The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

His virtuous conduct is admired by all in the village; even a young child possesses a deep and benevolent heart.

Not seeking fame or fortune amidst worldly clamor, but devoting my heart solely to the sages and saints.

In the spring of the fourth year of Jinghe, the deep winter rains had dissipated, and the Jiangnan region warmed and became fragrant. The ice on the banks of the Qingxi River melted, and the spring water flowed over the pebbles, rippling with shimmering light. Willows along the banks sprouted new buds, their tender yellow and green leaves drooping onto the water's surface, swaying gently in the breeze like silk ribbons. The white walls and black tiles of the town, washed clean by the spring rain, became even more pristine and gentle. Wildflowers bloomed in succession in the alleys, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air, transforming Qingxi Town into a vibrant ink painting scroll. In the Su family courtyard in the east of the town, two century-old osmanthus trees shed their winter bark, bursting forth with clusters of new, verdant leaves. The vegetable patch in the corner, carefully tended by the Liu family, was lush and green, and the remaining petals of the winter plum blossoms along the edge of the patch had not yet fallen, with new buds sprouting. The vitality of the plants and the fragrance of ink from books intertwined, drifting gently in the spring breeze. Beneath the altar in the corner of the courtyard, the ancestral bronze seal lies dormant with the withered wood, occasionally flashing with a faint white light in the spring breeze, echoing the fragment of the "Confucian Mind Method" spread out on the stone table, subtly revealing the secret of the unity of the three religions.

After more than a year of dedicated practice, Su Qingxuan is now a nine-year-old boy. Since hearing the Zen teachings on a rainy night and making a grand vow to save the world and bring peace to the people, his practice has transcended the constraints of sitting quietly in the study. He has integrated the Confucian doctrines of moderation and benevolence, and even the Taoist principles of purity and simplicity, and the Buddhist principles of compassion and non-attachment, into his daily words and deeds. Every day at the crack of dawn, he would rise on time, wash his hands and tidy his clothes, and sweep the courtyard. Then he would burn incense and sit quietly, practicing breathing exercises according to the "Confucian Mind Method," drawing the pure energy of heaven and earth into his dantian. His vital energy became increasingly mellow and warm, all the meridians in his body were open, and his six senses were extremely clear. He could distinguish the sound of laurel leaves unfurling and smell the scent of the earth growing. In the morning, he would recite the Four Books and Five Classics, verifying the principles of the sages with his own cultivation. During the day, he would walk through the countryside, observe the people's conditions, and practice benevolence. In the evening, he would return to his courtyard, sit quietly, and reflect on the day's events, cleansing his mind of distractions. He did this without fail from morning till night, without the slightest slackening.

He grew taller, wearing a neat and clean white blouse newly made by his mother. His back was as straight as an old pine tree in the courtyard, his features were handsome, and his demeanor was calm. He had long since shed the immaturity and naivety of childhood, and was surrounded by the upright and peaceful air of a gentleman. He was neither arrogant nor servile in his dealings with others. He bowed respectfully to elders and treated children with gentleness. He adhered to the doctrine of the mean in his actions, and his words and deeds were in accordance with the style of a Confucian scholar. The neighbors in Qingxi Town, regardless of age or gender, peddlers or laborers, all praised him highly and respected him greatly. This respect was not because of his family background or empty fame, but entirely because of the young man's virtue and innocent heart.

Zhang Jia's Atao is already eight years old, and she remains a frequent visitor to the Su family's courtyard. Every morning, she would carry a small bamboo basket, pick some orchids from the riverbank, and pluck a few fresh fruits from the branches at home, quietly placing them beside the stone table. Then, she would sit quietly under the osmanthus tree, resting her chin on her hand, watching Su Qingxuan read and practice calligraphy. She never made a sound or played around, only accompanying this virtuous and outstanding brother Qingxuan with the purest kindness of a child. Occasionally, a neighbor would tease her, asking why she always ran to the Su family's house, and the little girl would answer crisply, "Brother Qingxuan is kind-hearted and treats me well, and it's also good for reading." Her innocent words revealed the gentle kindness of the boy and the pure heart of the girl.

The old man at the ferry crossing, well past sixty, rowed his boat daily, rain or shine. Whenever he saw Su Qingxuan passing by the bridge, he would stop his pole, wave, and invite him to sit at the bow of the boat to rest. He would offer Su Qingxuan some coarse tea that he had roasted himself, speaking with utmost respect, treating him like a distinguished guest, devoid of the casualness of ordinary neighbors. The old man often spoke to him about the hardships of the people living along the banks of the Qingxi River. Su Qingxuan listened quietly, taking it all to heart, which strengthened his initial resolve to help the world and bring peace to the people. This resonated with the wisdom he had gained at the ferry crossing years ago: "Everyone should be content with their place and fulfill their responsibilities."

Farmers working in the fields, upon seeing the young man bow respectfully, would all put down their tools, smile broadly, and praise the young man from the Su family for being knowledgeable, reasonable, kind, and virtuous. The farmers often said that although Qingxuan was born into a scholarly family, he had not a trace of scholarly arrogance. Seeing the farmers working hard, he would always greet them gently, and if they encountered a difficult path along the field ridge, he would lend a helping hand. Such a character was truly a gentleman rarely seen in Qingxi Town.

Several well-read elders and Confucian scholars in the town, whenever they saw Su Qingxuan strolling slowly through the streets, would stroke their beards and nod, marveling at the young man's bearing of a great Confucian scholar. They had discussed classical texts with Su Qingxuan, and the young man, citing classical allusions and integrating them into his understanding, and possessing a rudimentary understanding of Taoism and Buddhism, had insights far surpassing those of many adult scholars in the town. The elders all secretly sighed, "This child has extraordinary potential, possessing a Confucian heart, a Taoist root, and a Buddhist nature; he will surely achieve great things in the future."

Occasionally, a mischievous child or a curious villager, seeing Su Qingxuan buried in his studies and cultivation every day, neither chasing and playing with his companions nor envying the wealth and glory of the marketplace, would approach him out of curiosity and ask, "Qingxuan, you spend all day reading and meditating, not running or jumping, not coveting gold or silver. Don't you find it boring and tedious?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxuan smiled faintly, his voice gentle and warm, like a clear spring stream flowing through his heart: "Reading allows one to converse with ancient sages and worthies, enlightenment brings the joy of a clear mind, doing good brings the peace of mind of guarding one's true nature, and a virtuous person finds joy in poverty and morality, guarding one's heart and cultivating virtue. The interest in this is endless, so how can it be considered boring?" These words not only conform to the Confucian teaching of finding joy in poverty and morality, but also subtly align with the Daoist concept of purity and naturalness, and further contain the Buddhist principle of not being attached to external things.

Some people couldn't let go of the old story of the Shen family breaking off the engagement, and privately brought it up to Su Qingxuan, expressing their indignation on his behalf: "Shen Wanshan, relying on his immense wealth, publicly broke off the engagement and humiliated the family by throwing silver at them. Such a snobbish and faithless act—don't you feel even a little bit of hatred in your heart?"

Su Qingxuan remained calm, his eyes showing no emotion, and replied composedly, "Shen Gong's disdain for the poor and love for the rich, his lack of morality and his breach of trust, are his own faults, and the cause and effect will be determined. I uphold the virtues of a Confucian scholar and cultivate my true heart and the right path, which is the foundation of my character. A gentleman does not dwell on the faults of others, nor does he resent their mistakes. He only cultivates himself and guards his true heart, and does not let the faults of others disturb his own mind."

His words were calm and composed, his demeanor transcendent and unconventional. All who heard him were convinced and secretly admired the young man's broad-mindedness and unwavering resolve, qualities beyond the reach of ordinary people. This state of mind was honed through the humiliation of a broken engagement, the observations of the common people, and the enlightenment gained from the Doctrine of the Mean. It perfectly aligns with the profound truth of Zhuangzi: "Praise does not encourage, nor does criticism discourage." However, the young man had not yet mastered the profound mysteries of Taoism and only maintained his Confucian moderation.

The spring rain had just stopped, a warm breeze caressed his face, and the earthy smell mingled with the fragrance of flowers, filling the streets and alleys. Su Qingxuan, as usual, walked through the countryside, observing the people's plight, hoping to put his grand ambition of saving the world into practice. As he walked through a secluded alley in the west of the town, he suddenly heard a faint groan. Following the sound, he saw a poor old man who had slipped and broken his leg on the wet, cold road. He sat slumped in the mud, surrounded by gathered firewood. His face was contorted in pain, his body covered in mud, his condition utterly desperate. This old man was a local resident of the town, already destitute and alone, relying on gathering firewood for a meager living. Now, with his leg injury, if he remained bedridden, even earning a living and preparing medicine for his wound would become a luxury. Without care, he feared he would not survive long.

Upon seeing this, Su Qingxuan felt a surge of compassion. Recalling the Confucian virtue of "respecting the elderly as one would one's own parents" from Mencius, and remembering the compassionate teachings of the old monk on that rainy night, he immediately rushed forward, disregarding the mud and water on his clothes, and carefully helped the old man to his dilapidated mud house, settling him in comfortably. From then on, for more than two months, rain or shine, Su Qingxuan would rise early every morning, carrying her mother Liu's carefully prepared medicinal soup and warm rice porridge, and walk several miles to the old man's home to take meticulous care of him.

He served tea and water, wiped the old man's body, cleaned the house, and massaged his wounds with gentle, meticulous care. At nine years old, a time when children should be pampered and playful, he showed no trace of spoiled nature, nor any disdain or contempt for the poor. He toiled daily without a single complaint, embodying the benevolence and responsibility of a Confucian scholar through his every word and deed, and fulfilling the grand vow he made that rainy night to save the world.

The villagers witnessed all this and were deeply moved by Su Qingxuan's benevolent virtue. They spontaneously offered their help: one neighbor brought rice and flour, another donated herbs and money, able-bodied men helped repair the house, and women took turns caring for the old man's daily needs. A spirit of benevolence quickly spread throughout Qingxi Town. Neighbors helped each other, living in harmony, and the previous petty squabbles and disputes vanished without a trace. This scene perfectly exemplifies Su Qingxuan's ability to influence his neighbors with virtue and nourish the community with benevolence, aligning with the Confucian ideal of "cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world."

Seeing that Su Qingxuan was too young and was working too hard every day, an older villager kindly advised, "Qingxuan, you are still young. It is really hard to take care of an old man like this. Adults will take care of helping those in distress. You don't need to do everything yourself."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxuan replied solemnly, "Respecting the elderly as one would one's own parents, and caring for the young as one would one's own children—this is the benevolent principle of a Confucian scholar. To see the poor and weak and not help them, or to encounter danger and not lend a hand, is to lose one's true nature and violate morality; it is not the behavior of a gentleman. Although I am young, I should uphold this original intention and perform this good deed."

A simple statement, yet it revealed the benevolent heart of a Confucian scholar and the compassionate spirit of a Buddhist, further increasing the villagers' respect for Su Qingxuan. This story quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Qingxi Town, and naturally reached the ears of the wealthy merchant Shen Wanshan.

Since publicly announcing his engagement and throwing money at his family last year, Shen Wanshan has steadily increased his wealth through scheming, shrewdness, and hoarding, becoming a prominent merchant in the Qingxi area. He has always valued his reputation above all else. Now, hearing that Su Qingxuan, at such a young age, possesses profound virtue, is benevolent and compassionate, and has won praise throughout the town, he reflects on his own greedy and treacherous behavior. The contrast is stark, and he feels a pang of shame. But something else makes him uneasy...

He pondered repeatedly in his residence: Su Qingxuan's reputation was now soaring, and the entire town hailed him as a born gentleman and a sage. If his own opportunistic actions were repeatedly mentioned, his reputation would be ruined. For a merchant, reputation was paramount; once it collapsed, future business dealings and standing in the village would become extremely difficult, and his former life of making a fortune would vanish. After weighing the pros and cons carefully, Shen Wanshan made up his mind. He prepared silk, gold, silver, rice, and medicine, and, accompanied by servants, personally went to the Su family's courtyard to apologize. His visit was not out of genuine remorse, but merely a formality to appease the villagers, silence gossip, and preserve his own reputation.

Hearing the commotion outside, Su Wenyuan went out to greet him. Facing his former treacherous friend, he remained steadfast in Confucian etiquette, neither servile nor arrogant, treating him with humility and upholding the Su family's tradition of scholarship and farming, not holding a grudge. When Su Qingxuan saw Shen Wanshan arrive, his expression remained calm and composed. He bowed respectfully, showing no resentment, anger, pride, or arrogance. The humiliation of the broken engagement from years past was long gone, not worth dwelling on.

Shen Wanshan feigned deep remorse, bowing deeply to Su Wenyuan and Su Qingxuan, and said insincerely, "Scholar Su, Nephew Qingxuan, I was blinded by greed and ungrateful back then, and I have offended you greatly. I have come here today to apologize! I hope the Su family will be magnanimous and forgive my foolish mistakes!"

Having said that, he gestured to his servants to present generous gifts, hoping to make amends for his mistake with money and end this old matter.

Su Qingxuan waved his hand gently, his voice calm and composed, without a trace of resentment: "Uncle Shen, there's no need for this. What's done is done, and it's better to correct one's mistakes than to do something wrong. A gentleman doesn't dwell on past wrongs. Please take these gifts back with you. If Uncle Shen can show compassion to the poor and weak and do more good deeds in the future, that will be the best apology for what happened back then."

His words were gentle, yet he possessed a dignified and authoritative air, neither arrogant nor impatient, neither conceited nor boastful. He gave Shen Wanshan a way out while upholding the integrity and bottom line of the Su family. This response not only conformed to the Confucian teaching of not dwelling on past grievances, but also embodied the Daoist wisdom of not being attached to external things, and further demonstrated the Buddhist nature of inclusiveness and compassion.

Shen Wanshan was secretly delighted. His apology visit was courteous and well-mannered, and the villagers would surely believe that the two families had reconciled, thus preserving his reputation. He had achieved his goal and there was no need to linger any longer. So he pretended to be even more ashamed, repeatedly agreeing and no longer insisting on leaving gifts. He then respectfully took his leave with his servants and hurriedly departed.

Su Qingxuan had long seen through Shen Wanshan's hypocrisy and scheming, knowing that his apology was merely a pragmatic measure after weighing fame and fortune, not a genuine expression of remorse. However, he neither exposed it nor took it to heart. In his view, the true or false calculations and self-interest of others were merely their own karmic choices, unrelated to his own cultivation. Seeing through things without revealing them, guarding one's mind without disturbing the spirit, was both the wisdom of moderation in dealing with the world and a profound understanding of not being attached to external things. The affairs of the world are complex, and every bite and sip is predetermined, beyond the power of one to force. Only by guarding one's true nature and cultivating oneself can one truly cultivate oneself.

After this incident, the respect for Su Qingxuan in Qingxi Town grew even stronger than before. Everyone in the town spoke of him as a born gentleman, a sage descended to earth, whose magnanimity at such a young age foresaw extraordinary achievements. Some neighbors even mentioned the distant Qingxu Ancient Temple, where the old Taoist priest was deeply versed in Taoist principles and possessed profound cultivation; and the Jingxin Ancient Temple deep in the mountains, where the high monks were proficient in Zen Buddhist teachings and compassionately guided the world. They said that if Su Qingxuan were to travel and study in the future, visiting these two places, he would surely gain more opportunities and advance his cultivation to a higher level.

Faced with the praise and respect of his neighbors, Su Qingxuan remained calm and composed, neither arrogant nor conceited, his heart as still as water. He secretly kept in mind the deeds of the Taoist and Buddhist masters. He continued his daily studies, cultivating himself, doing good deeds, and seeking enlightenment. His days were simple and regular, unmoved by empty fame or fleeting praise, always upholding his simple and contented heart. In the bustling world of a Jiangnan town, he quietly honed his character and purified his Daoist heart. The small bronze seal and withered wood in the corner of the courtyard, fueled by the young man's Daoist heart, grew ever more steadfast, their faint light becoming ever brighter, quietly merging with the righteous energy within his dantian, further solidifying the foundation of his unity of the three teachings.

Thousands of miles away, in an ancient temple, an old Taoist priest with white hair calculated with his fingers and sensed that the Confucian atmosphere in Qingxi Town, Jiangnan, was becoming increasingly mellow, and that the root of Taoism had already taken root. He stroked his beard and sighed softly: "This child's Taoist heart has been formed, and the desire to travel and study has been aroused. I will wait and see."

Deep in the mountains, in an ancient temple, an old monk in meditation slowly opened his eyes, his gaze full of compassion, and softly chanted a Buddhist mantra: "A person with affinity is about to arrive; the connection to Buddhism is near. Quietly await their arrival to inquire about the Way."

Standing in the small courtyard, Su Qingxuan gazed at the vast world outside and the rolling green hills along the Qingxi River. A realization dawned on him: the confines of Qingxi Town could no longer contain his cultivation and aspirations. His path lay not in the bustling city, nor in the praise of his neighbors, but in the wider land, in the grander path of sages, and in the world's people most in need of salvation. His father, Su Wenyuan, had always taught him to "read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles." Only by leaving the small town of Jiangnan, traveling the world, seeking out wise teachers, and experiencing the trials of life, could he truly integrate the doctrines of the three religions and realize his grand ambition of saving the world and bringing peace to the people.

The idea of ​​traveling the world to study grew stronger in his heart, transforming from a fleeting thought into a firm ambition. The neighbors of Qingxi Town had long seen the young man's lofty aspirations and were full of expectations, eagerly awaiting his departure from the town to seek enlightenment amidst the mountains and rivers and to help the world. The ancient Taoist priests and eminent monks of distant temples had also been waiting for him to embark on his journey of study and together prove the great path of the unity of the three religions.

The spring breeze of Jiangnan swept through the courtyard, the old osmanthus branches swayed gently, and the fragrance of ink from books filled the air. The young man's Daoist heart grew ever more firm and clear, and his journey of mortals and saints sharing the same path was already poised to begin.

It is:

People from Dehua admired his good reputation and left the mundane world behind to travel to the mountains.

The temple awaits the arrival of outstanding talents, and the eyes of many are drawn to their study from afar.