Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan shook his head.

"I appreciate the Bodhisattva's kindness."

However, I practice the Dao of the Grotto Heaven, which is different from the Buddhist path.

Forcing integration will only distort its true nature.

A strange light flashed in the figure's eyes.

"You seem to understand things quite well."

Li Yan asked, "This humble Taoist dares to ask the Bodhisattva, how can this Buddhist kingdom be destroyed?"

The figure paused slightly, then laughed.

"You're quite an interesting young friend."

Faced with this single thought of mine, you directly ask how to destroy my Buddhist realm?

Li Yan said, "I merely wish to gain some clarity."

The figure looked at Li Yan as if it could see through his thoughts.

After a long silence, he slowly said:

"This Buddhist kingdom was created by a single thought of this humble monk, and naturally it can only be destroyed by a single thought."

Li Yan asked, "What is a single thought?"

The figure said, "With a single thought, ten thousand rivers and mountains can be crossed."

A single thought vanishes, and the world transforms.

"This Buddhist kingdom was born from the great vow of this humble monk, and exists because of the compassion of this humble monk."

If you can generate a single thought that aligns with this humble monk's thought, you can destroy this Buddhist kingdom.

Li Yan pondered for a moment and then slowly said:

"To be in harmony with the Bodhisattva in a single thought? Does this mean I should convert to Buddhism?"

The figure shook its head.

"Taking refuge is the form. Harmony is the essence."

If you can truly understand this monk's thought and appreciate this monk's vow...

Compassion is what this poor monk compassionates; vows are what this poor monk vows.

Then your thought and this humble monk's thought are in harmony.

"At that time, this Buddhist kingdom and you will be of the same origin."

Since we share the same origin, what difficulties are there?

Li Yan listened, seemingly lost in thought.

He closed his eyes and quietly contemplated the moment.

Experience the thought of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

I vow not to become a Buddha until hell is emptied.

In hell, all those who have committed heinous crimes suffer boundless torment.

Ordinary people would only think that he deserved it.

But when Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva saw this, he felt compassion and was willing to go into hell to save sentient beings.

Only after all sentient beings have been liberated can one attain enlightenment.

I vow not to become a Buddha until hell is empty.

A sense of understanding gradually rose in Li Yan's heart.

Although he cultivates the Dao of the Grotto Heaven, which is different from Buddhism...

But this compassion and this unwavering vow are common to all.

He also had a wish.

I wish to protect those I want to protect.

May I attain the Great Dao and live a long and prosperous life.

May I live up to this life and cherish this encounter.

Although this vow is not as grand as that of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, it is still the most genuine thought in his heart.

If we use this thought to understand Ksitigarbha's thought, can we reconcile them?

Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.

"I have attained enlightenment."

The figure smiled slightly.

"What did you realize?"

Li Yan said, "The thoughts of a Bodhisattva are compassion and vows."

My wish is to protect and uphold, and to attain immortality.

"Though the ideas are different, their origins are the same."

"The source is the heart."

"When the mind arises, all phenomena arise; when the mind ceases, all phenomena cease."

"This Buddha-land is a manifestation of the Bodhisattva's mind."

If this humble monk could understand the Bodhisattva's mind with his own, he would have destroyed this Buddha-land.

The figure listened, a hint of relief flashing in their eyes.

"Excellent, excellent. Your understanding is truly rare, young friend."

Li Yan stood up and bowed deeply to that figure.

"Thank you for your guidance, Bodhisattva."

The figure shook its head slightly.

"This humble monk's thought is merely to offer something borrowed from the Buddha."

Li Yan said, "If I may be so bold, I have one more question."

"speak."

Li Yan said, "The Bodhisattva just said that if I could generate a thought that aligns with the Bodhisattva's thought, I could destroy this Buddhist kingdom."

"So, at this moment, am I in harmony with you?"

The figure had a half-smile on its face.

What do you think?

Li Yan pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly.

"In my humble opinion, whether or not we are compatible is neither up to me nor to the Bodhisattva."

"In that single thought."

Upon hearing this, the figure burst into laughter.

Laughter echoed through the void, resonating in the mind and spirit.

After laughing, he looked at Li Yan, his eyes full of admiration.

"Young friend, you have already entered the inner sanctum of the Way of Cause and Effect."

He also has considerable insights into the meaning of Zen.

Given time, he will surely achieve great things.

Li Yan said, "Bodhisattva flatters me."

The figure said, "Go then. This Buddhist kingdom can no longer hold you."

Having said that, he raised his hand and waved it.

Li Yan felt a blur before his eyes.

Upon closer inspection, I found myself in a Buddhist paradise, still sitting cross-legged.

But experiencing the Buddhist realm again now is completely different from before.

Standing there, Li Yan felt relaxed and at ease, his magical power flowing freely without any sense of constraint.

He smiled slightly and looked up at the five golden mountains.

Those five golden mountains were transformed from the five fingers of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Looking at it now, the oppressive force of the five golden mountains has dissipated.

Li Yan understood.

This is how to unite hearts and minds to break through.

While pondering, he walked towards the five golden mountains.

Li Yan walked gracefully, her steps light and graceful.

After taking the fifth step, they arrived before the five golden mountains.

Li Yan looked up and gazed at the summit of the golden mountain.

There, a glimmer of light.

Then, he took a step forward.

Outside, inside the Netherworld Palace.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was confronting Sun Wukong, the Green Ox, and Venus when his expression suddenly changed slightly.

He felt a slight warmth in his palm.

A figure slowly emerged from the Buddha Kingdom in his palm.

The figure was around forty years old, with a thin face, wearing a moon-white Taoist robe, a silk sash around his waist, and cloud-patterned shoes.

Li Yan stood in the void, his body surrounded by starlight, and a faint golden lotus shadow appeared and disappeared beneath his feet.

Upon seeing this, Sun Wukong's golden eyes lit up, and he rushed forward:

"Brother! You...you're out?!"

Li Yan smiled slightly and nodded to Sun Wukong.

"I have caused Your Majesty worry."

Sun Wukong looked him up and down, and seeing that he was unharmed and his aura was even clearer, he was overjoyed:

"Good brother! Good brother! I knew you'd have a way!"

The blue ox lay down at the palace gate.

At this moment, it also raised its head and looked at Li Yan, a strange light flashing in its copper bell-like eyes.

"No wonder, no wonder, sir, you sent me, Old Niu, in person."

Venus, holding a whisk, looked on with admiration.

"Young friend Li is indeed extraordinary."

To be able to escape unscathed from the Buddha-land contained in the palm of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's hand—this skill is truly admirable.

The ten Kings of Hell looked at each other, their eyes filled with horror.

King Qin Guang murmured, "Even a Taiyi Golden Immortal would find it difficult to escape the Buddha-land within the palm of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's hand, Master Li..."

King Yama whispered, "Say no more. This Taoist priest Li is unfathomable."

King Chujiang stroked his beard, remaining silent, his eyes darting around.

Emperor Song nodded slightly, his expression solemn.

The other kings also had their own thoughts, but none of them dared to speak out.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva looked at Li Yan, his compassionate eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Young friend, your ability to understand the mind of Buddhism with the heart of Taoism demonstrates your high level of understanding and pure heart. This humble monk admires you."

Li Yan bowed slightly.

"Bodhisattva flatters me. I have merely stolen a few points of Zen wisdom from you."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva shook his head.

"Those who can understand this are destined to achieve it."

As he spoke, his gaze grew increasingly profound.

"Young friend Li, if I may be so bold as to ask one more question."

Li Yan said, "Please speak, Bodhisattva."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said:

"You once said in the Buddhist realm that although thoughts may differ, their origin is the same."

Do you think that Taoism and Buddhism share the same origin?