Ito Nanako mentioned “Si Guoyi” twice in quick session, leaving Master Jingqing feeling somewhat exposed.


    He was not a dull individual and quickly understood that this was Ito Nanako’s way of signaling her rejection. Despite feeling a twinge of regret, he couldn’t help but reflect on his own thoughts: “I sense that this donor possesses exceptional wisdom. If only she would embrace Buddhism and delve into the ssics, her understanding would surely deepen. Such a profound insight would be a blessing to all believers, yet I realize this is merely my own fanciful hope…”


    With this in mind, he sighed inwardly,menting: “It’s a sin; my wife requested my help in her enlightenment journey. I earnestly encouraged her to convert to Buddhism…”


    He then recited a few verses in his mind before stating: “Donor, the poor monk may have spoken too much. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”


    Nanako Ito gave a slight nod and replied, “It’s alright, as long as you don’t urge me to be a monk again.”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Following this, Ito Nanako pulled out a bag of donations from her pocket and inquired gently, “Master, could you perhaps consecrate and bless an amulet for me?”


    Master Jingqing nodded and asked, “Does the donor wish to copy the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra herself?”


    “Yes,” Nanako affirmed, producing the paper and pen given to her by the young monk earlier. “May I write it here?”


    “Certainly,” Master Jingqing replied, gesturing to a writing desk situated beneath the lecture tform. “Please feel free to copy the scriptures there.”


    Nanako expressed her gratitude, approached the writing desk, and ced her palm on its surface. She then carefullyid the paper down and began to inscribe the words “Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra” with a delicate brush.


    Standing quietly beside her, Master Jingqing marveled at her calligraphy, surprised to see such skill from this young Japanese woman.


    Observing that Nanako wrote the scriptures fluidly and without hesitation, he realized she must have studied the text thoroughly and memorized its contents.


    Once Nanakopleted the 260 characters of the Heart Sutra, she gently set down her brush. Master Jingqing then asked, “Since the donor is so familiar with the Heart Sutra, have you ever attempted to interpret it in rtion to the ‘unconscious world’ referred to in the scriptures?”


    Curious, Nanako inquired, “Are you referring to the section about having no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind, and the absence of color, sound, fragrance, touch, and even the unconscious world?”


    Master Jingqing nodded solemnly and exined, “The absence of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind, along with theck of color, sound, fragrance, and touch, signifies the absence of the six senses and the six objects of perception. This leads to the non-arising of consciousness based on these senses. By letting go of the boundaries perceived through these senses, one can achieve purity of the six senses, free thought, and recognize the emptiness of all dharmas.”


    Nanako, still puzzled, asked, “So it’s like a Buddha statue, where one doesn’t think about anything?”


    Master Jingqing shook his head, rifying, “Not quite. I once believed that true emptiness meant abandoning all attachments and illusions. However, after guidance from a mentor, I came to understand that all dharmas are indeed empty, and this concept can be interpreted in another way.”


    Feeling even more confused, Nanako responded, “If all dharmas are empty and nothing exists, what other exnation could there be?”


    Master Jingqing borated, “Another approach is to relinquish all sensory perceptions and distracting thoughts about the external world, using a method akin to Taoist introspection to return one’s consciousness to the sea of consciousness. When consciousness returns to this state, it bes apparent that while we may look at the stars and perceive the universe, we are merely seeing a tiny speck of dust within it. Yet, upon returning to the sea of consciousness, it feels as if one has closed their eyes and is able to behold the entirety of the universe outside the universe! This profound sense of openness, where the entire cosmos feels essible, may be the unconscious realm that the Buddha described.”


    Nanako murmured, “To close my eyes and see the entire universe? What you’re saying feels rather abstract; I’m struggling to grasp it…”


    Master Jingqing reassured her, “Let me exin it in a different way.”


    He then spoke with a solemn tone: “With your eyes open, you are merely standing on the earth. If you look up at the sky, then close your eyes and enter the unconscious world, the earth transforms into a globe before you, and everything is within your grasp, allowing you to take it all in!”


    Nanako furrowed her brow and replied, “I appreciate the method of endoscopic observation. I’ve begun to grasp it somewhat, but… I’ve never experienced the sensation of closing my eyes and perceiving the universe…”


    Master Jingqing eximed, “You actually know about the method of endoscopic observation?”


    Nanako nodded, “I have some familiarity with it, but I can’t confirm its validity.”<fn38b7> Latest content published on find?novel</fn38b7>


    Master Jingqing inquired, “Could the donor share with me how you practice it?”


    After some thought, Nanako exined, “I practice martial arts, circting my true energy through my body’s meridians, as if I can visualize all of them at once…”


    Master Jingqing shook his head, stating, “That isn’t true endoscopic observation; it merely reflects a self-perception within the body. True endoscopic vision allows one to see not only internal organs, meridians, Dantian, and Niwan Pce, but also involves closing one’s eyes to perceive the entirety of the universe, while also gaining insight into one’s own Zifu, which is the true source of spiritual consciousness!”