bookcurios Chapter 211 Prayer Meeting
Chapter 211 Prayer Meeting
"Haha, thanks to the blessing meeting, there should be no problem." The visitor heard this and said with a smile. "Mr. Gu's family is really talented. In this day and age, they not only have food, but also cakes and snacks, and now they have ornaments. I really admire them."
"Oh, no, no, I just have nothing to do during the slack season, so I made some things and delicious food to kill time. This is our first time to attend a prayer meeting, so are there any rules? If it's convenient, please let me know."
"Brother Gu, you are too polite. There are no special rules for this prayer meeting. Let's set up the stall now. It will be lively in the afternoon or evening."
The shopkeeper then went with the Gu family and explained the process of the prayer meeting to them. After listening, the Gu family had an idea of today's arrangements.
As soon as the Gu family walked out of the store, they saw prayer flags and Buddhist flags hanging everywhere on the street. The closer they got to the altar, the quieter the conversations became.
In the west square, a tall altar stands in the center. The layout is simple and solemn. There are incense tables, grains and a pair of water jars.
The group first walked to the Gu family's stall, and looked at the several stalls lined up so close to the altar.
The shopkeeper who was traveling with him gave Gu Dajiang a thumbs up and said, "Brother Gu is really very capable. His stall is so close to the front and he even got a row of tickets. That's amazing! I hope Brother Gu will take care of us in the future!"
"No, no, we asked a friend to help us rent it. Maybe it's because we rented it early that we have this convenience. We are new here and we need your care." Gu Dajiang said modestly.
The shopkeeper who was traveling with him clasped his fists and said, "Okay, okay, we'll take care of each other. I won't delay Brother Gu from setting up the store. I'll take my leave now. After the blessing meeting, I'll host a banquet for the shopkeepers I'm friends with in the East Market. I hope Brother Gu will show up and show up."
"Okay, thank you for the invitation, I will definitely attend then." Gu Dajiang replied.
The two parties separated and began to set up their own stalls.
Gu Dahe has dozens of root carvings of various sizes. The most outstanding one is a group of Buddha statues carved from boxwood, which is also very suitable for the current scene.
The root carvings covered with red cloth were placed in place, and an intelligent robot was arranged to watch over the stall.
The Gu family went to the square, found a spot in the middle, placed the mats they had prepared in advance, and sat cross-legged on the ground, waiting for the master to arrive.
King Li and his officials arrived first, followed by officials from the county, and then a group of monks in robes entered the platform in an orderly line.
The leading monk looked very young, perhaps in his twenties, and was wearing a bright red cassock with gemstones inlaid on the joints.
When the common people saw King Li and his companions coming in, they all knelt down and shouted, "Greetings to King Li. Greetings to all the gentlemen. Greetings to the master."
"Dear fellow villagers, please stand up quickly! Today, the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple in our dynasty, Master Yuanhui, has come here to preside over this Dharma Assembly for us. It is indeed an honor for our Zesheng County. And just yesterday, the newly opened grain store in our county, Daohuaxiang in Taohua Valley, provided us with ten carts of rice. I believe that many people have patronized it. Until the autumn harvest, we don’t have to worry about the food problem. This is all the blessing of God to our Great Xia!" King Li said happily.
The people were also very happy to hear this. They all echoed: "God bless Daxia, God bless Daxia!"
After everyone calmed down, King Li continued: "We gather here today to make a wish together. May God bless our Great Xia Dynasty, with good weather, bumper harvests, and full granaries. I also hope that there will be peace in the world and no war, and that all seas will be peaceful. Let every citizen live a stable and prosperous life. We firmly believe that as long as everyone works together and unites as one, we will be able to realize this beautiful vision and create a glorious era together!" King Li said majestically and firmly, and his voice spread throughout the square.
The people in the field were also encouraged by King Li, and they responded in unison: "May the Great Xia have favorable weather, abundant harvests, and full granaries. May the world be peaceful and free of war, and may we all live and work in peace!"
Next, King Li represented the people, chanted prayers, expressed their wishes, and burned incense to pray to the heavens.
Next, the masters performed the chanting ceremony. They chanted Buddhist scriptures in a low and melodious voice, and the sound echoed in the space, sacred and solemn. The curling green smoke rose, adding a bit of sacred atmosphere to the scene.
After completing these processes, it was already noon.
Next, the monks will sprinkle holy water to purify the environment and the soul, and also to bless.
The monk scooped water from the jar with a copper foil, took the willow branch that had been chanted, dipped it in the water, and sprinkled it on the people.
The process ends here, and the common people’s part is over. Next comes the monks, who will sprinkle holy water and bless along the streets.
The other disciples had to chant sutras on the platform for three consecutive days before the entire prayer meeting was successfully concluded.
The Gu family bathed in the holy water among the crowd and then followed the flow of people back to the store.
Today, the doors of every household are wide open so that the master can come and bless them.
It is common to receive the care of a master and sprinkle holy water in the courtyard. If you are lucky, you can also get objects blessed by the master.
The Gu family's minds became more pure. It was time for the children to eat.
When Gu Fu was close to home, he took out food, coconut juice, and a little ice cubes. He whispered a few words to Zhibao, and Zhibao left early.
So, when the Gu family returned to the shop, Zhibao had already set up two tables of food and poured a few pots of coconut juice with a little ice cubes.
The family had a delicious meal, and after clearing away the dishes, Prince Li and Master Yuanhui, who had traveled from the capital, came to visit.
Behind him were soldiers carrying buckets of water and two little sand babies.
Gu Dajiang and Miao hurriedly brought Gu Fu and the boys to greet them, "Greetings, Your Majesty, and Master."
Gu Dajiang welcomed the group into the yard. "It is a great honor for our little shop to have you two here today."
"Hahaha, Boss Gu, you're too polite. I also want to thank you for opening a grain shop in my Zesheng County. It solved the problem of food shortage in my county. I would like to discuss cooperation with Boss Gu in the future. I hope Boss Gu will not shirk his responsibility. Hahaha, let's talk about this later. Let Master Yuanhui bless us first." King Li said with a smile.
"Amitabha, I have been traveling here since then and have met you by chance. Just now, when I took a glance at the crowd, I saw that you all are people with great merits. Now that I look carefully, it is indeed so." Master Yuanhui said with his hands clasped together.
"Master, you are too kind. These children are just a little clever. Since they were born, they have had little contact with this world, so how can they earn merit?" Father Gu said with a humble smile.
"This merit can be accumulated in previous lives, or it can be arranged in a predetermined trajectory, and you have both."
Master Yuanhui said as he took off a string of Buddhist beads from his wrist and handed it to Gu Fu. "Especially this little donor, you have done immeasurable merits. This string of Buddhist beads was strung and consecrated by me personally because I was inspired by something. It can ensure safety and success. I am giving it to you now."
"Thank you, Master!" Gu Dajiang said happily, "Fuer, thank you for your blessing."
"Fuer, thank you for the blessing." Gu Fu put his hands together, bowed to thank Master Yuanhui, and took the Buddhist beads. He happily put them on his wrist, and it was obvious that he really liked them.