Ding Yuanying and Han Chufeng stepped out of the Tea Fragrance Pavilion, passing through an arched gate to the rear courtyard of One Zen Temple. The courtyard, built into the mountain's natural slope, featured a few meditation rooms hidden among several ancient ginkgo trees. The ground was carpeted with fallen leaves, and the distant, faint sound of a bell emphasized the serene and tranquil atmosphere of the thousand-year-old temple.
The two men walked up the stone steps, reaching the end of the courtyard, where a large stone platform awaited. Surrounded by a ring of stone pillars linked by iron chains, the platform offered a breathtaking view. The distant mountains rose and fell, and the setting sun hung like a golden-red fruit on the mountain's peak. A strong mountain wind carried a biting chill.
Han Chufeng took out a cigarette and offered one to Ding Yuanying, asking, "Is it okay to smoke in this sacred place?"
Ding Yuanying smiled, "Inside the railing is sacred ground; outside it's just earth. Lean on the railing and you're fine."
They both laughed and lit their cigarettes. Han Chufeng said, "There was something I didn't dare say earlier, fearing it might sound like flattery, but I have to get it off my chest now. The matter of poverty alleviation can be divided into three levels. First, the myth of a windfall from the sky, tangible benefits that break the norm – that's the culture of the common folk. Second, the most immoral morality, distinguishing right from wrong – that's the culture of the philosophers. Third, nothing less than breaking something to initiate the theme, great wisdom and great love – that's the culture of the heroes."
Ding Yuanying replied, "I don't deserve such praise." Then, realizing something, he laughed at himself, "How did we end up speaking in such grand terms? Let's not fool ourselves into thinking we're masters."
Han Chufeng also realized this, saying, "It's inertia. Hard to snap back all at once."
They both laughed heartily.
Facing the mountains, Han Chufeng, with his hand on the stone railing, said, "If I hadn't come on this trip, it would have been a great regret in my life. But aren't we afraid of slandering Buddha and ending up in hell?"
Ding Yuanying said, "Without hell, how can there be heaven? Someone has to stay in hell; let's be the ones. Otherwise, heaven has no place."
Han Chufeng smiled, "A single move to alleviate poverty leads to a discussion on salvation. You're the one getting cursed, but it's the traditional concepts that suffer. After more than a year, how did you reach such a high state?"
Ding Yuanying waved his hand, "It's not enlightenment. I'm not reckless enough to seek notoriety just to stir up public opinion. When the discussion of the 'way to salvation' surfaces, that will be my gift to Xiaodan."
Han Chufeng was stunned, exclaiming, "What? My God! Do you know how many people this will involve? How much of a commotion it will cause? And all this... just as a gift for a woman?"
Ding Yuanying said, "The ultimate discussion of the way is the people's basic needs. The ultimate discussion of life's warmth is the 'emotion' between men and women. I dared not offend these two extremes. Is that wrong?"
Han Chufeng replied, "Of course not. It's just that you've always kept your distance from women. This is quite a turnaround."
Ding Yuanying said, "Buddha says seeing a mountain as a mountain, seeing water as water. I simply follow Buddhist principles: seeing a modern woman as a modern woman, seeing a confidante as a confidante."
Han Chufeng gazed at the rolling mountains in the distance, sighing, "In ancient times, they spoke of a smile worth a thousand gold pieces. Now, what does a smile worth a thousand gold pieces compare to this?"