I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Chapter 117: Bodhi presents an invitation to listen to Buddhist teachings at Lingshan

Ever since Chi Ling defeated the Taoist Wuchan in Tianci Temple, Miaoxuan Kingdom’s anti-Buddhist activities have indeed never affected Guangci Prefecture again.

However, just three years later, civil strife broke out in the Miaoxuan Kingdom. First, Taoist Wuchan failed in refining the elixir, went astray in his practice, and was killed by a high-ranking Buddhist monk.

Then the King of Myo Xuan was forced to abdicate by his third son, who then ascended the throne and announced an end to the destruction of Buddhism.

Five years later, the new Lord Miaoxuan, who had stopped destroying Buddhism in the country, personally ordered the construction of a temple in the capital, built a golden statue of Sakyamuni, and worshiped the Buddha devoutly.

Ten years later, Lord Miao Xuan had accomplished great merits, and a divine being descended upon the palace and bestowed upon him an elixir, which extended his life by fifty years.

In the following years, all the Buddhist monks who were robbed in Xiniu Hezhou entered the Miaoxuan Kingdom, and Buddhism flourished in the Miaoxuan Kingdom for a time.

However, one Miaoxuan Kingdom could not change the decline of Buddhism in the Buddha-Demon Catastrophe, because the anti-Buddhism movement in Jambudvīpa became more and more intense, and even affected the entire Jambudvīpa.

On this day, after Zhuang Yan finished his meeting with the Human World Department, he left Taixuan Zhenfu, went down to the next heaven and returned to Lingtai Divine Mansion.

After returning, Fire Spirit Immortal asked Zhuang Yan, "Lord God, did the Human World Department issue an edict this time?"

Zhuang Yan shook his head and said, "No, this time we only focused on the destruction of Buddhism in Jambudvīpa."

Upon hearing this, the Fire Spirit Immortal said in surprise, "Over the years, the anti-Buddhist actions in Xiniuhezhou have become less and less frequent, but haven't they stopped in Nanzhanbuzhou yet?"

Zhuang Yan said: "The reason why Xiniu Hezhou is that there is a reincarnation of Amitabha Buddha walking around and preaching in the human world is that the more he preaches, the weaker the tendency of Xiniu Hezhou to destroy Buddhism becomes. But it's different in Nanzhanbuzhou, where there are no reincarnations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas entering the human world."

“Moreover,” Zhuang Yan added, “Lingshan has no other good way to stop the destruction of Buddhism in Jambudvīpa except to teach sentient beings through the reincarnation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.”

The Fire Spirit Immortal asked in confusion, "Why? There are so many powerful people in Buddhism. They can easily stop the destruction of Buddhism in the Southern Continent, right?"

Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "How can it be that easy? Do you know what you have overlooked?"

"What?" Fire Spirit Immortal was very puzzled, "What did I overlook?"

Zhuang Yan said: "You yourself."

"Me?" Fire Spirit Immortal was startled at first, then laughed and said, "Lord God, I am nothing in front of the Buddha, right?"

Zhuang Yan said, "You are nothing, but what about you?"

Fire Spirit Immortal actually glanced behind herself, but she quickly realized what Zhuang Yan meant by "behind".

In an instant, the Fire Spirit Immortal suddenly realized and said, "Heaven?"

"Yes." Zhuang Yan nodded and said, "Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other gods usually come down to the mortal world to play around and save people. This is nothing special. But now the entire Southern Continent is destroying Buddhism. Buddhism cannot use its great power to forcibly interfere with this trend in the human world. The Heavenly Court will not allow it."

The Fire Spirit Immortal immediately understood that the Heavenly Court needed the order of the Three Realms to be stable, so it was fine for the gods, Buddhas, and immortals to come down to the mortal world to play around. After all, there was no big problem in saving one or two people at a time.

However, if one uses one's own divine power and magical power to interfere with the order of the human world, the Heavenly Court will definitely not allow it, because this will cause the collapse of the order of the human world.

This is not only the law of heaven, but also the law of nature. Even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas must abide by it.

"I understand, Lord God." said the Fire Spirit Immortal.

Zhuang Yan nodded. At this moment, Tiger Vanguard suddenly walked into the Mountain God Temple and said, "Lord God, the boy Xianyun from Fangcun Mountain is here."

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan was a little surprised, and then said, "Please come in."

Tiger Vanguard left in response, and soon after, the boy Xianyun walked into the Mountain God Temple with a whisk in his hand.

The boy Xianyun came to Zhuang Yan, bowed and said, "Greetings to the Lord of the Spiritual Platform."

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "How are you these days, fellow Taoist Bodhi?"

Xianyun Tongzi bowed and said, "My Lord, the Grandmaster has always been very kind. I am here at the Grandmaster's command to invite you to Fangcun Mountain."

Zhuang Yan smiled, didn't ask what it was, and nodded directly, "Okay, I'll be there right away."

After saying that, Zhuang Yan stood up, and then he and the boy Xianyun left the Divine Palace and flew straight to Fangcun Mountain.

When Zhuang Yan arrived at the Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave, Patriarch Bodhi was already waiting outside the mountain gate. Upon seeing Zhuang Yan coming, Patriarch Bodhi immediately came forward to greet him.

Zhuang Yan quickly bowed and said, "Hello, fellow Taoist."

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and grabbed Zhuang Yan's hand, saying, "There is no need to be so polite, my friend. Come, come." Then he pulled Zhuang Yan into the cave.

After sitting down, Patriarch Bodhi said to Zhuang Yan: "I invited you here for no big deal. I just have something good to tell you."

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan asked, "What's the good news?"

Patriarch Bodhi said: "Three months later, Lingshan will hold the Ullambana Festival, and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will participate."

Zhuang Yan nodded and said, "I know about this, but this Yulan Festival is a spiritual ceremony at Lingshan, and the gods and immortals from all over the world are not invited."

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and said, "It is true that the immortals from all directions will not be invited to the Yulan Festival, but it is not important whether you can attend the festival or not. What is important is that after the Yulan Festival, Sakyamuni Buddha will preach the sutras and invite the immortals from all directions to listen to the sutras. This is a rare opportunity." Zhuang Yan asked, "Could it be that you have been invited, fellow Taoist?"

Patriarch Bodhi nodded and said with a smile: "Do you remember my incarnation of Buddhism? He sent me an invitation, just in time for you to go."

Zhuang Yan was stunned for a moment, then quickly waved his hand and said, "How can this be possible? This is an invitation to you, my fellow Taoist."

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and said, "My dear friend, please don't misunderstand me. I got this invitation specifically for you. Besides, I don't need to listen to the Dharma lectures anymore. This invitation is useless to me. But it will be of great use to you, my dear friend."

After saying this, Patriarch Bodhi handed the golden Buddhist card to Zhuang Yan. Zhuang Yan took it and saw that it was the name of "Lingtai Mountain God" written on it.

"This..." Zhuang Yan quickly stood up and bowed, "Thank you very much, fellow Taoist."

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and said, "You don't have to be polite, my friend. Come, sit down and have some tea."

As Zhuang Yan sat down, Patriarch Bodhi said, "It may take a long time for you to attend the Dharma talk, so you should be prepared to stay away for a long time."

Zhuang Yan nodded and said, "Okay, I understand."

After staying in the Xieyue Sanxing Cave for a day, Zhuang Yan returned to the Lingtai Divine Mansion. He first told the Fire Spirit Immortal about this matter.

The Immortal Fire Spirit immediately congratulated Zhuang Yan. After all, being able to listen to the Buddha Tathagata preach was an extraordinary opportunity.

Afterwards, Zhuang Yan temporarily handed over the affairs of the Divine Palace and his own immortal official jade certificate to the True Immortal Huo Ling, and let her take full charge of the affairs of the Lingtai Divine Palace on his behalf.

Then Zhuang Yan went up to the next heaven and asked for leave from Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu.

When an immortal official takes leave, a "successor" needs to be appointed. Zhuang Yan has a ready-made successor in Fire Spirit True Immortal, so Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu approved it without hesitation.

During the period when the immortal official takes leave, all salaries will be stopped until he reports back for leave, and then the salary will be resumed.

At this time, Zifu Shaoyang Emperor was a little curious and asked, "What are you going to do with this indefinite leave?"

Zhuang Yan reported, "Your Majesty, I have received an invitation from Tathagata Buddha to give a lecture after the Ullambana Festival at Lingshan."

Hearing this, Zifu Shaoyang Emperor was startled at first, then said with envy: "Lingtai Divine Lord, what a great opportunity! I don't even have this opportunity."

Zhuang Yan was stunned. Even Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu didn’t receive the invitation?

Seeing Zhuang Yan's expression, Emperor Zifu Shaoyang said with a smile: "Do you know who will go to the Heavenly Palace?"

Zhuang Yan bowed and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang said: "The Four Great Emperors of Heaven, Taishang Laojun, Dong Wanggong, Xiwangmu, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, Jiutian Yingyuan Leisheng Puhua Tianzun, Doumu Yuanjun and other emperors are all invited to be guests."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan was surprised. This standard was indeed too high. It could be seen how much thoughtfulness Bodhi Patriarch showed in sending him this invitation.

"Lord Lingtai, I really envy you." Emperor Zifu Shaoyang said with a smile.

Zhuang Yan heard this and said, "If the emperor wants to go, I can also give this invitation to the emperor."

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang said with a smile: "No need to do so, no need to do so. Everyone has different opportunities, so how can we force it? Lord Lingtai, you must listen carefully to the Dharma this time. If you can improve your cultivation in the future, it will also be a blessing for the Heavenly Court and all living beings."

Zhuang Yan bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty's words, I will keep them in mind."

Afterwards, Zhuang Yan bid farewell to Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu, left the human world and returned to the divine palace.

Three months later, just after the Ullambana Festival ended, the Buddhist sect sent the Jieying Vajra to the Lingtai Divine Palace to pick up Zhuang Yan and go to Lingshan to attend the Dharma Assembly.

So, under the guidance of Jieying Vajra, Zhuang Yan went to the beautiful Lingshan Mountain, the "Avatamsaka Temple".

As soon as he arrived outside the Huayan Temple, Zhuang Yan saw a sky full of white rainbows that connected all four directions. All the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats were seated there, emitting countless golden lights of relics that illuminated the ten directions and gathered clouds and auspiciousness.

Zhuang Yan was led by Vajra to a cushion in the Huayan Temple and sat down. He looked up and saw Bodhisattvas and Arhats all around him. They put their hands together with solemn looks. When they saw Zhuang Yan, they nodded and smiled.

At this time, the sky was filled with colorful clouds again, and more than a dozen golden jade chariots entered the temple. The Bodhisattvas and Arhats stood up one after another, and the Buddhas personally led the celestial beings and Vajra to greet them.

Zhuang Yan also stood up and took a closer look. It was the Four Great Emperors of Heaven, Laozi and other emperors who had arrived.

The immortals and gods paid their respects from afar, and then the Four Great Emperors, Taishang Laojun and other emperors took their seats one after another under the guidance of the Buddhas. Soon everyone had arrived, and after everyone was seated, the Huayan Temple was officially closed.

After a while, the body of Tathagata Buddha was covered with billions of Buddha lights, and a round light behind his head illuminated the three realms. Respectfully welcomed by all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats, he stepped on the auspicious clouds and gathered auspicious light, and ascended the Golden Lotus Platform. After greeting all the immortals and gods present, he sat down upright.

Afterwards, the sounds of nine jade chimes resounded throughout the Huayan Temple, and the Buddha's teachings officially began.

Lotus flowers bloomed from his tongue, golden lotuses emerged from the ground, billions of auspicious signs appeared in the sky, and the sound of Sanskrit was endless and mysterious. All the listeners were fascinated by the lecture, and their hearts were filled with mystery.

Once the Buddha started to preach this Dharma, it lasted for three hundred years.

(End of this chapter)