With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal-Chapter 571 - 523: The Dragon-Flower Sacred Tree, Innate Buddha Heart, and Reverse Buddha Fruit
Coming back to his senses, he listened to the young monk preaching:
"Our Shaolin venerates the Four Heavenly Kings, residing in the same hall as Maitreya Buddha, with the core being [the veneration of the main deity and the protection of doctrine by the celestial kings].
However..."
"Understood."
Having heard these words, Meng Chuan pondered for a moment and caught up with the pace.
The two walked in slowly, and Huijue stood in front to guide and explain.
Facing the Buddha enshrined centrally in the main position, he put his hands together and bowed, then stood up and said:
"As the future Buddha, Maitreya symbolizes the core will of [compassion and salvation], being the main deity of the Heavenly King Hall, also representing the fundamental direction of Buddhist teachings."
"The fundamental direction?"
The young monk clasped his hands together, his voice full of deep devoutness:
"Guide all beings to break free from worry and suffering, cut off the roots of afflictions, and ultimately realize the true essence of life, achieving spiritual liberation and enlightenment, rather than pursuing external material or martial arts achievements."
"I understand."
Meng Chuan felt that the fundamental direction of the Buddhist teachings, as explained by Jue Ming, was somewhat inapplicable to the Qi Blood Martial Arts Era.
The world was facing threats from the demon gods, and relying solely on compassion and salvation seemed improper; only "thunderous means" could lead all beings to liberation...
However, the intent of compassion in the Buddhist sect was likely profound, and he shouldn’t generalize.
Soon, he noticed the young monk beside him suddenly fell silent.
His expression was hesitant, somewhat twisted.
Meng Chuan smiled and said:
"Little master, if there are any matters of taboo, you needn’t mention them."
Knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing, and his curiosity wasn’t that intense...
Jue Ming thought for a moment and still said:
"Actually, there isn’t any taboo, just upon seeing Maitreya Buddha, I thought of a legend about this Buddha.
It doesn’t concern Brother Meng’s purpose today, so I’m not sure if I should tell."
Meng Chuan laughed and said:
"Go ahead, it’s no problem."
Jue Ming bowed once again, then proceeded to kowtow to the future Buddha before speaking:
"In our Shaolin, there is a legend about becoming a Buddha instantly under the Dragon Flower Tree.
The Dragon Flower Tree is located in [the future] Huayuan Forest Garden, where Maitreya attained Buddhahood.
The bamboo forest on the side of the mountain behind Boe Peak was even enlightened by our temple abbot, realizing it as the Huayuan Forest Garden existing in [the present] in Central Earth.
In its center lies the Dragon Flower Tree that connects the present and the future, only visible to disciples with profound Buddha karma and only those with deep Buddha wisdom can perform the act of Maitreya’s enlightenment under the tree."
Huayuan Forest Garden is an aspirational place in Buddhist legends and teachings, without an actual location.
Meng Chuan’s curiosity was piqued.
Huayuan Forest Garden, Dragon Flower Tree...
They sounded somewhat like...
The Immortal Buddha Dharma Realm of the future Buddha?
He inquired:
"Little master, has anyone in your temple seen the Dragon Flower Tree?"
"Yes, but there’s no solid account."
"What does solid account mean?"
"The abbot glimpsed the future and said: only those who represent the [future] can obtain the [future fruit] from the Dragon Flower Tree, attesting the compassionate salvation fruit position existing in the [present]."
"...It’s a bit convoluted, could you please explain further?"
Jue Ming nodded; indeed, those not deeply versed in Buddhist teachings find it confusing...
He was a disciple of the Shaolin Warrior Monk Institute, well-acquainted with these legends.
"Our Buddhist teachings follow time, divided into the past, present, and future foundational Buddhas, also known externally as the [Vertical Three Buddhas]."
The past Buddha is the Ancient Dipankara Buddha, the starting point of [cause], who imparted the prophecy of becoming a Buddha to Shakyamuni Buddha, foretelling future enlightenment.
Now, Shakyamuni Buddha exists in the world, manifesting the [fruit], teaching beings in the mundane world, also paving the way for future Buddhahood under the Dragon Flower Tree, extending the mission of Buddhist doctrine transmission.
The future Buddha Maitreya is the continuation of the [fruit], succeeding Shakyamuni Buddha’s lifespan, continuing to transform beings and propagate the teachings of Buddhism.
The Three Buddhas, in the vertical timeline, form an endless cycle, a closed loop of Buddhist teachings.
It sounds very grandiose!
Meng Chuan, understanding it with respect, was quietly amazed.
Combining the [future fruit] just mentioned by the young monk.
He muttered to himself in contemplation:
"In the [present], obtaining the fruit existing in the [future], this is what is called enlightenment under the Dragon Flower Tree?
The future Buddha’s [fruit], after continuation, becomes the [fruit] manifestation of the present.
The one who obtains the [future fruit] is also the [fruit] continuation after its manifestation... No wonder, it signifies the attainment of the Buddha’s fruit position.
Little master, is this the meaning?"
"Brother Meng’s brilliance!"
Jue Ming admired that he could unravel this understanding; it took years of deep immersion in Buddhist teachings for Jue Ming himself to clarify its twists.
No wonder Brother Meng, previously underrated in wisdom, is now...
Boundless wisdom!
Meng Chuan suddenly realized:
"The future fruit is sown by Maitreya Buddha in the future, thereby affecting the present... a reversed ’fruit’ of direction?"
The young monk was stifled, speechless:
"...Is there not a possibility, called future Buddha fruit, attested in reality..."
"Same meaning, attesting the future now means turning the now into the future, continuing from what Maitreya Buddha established."
To sum up, it’s the Buddhist concept of passing on and initiating.
"Has anyone obtained the future fruit?"
He immediately felt he misspoke.
Just remembered what the young monk just said, there’s no solid account.
What is a solid account?
It’s obtaining the future fruit.
If someone has seen the Dragon Flower Tree, does it mean they’ve been to the Maitreya Buddha Realm?
Failing to retrieve the future fruit means one hasn’t passed this Buddha’s test.
Frankly speaking, Meng Chuan felt tempted...
Jue Ming shook his head:
"As far as I know, none have. But the current abbot of Shaolin was born with innate Buddha heart, signifying from birth, he’s the future person of the Buddhist sect, equivalent to naturally holding the future fruit.
Through polishing the Buddha heart, one can finally attest the Buddha fruit."
Innate... [Buddha heart].
Turns out this trait is the so-called future fruit...
When Meng Chuan was looking up information on the Martial Arts Association’s official website, he encountered this extremely abnormal trait.
The records were vague, but they did mention the three divine effects it manifests.
First, those who possess this trait bear no karmic burdens, remain pure in body and mind, and are not entangled by retributions.
Meng Chuan interpreted this effect as the nemesis of the Heart Demon!
Second, it is rumored that those with the "Buddha Heart" can foresee barriers in their cultivation early, helping them avoid misguided paths and reach the pinnacle of Buddhist teachings directly.
Previously incomprehensible, now he understood.
According to Jue Ming’s saying, it is akin to "possessing the fruits of the future and briefly glimpsing into times yet to come."
Seeing the future naturally allows one to know how to avoid misguided paths and discern which path is the correct one.
The last effect is not fully documented.
It merely states that those with the "Buddha Heart" contain some inherent unique constitution.
Born to dispel evil entities and demons, protect a region’s peace, and nourish the virtuous roots of sentient beings.
Suddenly, Meng Chuan thought, with the vast expanse of the Shaoshi Mountain range, not a single Demon Nest has ever been born...
It truly works!
He felt that the Buddha Heart trait, in terms of a certain aspect, although inferior to one-time perpetual certification,
overall, it’s stronger than the Nirvana Rainbow.
The level, perhaps... is a super trait above the advanced level!
If only he could acquire the seeds of the future...
Could he cultivate a second super trait?
Meng Chuan suddenly became excited, his brows twitching non-stop.
But immediately after, he calmed down swiftly.
The Shaolin Temple is abundant with talent, yet not a single person can acquire the fruit beneath the Dragon Flower Tree.
Even Master Bai Bao, such a natural prodigy, couldn’t achieve that?
Could he succeed?
The Shaolin Temple Abbot mentioned that those representing the "future" can take the fruit from beneath the tree.
They inherently possess the Buddha Heart, able to glimpse into the future; this possibility might be true...
Yet if the Abbot can see the future, wouldn’t he know who can take the fruit?
Perhaps it cannot be spoken?
Then could it be... that he is the one representing the future?
Representing the future, what does that truly imply...
It certainly couldn’t mean being the world’s first in talent.
If that were truly the case, why would it have fallen to him to represent anything at this moment; likely Zhao Dasheng would...
Nor could it be the one who annihilates the Supreme Demon outside Blue Star.
The power to vanquish the demon god, what might and strength!
Such individuals already alter future trajectories, or even control future events, representing nothing...
So what exactly is it...
Suddenly curious, Meng Chuan wanted to consult with the current Abbot in Shaolin Temple who passed down this tale.
Within his heart, an inexplicable feeling arose.
A sense of responsibility?
The future?
Aside from representing myself, what else can I represent...
Then, he asked Jue Ming:
"Is your Abbot present in the temple?"
"Probably not, I’ve been practicing in Shaolin for 15 years, and only glimpsed the Abbot from afar at the ’Dharma Realm Sacred and Mortal Water and Land Universal Liberation Grand Festival’ eight years ago."
"..."
In fact, when asking, Meng Chuan already had the answer in his heart.
Shaolin, as the leading giant of the Buddhist sect, the Abbot is not a Martial Arts Celestial King, above there are no ancestral sect figures, he himself is the Great Saint.
Upon hearing what Jue Ming said, it was clear his martial arts cultivation was undoubtedly at level seven.
Martial Arts Great Saints are separated from human dimensions, residing often in the Celestial Demon Realm, and are naturally hard to encounter.
Perhaps when Zhao Dasheng breaks through to level eight, Jue Ming, the young master, can see the Abbot daily...
Returning to himself, how can he meet the Abbot?
Upon hearing the series of events mentioned by Jue Ming.
What was Meng Chuan’s first reaction?
Luo Tian Grand Festival!
Water and Land Dharma Assembly, Luo Tian Grand Festival.
The former is the foremost Dharma assembly of the Buddhist sect, the latter is the foremost grand festival of the Daoist sect.
The encircling whispers in the mountains must be a concerted effort from the Tao and Buddhist, as well as multi-sided United University forces.
Perhaps... in the Jin Land Taihang Mountain range, he might get a chance to meet the Abbot Great Saint...
He himself still has to ambush Fang Jianxing in the Jin Land Zishou Temple, maybe they’ll cross paths...
But before that, should he perhaps first try...
If he can seize the "Future Buddha Fruit" beneath the Dragon Flower Tree.
Then there’s no need to bother about this representing-the-future sort of thing.
Just to use it, Meng Chuan was a pragmatist.
As for whether he could try, he thought to ask the all-knowing Master Bai Bao...
Regaining composure, he followed Master Jue Ming and paid homage to the Future Buddha before him.
"Brother Meng, would you like to offer incense?"
Meng Chuan hesitated a moment, then declined.
Offering incense, does it imply accepting the lineage?
He dared not wager.
Seeing Jue Ming’s puzzled expression.
Only then did Meng Chuan explain, alleviating his demeanor.
"Brother Meng, are all the Martial Artists at the Four-sided Alliance University like this?"
"Not entirely, some martial artists probably don’t mind these things."
Jue Ming nodded, belief isn’t a burdensome object.
Everyone grows up in different environments, differing in their approach and interactions.
Believing or not in Immortals and Buddhas does not distinguish good or bad in martial arts.
"It’s alright Brother Meng, martial arts still hinges on the individual. Regardless of belief, one can still achieve Martial Arts Great Saint.
Moreover, there are currently more seven-limit powerhouses within the Tao and Buddhist schools."
Meng Chuan nodded in agreement, openly acknowledging the merits of the Buddhist sect without pushing back.
Everyone lifts others up, each having their own different thoughts, it’s enough to respect them.
