Backyard of Baima Temple.
After paying his respects to the two esteemed monks of the Buddha Sect, Wang Mang made clear his intention for visiting.
He began with a sigh, "Now that the floods are raging, Heaven has eyes, yet I regret that I cannot suffer in place of the people."
Jia Ye and Ananda both chanted the Buddha's name, "Amitābha, how commendable, how commendable."
Wang Mang then solemnly said, "One should not speak of the strange and chaotic spirits; were it not for the suffering of the people, I would never have come to seek an audience with the two of you.
But hearing that you possess methods to alleviate this disaster, I have come to offer a million of my family's fortunes, with the sole request that you must relieve the common folk from this catastrophe."
Jia Ye, with his hands clasped together, said, "Benefactor, you are a person of great goodness. In future days, you will surely receive blessings."
