novelraw Chapter 329: The Dharma Assembly at the Ancient Temple
Chapter 329: The Dharma Assembly at the Ancient Temple
Jade Lockwood was startled by Jasper Sinclair’s words and immediately fell to the ground, shouting, "I don’t want to go to prison, I definitely don’t want to go to that hellish place."
"The day after tomorrow evening, The Sinclair Group is holding a press conference, we hope you can be there on time."
Jasper Sinclair left an invitation and then turned around and left this place reeking of decay.
As for Jade Lockwood’s choice, that’s up to her.
Southwood Court.
Nora Northwood arrived home earlier than Jasper Sinclair, hesitating to ask, "Chuck said there was something urgent he needed me for."
On her way home, her car was stopped by bodyguards, saying that Jasper Sinclair had something extremely urgent, yet when she got home, he still arrived later than she did.
"Tomorrow, there’s a temple ceremony, not open to the public, with only a few spots available."
"I thought it was something important." Nora mumbled, her soft voice continued, "Do you want me to go with you?"
"Together, and maybe we can ask the Bodhisattva if the wish you made last time has come true."
Outside the temple, it was declared closed for a day, only a few people knew the inside story, that they were holding a ceremony.
At the break of dawn, Jasper Sinclair dragged Nora Northwood out of bed.
With a voice characteristic to men, he advised, "I have already prepared the small change, we must get there before eight, if you don’t get up now we’ll be late."
Reluctantly, Nora got up to wash up, and her eyes were still closed while brushing her teeth.
They hurried along and finally made it to the Grand Sanctum Temple on time.
The air at the mountaintop was fresh, calming one’s mind, as Nora stepped into the temple, she let out a long breath.
"Achoo—"
Nora sniffled, feeling very itchy.
"I told you to wear an extra jacket, but you wouldn’t listen, now you’re sneezing."
The slight chill spread through the morning breeze, making one shiver involuntarily as it blew past.
Nora was wearing a light-colored blouse, made of cotton and linen, not windproof.
"Bodhisattva, please bless me not to get sick."
Jasper Sinclair found it both frustrating and funny, "It’s your body, if you don’t take care of it, what good is the Bodhisattva’s blessing?"
"Sincerity moves heaven, you don’t understand."
Jokingly, the two of them walked to the front of the main hall, just as the abbot was about to begin chanting.
A young monk brought them prayer mats, and they sat down quietly.
The scent of incense wafted into Nora’s nostrils, making her want to sneeze again, the aroma was overwhelmingly dense.
By the time the chanting finished, four hours had passed, and it was already noon.
"We’re having a vegetarian meal today," Jasper said to Nora.
During the vegetarian meal, Nora glanced around at the people present, most were dressed plainly, yet their aura was unmistakable.
She thought to herself: Indeed, the wealthier people are, the more they believe in Buddhism.
In spring, the temperature reached its highest at noon, spring tiredness hit, and Nora couldn’t help but doze off.
"Is there a break at noon?" she asked Jasper Sinclair while yawning.
"No, after eating we’ll return to the main hall to listen to another scripture, and then we will head back to the city."
Nora felt a little despairing, her thoughts drifting far away, and the abbot’s Zen words sounded like a lullaby to her.
She wasn’t the only one yawning repeatedly.
This state of wanting to sleep but being unable to persisted until the chanting ended.
Seeing everyone stand up, Nora quickly followed suit, the soreness in her knees made her face crumple.
By the time they descended the mountain, it was already dusk.
"I thought it would be something new, didn’t expect it was just chanting."