This picture-story book, "The Romance of Shaolin," is based on historical records. It chronicles the development of the Shaolin Temple and its martial arts over a period of more than 130 years, from the third year of Xiaochang in the Northern Wei Dynasty (527 AD) through the Sui Dynasty to the fourth year of Xianqing in the Tang Dynasty (659 AD). The story unfolds through seven chapters: "Huike Seeks the Dharma," "Zhineng Receives the Precepts," "Wuxing Enters the Monastery," "Righteously Accepting Tanzong," "Huiyang's Tonsure," "Tanzong Commands the Troops," and "Returning to Shaolin." Through the joys and sorrows of monks like Huida, Zhineng, Wuxing, Tanzong, and Huiyang, both before and after they entered monastic life, the book reflects the historical landscape of a time when frequent warfare plunged the common people into deep suffering.
Zhineng Receives the Precepts#
Decades have passed since Huike became the abbot of Shaolin. The temple has flourished under his leadership, becoming a renowned center for Chan (Zen) Buddhism. This chapter introduces a new character, a former general of the Sui Dynasty, whose tragic past leads him to the temple's gates, setting the stage for the next generation of Shaolin's legacy.
- After Huike became the abbot, the temple's incense burned brightly for several decades, and a constant stream of pilgrims and patrons came to the temple from morning till night.
2. One day, on the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month when the number of pilgrims was even greater, a man in his thirties appeared among the crowd. Though his clothes were plain, he carried himself with an extraordinary air. His face was clouded with sorrow, yet his brow still held a heroic spirit.
3. After entering the temple, he paid his respects to the statue of the Buddha and looked at the surrounding Arhats. Then, he emptied his bag of all its gold and silver and donated it all as alms.
4. As the sun began to set and the pilgrims gradually dispersed, the man lingered, seemingly reluctant to leave. Seeing this, the guest-prefect monk hurried forward to offer him a vegetarian meal. After the meal, he still showed no intention of leaving, so the guest-prefect quickly prepared a guest room for him to stay the night.
5. For three consecutive days, the guest still showed no sign of leaving. Huike sensed that something was unusual and approached the man to talk. In their conversation, he learned that the man's surname was Zhu and his given name was Kuan, a former general of the Sui Dynasty. He had come to Shaolin specifically on a pilgrimage to the sacred mountain.
6. Huike said, "General, despite your busy military life, you possess such a devout heart?" Zhu Kuan replied, "I cannot speak of devotion. To be honest, I am now a wanderer with no home to return to."
7. Startled, Huike quickly asked for the details. With a long sigh, Zhu Kuan began to recount the whole story to Huike.
8. When Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, following the custom of past dynasties, he named his eldest son, Yang Yong, as the crown prince, and his second son, Yang Guang, as the Prince of Jin. Unwilling to be second to his brother, Yang Guang schemed relentlessly to seize the position of crown prince.
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