“He didn’t expect his second wife to refuse to accompany him, which made him think of his first wife and ask her the same question.”
“The first wife replied, ‘No matter where you go, no matter the hardships or life and death, I will never leave your side. Wherever you go, I will follow.'”
“Only then did he realize that the only one who could truly be with him forever was his first wife!”
“In fact, he wanted to go to the Western Pure Land.”
“The fourth wife is our body. We cherish our bodies greatly and do everything we can to satisfy its material needs. But when we die, our bodies won’t come with us.”
“The third wife is worldly wealth. No matter how hard we work for it or how much treasure we accumulate in life, we cannot take a single penny with us when we die.”
“The second wife is family and friends. It’s natural for people to care for each other in this world but often forget their purpose as human beings because of social obligations.”
“After death, wives and friends can only send you off outside of town before returning home feeling hurt for a while. Then they would move on with their own lives forgetting about you completely after some time passes. After a hundred years have passed, no one remembers anyone anymore.”
“But the first wife is our soul; it accompanies us through thick and thin; it’s so closely related to us that sometimes it’s easy for us to ignore it entirely while focusing on material possessions like desires.”
“We indulge in ourselves, in family and money, unaware that the most important thing is our inner being and soul. Only they are the eternal companions of ours.”
The old monk finished the story slowly, looked deeply at Leo, and asked, “Do you understand?”
Leo nodded, then shook his head. “I’m not sure if I truly understand. I know what you want to say-it’s about not letting external influences affect our inner selves.”
“But I understand what kind of person I am, and I know you’re right. Honestly, I can’t do it. At least not now. All I can say is that in everything I do in the future, I will strive to be true to myself.”
The old monk smiled faintly. “I never intended for you to deliberately do anything. The fortunes and misfortunes of this life are unpredictable. Just remember those four words: be true to yourself. You will understand the true meaning in the future, and only through your own experiences will you attain profound enlightenment. Now, please go.”
“Master…” Leo wanted to continue asking, but Coral pulled him, signaling him to leave.
Outside the temple gate, Leo was puzzled. “In this strange temple, there is a strange old monk who talks about strange things. Why didn’t you let me ask him for clarification?”
“Ahagi Master is eccentric. Since he let us leave, it means he won’t say another word to us. Asking would be in vain,” Coral explained.
“I just feel like the story he told has a message for me. And why did he want me to look into that bottomless well?”
Coral explained, “Ahagi Master is blind in both eyes, and his physiognomy readings are always accurate. He has a high reputation here.”
“He only reads the fortunes of those who come to him once in their lifetime. That well is said to be a divine well through which Ahagi Master can see a person’s past, present, and future.”
“I see now.” Leo suddenly understood.
“I’ll take you to another place!”
Coral took Leo’s hand and led him around the temple, heading towards the back.
Unbeknownst to Leo and Coral, shortly after they left, the venerable old monk suddenly vomited blood, his face turning pale.
With his palms pressed together, he chanted a Buddhist mantra, “Amitabha Buddha…”
Behind the temple, there was a spacious area covered with lush green grass and blooming wildflowers. In the center stood a towering tree.
Coral pointed to the tree and said, “This is the Wishing Tree. It is said that if you write your wishes on a piece of cloth and hang it on the tree, your desires will come true. Let’s make a wish.”
Coral seemed delighted and let go of Leo’s hand, fluttering towards the tree like a beautiful butterfly.
Leo followed slowly, admiring the scene where beauty and nature intertwined.
As they approached, they noticed that the tree had sparse leaves, and its low branches were adorned with countless small cloth bags.
There was a stone platform beneath the tree, with paper, pens, cloth bags, and a donation box on it.
Coral placed a hundred dollar bill into the donation box and then took a piece of paper and began writing.
While writing, she said to Leo, “No peeking.”
Leo chuckled. “Why keep it so mysterious? I can’t even look?”
“Of course not. It’s a wish. If you look, it won’t come true.” Coral’s face suddenly turned slightly flushed.
Leo actually wanted to use his divine sense to see what she was writing, but he resisted the temptation.
“Okay, it’s your turn.” Coral looked up at Leo, then folded the paper and put it in the cloth bag before walking towards the tree.
Leo, following local customs, didn’t want to spoil Coral’s excitement. He stepped forward, took the paper and pen, and began writing.
Coral had found a place to hang the small cloth bag in her hand, her face exuding a devout tranquility.
The gentle breeze rustled through her hair, and the leaves made a soft sound, like dancing notes on the treetops.
Coral’s thoughts drifted far away with the gentle breeze, and she gazed at the distant mountains with a hint of infatuation.
“Okay, I’m done too.” Leo put down the pen and placed the note into the cloth bag, then walked towards Coral.
He hung the cloth bag he held next to Coral, and their eyes met. Suddenly, Coral asked, “Leo, I want to ask you a serious question, and I hope you answer honestly.”
Seeing Coral’s seriousness, Leo nodded in agreement.
“Do you like me?” Coral’s voice was soft but clear.
“I…” Leo hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond.
“Like or dislike, express your true feelings,” Coral stared into Leo’s eyes without wavering.
“I like you.” Leo gave a quiet answer.
Coral opened her arms and said, “Can you give me a hug?”
Leo gently embraced Coral in his arms.
The two stood embraced, facing the wind, with clouds rolling in the sky and birds flying by.
As the sun set behind the western mountains, they walked down the mountain together.
The two small cloth bags hanging on the tree swayed in the breeze, whispering softly.
By the time they descended from the mountain, it was already dinner time. Coral recommended a farmhouse restaurant in a nearby village.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky was filled with rosy hues. Coupled with the beautiful surroundings and the uplifting music in the car, it undoubtedly put one in a cheerful mood.
Entering the village, guided by Coral, the two arrived at the farmhouse restaurant.