The Great Chef and Tathagata Both Speak of Merit

Qin Fen sat on the toilet, feeling miserable. He hadn't meant to say anything, but the chicken-and-egg question was such a pain in the ass that he couldn't hold back. So he decided to have a chat with Fa Hai about life.

But the more they talked, the more confused the single-minded Fa Hai became. He couldn't keep his thoughts to himself, and Tathagata took the hit. A perfectly good Spirit Mountain Dharma Assembly had been brought to a halt, leaving the atmosphere painfully awkward.

Now Tathagata tried to change the subject and steer things back on course. Even he couldn't settle that question. It was a damned headache in its own right.

And when he saw the looks in the four Bodhisattvas' eyes, Tathagata felt embarrassed in public for the first time.

"Green mountains may turn yellow with time, yet the affairs of the world need not disturb us. With dust in your eyes, even the Three Realms feel cramped; with nothing weighing on your mind, a single bed feels boundless. Fa Hai, follow your heart and let things take their course. Do you understand?" Tathagata turned the conversation with a deft touch, his words gentle but pointed.

Fa Hai froze. That's right. Why am I so hung up on this? I should just let things take their course. His old face reddened. "Your Holiness is right to correct me. I was out of line!" With that, he sat back down on his cushion.

The Eighteen Arhats stood above the other Arhats, and Tiger Tamer looked at Fa Hai with open disdain. Now you've gone and made a mess of things! Just listen to the sermon. Why do you have to run your mouth?

The four Bodhisattvas kept their eyes lowered and stayed out of it. All they had