The poetry gathering continued!
It had reached the third segment. Yao Guang personally appeared and presented several topics for on-the-spot poetry, prose, and lyric writing, encouraging literary creation with no restrictions on style.
Yao Guang's appearance caused a stir among the many scholars present. This was a Princess; if not for this literary gathering, they would normally have no chance to interact with her…
"Amitabha!"
In a corner, a Buddhist chant reached Xia Chen's ears.
He was slightly drunk; he had been drinking with Xuan Zhenzi all morning.
"Master Tianhai!"
Although his body was a bit drunk, Xia Chen's mind was still clear. Seeing the Great Master in front of him, he stood up and nodded to him.
"Xia Gongzi, are you not going to participate in the literary gathering?"
Wisdom shimmered in Master Tianhai's eyes, which were incredibly profound.
A smile played on his lips; he was very refined.
"A literary gathering is merely an empty title. Buddhism speaks of emptiness. Could it be that Great Master is also interested in such an empty title?"
"Xia Gongzi actually has some understanding of our Buddhism; that's truly remarkable!"
Master Tianhai's eyes lit up. He slowly clasped his hands together and bowed to Xia Chen.
"I heard Young Master's words, 'Ruler, minister, father, son,' and felt that this phrase contained profound truth, but it seemed incomplete, so I came to ask for guidance."
Master Tianhai's attitude was humble. His demeanor was truly outstanding. Although his appearance was not as striking as Jing Xuan's, he still attracted attention in the crowd, no less than Jing Xuan.
"Master Tianhai is a Great Monk, but why are you so fixated on worldly affairs? I heard that Master Tianhai possesses a Buddhist Heart, like a clear mirror unstained by dust. But now, Great Master, it seems you are too attached to appearances!"
Xia Chen did not respond. Instead, he sat down and said with a smile.
When Master Tianhai heard Xia Chen's words, his perpetually smiling and refined face subtly changed.
"What do you mean by that, Young Master!"
Master Tianhai clasped his hands and recited a Buddhist chant.
"Confucianism emphasizes engagement with the world, Buddhism emphasizes transcending the world, and Dao emphasizes avoiding the world! Yet, Great Master has always moved among worldly powers and nobles. Ten years of cultivating the Heart have not cleansed Great Master of dust; instead, it has given rise to a Heart Demon!"
Xia Chen's eyes were bright, looking directly at Master Tianhai. Those eyes seemed capable of seeing through Master Tianhai's flesh and blood, to the Heart Demon hidden within his body.
As soon as Xia Chen spoke, not only did Master Tianhai's expression change, but even Xuan Zhenzi, with his blurry, drunken gaze, looked over.
"Who can clearly distinguish between a Buddhist Heart and a Heart Demon? I have my own Dao!"
Master Tianhai regained his composure, a smile on his face, his hands clasped again, refined and confident.
Master Tianhai looked deeply at the young man before him. This person could actually discern his state with a single sentence. His ten years of cultivating the Heart had indeed gone awry. When he returned that year, Tianlong Temple's Buddhist light soared into the sky, not because he had cultivated a pure Buddhist Heart, but because his Master, Abbot Longshu, personally chanted Buddhist scriptures to help him suppress his Heart Demon.
Few people, even within Tianlong Temple, knew about this matter. He… actually knew!
"Buddhism can save the next life, but it cannot save sentient beings in this present world. I have a Buddhist Heart; I wish to become a Buddha of this present world!"
Master Tianhai's face was adorned with a brilliant smile. Indeed, his entire being exuded an aura of compassion, as if he were about to transform into a Buddha to save the people of this current age.
Ten years ago, when he cultivated his Heart, he had traveled to the Eastern Wilderness, walked through the Southern Barbarian lands, came to Qing Country, observed the mountains and rivers of Great Feng, and finally journeyed westward to pilgrimage in the Western Regions…
Along this journey, he had witnessed too many suffering beings. Their present lives were unbearable, struggling in the mundane world, with years of war, rampant bandits, and human lives as lowly as grass…
From that moment on, he decided not to transcend the world. He wanted to do something for the sentient beings of this present age. If Buddhism could not save sentient beings, then he would be the Buddha.
He wanted to wield power; he wanted to end this chaotic era!
I have a Buddhist Heart; may the world transform into a Pure Land and Divine Kingdom!
…
Xia Chen looked deeply at Master Tianhai. Master Tianhai's Buddhist Heart had already deviated from the current tenets of Buddhism.
From Xia Chen's perspective, it couldn't be considered wrong; in fact, he greatly admired it.
However, in this era, it was not tolerated by Buddhism.
This was a Buddhist heresy!
"One should generate a mind that is not abiding anywhere!"
Xia Chen said slowly. Master Tianhai froze in place, muttering to himself.
"Not abiding anywhere?"
"One should generate a mind that is not abiding anywhere" is a famous quote from the Diamond Sutra, which means that the mind should not be attached to anything.
For example, not being attached to external fame, wealth, material enjoyment, nor to one's own concepts, views, emotions, etc.
Because attachment creates vexation and obstacles, binding the inner self.
Master Tianhai possessed great compassion, but he already had an obsession, already attached to appearances.
This was also why Xia Chen said he had given birth to a Heart Demon.
"Then, may I ask, benefactor, what kind of mind should be generated!"
Master Tianhai remained rooted to the spot for a long time, continuously muttering and repeating the words Xia Chen had spoken.
Finally, he earnestly asked Xia Chen.
"Generate a pure mind, a compassionate mind, a Bodhi mind. Not to be confused or bound by various external appearances, but to generate a mind of wisdom and enlightenment."
Xia Chen replied calmly.
Master Tianhai looked at Xia Chen with extreme solemnity. This Xia Chen, was he so deeply knowledgeable about their Buddhism?
In the main hall, many people in the distance were looking at Master Tianhai, Xia Chen, and also Xuan Zhenzi. These two, from Tianshi Mansion and Tianlong Temple, who would dare to ignore them?
Both of these factions had First Grade peak experts in the current world.
"Master Tianhai, what's wrong? Why has he been clasping his hands and bowing to Xia Chen?"
"What are they talking about? Who wants to go and eavesdrop?"
"Why do I feel that Master Tianhai's gaze towards Xia Chen is strange, like respect, reverence?"
…
Everyone was discussing animatedly.
"Is the benefactor saying that my Dao is unfeasible? So you want me to let go of the obsession in my Heart!"
"Great Master has a compassionate Heart. I might be transferred to Zhong Du in the future. If Master Tianhai is willing, you can come and see me. Perhaps then, Great Master will find the true Dao!"
Xia Chen also clasped his hands, appearing like a Buddhist Great Master, with a slight smile.
Good steel should be used on the cutting edge; if he were to be a plagiarist, he would apply it to practical matters.
Master Tianhai came to him, walking into his trap, so he would invite him into the urn.
With his first words, he took the initiative, directly stunning Master Tianhai.
Then, he brought out the profound aphorisms from the Diamond Sutra, giving Master Tianhai a powerful shock.
Even if he didn't shatter his Buddhist Heart, he would at least shake it.
He didn't say too much, because fishing needed to be done slowly. Master Tianhai was a very intelligent person. If his intention was too strong from the beginning, Master Tianhai, this fish, would break free from the hook.
Currently, Xia Chen couldn't point out a clear path for Master Tianhai, but in the future, if he truly became an official transferred to Zhong Du, once Master Tianhai was on his territory, he would have plenty of ways to keep Master Tianhai there.
First, get the fish hooked; as for whether he could feed the fish well, that was a later matter.
Master Tianhai was indeed intrigued by Xia Chen's actions. This Xia Chen was actually so proficient in Buddhist principles.
"Xia Gongzi has a connection with our Buddhism. If you have time, you can go to Tianlong Temple, and we can discuss Buddhist Dharma together!"
Master Tianhai bowed.
"I heard that Xia Gongzi possesses world-shattering talent and the demeanor of a Great Confucian, even Your Majesty praises him, so I greatly admire him. The literary gathering is about to end, and I wonder if there will be an opportunity to witness Young Master's talent!"
Just as Xia Chen and Master Tianhai were having a pleasant conversation, someone finally couldn't hold back, stood up, and spoke loudly.
It wasn't that they were impatient, but that Xia Chen was too reclusive. The entire literary gathering had already passed for most of the day, and he had been sitting in that corner drinking and chatting, as if that corner was a world separated from theirs.
They had been waiting for an opportunity, but seeing that the literary gathering was about to end and the opportunity hadn't arrived, they could only so stiffly force Xia Chen to act.
…
【Master Tianhai, who harbored a heart of compassion. In his youth, he was an ascetic monk, traveling throughout the world. Wherever his eyes reached, he saw the suffering of sentient beings, and thus he made a grand vow: to enter the eighteen layers of Hell himself, in exchange for peace under Heaven.
Later, during a literary gathering, Master Tianhai met the Heavenly Emperor there. This was their first meeting. During the gathering, the Heavenly Emperor perceived an obsession in Master's heart, and thus said: "One should generate a mind that is not abiding anywhere!"
Upon hearing these words, Master Tianhai immediately had an Epiphany. Not long after, Master became a disciple of the World Honored One. From then on, our sect's Buddha of the Present Age returned to his rightful place.
— 《History of Buddhism, Biography of the Present Age Buddha, Volume Two】
PS: The more rewards, the more updates. Free gift rewards are also fine. Updates will continue this afternoon. As long as there are gifts, I will update at least 10,000 characters, five chapters, today!