The Arhat Du’e brought his palms together, his voice resonating like the evening drums and morning bells: “Rid yourself of troubles, and your Buddha nature will be clear.”
The monk in his frenzy seemed as if struck by a heavy staff. His form stilled, and then he slowly sat down, crossing his legs in meditation. His face still showed signs of struggle, but the madness from before had subsided.
Arhat Du’e withdrew his gaze and looked up towards the secret realm of Buddha Mountain. His deeply furrowed face showed a rare sign of anger.
…
*As expected of an obsession cut out by a Bodhisattva. I merely proposed a concept, and he seems to have gained some insight!*
*The Buddhist sects of the Nine Provinces seem to prioritize power and attainment first, with Buddhist teachings coming second… This might differ from the Hinayana Buddhism of my world, but it’s inferior to Mahayana Buddhism.*
*At the very least, they don’t have the concept of Mahayana Buddhism.*
Seeing the old monk looking dumbfounded yet seemingly enlightened, Xu Qi An reckoned this round was in the bag.
“What just happened? Why did that monk suddenly go mad…”
“Could it be because of what that Silver Gong said?”
“How could a few words have such power? Nonsense.”
Ordinary people had no concept of “Mahayana Buddhism” or “Hinayana Buddhism,” so they were bewildered by the monk’s sudden madness. Not everyone had heard the words spoken before the monk’s frenzy.
Just then, the old monk under the Bodhi tree opened his eyes, wearing a smile of great enlightenment, his entire being radiating Buddhist essence, perfectly natural.
“Thank you, benefactor, for dispelling my doubts. This poor monk has achieved great enlightenment,” the old monk smiled and joined his palms.
*You had an epiphany?! I never thought I’d see the day when I’d spout some nonsense and cause a high monk to achieve great enlightenment…* Xu Qi An’s feelings were complex.
Before he could respond, the old monk continued: “Years ago, when Wen Yin was still a fourth-grade ascetic monk, he had doubts about why he couldn’t become a Buddha. This obsession was hidden in his heart for countless years. When his lifespan was nearing its end, he had a great realization that there is only one Buddha in the world, and that is the Buddha. So he cut me out and attained the fruit of Bodhisattvahood.
“I have sat in meditation in this secret realm for many years, always unable to understand how to become a Buddha, and even more puzzled about why I couldn’t become a Buddha.”
The old monk gazed at Xu Qi An as if looking through him to see a distant version of himself in the West. Finally, he joined his palms and said to himself:
“I am Buddha, and Buddha is me. Amitabha!”
Wen Yin’s obsession was to transcend ranks and become a figure on par with Buddha. Now, he finally realized that being a Buddha has nothing to do with rank.
“Thank you, benefactor, for your guidance.”
“Venerable Master, your Buddhist understanding is profound. It was not my doing,” Xu Qi An said sincerely.
His words served as a trigger for enlightenment, but the ability to have an epiphany was due to this obsessive master’s deep accumulation of knowledge and sudden clarity.
Just as the brief words earlier meant little to ordinary people, they were like evening drums and morning bells to Buddhist monks. They immediately understood the meaning and even extended and reflected upon it in their minds.
A sudden wind arose in the secret realm, and the old monk dissipated into blue smoke, vanishing to parts unknown.
Rustle, rustle…
The Bodhi tree swayed, unexpectedly bearing green Bodhi fruits, hanging heavily from the branches. The fruits emitted a crystalline green light, clearly no ordinary produce.
While the Buddhist realm was silent save for the rustling of the Bodhi tree, the area outside the realm became lively.
At this point, the citizens of the capital were beyond shock and amazement; they found it inconceivable.
If they hadn’t misheard or misread, it was this Silver Gong who had enlightened the old monk under the tree, causing him to achieve great enlightenment. For this, the old monk had even gratefully thanked him.
A warrior enlightening a high monk and causing him to achieve great enlightenment?!
Such an absurd and incredible scene made the capital’s citizens forget to cheer.
“What was that all about?” Chu Yuanzhen asked Master Hengyuan beside him at the top of the restaurant.
“Like seeing through fog, like seeing through fog… Lord Xu spoke more clearly, spoke more clearly…” Hengyuan muttered, seemingly oblivious to the question.
*Xu Ning Yan’s words had such a big impact on the Buddhist community.* Chu Yuanzhen was stunned.
…
*I guess this round is cleared…* Xu Qi An’s heart leaped with joy as he cast a lingering glance at the green Bodhi fruits.
*I’d better wait until I reach the temple at the mountain top*, he thought to himself.
As he turned to leave, a resounding voice suddenly rang out, echoing throughout Buddha Mountain.
“What is Mahayana Buddhism, and what is Hinayana Buddhism? Lord Xu, please explain clearly before you leave.”
Outside, everyone was stunned as they looked towards Arhat Du’e. No one had expected such a high-ranking Arhat to interfere in the duel between the two.
But at this moment, Arhat Du’e’s face was so serious that it made people feel as if they were facing an earth-shattering event, and they didn’t dare to voice any criticism.
What’s this about Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism?
It’s completely incomprehensible.
The common people didn’t understand, but among the top echelons of power in the capital, some people had a slight inkling.
For instance, Wei Yuan and the First Minister Wang.
*This is Arhat Du’e’s voice… The outside world can indeed hear my voice and see my actions, but directly interfering in the duel? What’s going on?*
Xu Qi An frowned and coldly snorted, “May I ask, Venerable Master, what is Buddha?”
“Before the Buddha, for 723,368 years, no one became a Buddha. After the Buddha, for 3,491 years, no one has become a Buddha. The Buddha is the Buddha, how can everyone become a Buddha!”
Arhat Du’e’s voice carried a questioning tone.
*So the Buddhist tradition in this world has existed for 3,491 years. Why hasn’t the school of thought of Mahayana Buddhism emerged yet?*
Xu Qi An pondered for a moment and concluded. The Nine Province’s world values strength above all, with the realm as the foundation. Whoever has the biggest fist is the boss. This has suppressed the development of ideological thinking.
In his world, where everyone is mortal flesh, it’s the ideological differences that constantly collide.
Different environments lead to different directions of development.
*If that’s the case, then I need to explain to you properly what Mahayana Buddhism is. Well, it’s my understanding of Mahayana Buddhism…* Xu Qi An said in a deep voice:
“So, in the eyes of all Buddhist disciples in the world, Buddha is the Buddha, rather than the Buddha is a Buddha. In my view, this idea is simply laughable.”
This statement was convoluted, and apart from the Buddhist monks outside the scene, no one understood it.
Monk Jing Chen couldn’t help but say, “What’s so laughable? You must explain clearly.”
Arhat Du’e glanced at him but said nothing, shifting his gaze back to Xu Qi An.
“Of course it’s laughable. Take the diviners of the Celestial Inspection Bureau as an example. The Director is a first-grade diviner, but not all first-grade diviners are Directors. This should be a consensus, right? But in your Buddhist view, Buddha is just the Buddha. Isn’t this very laughable and strange?
“Shouldn’t ‘Buddha’ represent the highest fruit of attainment, rather than referring to a single person?”
This statement was truly rebellious. The Buddha was the founding patriarch of Buddhism, the only Buddha, the being they should worship.
How could such a lofty, god-like figure not be the only Buddha?
But Xu Qi An’s words indeed made sense, leaving the Buddhist monks unable to refute for a moment.
Xu Qi An continued, “So, I have a question for the Venerable Master. What exactly is Buddha? Is it a way to gain power, or is it a kind of thought?”
Arhat Du’e’s face remained serious, but the anger in his eyes had disappeared, replaced by genuine contemplation. After a moment, he said, “It is both.”
“That’s why I say there’s a distinction between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism,” Xu Qi An asserted confidently.
The monks below exchanged glances, feeling an unbearable itch to hear Xu Qi An’s theory in full.
At the Observatory Tower’s Eight Trigrams Platform, the Director of the Celestial Inspection Bureau widened his eyes, muttering quietly: “This rascal, he dares to say anything. It’s over, it’s over…”
Emperor Yuan Jing turned back and asked, “Director, what did you say?”
The Director smiled, “Your Majesty, Xu Qi An has given you a great gift.”
Emperor Yuan Jing frowned, showing his confusion. But the Director didn’t answer him.
Wei Yuan slowly stood up, his hands clenched into fists inside his hanging sleeves. He seemed to have realized something.
“Impressive…” First Minister Wang said in a low voice.
*Impressive?!* Miss Wang looked at him in surprise, wanting to ask, but seeing her father’s focused demeanor, she could only swallow her doubts.
“The current Buddhist community values power above all, with rank as the foundation. The goal of every Buddhist practitioner is to achieve fruition, be it as an Arhat or a Bodhisattva. In simple terms, it’s about self-salvation. As for saving all sentient beings, that comes later. Venerable Du’e, am I correct?” Xu Qi An asked.
Arhat Du’e remained silent for a while, then brought his palms together.
This was a tacit agreement.
“Therefore, valuing power above all, with rank as the foundation, and seeing the Buddha as the only Buddha – I call this Hinayana Buddhism,” Xu Qi An looked at the sky and said loudly:
“Venerable Du’e, esteemed Buddhist masters, am I correct?”
A monk refuted, “If this is Hinayana Buddhism, then, then what is Mahayana Buddhism? Is it what you said about all beings being Buddha? This is simply absurd.”
“You find it absurd because you practice Hinayana Buddhism, which essentially still values rank above all. This is self-serving. But what if we value the mind above all?”
“Value the mind?”
Arhat Du’e chanted a Buddha’s name and joined his palms, “Please enlighten us, benefactor.”
“You believe there’s only one Buddha in the world, that Buddha is the Buddha, and that people can’t become Buddha, only attaining the fruition of Bodhisattva or Arhat. But, haven’t you forgotten, was the Buddha born a Buddha?” Xu Qi An spoke eloquently:
“I believe everyone has Buddha-nature, only it’s obscured by worldly impurities. But after cultivation, when one sees one’s true self, anyone can become a Buddha.
“Master, seeing one’s nature is becoming Buddha!”
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck across the sky, and faint Sanskrit chants could be heard.
Everyone was stunned to see Arhat Du’e’s body flashing with golden light, echoing the celestial phenomena.
In the Buddhist community, this was a sign of sudden enlightenment.
*Seeing one’s nature is becoming Buddha, seeing one’s nature is becoming Buddha…* Arhat Du’e was immersed in a wonderful state, as if intoxicated.
A voice in his heart was shouting: Why is the Buddha the Buddha? Why can’t I be Buddha?
No, everyone can become Buddha.
This Buddha is not the Buddha in the cultivation system, but the Buddha in one’s heart.
To outsiders, Xu Qi An’s words might only seem somewhat reasonable, but to someone like Arhat Du’e who had practiced Buddhism for many years, they were earth-shattering.
Is Buddha only about power?
Is Buddha only the Buddha?
How narrow-minded this is.
If so, then “Buddha’s light illuminates the Nine Provinces” is just empty talk. Only when everyone can become Buddha can the Nine Provinces truly be illuminated by Buddha’s light?
This is the true Dharma.
The Buddha represents the peak of the Buddhist system, but the Dharma should not be limited to the Buddha.
The concept of Mahayana Buddhism has emerged, and a new school of thought has appeared…
…
The other monks didn’t have sudden enlightenment, but they had their insights. Some even felt a sudden clarity, glimpsing a different Dharma, a new realm of thought.
Among them, Master Jing Chen was the most deeply moved, as if intoxicated.
In the Night Watchmen’s area, the Gold Gongs suddenly heard low laughter coming from Wei Yuan as he walked out of the pavilion.
“A good enlightenment, a good enlightenment indeed!” Wei Yuan said, enunciating each word.
“Marvelous, marvelous!” First Minister Wang stroked his beard and smiled.
*What does this mean? What’s so funny to these two top ministers? Is Arhat Du’e’s enlightenment something to be happy about?*
Although the Buddhist community and Great Feng were allies, the current atmosphere was tense, with both sides competing and dueling, making them half-enemies.
The civil and military officials didn’t think this was something to be happy about.
At the top of the Observatory Tower, on the Eight Trigrams Platform.
Emperor Yuan Jing laughed out loud, more joyfully than ever before.
“Xu Qi An proposed the concept of Mahayana Buddhism. If Arhat Du’e hadn’t gained enlightenment, it would have been fine, but since he did, when he returned to the Western Regions, he would surely spread Mahayana Buddhism.
“This will inevitably cause conceptual conflicts between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism. At that time, endless debates will be the least of it. Once a split occurs… Hahaha.”
He hadn’t laughed so heartily in many years.
Only when two sides are evenly matched can they be allies? When one side becomes increasingly powerful while the other weakens, they will inevitably drift apart.
Great Feng and the Buddhist community are currently in such a state. Great Feng’s borders are harassed by the southern and northern barbarians, while the Buddhist community stands idly by.
If the Buddhist community splits in the future, both factions will seek Great Feng’s support. Great Feng can then elevate its position and benefit from it.
“The Director was right, it is indeed a great gift. Very good, this gift from Xu Qi An, I am very satisfied with it.”
In the pavilion, many nobles looked up in bewilderment towards the top of the Celestial Inspection Bureau.
“That’s His Majesty’s laughter?!”
“What is His Majesty laughing at? What’s so funny about this? Strange, Lord Wei and First Minister Wang are so unusual, and His Majesty is also behaving strangely.”
…
“Mahayana Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism…”
Monk Hengyuan murmured as if intoxicated, “I can also become Buddha, warrior monks can also become Buddha, everyone in the world can become Buddha. Save all sentient beings, knowing one’s nature is becoming Buddha.”
“What did that dog servant say?” Biaobiao widened her eyes and looked at Huai Qing. She knew it was impressive, but she didn’t understand, so she could only ask the knowledgeable Huai Qing.
“I don’t know what he said, but I do know what the consequences will be,” Huai Qing said.
“Consequences?” Biaobiao blinked her peach blossom eyes.
“From now on, Buddhism will be divided into Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism,” Huai Qing revealed with a smile.
At the same time, Xu Er Lang explained to the Gold Gongs: “From now on, Buddhism will be divided into Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism.”
The Gold Gongs immediately widened their eyes. They didn’t need it to be spelled out; they already understood the implications of Xu Xin Nian’s words.
They also understood why Lord Wei had laughed.
Jiang Lv Zhong was overjoyed, his voice very low and trembling with excitement: “This, this, the Buddhist community is in trouble. What has Xu Ning Yan done? What has he done? Hahaha.”
*With just a few words, he divided Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana… Xu Ning Yan has done something remarkable… Lord Wei, was all this within your expectations?*
The plain-looking woman’s eyes suddenly brightened. She hated the Buddhist community, utterly hated it. That’s why she had specifically sent a sixth-grade warrior to compete with Monk Jing Si.
The purpose was to suppress the Buddhist community’s arrogance.
Unfortunately, her subordinate was incompetent, not only failing to accomplish anything but becoming a stepping stone for the opponent.
Today, mixing in the Night Watchmen’s area to watch the duel, joining the excitement was one thing, but she wanted to see the Buddhists suffer, to see them fail in the duel.
Xu Qi An hadn’t won yet, but this pleasant surprise was enough to make the woman roll happily in her bed when she got home.
*He really is capable…* the woman thought.
At this time, among the nobles, some slowly chewed over the mystery, their eyes widening one by one as if they had seen a peerless beauty waiting naked on the bed.
That kind of surprise and wild joy was hard to conceal.
When the civil and military officials looked at Xu Qi An again, their gaze was different. Although this man was a eunuch faction member and disliked, they had to admit, he always brought surprises.
Whenever he took charge of something, it somehow made people feel at ease.