Great Demon Sun Wukong-Chapter 653 - 601
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Although in Buddha's Pure Land Realm, the Buddha-worshipping Sect is merely a small Sect of the Eighth Rank, Tang Sanzang and his companions did not look down upon it. Although Sun Wukong and the others held no favorable feelings toward the sects of Buddhism in the Pangu Realm, because of Tang Sanzang's devoutness to Buddhism, they held no discrimination or particular sentiment against the Buddhism of Buddha's Pure Land Realm. Therefore, when the Sect Master of the Buddha-worshipping Sect came out to greet them with a hearty laugh, Tang Sanzang and the five of them also paid full respect. Although they might not necessarily become disciples of the Buddha-worshipping Sect, forging a good karmic connection is always beneficial.
The Sect Master of the Buddha-worshipping Sect, Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha, appeared benevolent and kind-hearted at a glance, giving off an impression of gentle, scholarly grace. At this moment, Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha had already approached Tang Sanzang and the others, and that young monk paid his respects with high reverence before stepping back. Then, Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha first bowed to Tang Sanzang and his five companions before speaking, "This humble monk is the Sect Master of the Buddha-worshipping Sect, with the Buddhist name Bright Ritual Wisdom Light. All of you have just ascended and are Buddhas in your own right. It truly brings glory to my humble sect to have you here. Come now, follow this humble monk, and allow me to introduce you to the Buddha-worshipping Sect." Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha was exceptionally enthusiastic and showed no sign of looking down on Sun Wukong and the others. On the contrary, it was as if he were greeting long-lost old friends.
Sun Wukong stepped forward with a bound and said, "Hold on, hold on, does the esteemed Sect Master know we were coming?" Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha responded with a composed smile, "This humble monk's disciple had already informed me of your situation on his way back. Ah, right, I was so overjoyed I got somewhat muddled. You can call me Monk Zhi Guang. May I have the honor to know your Buddhist names?" At this point, Tang Sanzang stepped forward and gave a bow, saying, "This humble monk's Buddhist name is Golden Cicada. This is my eldest disciple, Sun Wukong. This is my second disciple, Zhu Wuneng. This is my third disciple, Sha Wujing. This is my fourth disciple, his secular name is Ao Yu."
Monk Zhi Guang nodded and then explained, "Please forgive my earlier behaviors, I truly was too excited and may have startled you. Indeed, there is a reason for my conduct!" It turns out that although the Buddha-worshipping Sect is an Eighth Rank sect, it is at the very bottom among those of similar rank. Aside from the disciples who tend the fields and gather herbs on the mountain with cultivation levels not yet reaching the Unity Dao, those behind him comprised all of the remaining disciples of the Buddha-worshipping Sect. Other than Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha himself, there were two others at the Peak of Unity Dao, but the remaining twenty or so only had the cultivation of Primary Grade Unity Dao. With such strength, they might not even match some of the slightly stronger Ninth Grade sects.
The Buddha-worshipping Sect was once a moderately upper-grade sect within the Eighth Rank, boasting five to six hundred disciples at its most glorious. However, a sect known as the Battle Buddha Sect swiftly rose in the vicinity, comprised of people who were brash, aggressive, and excelled in combat. Especially the Sect Master of the Battle Buddha Sect, Di Zhan, though also at the Peak of Unity Dao, could single-handedly gain an advantage against the two peak cultivators of the Buddha-worshipping Sect. After several conflicts with the Battle Buddha Sect, many disciples of the Buddha-worshipping Sect either died or scattered, and a significant portion was even taken in by the Battle Buddha Sect. That is why the Buddha-worshipping Sect has fallen to such lows.
Furthermore, due to the dominance of the Battle Buddha Sect, the Buddha-worshipping Sect hadn't had anyone join for several hundred years, whether they were external ascenders or local Buddhist cultivators. This is why Monk Zhi Guang was so thrilled, to the point of personally coming down to the lower courtyard to welcome them himself, when the young monk informed him through a Message Jade Slip that today, unexpectedly, five ascenders would be joining their Buddha-worshipping Sect. These were five powerful individuals who had ascended on their own strength, and the weakest among them had the cultivation of Primary Grade Unity Dao. Moreover, each of these ascenders was an individual of exceptional aptitude, who, with diligent cultivation, was sure to rapidly advance in their cultivation.
Of course, Bright Ritual Wisdom Light Buddha made all of this very clear to Tang Sanzang. Although the Buddha-worshipping Sect was in dire need of people, Monk Zhi Guang did not intend to conceal these facts. If in the future, due to the enmity with the Battle Buddha Sect, these few ascenders were to meet with a terrible fate, it would be an immense sin. It must be said that the Buddha-worshipping Sect is one of the few sects in the Buddha's Pure Land Realm that still fervently believes in Buddha. After millions, or even tens of millions, of years of development, many Buddhist sects, though practicing the cultivation techniques of Buddhism under the banner of Buddhism, have essentially become no different from other Cultivation Sects.
In the competition for talents, resources, and territory, they often engage in fierce battles, and sometimes even annihilate other sects. Only a very few Buddhist sects still uphold the original faith, that is, the Buddha in one's heart. The Buddha worshipped in Pangu Realm is Tathagata Buddha Sakyamuni. When Tang Sanzang inquired about whom the Buddha worshipped in Buddha's Pure Land Realm, Monk Zhi Guang pointed to his own heart with a smile and said, "The Buddha is in the heart. Without attributes, without form, without name. Not someone, not something." Tang Sanzang was initially taken aback but then showed a look of sudden realization.
"I've learned much, Venerable Master Zhi Guang. With a single phrase, you've dispelled my decades of confusion. May we stay here to listen to the teachings of Venerable Master Zhi Guang day and night?" Back when Tang Sanzang was the elder disciple Golden Cicada, sitting under the Tathagata Buddha in the Western Paradise Thunderclap Monastery, he dozed off during one of Tathagata's sermons. The Tathagata, displeased, awakened him and questioned, "Without listening to my Buddhist teachings, how can you comprehend the ultimate truths of the world?" Whether Golden Cicada was too sleepy to comprehend or had some other reason, he replied, "Without you, the Buddha still exists. My heart is my Buddha, and the ultimate truth of the world resides within it!"
It was because of these words that the Tathagata became furious, stripping all of Golden Cicada's cultivation and condemning him to suffer through ten lifetimes of tribulations. Ten cycles of reincarnation had made Tang Sanzang completely forget the words he had once said to Tathagata, but even though the memories were erased, Tang Sanzang was still Golden Cicada. Particularly in this life, he had doubted the Buddhist doctrines he knew several times. The clear enlightenment of "my heart is my Buddha" had already gradually emerged in his heart, though it was still vague. But the words of Monk Zhi Guang, like piercing through a paper window, instantly enlightened Tang Sanzang's heart, making it transparent and bright.
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Tathagata is not the Buddha; he has merely imposed the identity of the Buddha upon himself. The Buddha is not anyone specific, nor has he ever been. Tang Sanzang's realization dawned upon him naturally, and he felt Master Zhiguang's understanding of Buddhist philosophy to be profound. Thereupon, he suggested he follow Master Zhiguang in his practice. Naturally, Master Zhiguang was only too pleased to agree. Then, taking Tang Sanzang by the hand, they headed towards the great hall. However, after just a few steps, Tang Sanzang inquired, "Master Zhiguang, the Battle Buddha Sect you just mentioned, do they also worship Buddha as our Buddha-worshipping Sect does?"
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Master Zhiguang shook his head: "They are nothing more than a gang of bandits. They belong to an external path of Buddhism that cultivates the body rather than the heart. Our Buddha-worshipping Sect, on the other hand, follows the internal path that cultivates the heart, not the body. It is different; otherwise, we would not be so miserably bullied by them!" Tang Sanzang then asked, "So you mean to say that they only practice Buddhist cultivation techniques and lack the compassionate heart of Buddhism?" Master Zhiguang nodded and then, thinking of the deplorable state of the Buddha-worshipping Sect, he shook his head involuntarily.
After a moment's thought, Tang Sanzang turned to Sun Wukong. "Wukong, do you remember the teaching I once gave you, that if someone treats me well, I shall repay their kindness in full?" Sun Wukong nodded. Then Tang Sanzang said, "Master Zhiguang's words have just cleared away decades of my inner obscurity, leaving me with unparalleled clarity. What, then, should we do?" To this, Sun Wukong nodded and replied, "Master, your disciple understands." Having finished speaking, Sun Wukong first bowed to Master Zhiguang, then paid his respects to Tang Sanzang. He then whispered a few words into Zhu Bajie's ear and turned to Sha Wujing and the White Dragon, saying, "Brother Sha, White Dragon, you two stay here to look after the master. Eight Rules and I have some matters to attend to and will return by morning."
Though Sha Wujing and the White Dragon were somewhat puzzled, they didn't ask further questions and simply nodded their agreement. Sun Wukong then took to the sky with Zhu Bajie, flying towards the foot of the mountain. "Master Jinchan, this..." Seeing Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie suddenly depart, Master Zhiguang worried he had not been a good host and asked anxiously. Tang Sanzang, however, just smiled and said, "It's nothing to worry about; they're just taking care of a trifling matter and will be back by morning. Master Zhiguang, I wish to continue seeking your guidance!"
Master Zhiguang then dismissed the others and personally led Tang Sanzang and his two disciples up to the Lianyun Retreat at the mountaintop, picking out three upper rooms for them to rest in. No disciple or elder of the Buddha-worshipping Sect showed even a hint of dissatisfaction or any other emotion, despite the fact that Tang Sanzang and his two companions were staying in the best place without yet having joined the Sect. It had to be said that the people of the Buddha-worshipping Sect were indeed dedicated to charity with pure hearts, devoid of any jealousy— the only feeling present was joy for the addition of these five strong individuals to their Sect.
After leaving the mountain gates of the Buddha-worshipping Sect, Zhu Bajie couldn't help but ask, "Big brother, are you tricking me again by not sleeping? Are we really going to find treasures? But you are also here for the first time; how do you know where the treasures are?" Sun Wukong had whispered to Zhu Bajie that he was going to take him treasure hunting, which was why Bajie had agreed to follow him.
"Heh, calling you a blockhead is an understatement, you still don't admit it. We may not know where the treasures are, but the people here do. We just ask them, right? Remember, in order to get that treasure, you'll need to exert some strength." Zhu Bajie's eyes shone with golden light as he said, "Rest assured, rest assured, I may lack many things, but strength isn't one of them. Big brother, is that treasure quite large? Is it so you can't carry it alone?"
Sun Wukong did not answer, instead chuckled and said, "Now, you can merge with a thread of that flame, and I'll protect you while you do." Zhu Bajie, slightly embarrassed, replied, "Uh, well, I think, there's no need for that right now." Sun Wukong asked with confusion, "What's the problem? Can't you merge with that flame? There's going to be a fight soon, and it would be a good chance for you to get familiar with this flame!"
Zhu Bajie at first shook his head, then bashfully said, "No, no—that flame, well, I ate it when you weren't looking, and now, I've completely digested it!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please head to Starting Point (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and Monthly Passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
