Donghuang Ziji

Chapter 202: Buddha and Devil
The nine grades of immortality divided by Taiyi Zhenjun, the lower three grades nine grades mortals, eighth grade gaining techniques and seventh grade learning methods, are all stages of polishing the basics, the stage where mortals come into contact with the way of cultivation. The specific combat capabilities need to be determined based on actual combat, there is no such thing as entering the seventh grade which is definitely stronger than the ninth grade.

The middle three grades, the sixth grade of gathering spirits, the fifth grade of casting patterns, and the fourth grade of heaven are the stages of transformation from mortals to immortals and enjoying longevity.

Each of these three grades is a qualitative change, and even within the same grade, the combat effectiveness varies greatly.

In the records of the Jinhua Sect, the fourth-grade celestial being represents the complete fusion of essence, energy, and spirit. It has been completely separated from mundane concepts and cannot be considered the same from a physiological point of view.

Great supernatural powers such as moving mountains and seas, shrinking the sun and the moon, and manipulating the universe are standard features of cultivators of this level, and can satisfy most mortals' illusions about immortals and gods.

When he was studying, Chu Tai had thought about what it would be like to reach the third level.

Now, I finally understand some concepts.

A third-grade cultivator can travel to Daluo Heaven, obtain the qualification to freely enter and exit Daluo Heaven to study, and be able to sense the existence of other great heavens, or the universe.

It was also at this time that Chu Tai felt more clearly the expectations that Taoist Fu Guang had for him.

The most important thing is that Taoist Fu Guang did not force Chu Tai to attain the third rank, but encouraged him to achieve the best foundation and hope to attain the third rank. In the subsequent education, he was more cautious and explained the Taoist scriptures in more detail.

Apart from the initial expectations, Fu Guang Taoist only gave Chu Tai the best guidance within his ability, hoping that he could move in that direction, rather than requiring him to reach that level behind his back.

'This teaching method may not be the best, but it is already very good in this world.'

Chu Tai recalled for a moment, and his thoughts returned to the original question. He continued to ask the Pure Light Goddess about the difference between the Buddhist teachings of the two great heavens, as well as the issue of the externalization of the fruits of the Tao of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the great heaven of immortal manifestation.

"Can I regard this kind of outward projection as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas using their own self-cultivation methods as a method of saving others, and projecting them directly into the minds of all living beings?"

Chu Tai's words made the Pure Light Goddess stunned for a moment, as if she had not expected that it could be explained from this angle. After thinking for a while, she said, "It can be explained this way. I remember that Master Poshan lifted the vow of abstaining from alcohol and meat in order to save sentient beings. It was a manifestation of his compassion. Breaking without breaking does not hinder Buddhism."

"Similarly, in the past, the Zen Master Hu Yin drank alcohol and ate meat, leaving behind a saying, 'Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the Buddha remains in the heart', which has been widely circulated among the common people. However, the following saying, 'If people in the world want to learn from me, it is like entering the devil's way' has been ignored by everyone."

When the Pure Light Goddess said this, she sighed, "In essence, many practices of the superior Buddhist teachings are very personal. You can learn the Buddhist teachings and paths of your predecessors, but you cannot follow the teachings of your predecessors and try to enlighten yourself. This in itself is also a form of bias, believing in the principles and actions of your predecessors."

"It's just like burning fingers to offer to Buddha. It's not a Buddhist practice for ordinary people, but many people are obsessed with it, thinking it has great merit. But in fact, they haven't achieved the state of empty body, and the four phases have not been resolved. Forcing themselves to endure the pain and offer to Buddha will only make them angry, resentful, and fall into hell..."

Speaking of this, the Goddess of Pure Light was also quite helpless. As a Buddhist disciple, she had seen too many similar things. She even saw a senior brother who was studying Buddhism. He had obviously already achieved the state of detachment in his mind and attained the middle level of Buddhism, with a hope of attaining the higher level. However, because he burned his fingers to offer to the Buddha, he lost one of his fingers. During his subsequent ascetic practice, he was plotted against by the devil, broke his precepts one after another, and almost fell into the devil's path.

Back then, in order to save this fellow brother, several great masters of Buddhism stepped in, causing a lot of trouble.

Although he didn't know what Jinguang Tiannu was feeling, Chu Tai could tell that she was in a bad mood. After waiting for a moment, he continued to ask.

"If you encounter such a paranoid person, is there any way to solve it?" Upon hearing this, Jinguang Tiannv guessed that this matter might be related to the Lotus Mother Dharma Image. Jinguang Tiannv also cared very much about this senior brother, and even wanted to directly ask Chu Tai where he was now.

But she also saw that Chu Tai did not want to tell her more details. After thinking for a while, she told Chu Tai the method she knew.

"If you want to make those who have fallen into bias and partial belief return to the right path, the simplest method is for a great virtue to enlighten them with Mahayana Buddhism. The second method is to let them complete their bias and enlighten them when their mentality changes. The third method is to enlighten them with the most precious treasures of Buddhism. For example, the most precious treasures of Buddhism today, such as the Infinite Intention Lamp, the Nether Heart Lamp and the Kalayana Bell, all have such mysteries."

"It's just that the Buddha's teachings are about seeking within oneself, not seeking outside. Whether it's the teachings of a great master, or the enlightenment of a person who has reached a certain point, or the protection of a precious treasure, they are essentially external forces. If one's mind does not change, no matter how strong the external forces are, they are nothing but illusions."

When the Goddess of Pure Light said this, her emotions were quite obvious, which made Chu Tai curious about what she was thinking about.

Chu Tai raised his question, and the eyes of the Pure Light Goddess appeared in the color of glass. She looked at Chu Tai and said, "Back then, when I was in Beiputuo, I met a senior brother who imprisoned himself in the underground palace. He had already thoroughly understood the Dharma and his true heart through endless self-questioning. He had conquered all the evil thoughts in his heart. He only needed to let go of the last bit of obsession to achieve the highest merit, but he finally fell into the devil's way."

Hearing this, Chu Tai seemed to have thought of something and listened to the Pure Light Goddess continue to tell the story.

"I learned about the past of that senior brother. He entered Buddhism because of his obsession, hoping to be liberated from Buddhism and save a good friend from a hell set up by a demon sect. But he finally realized that if he wanted to achieve superior merit, he had to give up this obsession, cut off this concern, and let go of the reason why he studied Buddhism."

"He was unwilling, so he finally broke out and slashed the golden bodies of thirteen senior brothers in a row, and then he entered the Western Region Demon Sect. He destroyed that hell with his great magic power, dragged out his good friend who was trapped in hell, and beat him up."

At this point, the Goddess of Pure Light fell silent. Chu Tai waited for a long time but nothing happened, so he couldn't help but ask, "What happened next?"

"Later, that senior brother established a demon sect in the Western Region, right above that hell."

"what?"

This outcome was beyond Chu Tai's expectations. He heard a question from Zhengyang Taoist behind him: "You Buddhists don't care?"

Chu Tai and Jing Guang had already noticed each other's presence, but the content of their current communication was not secret, so they did not try to cover it up.

As for Taoist Zhengyang's doubts, Jingguang simply responded calmly: "Although he has fallen into the devil's way, he himself is not evil. He intends to use devils to refine devils and save his friends. What can we do? Forcing him to come back will only make him fall deeper. It is better to let him do what he wants to do."

When he said the last sentence, Jingguang looked at Chu Tai, obviously speaking to him.

Chu Tai understood what Jing Guang meant. He nodded and looked back at Taoist Zheng Yang and asked, "Why did you come out, Taoist friend? Have you discussed other matters?"

"Not yet. Mu Jing has some things that need to be confirmed by you. Let me call you back to finalize some details."

(End of this chapter)