Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 334: Philosophy, Great Philosophy
"Stop, stop, stop!" Maitreya hurriedly intervened, "I understand, I understand."
He was genuinely struggling to tolerate his nephew-disciple’s habit, which was sometimes bearable, but at other times, incessantly annoying—and the youngster was blissfully unaware of it.
Jin Chanzi shrugged his shoulders, if he didn’t want to listen, then he would say no more.
Taking a gentle breath, Jin Chanzi suddenly opened his eyes that shone brightly.
"What is this scent? Why is it so fragrant?" Jin Chanzi couldn’t help but ask.
Even a vegetarian meal shouldn’t smell this tempting!
"Of course, it’s the aroma of the dish!" Maitreya stated matter-of-factly, and even nudged his mouth toward the braised pork ribs on the plate.
Jin Chanzi, looking at the revealed ribs by Maitreya’s side, wore a face of surprise.
"This is... meat dish?" Jin Chanzi hesitantly said.
Long residing on Spirit Mountain, he had neither seen nor tasted a meat dish before.
"Right," Maitreya said with a chuckle, frankly admitting, "This dish is called braised pork ribs, extremely delicious. This is Chef Wukong’s signature masterpiece!"
Maitreya did not hide it, because he knew Jin Chanzi was different from the others.
"Oh, come now, I still have a long way to go," Sun Wukong laughed it off.
Sun Wukong was modest because, compared to his master, he really did fall far short, but having his cooking recognized truly made him happy.
Indeed, Jin Chanzi reacted just as Maitreya had assumed, very calmly.
"Does Uncle Maitreya know the rules of Buddhism?" Jin Chanzi asked softly.
"I am your uncle, how could I not?" Maitreya said as if it were self-evident.
Jin Chanzi’s brow furrowed, "Then why do you knowingly commit this offense, Uncle?"
Abstaining from meat is one of the most basic precepts of Buddhism; his uncle had achieved the rank of Quasi-Saint, how could he lack even this bit of self-control?
Hearing Jin Chanzi’s words, Maitreya was somewhat at a loss for words. What could be the reason?
It was simply too delicious to resist!
Not to mention him, didn’t so many immortals also indulge at the Flat Peach Festival?
Admittedly, they weren’t bound by any strict monastic rules, but the fact that it moved all of the Immortal Clans spoke volumes!
"Have you ever heard a saying, Nephew?" Maitreya lowered his voice, suddenly turning somewhat solemn.
"Please, Uncle, enlighten me," Jin Chanzi respectfully gave a Buddhist salute.
"The saying goes, ’Through the guts the wine and meat do pass, but in the Buddha Ancestor’s heart they last,’" Maitreya intoned.
Jin Chanzi’s pupils constricted slightly, that saying...
Seeing that Jin Chanzi did not react for a long time, Maitreya also felt puzzled: What’s the matter? Was he stupefied?
He was just rambling a bit; it shouldn’t provoke such a big reaction!
Maitreya put his hand down, about to get up to see what was going on.
"Profound!"
Jin Chanzi suddenly shouted loudly, startling Maitreya so much that he plopped back down.
"Jin Chanzi, what is the meaning of this alarm and panic?!" Even Maitreya’s good temper was tested, a touch of irritation flaring up from being startled.
"Apologies, Uncle, I was just too excited!" Jin Chanzi’s voice was very high pitched, clearly not yet calmed down.
"Through the guts the wine and meat do pass, but in the Buddha Ancestor’s heart they last. Uncle, I had no idea your understanding of Buddhist Law was so profound!"
This phrase was impeccable, both in the flow of the sentence and the depth of its meaning!
He had thought that his usually laid-back and carefree uncle was only highly adept in his cultivation.
It seemed he had underestimated him. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
However, Maitreya did not accept the praise but instead chuckled and shook his head, "The one who said this phrase was not I."
"Then who was it?!" Jin Chanzi asked impatiently.
Maitreya grinned, "Far in the distance, yet right before your eyes."
Right before his eyes? Jin Chanzi was taken aback, his intuition sharp. He instantly understood and suddenly turned to look at Sun Wukong beside him.
"Meat and wine pass through the gut, but Buddha stays in the heart, did you say this, Benefactor Sun?" Jin Chanzi asked excitedly.
This was the most philosophical thing he had heard in recent years!
What are the rules of Buddhism for? To keep Buddha in the heart.
If Buddha is already in the heart, then what need is there for rules?!
Marvelous, this statement is truly marvelous!
"How could I utter such a profound phrase? I only mentioned it in passing, it’s all Maitreya who articulated it so beautifully," Sun Wukong said with a grin.
Watching Jin Chanzi in this state, Sun Wukong raised his eyebrows, thinking this Brother Jin was really... quite peculiar.
It’s just a sentence, isn’t it?
"It’s the same either way!" Jin Chanzi nodded vigorously: "This sentence came from your enlightenment! It’s your merit!"
Sun Wukong’s mouth twitched, what merit?!
All he did was make a casual comment when he saw Maitreya struggling with eating meat, where was there any merit?
Maitreya: "..."
He was the summarizer, wasn’t he?
It was he who phrased it so eloquently, how could they simply deny him all credit?
This was too hard on him!
Jin Chanzi took a deep breath, calmed his emotions somewhat, and regained his composed demeanor, smiling at Sun Wukong.
"Donor, you have a predestined relationship with our Buddhism! Would you like to join our sect?" Jin Chanzi invited.
At these words, Maitreya couldn’t help but nod in agreement; Jin Chanzi had finally said something appealing after half a day’s effort!
Cooking so deliciously, indeed very much in harmony with his sect!
"Impossible, impossible!" Sun Wukong panicked and shook his head quickly: "I already have a mentor, I cannot join!"
No matter what, he would definitely not defect from Chaos Residence nor betray his master!
"I see," Jin Chanzi nodded thoughtfully: "Respecting one’s own sect and following the master’s will is proper, and indeed I should not insist on you joining our Buddhism."
Jin Chanzi bowed apologetically to Sun Wukong: "It was my rudeness just now, not asking clearly the circumstances, I apologize."
This was a basic matter of morals, he had no right to interfere.
"It doesn’t matter," Sun Wukong shook his head: "You didn’t ask me, you had no way of knowing."
"However..."
Sun Wukong scratched his head, appearing a bit helpless as he looked at Jin Chanzi: "Brother Jin, could you not keep calling me ’Benefactor Sun, Benefactor Sun’? It’s too formal, it feels awkward to me."
"Just call me Wukong."
Jin Chanzi smiled lightly: "Very well, from now on I will call you Wukong."
To teach a disciple like Wukong, his master must be a person of great wisdom, and apparently has quite a connection with his Buddhism.
Jin Chanzi thought to himself, but did not voice this thought out loud.
"It’s a pity that I can’t be in the same sect as you and discuss Buddhist principles together."
Sun Wukong smiled broadly, not taking it too seriously: "We can’t be in the same sect this life, but we can still be friends!"
For some reason, Sun Wukong actually had a good impression of this odd-speaking monk.
He understood him well! Suited his temperament!
On hearing this, a flash of surprise appeared in Jin Chanzi’s eyes. Friends, huh?
He murmured to himself in his heart and nodded, smiling: "Indeed, this is true!"
"We cannot be in the same sect, but we can be friends, I am overthinking it."
As for how things were between the man and the monkey, Maitreya paid no attention; his eyes were only on the braised pork ribs.
Picking up a piece with his chopsticks, Maitreya didn’t hesitate at all and stuffed it into his mouth. Simmered over a high flame, and removed at the perfect moment.
The ribs, having soaked up the broth, became incredibly tender without a hint of toughness.
The pork ribs that Sun Wukong had prepared for braising were carefully selected, each with just a single bone in the middle, making them very convenient to eat without the issue of difficult-to-gnaw meat stuck in the bone crevices.
