Thunder Sound Temple sits on a north-south axis at an altitude of 1130 meters. Starting from the temple's main gate, a series of halls are arranged along this central axis from south to north, with each hall placed at regular intervals. The temple is surrounded by apricot-colored walls, greyish-blue roofs, and towering ancient trees that give the place an air of timelessness. The sound of temple bells and the fragrance of incense linger in the air.
The name "Thunder Sound" originates from one of the five sounds of Buddha, said to resemble the thunderous voice of Buddha when he speaks, awakening and enlightening those who hear it, symbolizing Buddha's majestic presence.
Alai was no stranger to the temple. He spent a third of his time there, having grown up visiting the temple frequently as a child. The elder, Luokong, had always shown him special care and affection. Alai knew every blade of grass, every tree, and all the staff at the temple. Sometimes, he even helped out by guiding visitors, earning a small tip here and there.
The group walked through the mountain gate, passed the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and crossed the Great Buddha Hall before heading straight to Elder Luokong's meditation room. This secluded area was perfect for quiet cultivation, surrounded by flowers and trees, with only the sound of bells to break the silence.
Inside the meditation room, Elder Luokong was seated cross-legged, draped in a red robe embroidered with gold threads. He was meditating with his eyes closed. Misaeng quickly prepared fragrant tea, and everyone waited for the elder to finish his meditation.
When Alai was struck by lightning, Grandpa Lei had rushed to the temple to inform Elder Luokong immediately. The elder had then arranged for Alai's treatment by providing money and writing a personal letter to the director of Renxin Hospital, ensuring that Alai received timely care.
Alai knew deeply that if it hadn't been for the meditation and breathing exercises he had learned from the elder since childhood, he might not have survived the assassination attempt.
After a short while, Elder Luokong finished his meditation.
Alai quickly stepped forward to express his gratitude.
Elder Luokong, with a kind and gentle expression, looked Alai over, then turned to Grandpa Lei and said, "You stay here and enjoy your tea. I'll take Alai to the Vairochana Pavilion for a bit. We'll be back shortly."
Alai was puzzled. The Vairochana Pavilion was off-limits to ordinary monks and tourists, reserved only for the abbot and a few senior monks. Alai, despite all his years at the temple, had never stepped foot inside. That Elder Luokong was now leading him there piqued his curiosity.
The Vairochana Pavilion was originally a place to store the Buddhist scriptures gifted by various emperors over the centuries, also known as the Sutra Library. On either side of the pavilion were annexes that housed imperial gifts, making this the most sacred spot in the temple.
Elder Luokong led Alai on a tour of the pavilion's scriptures and then said, "You're an adult now. If you're interested, you can come here anytime to read and study. I've already spoken with the next abbot."
He handed Alai a pass, instructing him to keep it safe.
Alai wondered if the elder was planning to retire, and just as he was about to ask, Elder Luokong smiled without answering, leading him to one of the annexes. He opened a safe and took out a bundle, saying, "Alai, this belongs to you. I was merely keeping it safe. It's time to return it to its rightful owner."
Alai, confused, looked at the elder in surprise.
Elder Luokong, with a gleam in his eyes, smiled and gestured for Alai to open it.
Alai unwrapped layer after layer of leather until a small pendant emerged. It was a jade Buddha, with a delicate green hue spreading across its belly like a flower in bloom. The jade was smooth and glossy, exuding warmth, as if a living flame burned within. The Buddha figure, smiling broadly with ears drooping to its shoulders, held its hands on its knees, beaming at the world. Alai held it reverently in his hands.
Elder Luokong, still smiling, said, "Standing or sitting, the sack is always with you. When you let go of the sack, how free you will be."
Alai responded with a couplet, "Smiling in stillness, smiling in motion. Smiling in every encounter, destined to meet by fate."
Elder Luokong continued, "Not bad. You haven't forgotten what I taught you. Destiny brought us together, Alai; you are indeed clever."
Hearing the elder's praise, Alai felt a warm satisfaction. The elder had always been patient and kind, never tiring of discussing the Dharma with him. Such praise was a confirmation of his progress.
As Elder Luokong gazed at Alai, memories flooded back, and he began to recount the story of Alai's mysterious origins.
Elder Luokong had been on a pilgrimage when he heard the cries of a baby from a crossroads. Looking around, he saw no one in sight. He waited for hours, but no one came. As evening approached, a storm began to brew, with dark clouds gathering and thunder rumbling. The baby's cries became more and more heart-wrenching. Left with no choice, the elder picked up the baby and hurried back to Thunder Sound Temple. When he reached the nearby Lei family village, the storm broke out in full force.
The temple was only a few kilometers away, but the elder knew that if the baby got wet, it could become seriously ill. Spotting a hundred-year-old osmanthus tree in a courtyard, the elder rushed towards it. The courtyard was part of an ancient residence, with its main gate open. The elder, cradling the baby, ran inside.
An old man, preparing to close the door, stepped out from the main hall. Upon seeing Elder Luokong, he quickly invited him inside.
The baby, still crying, drew the old man's attention. He opened the swaddling clothes and found a baby boy, his face as delicate as a peach blossom. When the baby saw the old man, he stopped crying immediately and stared at him with big, bright eyes.
The old man was Lei Zhengdeng.
Alai had heard Grandpa Lei mention the story when he was old enough to understand.
Grandpa Lei came from a long line of scholars, with several ancestors who had passed the imperial examinations and become scholars and officials.
As a young man, Grandpa Lei had studied abroad, where he fell in love with a classmate, a beautiful and talented girl. They were deeply in love, inseparable. But a powerful bully at the university, who had his eyes on the girl, used various means to take her to another country after graduation.
Grandpa Lei spent all his family's savings searching for her, even selling off all his family property. It was said that it took three days of horse-drawn carriages to move everything he sold. Yet, he never found any trace of her.
Afterward, he was never the same.
Elder Luokong, unable to bear seeing his friend's despair, tried to console him with Buddhist teachings.
But Grandpa Lei, overwhelmed with grief, broke his lute and swore never to marry.
He remained a bachelor, despite many attempts by matchmakers to find him a wife among the many beautiful and virtuous women in the area. He was a true romantic, devoted to his lost love, and never remarried. In time, his interest turned to medicine and Buddhism, and he often visited the temple to discuss the Dharma with Elder Luokong.
When Lei Zhengdeng took the baby from the elder, the child stopped crying, his cheeks rosy like blooming flowers. Zhengdeng couldn't help but gently stroke the baby's cheek, eliciting a giggle.
Elder Luokong, observing this, thought to himself that the child was destined to be with Lei Zhengdeng. Jokingly, he said, "You're nearly fifty and still childless, waiting for a child. Why not take this one? If he comes back to the temple with me, he'll only become a little monk and miss out on a bright future."
Lei Zhengdeng hesitated in silence.
Elder Luokong smiled and said, "Fate brought you two together. Perhaps this is the karmic bond we both share with him from a past life. Why not embrace this opportunity? What are your concerns?"