With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal-Chapter 575 - 527: All Dharmas Lack Self-Nature; The Benevolent Heart is Moved
The Qi Refining Method is not something everyone can practice; it has certain learning thresholds.
Just like the "spiritual roots" described in novels, this has certain talent restrictions.
Thus, as long as the little monk can learn, he will teach diligently.
Meng Chuan is never stingy with those around him.
"Amitabha—thank you, Brother Meng!"
Jue Ming puts his palms together and bows lightly.
Senior Brother Meng is as generous as Divine Monk Baibao!
He waves his hand and then asks Master Baibao:
"Master Baibao, do you want to learn? This method was obtained from Grandmaster Han Zhongli, and it’s quite beneficial to longevity."
"No need for me, these effects are useless to me; only Divine Skills can let me... rejuvenate? Hahaha."
Baibao chuckles self-mockingly and takes the lead to walk inside.
He has already smelled the aroma of porridge coming from inside.
...
Eat first, then discuss the sutra.
The three have porridge and afterward, Baibao waves a hand, tidying the table.
The little monk wipes his mouth with a paper, feeling today’s porridge tastes sweeter than usual.
Reflecting on himself, it seems his mental state has slightly improved.
He’s feeling an urge to break through the second limit.
Thinking to himself, he finally suppresses the thought:
"Can’t rush... I must proceed steadily, making sure of every step."
The power of Mara deeply influences the heart of every monk in the Shaolin Temple.
Walking steadily is more important than walking quickly.
While the little monk is lost in thought, Meng Chuan sees Master Baibao gesture, making a large express box appear on the table.
At the top are three striking red symbols: [All Connected].
Master Baibao pushes the express box towards him:
"The receiver is you; I picked up my own when I was at the gate. Seeing your delivery, I got it for you as well."
Meng Chuan thanks him and passes his hand over, storing it in his tiger-head waist badge.
The little monk sees he possesses a treasure for storage, eyes filled with envy.
"Thank you, Master Baibao. By the way, do you also like shopping online?"
He doesn’t know what’s inside.
But the shipping address says it’s from Shanghai Hanhai Company’s headquarters, so he understands what it is.
Mostly likely it’s the top-tier Martial Arts Treasure Pill beneficial to mental health, mentioned earlier by Grandmaster Shen Shuo, that’s arrived.
Look at it later; first, study Buddhist principles.
Opposite, Baibao also smiles:
"Since the Martial Arts Association set up online shopping, I’ve indeed used it often, very convenient."
Meng Chuan nods; the online shopping format is much more convenient than before.
Though Master Baibao is older, his mindset is youthful, keeping up with changing times.
Quietly noting:
"Optimism, a youthful mindset, is a fundamental requirement for achieving the status of Celestial King..."
As for whether it’s right or true?
It’s nothing more than feeling it’s right, then it is right.
Returning to reality, seeing Master Baibao’s expression shifting slowly to solemn.
Meng Chuan knows it’s time to begin discussing the sutra.
The little monk stands up, puts his palms together, and bows respectfully.
His eyes slightly serious, he also clasps his hands in a martial gesture.
Sits properly and waits.
Regardless of whether one is a Buddhist Sect believer or not. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
If you listen to the Buddhist sutra, you must show the basic respect for faith.
Master Baibao adjusts his sleeves, and a copy of the [Diamond Sutra] appears, flying to the table in front of Meng Chuan.
Jue Ming doesn’t need it; he’s already memorized it backwards.
Baibao lightly coughs, saying:
"Alright, everyone focus. Today we’ll continue from last time, discussing the Diamond Sutra."
"Understood."
Meng Chuan’s memory is exceptional; he slightly recalls and flips through to where they left off last time.
This Buddhist classic is one of the core sutras of Shaolin, containing the effect of illuminating the mind and recognizing one’s true nature, thus essential to read.
Study time always passes particularly slowly...
Outside the window, shadows of trees sway.
Though Baibao’s voice is light, each word reaches the soul, incredibly clear.
Jue Ming, having entered the monastery halfway in life, has already spent fifteen springs and autumns at the temple.
Though he’s studied the Diamond Sutra countless times, at this moment, he still listens intently.
Every Buddhist scripture just sits there.
To look at, to think about, to discuss.
Everyone has a different understanding of it.
The little monk occasionally takes out white paper to jot down notes, for reflection later.
Everyone’s memory attic is limited in size.
Never forgetting is unique to Meng Chuan.
He collects his thoughts, listens intently to the sutra.
[Thus, giving without attachment to form. Why? If Bodhisattvas give without attachment, their merits are immeasurable.]
It speaks of doing good deeds without seeking reward, yet the reward is greater than when attached, so great it’s beyond thought.
This isn’t about becoming a "Money-Sending Boy," but rather emphasizes the purity of one’s intentions.
The boundless Buddhist principles, Meng Chuan occasionally validates them in his mind, reaping abundant insights.
With the Arhat Fist in practice, the Buddhist methods he’s learned are increasing.
Martial arts and principles are inseparable.
Studying Buddhist principles greatly aids his practice of the Arhat Fist.
Moreover, the three major Buddhist Hard Skills he bears also benefit.
Most crucially, it involves the daily number of Horizontal Training Skill practices, the [Brahma Jail Calming].
In recent days, he’s had significant insights from this sutra, mastery is imminent.
Of course, this is intentional by Master Baibao.
Upon hearing that he’s currently focusing on this high-level True Skill Horizontal Training Method.
He’s also deliberately choosing explanations from the Diamond Sutra that might be easy for this method’s principles to elucidate.
Daily, except for the previously set one-hour rule.
The additional time is dedicated to explaining this way.
Master Baibao once said, if you can fully grasp the Diamond Sutra, you have a small achievement in understanding Buddhist principles.
Martial Arts has modest expectations; if he can barely grasp this in Shaolin during these days, that will suffice.
Buddhist teachings are vast; wishing to achieve mastery in a few months or years is purely wishful thinking.
Relying on the foundation, focusing on understanding the Diamond Sutra is already excellent, without craving more.
The rest of the scriptures are registered in the mind, and with the foundation of the Diamond Sutra, one can self-study later.
Time slowly passed. With the aged monk’s voice resonating with a "Well said," Martial Arts and the little monk snapped back to reality.
"Today, after one hour has passed, let’s stop here. The old monk still has to meditate and cultivate."
Baibao, each time he practices, retreats into seclusion indoors, sometimes for days, rarely seen by common people.
"Amitabha—"
Jue Ming returned to himself, responded with the Buddha’s name, and thanked the Divine Monk.
"Thank you, Master Baibao."
Martial Arts bowed.
Baibao rose and left, going elsewhere to practice.
As his figure blurred, his gentle voice drifted to the ears of the two young men:
"The Sutra Library contains tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures, with myriad principles, but remember well this one phrase.
Buddha said: From the night I attained the ultimate enlightenment to the night I entered Nirvana, during this period, I did not speak a single word."
"??"
Martial Arts temporarily noted it down.
After expressing gratitude, he looked at the little monk beside him, who seemed to have gained some insight.
The wise are teachers, so he asked:
"Little Master, what did Master Baibao mean by his words?"
Jue Ming, reflecting on the Divine Monk’s teachings just now, pondered for a moment:
"The Divine Monk’s words directly address the concept of [realizing the Dharma] and [all dharmas lack inherent existence].
It means that Buddha once said, from the night of realizing the Dharma to attaining Buddhahood, and then transcending life and death into the wondrous state of Nirvana, there was never a fixed and unchanging [Buddhist Teaching] to be spoken of."
Martial Arts seemed to gain some understanding, pondering over and over:
"This is Master Baibao’s admonition that Buddhist teachings are not fixed formats and forms, and that the most important thing is the personal understanding that follows.
If one clings to what was just taught, namely the so-called Buddha’s teachings, then it is... a misunderstanding."
"Brother Meng, you are wise."
Jue Ming put his palms together in admiration.
With only a few lectures, he swiftly comprehended.
Brother Meng’s innate affinity with Buddhism is far stronger than his own.
It’s truly a pity he doesn’t become a monk...
Martial Arts paid no heed to the little monk’s "flattery," he scratched his temple, still immersed in thought.
He felt that he was reaching out, almost able to grasp something...
If he couldn’t understand, he would ask. As he escorted the little monk down the mountain, Martial Arts’s expression grew serious.
He sought further guidance on the "format and form of Buddhist teachings" theory.
When learning Buddhist teachings, should one primarily follow the teacher’s words?
Or should one’s own understanding take precedence?
...
The wind lifted the treetops, rustling like rain pouring down.
Jue Ming’s voice, carried by the wind, wrapped around his ears:
"Brother Meng, please look up and see, is it the wind that is moving, or is it this pine tree that is moving?"
Following the direction pointed, he pondered for a while:
"I think it is the wind’s force making the pine tree move; both are moving."
The little monk put his palms together, nodded, and smiled:
"Brother Meng first thought of the wind, then of the tree. The wind blows, and the tree moves; this is the order of processes reflecting in your inner world.
You first saw the trajectory of the wind and then saw the appearance of the tree being blown by the wind. Both presented the state of [movement] in your perception, one after another."
Martial Arts was enlightened:
"According to Little Master’s words, is it actually my mind that moved?"
"If Brother Meng feels that his mind moved, then it is the mind that moved.
The wind blows, and the tree moves. Without wind, the tree wouldn’t move, and without the tree, the wind’s movement wouldn’t be visible."
He immediately reacted but felt something was off, almost getting caught up:
"Little Master, even if my mind doesn’t move, the wind and the tree do not change according to my will, don’t they still move?"
"Naturally, yes, but if I had not directed Brother Meng to look, you wouldn’t have noticed and wouldn’t have discussed movement and stillness.
This is the saying of Sixth Patriarch: It is not the wind that moves, not the flag that moves, but the benevolent one’s mind that moves..."
Hearing this, Martial Arts contemplated carefully, and suddenly, his eyes lit up.
He struck his left fist against his right palm, his gaze carrying a tinge of joy.
"Thank you, Little Master Jue Ming!"
"You’re welcome, Brother Meng, I’ll be off then."
Jue Ming had evening classes to attend to and hurriedly descended the mountain.
Martial Arts returned to his room, pacing and daydreaming, ultimately realizing what Master Baibao meant:
"Don’t become attached to the textual appearance of Buddhist principles or the specific forms of Buddhist teachings; instead, return to the inner awareness and understanding."
It was also Master Baibao’s way of enlightening him:
"If you only revolve around the words and rituals without self-exertion of inner discernment and attachment, it will be difficult to grasp the essence of Buddhist principles.
Only through awareness of the inner thoughts can one truly grasp the Buddhist principles and align with the scriptures."
Buddha, I understand now!
But in this way, would I fall into stubbornness, a deadlock?
He shook his head slightly, refuting himself.
"Whether it is or not, it depends on oneself, whether the heart is moved..."
...
Martial Arts slept through the night, got up, and soaked in a borrowed bath barrel for half an hour.
He felt completely relaxed upon waking up in the morning.
The fatigue left by the realm of heart demons.
After a good night’s sleep, it was completely gone.
His energy, essence, and spirit were recuperated, returning to a peak state.
The water droplets evaporated around his body, presenting a light green color, giving off a fresh herbal scent when smelled.
Martial Arts walked to the desk, pondering:
"The herbal bath package given by Little Master Jue Ming, indeed relieves fatigue; might as well buy two large packs for storage...
According to him, it’s a soothing prescription prepared by the lineage of Shaolin herbalists.
When entering Shaolin, disciples focus on external training to toughen the body.
Afterwards, they all use this medicine for recovery, to prevent leaving hidden injuries.
