Yinshan Record

Chapter 917 A True Master Renowned Throughout the World (Part 1)
The origins of Buddhism lie in three aspects within this world.

Unlike the Xuanmen sect, which had a wisp of the Dao Ancestor's true intent personally arrive to establish its lineage, the Xuandu Palace rose up alongside the Five Emperors of the Five Directions, changing the world, and annihilating demon gods—a truly magnificent undertaking.

The origin of this is that under the rule of the demon god, morality was reversed, all living beings were in dire straits, and countless human races suffered unspeakably, with no hope of escape. In this process, some people turned inward and looked inward, aiming to eliminate "suffering", and created the so-called Four Noble Truths of "suffering, origination, cessation, and path".

From then on, there were also great beings who attained enlightenment without a teacher, achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, created the "Twelve Links of Dependent Origination," realized the state of Nirvana, and attained the fruit of immortality.

This being was the first Buddhist in this world, and attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, hence the title "Bodhi Buddha".

After that, great Buddhist masters came from beyond the void to spread the Dharma, bringing with them the "Middle Way Mahayana Dharma," thus unifying the lineage of this world and the rudimentary form of the Western Buddhist Kingdom was formed.

When the ancient Heavenly Court faced its calamities, many prominent figures from the Heavenly Court fled west to the Buddhist kingdoms, leading to the transformation of Vajrayana and Tantric Buddhism. This process involved changes in the doctrines and the appointment of prominent figures within the Buddhist kingdoms.

It is something that outsiders cannot know.

However, in the Western Paradise today, the mainstream teachings are the "Mahayana teachings" transmitted by powerful beings from beyond the realm. Regardless of their branch, all sects within the religion have to reluctantly acknowledge the perfection of these teachings.

Of course, one must add one's own footnotes after this perfection.

If one practices the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination and the Four Noble Truths, one should claim that one's teachings were "personally transmitted by the Buddha," "most true and not false," and "truthfully applied in every aspect."

If it is Vajrayana, one must claim that "this method is the most swift and convenient" and "one will achieve enlightenment in this lifetime, with boundless supernatural powers."

There are also different interpretations of meditation and monastic discipline.

Zen meditation is "a special transmission outside of scriptures, not relying on written words, and directly pointing to the root of spiritual enlightenment."

The Vinaya practice is "Buddha and I are one, the precepts are the essence of the Dharma, the conduct is the form of the Dharma, and when the practice is perfected, it will naturally be accomplished."

This is only a difference in doctrine. As for the differences in cultivation methods, the intricate maneuvering and strategies among the prominent figures are truly countless and varied.

A great figure like Tathagata Shande would not simply "deny the sins of the Wanling Sect." He "denies good and evil" from the fundamental starting point of Buddhist doctrine.

Since the dichotomy between good and evil no longer exists, can the things done by the Myriad Spirits Sect still be considered evil? And from where can we trace their subsequent responsibility?

Ironically, the reason why Buddhists can "lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot" is because they themselves do not distinguish between "good and evil".

From this perspective, the butcher's knife is merely a manifestation of the boundless delusions of sentient beings, while attaining Buddhahood is the perfection of one's fundamental Buddha-nature.

"Abandoning evil and embracing good" is the superficial practice of ordinary people; the true nature is "lawless" and "neither good nor evil".

As soon as the Tathagata of Good Virtue uttered these words, a chorus of praise immediately arose from the surrounding caves.

It seemed that all the disciples and followers felt the profound Dharma principles spoken by this ancient Buddha at this moment, and they praised and lauded them, preparing to respectfully practice them.

Cui Shouzhuo and the other two were speechless for a moment.

If this person were to display such an attitude, although it might be in line with the profound principles of Buddhism, it would still be far too shameless. For an ancient Buddha who has attained the Great Kalpa of Dharma to act in this way is truly chilling.

"No wonder you're stuck guarding this realm of hungry ghosts. It's not your place to enjoy blessings in the heavenly realm. You old monk, you just spout nonsense the moment you open your mouth, you really are..."

Fifth Lun also wanted to curse, but considering that the other party was a master of the Great Tribulation Technique, and that they were on the other party's turf, even the famous swordsmen of the East Sea Sword Palace had to use the "Sheathing Technique" to slightly reduce their sword intent that was about to leap out and strike.

That old bald man, once I achieve something in the future, I'll block your door and kill all your followers. Let's see if you can still hold back and say such nonsense as "neither good nor evil" then.

Cui Shouzhou looked at the Buddha of Good Virtue above and was momentarily annoyed. The Yulizi lineage had four disciples.

Senior Brother Liu Tixuan cultivates the Dao but not the arts. He has gained some understanding of the Great Dao, but in terms of transcendent power, he is still somewhat lacking.

Second Senior Brother Fenglingjun has the temperament of a teacher. He loves to fight and compete, and he loves to temper his heart in the mortal world, using demons to overcome tribulations. In the past, he wandered the void and was often not in the sect.

Only Cui Shouzhuo, who was fair and upright, was regarded as the one who would support the school in the future under Yu Lizi.

Everyone in Huangtiandao believed that if Yulizi's lineage were to flourish one day, it would inevitably rely on Cui Shouzhuo to take the helm.

He is that kind of talent.

So while Wu Lun was still thinking about how to take revenge in the future, Cui Shouzhuo was already considering how to end the current situation gracefully.

Even if a highly respected figure in Buddhism like Tathagata Good Virtue were to set aside his pride, there was really nothing we could do given our current strength.

If the teacher were here, it would be fine. At worst, everyone could have a showdown to determine who is superior, and see if your "neither good nor evil" is more powerful, or your "one way that runs through everything" is more brilliant.

This is happening now...

“What the World-Honored One said is indeed a profound and subtle method of liberation. I believe in it and will practice it. My Primordial Holy Path also abandons good and evil and focuses on the word ‘transcendence’. We can be said to be like-minded.”

Cui Shouzhou felt relieved, thankfully his junior brother Su was still there.

Su Che looked up at the Tathagata of Good Virtue and whispered.

"May I ask the World Honored One, today we do not ask about good and evil, but only about cause and effect. We do not know what causes and conditions led these 100,000 beings to be reborn as human pigs to accumulate blessings?"

As soon as Su Che uttered these words, various rebukes echoed from the boundless cave behind the Tathagata of Good Virtue.

"Arrogant demon, why don't you convert?"

"Where are the Vajra Warriors? Where are the Dharma Protectors?"

"Such fallacies are precisely the heretical teachings of the Six Masters; let me refute them..."

"Have mercy, have mercy! This wretched creature should be cast into the deepest hell..."

Although Su Che couldn't see the face of the Tathagata of Good Virtue clearly, he could sense that the ancient Buddha was carefully observing him, trying to scrutinize him thoroughly.

Before that all-seeing eye, it seemed that I had no secrets at all.

The ancient Buddha remained silent for a moment before suddenly speaking.

"The creature raised by humans and pigs is called the Dragon Evil Worm. It does not exist in this world. It was cultivated by the Lord of the End of Dharma from a poisonous creature called the Devouring Essence Worm in the boundless and ancient void. This creature does not steal essence or damage the primordial spirit. It feeds only on the despair of people."

"If you have this insect in your body, your mind will always be at peace and free from fear. Furthermore, if you close off your five senses and there are no illusions of sight, hearing, smell, or taste, only the two senses of body and mind remain. If you wish to inquire about the cause and effect of this, this is it."

“In recent years, no fellow Daoists of the Demonic Sect in this realm have raised this creature, all because it is useless and a waste of cultivation. Why is it useless? Although the Dragon Evil Insect is called an external demon, it can purify internal evil and has no function of harming people.”

"Who are these people and why did they raise and carry out this work? This old monk cannot know."