blueteamnovel Chapter 391 - 308: Emptiness is Color
Chapter 391 - 308: Emptiness is Color
"Who is this elder brother?"
Zhou Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, already having tucked the Sutra of Reincarnation inside his sleeve.
This was a benefit Master had secured for them, and as a disciple, he must not fail to honor it. This was also the most special title and sentiment Zhou Yi reserved for the Iron Crown Immortal.
The other two masters, or even more masters in the future, could not compare to the first!
"I am Fa Wen, a monk in practice under the guidance of Saintly Arhat."
Fa Wen had skin the color of red gold and sported a sizeable potbelly, standing there like a golden Maitreya with a smile plastered across his face.
"Brother, your Buddhist Law is unrefined. Studying the Sutra of Reincarnation is harmful rather than beneficial to you. I do this for your own good. You should first recite a century of Buddhist scriptures to strengthen your heart towards the Buddha, then comprehending the Sutra of Reincarnation will be twice as effective without the risk of falling into demonic temptation!"
"Amitabha!"
Zhou Yi proclaimed the Buddha’s name, and his blue robes swished into bright yellow monk’s garb, his hands pressed together as he questioned, "I am a monk by the dharma name Sanzang, who for a hundred lifetimes leading up to this one has recited Buddhist scriptures. Now I have only just become a disciple under the Master, so how can you speak of an unrefined understanding of the Buddhist Law?"
Upon hearing this, Fa Wen’s face twitched. A hundred lifetimes of reciting scriptures—such blatant nonsense—this shameless attitude indeed ran true to the lineage of the Iron Crown Immortal.
"Brother, a monk does not speak deceitful words!" Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
"And how do you know, elder brother, that I have not recited scriptures for a hundred lifetimes?"
Zhou Yi laughed, "To condemn without proof, how should such actions be punished according to our sect’s regulations?"
The Great Heroic Treasure Hall fell silent for a long time, and the brows of the many monks furrowed deeply.
At this moment.
Another gaunt monk spoke, "According to the rules, we must seek the younger brother’s forgiveness before sentencing to face the wall in penance for ten years."
"I am extremely magnanimous, there’s no need for Brother Fa Wen to beg— I’ve forgiven him!"
Fa Kong said, "It would be better if brother visits the Flying Immortal Pavilion less often, maintain your true nature, to avoid spoiling the cultivation of a hundred lifetimes of Buddhist Law!"
The assembly of monks in the hall nodded slightly, their faces breaking out in smiles.
The ceremony to take on a new disciple today had been agreed upon by the patriarchs of the Two Sects, the outcome was already decided.
But not long ago, Iron Crown Immortal had made a resounding impact on Spirit Mountain, causing the disciples of Buddhism to suppress their frustration. Zhou Yi had a truly bad reputation, also refused to shave his head and enter monastic life, and had gained the secret technique of the sect, the Sutra of Reincarnation...
Why should all good things fall in his lap?
Centuries of diligent meditation cannot keep resentment at bay, so the monks were all eager to regain some footing!
Zhou Yi inherited the entire Nine Continents’ Buddhist scriptures, reciting scriptures for thousands of years. Considering just scripture debate, even placing aside the cultivation of Mana, he was confident he would triumph over even Arhats who might step in, and after a moment’s thought, he said.
"Elder Brother Fa Kong, what does it mean that form is emptiness?"
"All worldly forms are but illusions!"
Fa Kong answered immediately, for this was one of the fundamental tenets of Buddhism. He was not stumped, and purposely didn’t elaborate or infuse his personal understanding, lest Zhou Yi catch any verbal loopholes.
"If so, all worldly things are illusions, then where could there be any matter of female allure?"
Zhou Yi pressed his palms together, arguing firmly, "Form is emptiness; when I visit the Flying Immortal Pavilion to listen to music, there’s never been any lustful intent, so what talk is there of abstaining from desire, let alone the notion of spoiling one’s Buddhist cultivation!"
Fa Kong emitted a soft sound of surprise, his eyes showing amazement. Zhou Yi’s eyes sparkled with admiration—this fellow did not seem like the sort who had never studied Buddhist scriptures.
In Dongsheng Divine Continent’s Buddhism, desire was not utterly prohibited, and there even existed secret scriptures of Dual Cultivation within the teachings, believed to originate from the inheritance of the Joyful Buddha from the higher realms.
To admonish or reprimand Zhou Yi with this was partially to show authority and partly a test.
"All know that the four elements are emptiness, but how many can truly achieve this?"
Fa Kong considered briefly, and said, "Brother’s level of Buddhist Law has not been reached; taking form is emptiness as a pretext to indulge in worldly distractions will surely cloud your Buddhist heart. The cultivation of Buddhist Law is in mind and body, requiring constant reflection and cleansing, lest one be tainted by the dust of the mundane world!"