I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 132 Discussing the Dao at Mount Tai

Facing the three of them was a surging sea of ​​clouds.

Jiang She noticed Zhang Guolao's intense gaze and couldn't help but laugh, "I thought Guolao would hold back until he got down the mountain before speaking."

Zhang Guolao also laughed.

At this moment, the red sun leaps out from the clouds, the sky is filled with countless clouds and swirling clouds. This is the beginning of the day, the quietest and most mysterious time.

From night to day, from yin to yang.

The mountain mist shimmered under the sunlight.

It fell on Jiang She.

He sat in the misty morning air, the world quiet, as if even gods and ghosts could not see into his presence.

At the foot of the mountain, crowds surged, and the emperors and generals who climbed Mount Tai to seek the Fengshan ceremony were completely unaware that at this moment, someone was discussing the Dharma on the mountaintop.

A heart that is empty, still, and clear.

Mysterious and mysterious.

It's incredibly fun.

Having just witnessed the sunrise over Mount Tai together, Zhang Guolao's question now stirred his interest in conversation. He sat cross-legged.

laughed:

"I once discussed the universe with Master Guo. We divided it into Yin and Yang, and the two energies of purity and turbidity."

Needless to say, the monks listened intently to the master's sermon.

Upon hearing the word "heaven and earth," Zhang Guolao suddenly straightened up, unusually abandoning his casual smile, straightening his clothes, and listening attentively to what Mr. Jiang would say next.

He had a vague premonition—

This is the same as having a hidden universe within one's sleeve.

It's not some kind of supernatural power.

It is not the profound techniques that many practitioners spend their entire lives learning.

But...

Road.

Zhang Guo said, "Please speak, sir."

Seeing his seriousness, Jiang She smiled instead. He didn't speak formally, but rather sat casually under the old pine tree on the mountaintop, as if chatting with a friend.

Looking out at the mountains, I stroked the cat that had fallen asleep.

He said:

"I don't know how the immortals of today manage to fly on the wind; I can only offer some of my own thoughts on this matter."

"There are countless arts and techniques in the world, and I have seen many people practice them along my journey."

"Having studied Taoism for many years, I only seek supernatural powers."

The old man asked:

"Does the gentleman find this inappropriate?"

Jiang She shook his head.

For a moment, I couldn't help but think of Master Jin Yuan, who wrote down his cultivation notes, and also of the old Taoist who used wandering spirits to prolong life. Whether one was young and impetuous or a carefree wanderer in the past, in the end, they all became people who went astray.

He sighed, "I just feel a little regretful."

A mountain breeze swept by, bringing a chill, but the monk, oblivious to the cold, knelt upright to the side, listening attentively.

After a brief sigh, Jiang She pointed to the old pine tree beside him.

"I will use this tree as a metaphor."

He explained in detail: "The Dao is the roots and trunk of a tree, deeply embedded in the soil and rocks, silently absorbing nutrients, so that we can have the tree we see today."

"And Taoist magic, supernatural powers—"

"These are the flowers that naturally bloom and the fruits that grow on trees."

"When people saw it, they were amazed by its strange beauty."

"But those who cultivate themselves should know that without the Way as a foundation, merely seeking the beauty of flowers and fruits is like building castles in the air, putting the cart before the horse!"

"When the Daoist arts are mastered, supernatural powers will naturally arise."

"It was not something that was forced."

"Soaring through the clouds and riding the mist is just like this."

Jiang She said something similar to Wang Wei in a restaurant in Luoyang.

Zhang Guolao remained silent for a long time.

half an hour.

He then clapped his hands.

"So that's how it is..."

He stroked his white beard, overwhelmed with emotion, and said self-deprecatingly:
"After years of cultivation, I thought I had achieved some minor success, but it turns out I was always chasing after divination techniques rather than the true path."

"Thank goodness for your guidance, sir!"

"This old man thanks you..."

Zhang Guolao rose shakily, about to bow, but was gently supported by a soft, yielding force.

Jiang She stopped him with a smile, his tone conveying a sense of reassurance:

"Master Guo has cultivated for many years, and he has seen the heavens and the earth, as well as all living beings."

Why belittle yourself?

Zhang Guolao's face was slightly flushed, whether from the cold wind or from the turmoil of his emotions, it was hard to tell.

Jiang She watched.

He had only known Zhang Guo for a short time, but he had come to know him somewhat. This old man had never coveted the affairs of kings and nobles, and lived a carefree life in the Zhongtiao Mountains. He was witty and charming, and his Taoist cultivation was profound.

It would be unpleasant if one's own words caused one's mind to become unsettled.

He was about to say a few words of comfort.

Then Zhang Guo sighed, his voice filled with both regret and joy.

"Today I have heard the Way here..."

The sky was clear and the air was crisp and clear, with a cold wind blowing. Half the sky was pinkish-gold, and the beautiful sunrise enveloped the mountains. The pine branches were covered with frost, which shimmered with golden light.

Before them, the rising sun cast its golden rays.

On the other side, the clear, bright moon hung in the sky, its silvery light shimmering.

Here I heard the truth.

There is no better place than this. Zhang Guolao grinned and bowed solemnly to Jiang She again, his movements so swift that Jiang She didn't even have time to stop him.

The monk beside him was also deeply moved.

Unlike the old man, Zhang Guolao had already comprehended many profound methods and had some understanding of the Dao.

He stood before the Great Way.

He was still a toddler learning to walk.

Only today, through listening to people discuss and laugh about the Dao, can one glimpse the scenery of the Great Dao, finding it incredibly magnificent and indescribably wonderful. The monk felt a longing, yet did not know where to seek it.

The monk gazed at the immortal sitting cross-legged on the snow, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

It touched my heart.

he asks:

Where is the Tao?

Jiang She replied:
"omnipresent."

The monk had some questions and wanted to ask about specific areas and whether there were any scriptures he could study.

Jiang She then said:

"Among insects and ants."

The monk was taken aback.

Insects and ants are so lowly that they go unnoticed when they walk on the road, and no one laments if they are accidentally stepped on and killed.

Jiang She noticed this and pointed to the withered weeds under the pine tree.

"Among the wild grass."

If insects and ants are considered living beings, it is not uncommon for some people to feel pity upon seeing them and lament the short lifespan of ants and mayflies.

However, wild grasses were everywhere. People used them to start fires and burn as firewood, and cattle and sheep used them to eat and fill their stomachs. Even before plowing the fields, people had to weed out the wild grasses.

How can the Dao be contained within it?
The monk was even more confused and respectfully asked for clarification.

Jiang She then said:

"Among the bricks and tiles."

They ate dry rations at night, and the monk even went to relieve himself somewhere far away.

He smiled slightly and added a sentence.

"Also in excrement and urine."

The monk, puzzled, asked, "Is the Tao all found in places like this?"

"Yes."

Jiang She smiled.

"Because the Tao is everywhere, and there is no distinction between high and low."

Upon hearing this, the monk was filled with mixed emotions.

"This humble monk understands!"

He stood up and was about to give a solemn bow, but Jiang She stopped him.

I received far too many gifts today.

As they talked, the morning glow in the sky had faded considerably, leaving the sky clear, bright, and crisp. The moon in the sky had also dimmed considerably, and would likely disappear completely in a little while.

Jiang She raised his hand and pointed at the moon.

What do you two think of this?

Under the moonlight, those long, slender fingers, untouched by the dust and grime of a long mountain climb, seemed to obscure the moon with a mere gesture.

The monk, thinking of the profound and wondrous Taoist teachings, said:

"It has the aura of a deity."

Jiang She smiled, "What can you tell from a finger?"

"What I have said today is only from my own perspective. The true path must be understood by the two of you yourselves."

Jiang She said:
"The Way is like the bright moon. My pointing today is like pointing at the moon."

"It is not for you to learn my Taoist methods."

"Furthermore, I will not follow my old path."

"The so-called 'seeing the moon through the finger' means that all the classics and old methods in the world are like this finger. The purpose is not to make people study or even become obsessed with the shape of this finger. If you only stare at the finger and scrutinize it—whether it is neat or how the lines are, what true realm can you see?"

"I'll give a brief overview today."

"I only hope that you two can follow this guidance, see the bright moon, and pursue your own path."

"What I've said today is merely a starting point. Everyone's path is different; you two should soar to the heavens and see the true moon!"

His tone was gentle, yet it conveyed a sense of magnanimity and elegance.

It is not written down.

But it allows one to understand one's true nature.

Zhang Guolao and the monk looked up at the pale moon in the sky. It was just a tiny sliver of moonlight in the morning, not as bright as the morning glow, nor as dazzling as the sunlight.

Hazy and beautiful.

Such a moon...

Those who seek the moon, those who seek the Tao.

Jiang She finished speaking and got up. He brushed off non-existent dust and dew from his body and woke up the sleeping cat.

Last night and today, he climbed Mount Tai and watched the sunrise.

On a whim, he showed off some rudimentary Taoist techniques.

It's time to go down the mountain.

The old man and the monk also got up.

In the distance, one could see a large, dragon-like procession of people, carrying magnificent and exquisite ceremonial guards. The number of them was considerable, a dense, dark mass, even larger than before. They were all prominent officials, envoys from other countries, or relatives and guards closely associated with the imperial family.

These people were everywhere, completely blocking the road down the mountain.

"Let's go."

Jiang She waved his hand to wipe away the traces of firewood from last night.

Clouds and mist rise spontaneously beneath one's feet.

【Ask for monthly ticket】

(End of this chapter)