Junior Uncle is too cunning.

Zhunti looked at his disciples below the stage, and a slight smile finally appeared on his face. This was the foundation he had built bit by bit over hundreds of millions of years. Although he had the lowest cultivation level and a bad reputation among the seven saints, he could be said to be the leader among them in cultivating disciples and managing Buddhism.

Seeing Zhunti's restored energy and spirit, Jieyin breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was the head of the Buddhist sect, without Zhunti, it would have been impossible for him to cultivate so leisurely.

So no matter what Zhunti did, even if he offended Nuwa and the Three Pure Ones last time, he did not hesitate to help. Besides the brotherhood they had for so many years, to be honest, he really couldn't do without Zhunti now.

Seeing the look that Zhunti was giving him, Jieyin gave him a look that said, "You're in charge." To be honest, he really wasn't as good at worldly affairs as Zhunti.

Who said that many of those present were his disciples? But apart from giving sermons every now and then, Zhunti was in charge of their specific cultivation progress. Thinking of this, Jieyin couldn't help but feel a little apologetic, not only to the Buddhist disciples, but also to Zhunti.

"Have they all arrived yet?"

Upon hearing Cundi's words, Shariputra stepped forward and replied, "Reporting to Mother Cundi, everyone has arrived!"

Zhunti nodded and slowly said, "Since the ancient Dao Ancestor and the Demon Lord fought and shattered our Western world, the spiritual veins have been almost completely severed. Only Mount Ling still has a trace of the ancestral vein in the entire Western world, and the Buddhist path has been almost completely cut off."

After my senior brother and I took human form, we have been working tirelessly for the West, and finally we have achieved what we have today.

However, the West is impoverished, and it is almost impossible for you to become saints. My senior brother and I were just lucky back then. So, 200,000 years ago, my senior brother and I decided to bring Buddhism to the East. Only by spreading Buddhist teachings in the Eastern Continent and the Southern Continent, accumulating good fortune, and making Buddhism flourish, will you have a slight chance to compete with the disciples of Taoism.

"But fate intervened. Unexpectedly, a mishap occurred just as the project was about to end, and our millennia-long plan failed at the last hurdle. But if we miss this opportunity, when will Western Buddhism ever flourish?"

As Zhunti spoke, he became more and more excited, and in the end, a single tear fell from his eye. As soon as it came out, it formed a piece of amber and fell into the pool of merit in front of him.

As the saint shed tears, the wind and clouds in the world changed drastically. The ten disciples and many Arhats and Vajras sitting below all changed color. Shariputra, as the eldest disciple among the ten disciples in charge of worldly affairs, was very perceptive. He hurriedly stood up and bowed to the two saints, Cundi and Jieyin: "Buddha Mother, please calm your anger. Since this concerns the great cause of Buddhism, how can we place all the burden on you two?"

"May Amitabha Buddha and Cundi Bodhisattva give the order: Let all Buddhist disciples fight to the death against the Taoist sects!"

He spoke with passion and fervor, and Zhunti looked at Sariputra before him and nodded inwardly. Even Jieyin seemed to have been swayed by Sariputra's words.

Whether what Sariputra said was true or false, Jieyin and Zhunti would make it true!

"Alright, all disciples, listen to my command!"

As soon as Zhunti finished speaking, the ten disciples took the lead, and numerous Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras knelt down and bowed their heads to receive the order!

"This time, the eighteen Arhats will lead the way, with the other third and fourth generation disciples assisting them, to go to Jambudvipa to follow the instructions of Bodhisattva Nagarjuna!"

"Amitabha"

……

The eighteen Arhats stepped forward and led all Buddhist disciples who were above the celestial level to pay homage to Jieyin and Zhunti.

In Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are equivalent to Great Golden Immortals in Taoism, and Arhats are equivalent to Golden Immortals. There are dozens of Arhats in Buddhism who have reached the level of Golden Immortals, but only eighteen Arhats have received praise from Jieyin and Zhunti and attained Buddhist status.

The Arhat Riding a Deer, also known as Venerable Pindola, is one of the Eighteen Arhats. His full name is Pindola Bharadvaja, which translates as "Immovable Sharp-Rooted One," meaning unmoved and with firm and unyielding roots.

The Arhat riding a deer has a youthful face, white hair, long eyebrows, and a smiling countenance. He sits serenely on the divine deer, seemingly lost in thought, composed, and aloof. The Venerable One was once a minister of King Upadeva. When the time was right, he saw through the illusions of the world, let go of worldly attachments, renounced worldly life, and cultivated the Way, attaining the six supernatural powers.

The Arhat Riding a Deer was originally a powerful minister of King Udayana of India, but he suddenly decided to become a monk. King Udayana personally invited him to return to his official post, but fearing the king's nagging, he retreated to the deep mountains to cultivate himself.

One day, a monk riding a deer appeared in front of the palace. The imperial guards recognized him as the Arhat riding a deer and immediately reported it to King Udayana.

The king came out to greet him and brought him into the palace, saying that the throne was still vacant and asking if he would return to serve as an official. He said he had returned to guide the king to become a monk, using various metaphors to illustrate the detestability of all desires. As a result, the king abdicated in favor of the crown prince and followed him to become a monk.

The Arhat Riding a Deer is one of the Eighteen Arhats in Buddhism and also a protector of the Dharma.

The Joyful Arhat, also known as Venerable Kanakata, one day dreamt that all demons were vanquished and the heavens were clear. He then raised his hands in celebration, his heart filled with joy, and burst into laughter.

At that time, Cundi was preaching, and the actions of the Joyful Arhat startled the saint Cundi. However, the saint did not punish him directly, but asked him why he was laughing. The Joyful Arhat told him about his dream.

Zhunti was delighted and asked him what joy meant.

The Joyful Arhat explains: Joy is the feeling of happiness experienced through hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch.

"What is Gao Qing?"

"The joy that is not felt through the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, or hands is true happiness. For example, when one sincerely turns to the Buddha and feels the Buddha's presence in one's heart, one feels joy."

The Joyful Arhat was always smiling during his speeches, and he was famous for his discussions on joy and celebration. Therefore, he was given the title of Joyful Arhat by Zhunti.

The Alms-Bowl Arhat, also known as Venerable Nakabharata, was originally a begging monk. His method of begging for alms was unique; he would hold up an iron bowl to beg for food. After attaining enlightenment, he was known as the "Alms-Bowl Arhat."

The Alms-Bearing Arhat is a compassionate and egalitarian alms-begging practitioner. Through alms-begging, he benefits the world, cultivates merit for all beings, and teaches the Dharma to them, guiding them through his actions and words.

The Pagoda-Bearing Arhat, also known as Venerable Subhinda, possesses a seven-tiered pagoda, is spiritually enlightened, has a stern yet dignified appearance, and is exceptionally accomplished in his spiritual practice.

The pagoda in Buddhism, unlike the ritual implements and spiritual treasures used in Taoism, has a unique meaning; it is a sacred object that carries the Buddha's relics.

Because pagodas are containers for the Buddha's relics, they have become symbols of the Buddha. The Arhat who holds the pagoda is not the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King; the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King is a Bodhisattva.

In Western Buddhism, there are actually two kinds of paths to enlightenment: one is the Mahayana Buddhist path of Amitabha Buddha, and the other is the Hinayana Buddhism represented by Cundi Bodhisattva. In the previous Investiture of the Gods, the Chan and Jie sects were both severely damaged, and Buddhism rose to prominence.

In the end, it was the Sage Taiqing who led the Daoist Duobao to convert from Daoism to Buddhism, establishing Theravada Buddhism and separating Buddhism from other religions. This temporarily halted the eastward expansion of Buddhism until the Great Calamity of the Journey to the West began, which allowed Buddhism to truly flourish, taking a full era to arrive.

There is a difference between Bodhisattvas and Arhats: Bodhisattvas are the result of the practice of "Mahayana", while Arhats are the result of the practice of "Hinayana".

The Arhat who held the pagoda cultivated the five supernatural powers and attained the states of neither perception nor non-perception, which is the attainment of the Hinayana path.

The meditating Arhat, also known as Venerable Nakula, usually cultivates a pure mind, remains calm and composed, and enjoys peace and auspiciousness, and enters the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Nakula can be translated as "strongman" in Buddhist terms. The meditating Arhat is a strong Arhat who was originally a warrior from the West with immense strength. He later became a monk and attained enlightenment.

His master taught him to meditate and practice, abandoning the fighting mentality he had as a warrior. Therefore, he still exhibited the physique of a strongman when meditating.

The Arhat Who Crossed the River, also known as Venerable Bhadra, carried scriptures and traveled eastward to spread them. Unlike the meditating Arhats, he preferred to travel across mountains and rivers to help all sentient beings.

The name Bhadra means "wise," but this Arhat was named Bhadra for another reason. There is a rare tree in India called Bhadra. His mother gave birth to him under a Bhadra tree, hence the name Bhadra, and she sent him to a monastery to become a monk.

His home was across a great river from Mount Ling, and after obtaining it, he named himself the Arhat Who Crossed the River.