I attained immortality in the real world.

Chapter 77 The Opportunity to Meet the Emperor
The intention of picking flowers.

In heaven and on earth, I am the only one who reigns supreme.

The true Dharma transmitted by the World-Honored One contains: the five natures, the nine consciousnesses, the characteristics of phenomena, and the concept of self.

At the Vulture Peak Dharma Assembly, the World-Honored One said: I have the true Dharma, which mentions the five natures, the nine consciousnesses, and the characteristics of the Dharma, but I have omitted the core transmission—the self.

This is clearly highly illogical, so there is only one possibility: "I am the only one" is the hidden meaning in the Buddha's Zen riddle of holding up a flower.

Kasyapa!

His full name is Mahakasyapa.

He was a great disciple of the World-Honored One, Shakyamuni.

Before the Buddha attained enlightenment, he had already been following him. He knew that when the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he held up a fresh flower, pointed to the sky and swore an oath: "Above and below the heavens, I alone am the honored one."

At the Vulture Peak assembly, Kasyapa saw the Buddha holding up a flower to the assembly and knew that the Buddha was saying: "Above and below heaven, I alone am the honored one."

Having received the transmission of "Only Self," and having gathered the correct methods of "Consciousness," he was able to enter the Tao, and thus a joyful smile spread across his face.

Since the methods of spiritual practice are difficult to achieve without great enlightenment, transmitting them to ordinary people would be more of a curse than a blessing. Therefore, the Buddha instructed Kasyapa: "Do not put them into words, but transmit them outside of the scriptures."

In other words, the method of using Zen riddles to conceal spiritual knowledge serves two purposes: firstly, it allows for the widespread dissemination of Buddhist teachings, and secondly, it enables the selection of qualified students.

This is the account provided by Chen Jing, detailing the Buddha's act of holding up a flower and Kasyapa's smile.

"........."

"The Buddha's intention in holding up the flower was truly like this...?"

Monk Daoxin's eyes briefly lost focus, his mind racing with thoughts.

Finally, he put his hands together, faced the debate platform, and bowed, corresponding to the gesture of Chiba's transmission of the Dharma, signifying that he accepted the Dharma transmission from the Venerable One and was willing to become a disciple.

Those around the altar who recognized the monk Daoxin were all in an uproar: "This...this really is the monk Daoxin, actually bowing to a junior monk as a disciple?"

The middle-aged lay Buddhist, fiddling with his prayer beads, widened his eyes: "So, Master Daoxin acknowledged his interpretation of the flower-offering meaning, and the source of the Zen koan was deciphered by a young monk? I only remember that he was the Dharma-debating monk from Jinshan Temple—what was his Dharma name again?"

Another nobleman swallowed hard: "White Horse Temple and Great Compassion Temple barely managed to hold their ground at the Debate Platform, but this one, who uttered the Buddha's teachings by plucking a flower, was so powerful that no one dared to question him. The only one who questioned him was even convinced. It's truly... unbelievable."

A young monk at Luohan Temple asked, "Master, is this truly the meaning of 'picking up a flower'...?"

The old monk was speechless and didn't know how to answer for a moment. Although Chiba was the only monk who provided corroborating evidence and whose evidence could withstand scrutiny, he was still not entirely sure if it was true or not, which would be even more absurd.

"........."

Bianjing, the Ullambana Festival.

There were hundreds of eminent monks, thousands of lay Buddhists, and over 100,000 people, and the noise of their discussions was deafening.

Only a handful of people, including Wu Kui, Fa Ji, Fa Heng, Fa Xuan, and the National Preceptor Wu Yuan Shangren, were completely certain that the meaning of "Nianhua Yi" was "I am the only one who is supreme in heaven and earth".

Others, such as Daoxin, Juling, Sanjue, and Jinchi, although they were very familiar with Buddhist scriptures, had not truly come into contact with the true scriptures of the Yogacara school.

In fact, I cannot be completely convinced of the Buddha's true Dharma, which includes the five natures and nine consciousnesses, and the concept of the Dharma being only self. It is entirely out of trust in Xuanzang that I believe the true scriptures are the true Dharma, which makes the supporting logic coherent. In addition, this is the only reasonable explanation, so I believed it to some extent.

In other words, the number of people who truly believe in Chiba is no more than three digits.

"Highbrow art is rarely appreciated. It is extremely rare for a dozen or so people to understand it. Even though there are dozens of Bodhisattvas and hundreds of Arhats on Mount Ling, they are merely followers of Shakyamuni. Although they also have their own cultivation, they know what it is, but not why it is."

"There are actually only three known cultivators: Siddhartha Gautama, Mahakasyapa, and Xuanzang, who went to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures."

"I don't need many believers. They only need to know that Jinshan Temple's interpretation is superior to that of Baima Temple and Daci Temple. Once eminent monks like Daoxin have digested and mastered the teachings of Bianfatai, they will cast scriptures, spread the Dharma, and widely cultivate disciples. Those who follow me will then be as numerous as carp crossing a river." "..."

"Boom!"

Master Wuyuan gave him a wink.

Before Chen Jing could ask again, "Is there any doubt?"
The bell, symbolizing the end of the final stage of the debate, suddenly rang out. The debate platform at Jinshan Temple was lowered, and it was time for the debaters from Dinghai Temple to take the stage.

You can't win an argument!
You can't win an argument with that!
Let's end the debate quickly and minimize Chiba's influence.

If Chiba were to step on a few more Daoxins, he would become another Xuanzang.

The influence of Buddhism today is vastly different from what it once was. It's unimaginable what terrifying consequences would result if another Xuanzang emerged from the Yogacara school.

"........."

The third day of the Ullambana Festival: Debate on the Dharma.

As dusk approached, all the temples had already begun their debates on the Dharma platform, but beside the stone pillars, only three banners hung, bearing the names of Baima Temple, Daci Temple, and Jinshan Temple respectively.

Finally, the National Preceptor, Venerable Wuyuan, will select the winner of this year's Ullambana Festival debate.

According to the plan, we should blindly choose the White Horse Temple.

But that was based on the premise that all temples were of similar quality. Now, even if we forcefully push the White Horse Temple to the top.

Jinshan Temple, Daci Temple, and Kongming Temple aren't fools. Such blatant favoritism will not only prevent them from fulfilling the agreement, but will also make them realize that there's something wrong with Baima Temple.

But it doesn't matter. I am the one in control of the situation. If I choose Daci Temple as the winner, it will intensify the conflicts between the various lineages of the Yogacara school. Is there an opportunity to plot...?

Li Zhi glanced at the Venerable Wuyuan and said, "I have recently studied several Buddhist scriptures and believe that the interpretation of the flower-offering ritual by Jinshan Temple is the best. I wonder what the Imperial Preceptor thinks?"

Master Wuyuan was startled.

Why would His Majesty speak up for Jinshan Temple?
By the way! The two of them once met at the White Horse Temple Pagoda, where they viewed the relics of Shakyamuni.

His Majesty has always disliked Buddhism, so if the other party is just an ordinary little monk, there is naturally no need to care.

But through this Dharma assembly, I learned that Chiba was a monk with eloquent speech and a debate ability comparable to Xuanzang.

His Majesty's interest in Buddhism may not be due to the extraordinary phenomenon of the Buddha's relics, but is very likely related to Chiba. We must pay attention to the content of the conversation between the two people inside the pagoda.

Master Wuyuan's mind raced, but a smile appeared on his face: "Your Majesty's insight is astute; Jinshan Temple is destined to win!"

The banners at Baima Temple and Daci Temple were removed, and Wuyuan ordered people to take down the purple-gold bowl containing the magnolia flowers from the stone pillar.

He invited the group from Jinshan Temple to the altar and the incense-filled ground, intending to hand the purple-gold alms bowl to Jinchi, saying, "Jinshan Temple has won the debate. As the person in charge of Jinshan Temple's trip, you can take the purple-gold alms bowl to the palace tomorrow to meet the Emperor and preach to His Majesty for an hour."

Jin Chi did not accept the purple-gold bowl.

When Chiba Huafo debated the Flower Offering Method and inscribed Jinshan Temple at the Ullambana Festival, such a magnificent act was no different from that of the Buddha in the eyes of the monks of Jinshan Temple.

If Jin Chi hadn't been constrained by his status as an elder, and was practically on the verge of kneeling down to become Qianye's disciple, how could he have possibly competed for the position of leader?
Chen Jing stepped forward at the opportune moment, performed a Buddhist salute, and said, "Greetings, Grand Preceptor. I am the abbot of Jinshan Temple."

Li Zhi, who was about to get up from the altar, sat down again. After the purple-gold alms bowl was handed to Chen Jing, he left with the Grand Preceptor, not forgetting to turn back and give Chen Jing a look.

I haven't forgotten how I helped you become an ancestor and a lineage leader, but you mustn't disappoint me in the matter of suppressing Buddhism.

(End of this chapter)