CHAPTER 1760: CHAPTER 1767 BAOHUA TEMPLE (5)

This Baohua Temple is a famous sacred shrine in Bianzhou Prefecture, built during the founding of the Great Jin Nation, renowned not for anything else, but because this temple has a unique feature compared to other temples, which is the Hall of Progeny. It is extremely efficacious, such that those who come to offer incense and pray for descendants truly receive sons if they pray for sons, and daughters if they pray for daughters. Moreover, the children are born robust and stout, free from diseases.

Because of these miraculous outcomes, whether officials or commoners, anyone who is infertile would come to the Hall of Progeny to pray for children. Even childless officials from the capital city often travel thousands of miles to pray here. Consequently, Nangong Yi and Cai Wei are aware of this famous temple, and not only them, but citizens of the entire Great Jin Nation are seldom unaware of this temple.

With such great fame, Baohua Temple is visited by a huge crowd daily, much like a temple fair. Besides pilgrims from across the country arriving to pray for children, others come to offer incense for various wishes and to enjoy sightseeing.

People are willing to visit Baohua Temple not only due to its reputation for spiritual efficacy but also because of its monks who are compassionate and benevolent, treating all pilgrims equally without regard to their social status or whether they make offerings, always responding with warmth rather than greed.

Unlike other temples where monks, though outwardly renouncing the world, harbor greed greater than laypersons. A few cups of pure tea, a few plates of fruits, are like baited hooks for wealthy patrons. Regardless of the pilgrim’s wealth, upon entering, they are presented with a ledger demanding contributions for food and supplies. If not claiming to adorn the Buddha with gold, then it’s claimed for remodeling the hall. If no valid excuse remains, then it’s named after incense lamps and oil before the Buddha. If a donor inclined to give is met, flattering remarks are made, deceiving them frequently; but if encountered with someone unwilling to give, they’re labeled as stingy among others, slandering behind their backs, even spitting at them should they pass by.

Only Baohua Temple is different from anywhere else, frequently constructing halls and pavilions without ever soliciting contributions. Therefore, locals and visitors alike speak of this temple’s monks as kind-hearted, deeply respectful, and more willing to offer donations than those temples soliciting funds many times over. Additionally, the temple possesses the exceedingly efficacious Hall of Progeny, further escalate the fame of Baohua Temple, making disbelief impossible.

Cai Wei and Nangong Yi rode in a horse carriage to Baohua Temple, and upon alighting, they saw the surroundings of Baohua Temple, all enclosed by white walls, with tall locust trees and ancient willows planted by the walls, and a bright red pavilion gate coated with vermilion paint, a gold-lettered plaque hanging above, inscribed with "Baohua Zen Temple" in four large characters. Across the mountain gate lays a wall for reflection, beside which many empty sedan chairs are parked. Inside and outside the mountain gate, pilgrims offering incense and sightseers bustle about, forming a throng.

The two of them followed the stream of people into the temple, proceeding to the Mahavira Hall, witnessing layers upon layers of pavilions and rows upon rows of corridors. Outside the Mahavira Hall, colorful clouds encircle vermilion doors; before the reception hall, auspicious mists envelop glazed tiles. Ancient cypress and graceful bamboo conceal painted beams and sculpted columns; robust pines and venerable cypresses subtly shade winding rails and looping fences. Indeed, few places in the world possess such pure lands, but famous monasteries are abundant and monks dominate many.

Cai Wei and Nangong Yi reached the front of the hall, reverently offering incense and prostrating before the Buddha, silently praying: "May the Great Jin enjoy favorable weather and bountiful harvests, a prosperous nation and peaceful citizens, with people living in harmony and the country’s fortunes lasting forever!"

After the prayers, the two of them bowed their heads, respectfully rose, and went elsewhere to explore. Passing beside the great hall, they arrived at the Hall of Progeny.

The men and women offering incense were devoutly praying. This Hall of Progeny also consists of three spacious halls, with carved beams and embroidered pillars, painted rafters and soaring eaves, resplendently shining with gold and jade. At the center stands a sacred shrine, enshrining a goddess adorned with pearl crowns and Yingluo ornaments, dressed in embroidered robes and colorful capes, holding a child in her hands. Beside her stand four or five men and women. This deity is known as the Goddess of Progeny. Above the shrine hang yellow silk embroidered curtains, drawn open by silver hooks on both sides, with variously hued goddess slippers of approximately hundreds of pairs beneath. Embroidered flags and jeweled canopies stack layer upon layer, numbering unknowingly. On the racks, painted candles illuminate from top to bottom; inside the incense burners, smoke rises abundantly, filling the entire hall. On the left is the Child-Giving Zhangxian, and on the right is Officer Yan Shouxing.

As Cai Wei was looking closely, she suddenly heard a low voice asking, "Is the female benefactor here to pray for offspring?"