“All things in the world have a heart. If one can have compassion and resonate with all things, why be bound by human words?” The old monk put his palms together, unperturbed, and not angered by Xu Qi An’s words.
Then don’t speak to me in Great Liang’s official language, why not just speak in the Western Regions’ language… Xu Qi An complained inwardly, and said straightforwardly:
“Let’s get straight to the point, how do we conduct this dharma battle? Don’t talk about irrelevant things with me.”
“Benefactor, you’re being attached. Why must there be a dharma battle?” The old monk smiled.
“It was your Buddhist sect that proposed this dharma battle. Master, aren’t you afraid of losing face with the Buddhist sect by being so unreasonable?” Xu Qi An frowned.
“Earlier, the benefactor said at the mountainside: monks are free from worldly attachments.” The old monk’s face was serene and calm as he slowly said, “If one is free from worldly attachments, what is face?”
“Alright, how does Master plan to test me?” Xu Qi An restrained his impatience.
He felt this was tricky. Worse than a quibbler was someone who didn’t speak plainly. At least a quibbler would desperately grasp at loopholes in your words to refute you.
But those who don’t speak plainly would ignore whatever you say and only say what they want to say. If you can’t understand, it’s your fault.
Even if you exhaust yourself trying to understand, it’s useless, because they will ignore you.
“Life itself is cultivation. The benefactor entering this Buddhist secret realm is also a form of cultivation,” the old monk smiled.
“How to cultivate? Please instruct me, Master.”
“Cultivation depends on the individual. Why ask this poor monk?”
Cultivate your mother next door! Not speaking plainly, huh? I’m not playing along anymore. Xu Qi An suddenly felt a nameless anger rising in his heart, and he turned to walk away from the old monk.
But a barrier blocked his way.
“I do have an idea,” Xu Qi An turned back with a cold smile, gripping his sword hilt. “I wonder if the Master who is free from worldly attachments can receive one slash from me?”
“Amitabha, then let’s try,” the old monk lowered his eyes and said solemnly, “This poor monk is a strand of obsession cut off by Bodhisattva Wen Yin before attaining enlightenment.”
Bodhisattva Wen Yin, a first-grade Bodhisattva?!
Xu Qi An’s face remained expressionless as he let go of his hand, “Master, where were we just now?”
The old monk answered honestly, “The benefactor asked this poor monk to receive one slash.”
“Master!”
Xu Qi An sternly rebuked, walked to sit opposite the old monk, put his palms together, and criticized:
“Is fighting and killing all the Buddhist sect knows? Is saving all living beings through fighting and killing all the Buddhist sect can do? Master, let’s have a civilized discussion worth a copper coin.”
…
“Did that dog slave… did he just chicken out?” Princess Biao Biao said softly, turning to look at Princess Huai Qing.
Princess Huai Qing glanced at her sideways, her expression cold and her tone flat: “He’s just changing strategies. The Art of War says, ‘The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.’ It’s the same when facing an enemy.”
Princess Biao Biao suddenly understood and thus believed that she had been narrow-minded. The dog slave wasn’t chickening out, but cleverly changing his strategy.
He’s just scared… The brainless Lin’an is too easy to fool! Princess Huai Qing shook her head, looking at her sister with pity.
After hearing that the opponent was a “Bodhisattva’s” obsession, Xu Qi An wisely defused the conflict, which surprised many people outside.
This was truly a case of “the wise adapt to circumstances.”
However, this series of actions made his image even more vivid and interesting. At least the noble ladies found this Constable very interesting and amusing.
“He’s certainly adaptable. If this stage were to be broken through by force, he would likely lose without doubt,” Nangong Qian Rou snorted coldly.
This guy… The Golden Gong Constables shook their heads helplessly, somewhat wanting to laugh, but the occasion wasn’t right.
Sometimes they felt he didn’t seem like a warrior at all, able to back down without any pressure or psychological burden. Yet he was also a martial genius with excellent aptitude.
“Foster father, what’s the mystery of this stage?” Yang Yan asked.
The Golden Gong Constables all looked towards Wei Yuan, waiting for his answer, never considering that Wei Yuan wasn’t a Buddhist insider, so how would he know what the third stage was about?
Wei Yuan ignored them.
At this moment, in the royal pavilion, a girl in a fire-red palace dress cupped her hands around her mouth and called out in a delicate voice: “Hey, baldies, what’s this stage about? Is it the Old Monk Formation?”
The girl had a round, plump face with a pair of watery, almond-shaped eyes. At first glance, she seemed to be the type of charming and alluring woman who could easily captivate men.
Arhat Du E originally didn’t want to respond, but seeing that it was a certain princess asking, out of courtesy, he explained: “The third stage has no content.”
Upon hearing this, all the dignitaries and nobles present were stunned.
“What do you mean by ‘no content’?” Princess Biao Biao slapped the table twice with both hands, expressing her dissatisfaction.
Arhat Du E just shook his head, smiling without speaking.
The Golden Gong Constables suddenly understood. No wonder Duke Wei didn’t say anything; it turned out this stage had no content at all. But how could there be a dharma battle without content?
Amidst everyone’s confusion, Princess Huai Qing spoke up. Her clear voice was like the collision of jade stones, pleasant to the ear and with substance:
“No topic?! Does that mean that no matter how Constable Xu responds, the Buddhist sect can choose not to respond or not to acknowledge, trapping him in the secret realm until he admits defeat?”
Her words were like a sudden awakening for everyone!
In the various pavilions, the civil and military officials’ expressions changed slightly.
After careful consideration, they realized it was indeed so. No matter how difficult a stage was, as long as there was a topic, it could eventually be overcome.
The most troublesome and unsolvable was this kind of battle without content. It left a lot of room for manipulation. Whether it was a battle of martial arts or intellect, the Buddhist sect could veto anything.
The Buddhist sect would always remain undefeated.
“Isn’t this just cheating? If you want a dharma battle, then set up the formation properly. Whether it’s a battle of wits or martial arts, your Buddhist sect can say whatever you want. What is this?”
“A victory won by cheating is hardly honorable, is it?”
“Prime Minister Wang, in the absence of His Majesty, you should speak up.”
The hot-tempered military officials angrily threw their cups, pointing at Arhat Du E and others, cursing loudly.
They weren’t afraid of either intellectual or martial battles. The capital was full of experts, and both sides could respond to each other’s moves, relying on their abilities. But this third stage was simply unsolvable. If Xu Qi An couldn’t do it, could anyone else who replaced him succeed?
The common people blocked outside by the imperial guards heard the nobles’ angry questions and immediately sensed something was wrong. However, they were too far away to hear clearly.
“What’s going on? The lords in the pavilions seem very angry.”
“It seems they’re saying the Buddhist sect is cheating?”
“How is the Buddhist sect cheating? Oh my, I’m so anxious. Is there some mystery to this third stage?”
Amidst the discussions, a jianghu martial artist with a solemn face spoke up loudly: “Everyone, I just heard it. The situation is like this…”
Martial artists had an extremely strong hearing. Ordinary people couldn’t hear, but the jianghu martial artists near the front rows heard everything. They immediately spread the news about the mystery of the third stage.
“Shameless!”
A scholar became furious, “I’ve been studying for over a decade and have never encountered such despicable and shameless people. The mighty Buddhist sect, to win a dharma battle, resorts to such lowly and dirty tactics.
“Is it because you’re afraid of our Poetry Sage Xu’s swordsmanship that you deliberately use such underhanded methods? Whether it’s an examination or a battle, it should be fair and square. People shouldn’t, at least can’t…
“Even the imperial examinations, such a major event, have exam questions.”
The common people were in an uproar, bitterly denouncing the Buddhist sect’s shamelessness. It was a pity they didn’t have rotten eggs and vegetable leaves in hand, or they would have thrown them all.
With Xu Qi An’s two previous slashes, the common people had already shifted from the notion of “the Buddhist sect is truly powerful” to “the Buddhist sect is nothing special.”
This was all due to the confidence and courage Xu Qi An had brought.
Countless commoners were proud in their hearts, feeling a sense of honor.
Now, seeing the Buddhist sect being so unreasonable and setting a trap for Xu Qi An, the commoners became furious. They started pushing against the imperial guards again, looking as if they wanted to rush in and beat up all the bald monks.
“Amitabha, no topic is also a topic. Life is full of unpredictable changes. Are there no ‘topics’ waiting for everyone at every moment?”
Arhat Du E’s serene voice spread throughout the scene, seeming to carry a power that soothed people’s hearts, making the crowd outside unconsciously quiet down and feel that what he said made sense.
This was the ability of a seventh-grade Buddhist Dharma Master.
Not only the common people, but even the nobles in the pavilions suppressed their anger and nodded slightly.
“Shameless!”
Just then, an angry shout rang out.
Everyone looked towards the source of the voice and found it was an unfamiliar handsome scholar. He walked leisurely down from the pavilion, came to the square, and looked at the monks with a cold smile:
“No wonder you monks are all bald. It turns out you’ve hidden the hair from your heads in your hearts. Your exterior is as clear as the moon, but your hearts are full of filth. Shameful!”
Monk Net Chen frowned slightly, “This benefactor…”
“Who’s your benefactor? Xu wouldn’t give you a single copper coin. Calling everyone a benefactor, is shameful!”
“You…”
“You what? Such a great master of high Buddhist dharma, are you also an obsession cut off by Buddha before he left home?”
An obsession cut off by Buddha before he left home?! Net Chen was stunned, then became furious. Who was this insulting?
“Benefactor, as a scholar, you only know how to curse. Is this what Great Liang’s scholars are like?”
“I never curse people. Those I curse are not people.”
All the Buddhist monks showed angry expressions, glaring at Xu Xin Nian.
“What? Not convinced? Several high monks have come from afar and proposed a dharma battle. Great Liang is a land of propriety, sending just one Constable to face you has already given you enough face.
“Who knew your faces were thicker than the city walls of the capital? No wonder you could win the battle at Shanhai Pass twenty years ago. It indeed relied heavily on you all. The allied armies of the northern and southern barbarians couldn’t break through the Masters’ thick faces in ten years.
“Yet the Masters have no self-awareness. Things without self-awareness are useless even if they look in a mirror.”
“How dare you!”
Monk Net Chen stood up abruptly, his monk’s robe billowing. His eyes were wide with anger, like a furious Vajra, his aura terrifying.
Xu Xin Nian stood firm without fear, sneering: “Such a master free from worldly attachments. What the hell are you empty of? Ptui!”
Monk Net Chen’s expression suddenly froze.
Master Du E said calmly, “Net Chen, your heart is disturbed.”
Monk Net Chen’s face turned pale. He collapsed powerlessly, put his palms together, and said tremblingly, “This disciple has become attached.”
The Western Regions delegation came to the capital to demand an explanation, already carrying anger. After the dharma battle, the surrounding commoners’ curses never stopped. At the same
Time, Xu Qi An breaking through two formations put great psychological pressure on the Buddhist monks.
Xu Xin Nian’s sudden outburst of curses and personal insults was too much. Even Buddha would have some anger, let alone these disciples.
Xu Xin Nian chuckled and turned to go back.
Gazes fell on Xu Xin Nian, with surprise mixed with appreciation. Although those words were unpleasant to hear, they were well-cursed, leaving the Buddhist monks speechless.
This felt very satisfying.
Moreover, given their self-proclaimed status, those were words they could never say in public. Xu Xin Nian had essentially become a tool to voice the nobles’ thoughts.
Clever! Miss Wang secretly praised. She saw that Xu Hui Yuan’s cursing was just on the surface; the real purpose was to disturb the Buddhist monks’ Buddha-nature.
Deliberately provoking them, and then delivering a fatal blow.
It was both satisfying and a heavy blow to the monks.
Additionally, she guessed that Xu Hui Yuan’s proactive attack had another deeper meaning, which was to perform in front of the capital’s nobles and in front of His Majesty.
Demonstrating enough value to make His Majesty think he was talented, perhaps leading to a good future after the palace examination.
“He has some talent.”
At this moment, she heard her father, Wang Zhen Wen, calmly comment.
Miss Wang smiled gracefully.
That felt good! Xu Xin Nian sat in his chair, his heart greatly satisfied. Indeed, there was nothing more satisfying in the world than cursing someone.
The small interlude ended, and the dharma battle continued. The hearts of the people outside were still heavy.
…
Under the Bodhi tree, Xu Qi An sat opposite the old monk discussing the Way. He nodded, saying “Mm-hmm” and “Ah, I see,” saying: “Master’s words are profound, enlightening.”
Meanwhile, he was thinking about how to break through the third stage.
The Buddhist sect was indeed insidious. This stage had no topic, meaning the right of interpretation belonged entirely to the Buddhist sect. Would the monks let him win?
The answer was negative.
How to break the deadlock? After deep consideration, Xu Qi An had two approaches: One, convince with reason. Two, convince with reason.
In my current state, I can’t deliver a second slash. Even if my energy recovers, without the enhancement of…, it’s impossible to break through the barrier.
The old monk before me is an obsession cut off by Bodhisattva Wen Yin before attaining enlightenment, so the first “convince with reason” needs to be carefully considered.
The second “convince with reason” means using any means other than “physical” methods to deal with the old monk.
Dealing with him would mean breaking through this stage.
“When it comes to discussing Buddhist doctrine, I certainly can’t outdo him. The old monk is an obsession cut off by Bodhisattva Wen Yin, incomparable to a young monk like Net Si. He can only deceive me, I can’t possibly deceive him… How can I deal with him?”
Xu Qi An pretended to listen to the sermon while thinking of countermeasures.
“Master, you say you are an obsession cut off by Bodhisattva Wen Yin. What kind of obsession?” Xu Qi An suddenly asked.
“The highest realm of Buddha!” the old monk answered.
The highest realm of Buddha… Starting with such a profound question, I was hoping to approach it from the aspect of obsession, but it seems impossible now… Wait, why not listen to what he has to say first, then combine it with my keyboard warrior knowledge to see if there’s room for maneuver?
Xu Qi An asked in return, “What is the highest realm of Buddha?”
The old monk was silent for a long time: “I don’t know, but Wen Yin thought it was Buddha. So he cut me off, and from then on, his crystal-clear Buddha heart was free from worldly impurities, attaining the Bodhisattva way.”
Hearing this, Xu Qi An fell silent. He knew nothing about the Buddha of this world but had some understanding of Buddhism from his previous life. However, the Buddhism of his previous life was vastly different from the Buddhism of this world.
The most obvious point was that the Buddhist sect of this world had no Buddha Tathagata. There was only one Buddha.
“Why is the highest realm of Buddha the Buddha? Aren’t other Buddhas Buddhas?” Xu Qi An frowned.
At this point, he suddenly remembered a detail: in the Buddhist system, there were second-grade Arhats, first-grade Bodhisattvas, and above that was the Buddha who transcended grades.
There were no other Buddhas.
The old monk answered, “The Buddhist sect has Arhat and Bodhisattva fruitions, but only Buddha attains the supreme fruition. Therefore, Buddha is the highest realm of Buddha, a unique existence. Buddha is Buddha, there is only one.”
“Arhats and Bodhisattvas may not necessarily be unable to attain the highest fruition,” Xu Qi An said.
The old monk looked at him and shook his head: “You are not of the Buddhist sect, inevitably, you don’t understand the taste of fruition.”
Xu Qi An assumed the posture of a disciple, putting his palms together: “Please enlighten me, Master.”
Please, Master, let me freeload more Buddhist knowledge.
“Does the benefactor know why a Bodhisattva is a Bodhisattva, and why an Arhat is an Arhat? The fourth grade in the Buddhist sect is an ‘ascetic monk’. In this realm, one should make great vows.
“Great vows are closely related to fruition. Those who make great vows attain Bodhisattva fruition. Those who make small vows attain Arhat fruition, and Arhat fruition is also divided into three levels: Srotāpanna, Anāgāmi, and Arhat.
“Once a fruition is consolidated, it cannot be changed or advanced.”
Xu Qi An was stunned and didn’t speak for a long time. The information in this passage was too much, taking him several minutes to digest.
“So Bodhisattvas and Arhats are essentially unrelated, they both come from fourth-grade ascetic monks advancing… Wait, after the fourth grade is second or first, then what about the third-grade Vajra realm?
“So Bodhisattvas and Arhats are essentially unrelated, they both come from fourth-grade ascetic monks advancing… Wait, after the fourth grade is second or first, then what about the third-grade Vajra realm? Fourth grade directly skips third grade to achieve Arhat or Bodhisattva fruition… Does this mean that the third-grade Vajra realm belongs to another Buddhist system?”
A flash of inspiration struck Xu Qi An’s mind, and he had a corresponding guess: Eighth-grade Warrior Monk — Third-grade Vajra!
Damn, jumping directly from eighth grade to third grade? The Buddhist system is too strange, not advancing step by step at all.
Xu Qi An reviewed the Buddhist system again, and many things suddenly made sense.
In the Buddhist system from ninth to first grade, the eighth-grade warrior monk corresponds to the third-grade Vajra. No wonder Master Heng Yuan is so powerful in battle yet only an eighth-grade warrior monk, because his next grade is the third-grade Vajra realm.
Moreover, it’s no wonder that second grade is Arhat, first grade is Bodhisattva, and Buddha is beyond grades. The reason for this naming is that once a fruition is determined, it cannot be changed.
So the Buddhist sect of this world is not like the previous life, with a bunch of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In this world’s Buddhist sect, there is only one Buddha: the Buddha.
The world only respects one Buddha… Damn, isn’t this Hinayana Buddhism?!
I’ve figured out how to break the deadlock!
Xu Qi An slowly stood up, staring intently at the old monk. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, then widened, from a smile to a laugh, from a laugh to roaring laughter.
“Hahaha…”
He laughed, bending back and forth, laughing wildly and unrestrained.
“What is he laughing at? Has he gone mad?”
The people outside looked up in confusion, watching Xu Qi An laughing loudly under the Bodhi tree in the Buddhist realm.
“Is he going to admit defeat…” someone worried.
The Buddhist crowd frowned slightly, not knowing why Xu Qi An was laughing so hard.
In the pavilions, all the civil and military officials, ladies, imperial guards, and everyone showed puzzled expressions.
Those familiar with Xu Qi An grew worried, fearing he had received some shock to behave so abnormally suddenly.
Emperor Yuan Jing stood beside the Director, slightly raising his head to look at Xu Qi An’s laughing posture in the scroll. He frowned and glanced back at the Director, only to find that the Director was no longer drinking, but looking at Xu Qi An with a serious expression.
Wei Yuan unconsciously tapped his fingers, looking at Buddha Mountain without saying a word.
…
“What is the benefactor laughing at?”
Under the Bodhi tree, the old monk asked the question on everyone’s mind.
Xu Qi An held his stomach, struggling to stop laughing. His expression became arrogant and insolent as he said, “I’m laughing at the narrow-mindedness of the Buddhist sect and the hypocrisy of Buddha.”
Outrageous!
The old monk’s face showed anger, and the Bodhi tree moved without wind.
Outside, Arhat Du E, who had shown no emotion from beginning to end, finally frowned.
If even Du E was like this, not to mention the other Buddhist monks.
But Xu Qi An’s next words stopped the old monk’s overwhelming anger under the Bodhi tree.
“Master, don’t you not know the highest realm of Buddhism? Then, let me tell you!” His voice was strong and forceful.
Golden light burst from the old monk’s eyes.
“I thought Buddhist doctrine was profound, I thought every Arhat and Bodhisattva was compassionate. Now I know they are just selfish people. It turns out the Buddhist sect practices Hinayana Buddhism,” Xu Qi An said loudly.
Hinayana Buddhism?!
This was a strange, never-before-heard term. It made the monks outside curious despite their anger. If there’s Hinayana Buddhism, is there also Mahayana Buddhism?
“Hmph, what Hinayana Buddhism, he’s making things up to belittle our Buddhist sect.”
“What does a warrior know about Buddhist doctrine, arbitrarily classifying it into Mahayana and Hinayana? Grand Uncle, this person is insulting our Buddhist sect, we can’t let him off lightly.”
Of course, they wouldn’t admit it verbally. The monks angrily rebuked Xu Qi An.
…
“You say I…”
“Master, where are you from?”
“The Western Regions.”
“Why do Buddhist monks cultivate?”
“To attain fruition and transcend the sea of suffering.”
“This is Hinayana Buddhism, cultivating only for oneself, attaining fruition is also like this, benefiting oneself but not others,” Xu Qi An said.
The old monk was stunned. This time, he pondered for a long time and surprisingly didn’t get angry. He asked, “The benefactor says this is Hinayana Buddhism, then, what is Mahayana Buddhism?”
“You’re not a high monk from the Western Regions, you’re a high monk of the Nine Provinces, a high monk of the world. Monks shouldn’t cultivate to escape the sea of suffering for themselves, but to help all living beings in the world escape the sea of suffering.
“Four hundred years ago, why did Confucianism want to eliminate Buddhism? It wasn’t eliminating Buddha, but the Buddhist sect, Hinayana Buddhism.
“Hinayana Buddhism is ultimately limited to one sect or school. Only Mahayana Buddhism can save all living beings. So, what is Mahayana Buddhism?”
The old monk’s breathing became rapid. His eyes were no longer without desire or disturbance. His voice showed obvious fluctuation:
“What is Mahayana Buddhism?”
Outside, all the Buddhist monks stared intently at Xu Qi An, their breathing becoming rapid.
“Why is there only one Buddha?” Xu Qi An questioned.
Including the old monk, all the monks’ breathing suddenly stopped.
Arhat Du E stood up abruptly as if knowing what he was about to say.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Qi An said slowly, “All living beings in the world are Buddhas, there are countless Buddhas in the three realms and ten directions. This is Mahayana Buddhism. Why should there be only one Buddha in the world!”
It was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky!
All living beings in the world are Buddha… The old monk was dumbfounded as if turned to stone.
“All living beings in the world are Buddha, all living beings in the world are Buddha… Mahayana Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism… If it’s Mahayana Buddhism, all beings are Buddha, could Confucianism still eliminate Buddhism?” Monk Net Chen mumbled to himself, as if his life had been negated, his Buddha heart receiving a huge impact.
“I’ve been practicing Hinayana Buddhism, I’ve been practicing Hinayana Buddhism, ha, hahaha… It turns out all beings can become Buddha, yes, all beings are Buddha, this is truly Mahayana Buddhism…”
Suddenly, a monk went mad. He rushed towards the crowd like a madman, his expression frenzied.
His Buddha’s heart had shattered.