I attained immortality in the real world.

Chapter 64 Killing Monk Du

Bianzhou, Wuping County.

County Magistrate Zou Jing was a man of great wisdom.

But not many, those who see through it but don't say it don't know?

It is clearly a noble and glorious act that brings benefits to all people, yet it is described as a murder for profit.

The fifty-five bandits of Black Wind Stronghold have agreed to be converted, and their lives should be judged by the standards of Buddhist merits and demerits.

Chen Jing put his hands together in a Buddhist salute: "Amitabha, since all fifty-five bandits were converted by this humble monk and all respect this humble monk as their teacher, as a teacher, I should plan far ahead for them. How can I let them go astray and fall back into the demonic path?"

Zou Jing realized he had spoken out of turn.

But it doesn't matter, they're all sensible people anyway.

The problem is that this whole thing is just too funny!

Even though I already understood its meaning, I still couldn't help but want to confirm it clearly.

A young monk at Jinshan Temple is about to guide fifty-five bandits to Buddhahood. He has a story to tell and merits to accumulate, and he is just one step away from success.

The bandit's will? It doesn't matter. Your master has paved the way to Buddhahood for you. You will become a Buddha whether you want to or not.

If this incident becomes a widely circulated story, like the Buddha cutting off his own flesh to feed an eagle, then this minor county magistrate might very well be remembered in history.

Even if we take a step back and say that fifty-five bandits under his jurisdiction have become Buddhas, with such an outstanding political achievement, his promotion this year is absolutely a sure thing.

"........."

"Master, please wait a moment while I make arrangements for your disciple and the other monks' food and lodging."

Zou Jing led the way through the main street to the county government office, where he summoned a clerk and methodically assigned tasks.

First, the fifty-five bandits from Black Wind Village were escorted to the prison. Then, the local militia were taken to a tavern for food and drink, while the monks were given a vegetarian meal. Chen Jing was taken to a stone pavilion by the county magistrate.

He gestured for him to enter: "I have prepared a few cups of tea. Holy Monk, you may have a detailed chat with me. Wuping County is not far from Bianjing City. If we submit a memorial today, this matter may be resolved before the Ullambana Festival."

Before long, several exquisite vegetarian dishes were placed on the stone table.

Zou Ji poured Chen Jing a cup of tea and spoke first: "I have already ordered people to gather evidence of the crimes committed by the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold. Once the crimes are proven, I can submit a memorial to Bianjing for approval to execute them immediately. After the execution, a notice will be posted explaining the story of how his disciple cleansed his karma and died for the law. I wonder what Master thinks?"

Chen Jing took a sip of tea, which was tasteless, but merely restored the state of his body. After a moment's thought, he said, "Since they are willing to be converted, it would be inappropriate to let them die as bandits. Your Excellency may allow them to complete their ordination first, to fulfill your wishes."

After a moment's thought, Zou Jing understood and nodded emphatically, saying, "Master is absolutely right. It is my lack of comprehension that is the problem."

"The crimes of these bandits should be posted first, so that the people can see how they burned, killed, and looted, committing atrocities. Then, people can see that the bandits have shaved their heads and mistakenly believe that they are trying to escape punishment by relying on Buddhism."

"Then, a public beheading will surely cause a sensation and controversy among the people. Finally, a notice will be posted explaining how the disciple, who was once a wicked bandit, laid down his butcher's knife and became enlightened, used his body to repay his past sins, and used his body as a sacrifice to teach the world to correct the errors of Buddhism. This will surely have a positive effect on... no, it will have a good enlightening effect."

"However, the master's saying, 'If you become your Buddha, I'll cut off my head,' is a bit too down-to-earth. I wonder... if there's a more refined way to say it?"

Chen Jing picked up a piece of tofu with his chopsticks and swallowed it, but it still tasted bland. He closed his eyes and hesitated for a moment before replying, "Since you have already become a Buddha, why avoid karma? Since you have already sown the seeds, why not reap the full fruit?"

This statement came out.

Zou Jing paused inexplicably as he raised his cup to drink tea, lost in thought over the sixteen characters. Chen Jing's explanation to Commandant Zhu Mi was too straightforward; while the logic remained the same, it was somewhat distasteful to Zou Jing, a cultured man.

However, these sixteen characters have sparked questions about karma and cause and effect, and shattered the world's misconception about "laying down the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha on the spot".

Clearly, Chen Jing is not incompetent; rather, he teaches according to the individual, and despite his young age, he already possesses the air of a pope.

He took a deep breath and sighed, "I am just an ordinary person, yet I thought of the holy monk as vulgar. I really shouldn't have done that."

"…………"

The next day, early morning.

Chen Jing then left the city gate with the monks and continued on their journey to Bianjing.

After the Black Wind Stronghold's ambush, Chen Jing finally became the one in charge. Elder Jin Chi still didn't give him a friendly look, but he wouldn't actively cause trouble.

At this moment, if Chen Jing were to give another order to break someone's arms and legs, the martial monk would carry it out without hesitation, without feigning compliance and failing to exert any force.

Monk Faji and Chen Jing walked to the front and couldn't help but ask, "Converting fifty-five bandits is enough to make you famous and become a highly accomplished monk. Now you want to convert them to Buddhahood. Although this will cause a greater sensation, it is difficult for this matter to end before the Ullambana Festival. I'm afraid you will miss a good opportunity."

Chen Jing thought for a moment and replied, "If I were simply seeking fame, converting fifty-five bandits would be enough. According to the old custom, protecting their lives would be fine, so there's no need for such trouble."

"But to whom should we attribute the karma created by this group of bandits who have committed arson, murder, looting, rape, and robbery?"

"If even the most basic principles of cause and effect cannot be logically consistent, are unclear and ambiguous, and cannot be understood by ordinary people with a single thought or a single glance, how can we convey the basic Buddhist principles to the world?"

"The purpose of making a name for oneself is to spread the basic Buddhist principles to the world. If one cannot even understand cause and effect and karma, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse and contradicting one's own theory?"

"If even I cannot practice my own theories, who would be willing to follow such a hypocrite?"

Faji nodded silently, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

Originally, the idea that Buddhism would flourish and then perish while the Yogacara school would flourish was just a somewhat unrealistic expectation, but now we truly see hope.

Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, treating the people like straw dogs. Sweeping the floor, one fears to harm even the lives of ants; cherishing moths, one covers the lamp with gauze.

What he said was nothing but advice to the enlightened one who uses heaven and earth as a chessboard, and it also shows that to accomplish great things, one needs to have the ability of great enlightenment. At this moment, Chiba’s ability is no less than that of the patriarch Xuanzang.

"........."

The monks of Jinshan Temple continued on foot, begging for alms, so their pace was naturally very slow.

Zou Jing wrote a memorial to the throne, which was sent to Bianjing ahead of others by express horse via the post station. After several transfers, it was delivered to a nobleman in the palace.

A secret report submitted by a county magistrate in Bianzhou revealed that the matter was nothing more than trivial matters in a small county.

The man opened the envelope without a second thought, but after a glance, his attention was immediately drawn: "Zou Jing, Magistrate of Wuping County, requests Your Majesty to execute the fifty-five bandits of Black Wind Stronghold immediately..."

The more he read, the more serious he became. When he finished reading the entire letter, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "What a murderous monk! The Empress Dowager promotes Buddhism as the rule of law, and Buddhism has many people using Buddhist teachings as a cover to commit filthy acts."

“If left unattended, the country will cease to exist. But if we try to eradicate Buddhism and forcefully implement the rule of law, the nation will likely suffer a great loss. I never expected that someone would combine Buddhism with the rule of law.”

(End of this chapter)