the six ways to reach the other side. The compassionate Buddha and Bodhisattva can take this boat of the six realms, and can save both themselves and all sentient beings, from this shore of the sea of birth and death to the other shore of nirvana. Amitabha! ”

When Doll lectured to me, her expression was solemn, like that of a Roman nun in the city-state of Antioch.

"Young master! What are you brothers and sisters talking about? It's so lively! Hehe. ”

Uncle Su, who led the way with Shamihan and them in front of the team, stopped at some point and was waiting for us on the side of the road.

"Uncle Su! I'm asking Doer! The way of Buddhism! ”

Hearing Uncle Su's shouting, I hurriedly patted my horse to meet him.

"The study of Buddhism is broad and profound, and it is impossible to understand it in a few words. Miss Dole! This time you came to Tianzhu to find the Buddha and make a vow, this Kashi Sega Temple should not be missed! Another day, when the caravan is settled, I will bring you two to meet the presiding officer of the monastery. The temple has a sacred relic left by the Buddha back then, if you are destined to meet, it is better to build a seven-level floating slaughter! ”

Uncle Su smiled and flicked his silver beard, and looked at me and Duo'er kindly.

The caravan walked along the long street of earth and stone and passed the square to the west of the temple, and a towering maroon stupa came into view.

"Uncle Su, is this pagoda the legendary Kasserga Pagoda? The holy object you are talking about is the Buddha's food bowl? Duo'er asked in surprise.

And the first feeling I had when I saw the pagoda was that I suddenly remembered the ruins of the Jianzhang Palace in Chang'an, the western capital, and the Shenming Platform that is still there today.

Back then, Shangguan Yanxi and I of the Los Angeles Post Station used to sit side by side on the Shenming Platform and chant and have fun, looking at the lights of Chang'an in winter.

All the scenes seem to have happened yesterday, but they are already separated by the end of the world, and it is heartbreaking to think about!

The urge to return to Chang'an to find Miss Yanxi arose spontaneously, and my blood immediately surged.

I can't wait to end all the transactions in this Tianzhu Buddha Kingdom today, and lead the caravan to Chang'an day and night.

"Miss is really insightful, hehe. Yes, this stupa is the Kaser Sega Pagoda, which is also known as the Pagoda of the Wheel King in your Eastern Han Kingdom. The stone bowl used by Shakyamuni Buddha is enshrined in the temple behind the tower, and legend has it that people who have no fate can not pick it up even if you pull it out. ”

Uncle Su led the mount, looked at the pagoda in the Bodhi Forest and said with a faint smile.

"Uncle Su, have you tried it? Pick up the Buddha's food bowl? ”

Duo'er asked cautiously, for fear of offending Uncle Su.

"Hehe, the old man has converted to the Fire Zoroastrian religion with his parents since he was a child, and he only worships the god Mazda in this life. For the Buddhas and holy relics of the Buddhist family, they have always only had a sense of reverence, and they have never made offerings, so they dare not touch and offend easily. ”

Uncle Su sighed softly, and the vicissitudes of life on his face deepened.

His homeland and parents have long left him, and he has been walking the rivers and lakes for more than 40 years, and now he is still on the way, and he will feel a little sad when he thinks about it.

"Hey! Do not say! Let's go to the out-of-town station for a good rest, and then come to the city to play! Uncle Su, what do you think? ”

Duo'er had seen the change in Uncle Su's mood, and hurriedly stepped forward to hold his arm and asked with a happy smile.

"Very good, very good, hehe! Miss, in addition to worshiping the Buddha, you are taking care of yourself on this trip, as well as the girl in Tianlu. There are no hard quests and no caravan trading! ”

Uncle Su was relieved and glanced around again.

"What about Tian Lu? Where did this Guishan girl go? ”

Only then did everyone discover Tian Lu and her mount, and the group of people who had broken away at some point had walked far ahead.

After the temple square, the thick incense diffused in the air came to the face, and the street market became noisy and lively, and the largest Jiandra incense market in the whole world finally arrived.

The undulating neighborhoods stretch out in all directions around the Kasserga Temple, like a fan of the Ng land, and bear a resemblance to the Roman states of Beroeia and Antioch.

The temples of the temples of the dark stones, the houses and shops of wooden and adobe bricks, and the open-air markets of all kinds are scattered everywhere, and there is no rule to follow.

Unlike the West Market and the East Market of Chang'an in the east, there are all classifications of hundreds of gold stones and various streets and alleys.

Fortunately, all the street markets in the city of Fulousha now only trade one type of goods, which is all kinds of strange fragrances in the world.

For regular customers from all over the world who have been here, they can basically find their own trading partners by following the scent.

At this moment, a fiery and familiar fragrance came to the wind, instantly penetrating my heart.

The dormant headache also hit like a shower, and I involuntarily turned over my horse with my head in my arms, and hurried away along the path of Qixiang.

As if being pulled by an invisible magic barrier, he walked into the same street as Miss Tian Lu.

There is no doubt that our two forgetfulness of anxiety and poison cup have committed it again, and it must be the fragrance of forgetting worries that leads us forward.

"Big brother! Sister Tianlu! What's wrong with you two? ”

"Young master! Where are you going? ”

Tian Lu and I tacitly looked at each other, ignoring the shouts behind them, and hurried to urge the horses to run forward along the long street where the red soil was flying.

Half a cup of tea, a stone and wood structure of a single castle appeared on the right side of the long street, and the flowers in front of the door are blooming brightly, which is also the source of strange fragrance.

On the wide stone steps, two young and beautiful Semitic girls, dressed in corn-colored linen tube skirts, were smiling and watching our arrival.

At the lintel is a sign carved from mahogany, which resembles a long poem written by the sages of Athens.

Babylon

The hometown of the Forgotten Flowers.

Buy my carefree incense,

It can take you to heaven.