Chapter 62 Osmanthus Tree, Rabbit, and Moon
Tsukimi Shrine has not seen many signs of secularization yet. It is simple, peaceful and uncontaminated by the world.
It is like a jar of dusty fine wine, which will only occasionally reveal a corner of the mud seal, allowing passers-by to smell its unique and refreshing fragrance.
With a calm mind, Pinggong Qianye was not in a hurry to meet the priest here.
In a place like this, you shouldn't rush.
After strolling and looking around for a while, Pinggong Chiye's eyes were attracted by a huge osmanthus tree on the right side of the main hall.
That osmanthus tree was several times larger than an ordinary osmanthus tree.
At this moment, many red ropes are wrapped around its body, symbolizing bond, and amulets representing bond are hung on it.
There are also cute stone statues of rabbits scattered around.
The stone rabbit statues, one male and one female, appear in pairs. Some stand on both sides of the road, while others are submerged in the grass, with only their erect rabbit ears exposed.
Hiramiya Chiye approached the place and saw a small stall inside the wooden dormitory, filled with many different kinds of love amulets.
Couples or single tourists passing by stop in front of the stall, make their wishes, then put them into the amulet and hang it on the osmanthus tree.
When it comes to Japan's shrines for marriage, the most impressive one is the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.
The three gods of fate who are in charge of marriage between men and women are enshrined here, and it is considered by many to be the best shrine for praying for a good marriage in the Kanto region.
Shrine culture has always attached great importance to the formation of relationships, and the current situation of declining birthrates has also made government agencies pay great attention to this aspect.
The two parties hit it off almost immediately, with government agencies and news media deliberately helping to support some shrines in their publicity efforts to encourage young people to fall in love, get married and have children.
The last time Tsukimi Shrine was reported on TV was because of its magical power in forming bonds.
In this regard, Buddhism is actually a negative example.
Although Japanese monks are allowed to get married, the proportion of monks who actually choose to get married is not very large, and most of those who get married are monks from family temples.
Among the monks who have truly taken the tonsure and converted to Buddhism, and are devoted to practicing and studying Buddhism, there are relatively few who are willing to get married.
Celibacy, vegetarianism and monk's attire are the three bottom lines that many monks who truly believe in Buddhism adhere to.
Buddhist culture has a serious influence on many believers, making them naturally inclined towards celibacy.
Just as vegetarianism is becoming increasingly popular today.
This goes against Japan's national policy.
Shintoism is now increasingly favored and relied upon by the government, and this factor is also involved.
For Pinggong Qianye, of these three bottom lines, it seems that the only thing left is celibacy.
Although their Weilian Ancient Temple has never taken this seriously, otherwise it would not have chosen to pass it down as a family temple.
But in the end, he still focuses on studying Buddhism and puts personal feelings behind.
Pinggong Qianye walked around the osmanthus tree, glanced at the rabbit statues on both sides of the road, and then looked up at the bright moon rising from the mountains.
Lost in thought.
Osmanthus trees, rabbits, the moon, if a goddess came, wouldn’t this place become the legendary Guanghan Palace?
……
The bright moon in the mountains rose above the willow branches, and Heimiya Chiye met the head of Tsukimi Shrine, Omae Miyaji, as he wished.
The chief priest is the representative of the shrine and the clergyman who is fully responsible for adjudicating all matters of the shrine, big or small.
His status is equivalent to that of the abbot of a temple.
Heimiya Chiye met the Omaeyaji in the garden in front of the worship hall. He was holding a broom and slowly cleaning up the fallen leaves in the garden and the garbage accidentally dropped by tourists.
He looked old, with average looks, and was wearing ordinary, even a little old, light grey clothes. Overall he looked rather inconspicuous.
But everyone knows that the sweeping monk in a temple is the most powerful, and the only one who can compete with him is the old monk in the Sutra Library.
If the two identities are combined, then there is no doubt that the sweeping monk in the Sutra Library is the strongest existence!
When he saw Daijouji for the first time, Hiramiya Chiye began to pay attention to his every move. After observing for a while, he roughly knew that he should have a very high status in the shrine.
After going up to him and chatting for a few words and explaining his purpose, he was led by the Grand Priest Daijo to a quiet room for a conversation.
This was a Japanese-style room with ventilation on two sides, no shelter, and curtains drawn. The bright moon just happened to float in front of the room.
After entering the Japanese-style room for more than ten minutes, Omae no Miyabi didn't say a word, and Hiramiya Chiye was not in a hurry either. He watched him light the firewood, boil water, make matcha, and brew tea with great interest.
He had never been much of a tea drinker, and had done almost no research on the Japanese tea ceremony.
Watching the natural and relaxed manner of the Omaru Palace and his smooth movements like flowing water, I really felt a sense of awe.
"Come, please."
The Grand Secretary poured a cup of tea for Chiye Heimiya and himself. The tea soup was clear, slightly green in color, and had a strong aroma, which showed that the quality of the tea should be very good.
Pinggong Qianye took a sip, savored it for a moment, and raised the teacup slightly.
"This teacup is very unique, with a simple and elegant shape, and the carving is very skillful. It should be made by the Grand Secretary, right?"
"You have a good eye."
Daijouji was in a good mood, his old eyes slightly narrowed, but he quickly realized that just now, Pinggong Chiye was slowly savoring the tea, probably wanting to comment on the tea he brewed.
Why did it suddenly lean towards the teacup?
"How was my tea ceremony?"
“Great skill is not a work of art.”
"Tell the truth."
"It tastes bad." Pinggong Qianye put the teacup on the tea table and shook his head, saying, "This is the most bitter, astringent, and hardest to swallow tea I have ever tasted."
Since you want to hear the truth, you can't blame him for speaking too directly.
"..."
The Omashita's eyes widened with anger, and he almost slammed the table and stood up. It can be said that he failed in his cultivation and was not a good person, but it cannot be said that he was not good at tea making!
"Young man, I'll give you a chance to reorganize your language."
Daijo Miyaji tried to open his presbyopic eyes wide, leaned forward slightly, and stared at Hiramiya Chiye's eyes in a threatening manner.
"It tastes bad, just like sewage. If it wasn't for the courtesy of our first meeting, I would choose to pour out the cup of tea in my hand." Pinggong Qianye blinked his innocent and kind eyes.
"..."
The upper half of the Daijo's body shrank back, and he was silent for a while. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he muttered softly, "Is it really that unpalatable? I think it's not bad."
"You're overconfident."
Pinggong Qianye slowly stabbed again.
"People with strength naturally have extraordinary confidence."
"But your ability is not that great, so your confidence is blind."
Pinggong Qianye once again polished the sharp knife until it shone brightly, and then stabbed it into the waist of the opposite Daizheng Gongshi.
Lies are not sharp weapons, the truth is the sharp knife.
The danger level of this Omiyaji is about 10, which is already a bit stronger than many monsters and demons.
But it's still too weak.
"..."
This time, the Omiyaji remained silent for even longer.
"The sixth level of tea drinking is to moisten the throat and lips, relieve loneliness and depression, search the intestines, induce light sweat, refresh the muscles and bones, and communicate with the spirit."
Pinggong Qianye glanced at the tea soup and said, "You can't even do the most basic throat moistening, let alone other things."
These six levels of tea drinking come from the Tang Dynasty poem "Writing to Thank Meng Jianyi for His New Tea" by Lu Tong.
The reason why he remembered it was related to the Tea Saint Lu Yu.
When he was reading some books related to Buddhist figures, he came across the record of Lu Yu, the Tea Saint.
It is said that he was abandoned at a young age and was adopted by Zhiji Zen Master, the abbot of Longgai Temple. He lived in the temple since he was a child, learning to read and write through yellow scrolls and green lamps, and chanting Buddhist scriptures in the morning and evening.
However, when he grew up, Lu Yu was not willing to convert to Buddhism, shave his head and become a monk.
Because of this story, Heimiya Chiye had a little understanding of the tea ceremony.
"How rude!"
The face of the Grand Secretary changed slightly. He took back the teacup in front of Ping Gong Qianye, picked up the tea tray, stood up, and sighed as he walked, "Young people nowadays really don't know how to be considerate of the elderly. My legs are almost in the coffin. It's not easy for me to have such a hobby."
Didn't you ask me to tell the truth?
Oh, you old man who is used to living a lie.
Pinggong Qianye expressed a little disappointment about this, and he was ready to say a few more words.
Who made this Omasa no Miyabi feel like: Don't talk, I'm going to start showing off, ever since he entered this Japanese-style room?
Don’t be too obvious when trying to show off in front of others!
(End of this chapter)
