I am a fairy in Journey to the West

On the platform of ten thousand Buddhas, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, led by Maitreya Buddha, are welcoming deities from all directions to take their seats.

Those who received the invitation from the Buddhist sect this time were basically all renowned figures in the Three Realms. Even Erlang Shen, who had been living in Xiniu Hezhou, was invited.

Zhuang Yan arrived at the Ten Thousand Buddha Platform with the eight Human Emperors. Maitreya Buddha hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Great Emperor Shenxiao, please take a seat."

Then, an Arhat led the way, taking Zhuang Yan to the highest step of the Ten Thousand Buddha Platform. The Eastern King Duke and the Western Queen Mother were already seated there, and Zhuang Yan's position was right next to them.

Zhuang Yan turned his head and looked to his left, only to find that Maitreya Buddha's lotus throne was right to his left.

At this time, all the deities had taken their seats, and the entire Ten Thousand Buddha Platform gradually filled with people. Only after the last deity arrived did Maitreya Buddha order the Ten Thousand Buddha Platform to be closed, and the Dharma banquet officially began.

Maitreya Buddha led all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to their seats, and then the entire Ten Thousand Buddha Platform was filled with golden light, and the Buddha's light shone brightly in the sky.

Boundless celestial energy surged forth, instantly transforming into a vast ocean of celestial energy that spread across the entire Ten Thousand Buddha Platform.

Then, in this ocean formed by celestial energy, countless seven-colored golden lotuses emerged, and these seven-colored golden lotuses grew out from in front of each deity on the Thousand Buddha Platform.

Then the tender pink lotus bud slowly opened, instantly radiating golden light and dazzling colors. In the center of the blooming lotus, various celestial fruits, celestial wines, delicacies, golden cups and jade plates, and celestial pots and treasures appeared.

Maitreya Buddha spoke, “Emperors, Venerable Gods and Immortals, you have traveled thousands of miles to attend this Dharma assembly. This humble monk and fellow Buddhists are deeply grateful. Here, we would like to offer a toast to all the Emperors and Venerable Gods and Immortals.”

As he spoke, Maitreya Buddha first bowed to the Eastern King Duke, the Western Queen Mother, and Zhuang Yan, then bowed to the Four Great Emperors of the Mountains, and finally bowed to the many immortals.

Everyone raised their glasses in return, saying, "Thank you, Buddha of the East."

After drinking it all in one gulp, the gods and immortals put down their wine cups. At this moment, Maitreya Buddha led the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to stand up, raised their wine cups, and said to Zhuang Yan, "The Great Emperor Shenxiao has saved our Buddhist sect. If it weren't for the Great Emperor Shenxiao's grace, how could we have held this grand gathering today?"

After saying this, Maitreya Buddha and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bowed to Zhuang Yan and said, "This cup is offered to the Great Emperor Shenxiao to express our gratitude for his salvation."

Led by Maitreya Buddha, all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bowed and offered wine to Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan picked up his wine cup and smiled at the Buddha and Bodhisattva, saying, "Maintaining the stability of the Three Realms and the balance of various religions is my duty. Buddha of the East, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, there is no need for such formalities. Please rise." After saying this, he also drank the vegetarian wine in his cup in one gulp.

Maitreya Buddha and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas then bowed in thanks, rose, and returned to their respective seats.

After taking their seats, Maitreya Buddha spoke, “Esteemed deities and immortals, the World-Honored One Shakyamuni said: ‘When the Buddha flower blooms in pairs, with all seven colors in full bloom, it signifies that one’s wishes will be fulfilled.’ The seven-colored lotus before you is the seven-colored Buddha flower that our Buddhist sect has cultivated over the years. This Buddha flower possesses the power of all Buddhas and is blooming before you today. If any of you deities and immortals desire anything, you may pluck the Buddha flower and take it as you wish.”

Before the assembled immortals could react, Zhenyuan Daxian said, "So miraculous? Then this humble Taoist will give it a try."

As he spoke, Zhenyuan Daxian plucked a Buddha flower from the lotus in front of him and said, "Give me a ginseng fruit."

Upon hearing this, a burst of laughter erupted around them. Then, the Antarctic Immortal said, "I say, Great Immortal Zhenyuan, that ginseng fruit tree is your own spiritual root. How could this seven-colored Buddha flower have ginseng fruit?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a seven-colored Buddhist light shone from the Buddha flower, a sight that immediately stunned the Antarctic Immortal and all the gods.

Even Zhen Yuanzi was startled, thinking to himself, "Could it really conjure up ginseng fruit?"

However, the next moment, a shimmering, ancient ginseng appeared before Zhen Yuanzi, instantly turning the surprise on his face into astonishment.

Sun Wukong, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, laughed heartily and said, "So this is what a ginseng fruit is."

Zhen Yuanzi laughed and said, "It is indeed ginseng, but it doesn't look like a fruit. However, it is also a medicinal herb with a history of ten thousand years, so it can be considered a rare and precious celestial object."

When the gods and immortals saw that Zhen Yuanzi had conjured a ten-thousand-year-old ginseng from the seven-colored Buddha flower, they were filled with curiosity and began to pick the Buddha flower and make wishes for what they desired.

Those who wanted peaches of immortality were indeed given peaches of immortality by the seven-colored Buddha flower, but these peaches were not the peaches of immortality from the innate spiritual root of the Queen Mother of the West.

Some people asked for the elixir of Laozi, and what came out was an elixir named 'Laozi,' but with different effects.

There were also those who wanted the "Treasure of the Day After Tomorrow," and the last one to appear was a treasure called "Treasure of the Day After Tomorrow."

In short, some wishes that clearly exceeded the normal range did not result in the desired object, but each had its own unique use, which added a lot of fun for the gods.

After a long time, the Thousand Buddha Platform returned to normal, but in front of each deity were piles of strange and wonderful treasures, each with its own unique uses.

But afterwards, people still used the seven-colored Buddha flower to obtain normal things, all kinds of delicacies, divine fruits and fine wines, and rare mountain and sea delicacies. Everything was available, and there was nothing more.

The Dharma assembly lasted for three whole days. Apart from the food and drink on the first day, the second and third days were spent admiring the Buddha statues.

The Buddhist sect opened all the treasure pavilions in Mount Sumeru, displaying all the treasures passed down from ancient times to the gods and immortals.

Appreciating Buddhist treasures is a very meaningful activity, because these treasures are relics left by countless Buddhas from all heavens, places, times, and spaces since the birth of Buddhism.

These Buddhist treasures contain the wisdom and power of the Buddha. If one is fortunate enough to comprehend some of them, it will undoubtedly be of great help to one's spiritual practice.

Zhuang Yan was also among those watching, but he was just there for the spectacle. Although he could sense the artistic conception and power within these Buddhist treasures, they were not suitable for him.

Fire Spirit Immortal examined it very carefully, especially showing great interest in one of the paintings, 'Nirvana'.

Amitabha Buddha keenly noticed the Fire Spirit Immortal, so he walked over and asked, "Lord Fire Spirit, are you very interested in this 'Nirvana Painting'?"

Upon seeing that it was Amitabha Buddha, the Fire Spirit Immortal quickly bowed and then pointed to the picture, asking, "Who is the Buddha in the picture who is undergoing Nirvana?"

Amitabha Buddha smiled and said, "He is not a Buddha in this world, but a Buddha who exists in the Mani World, the Void-Covering Heaven. His Dharma name is 'Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha'."

At this point, Amitabha Buddha began to tell the story of this Buddha: "The Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha manifested in the Mani World during the time of the ancient Buddha Dipankara and shone in the present world for three thousand years. She taught the Dharma to all Buddhist disciples for three thousand years and opened the 'fire of wisdom' for all monks. Later, at the turn of the 1,338th era in the present world, this Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha finally perfected the Dharma and successfully entered Nirvana in the Mani World."

Fire Spirit Immortal was puzzled by this and asked, "Are there other worlds and realms besides the Three Realms?"

Amitabha Buddha smiled and said, “Of course there are. I remember that the World-Honored One Shakyamuni once said that the heavenly realm resides in the ‘present world,’ which is the present world of the Three Realms that we live in. It is the root of all birth, death, and reincarnation, and it is constant. But outside the present world of the Three Realms, there are countless impermanent worlds. These worlds depend on the ‘present world’ for their operation, but they cannot be seen constantly; they can only be reflected into the world occasionally. Therefore, the present world that we live in is also called the Great Thousand Jambudvipa World, while those impermanent worlds are called the Saha World.”

"So that's how it is," said True Immortal Fire Spirit. "Today I finally understand the true meaning of the Saha World."

After speaking, the Fire Spirit Immortal continued to stare at the 'Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha Nirvana Picture', his gaze gradually becoming deep and serene.

A moment later, a patch of Xuan Yang True Fire slowly rose from the body of the Fire Spirit True Immortal. The fire was intense and continued to rise and burn around the Fire Spirit True Immortal's body.

Upon seeing this, Amitabha Buddha was immediately surprised, and all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other deities in the treasure pavilion also noticed it.

"This is bad," said the Barefoot Immortal. "If this continues, the entire treasure pavilion will be reduced to ashes."

Upon hearing this, all the Bodhisattvas and Arhats present became tense, but because Huo Ling Zhenxian was Zhuang Yan's confidant, everyone was at a loss for what to do.

But Guanyin Bodhisattva saw it clearly and said, "Don't worry, that fire won't burn external objects."

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly looked over and, sure enough, although the Profound Yang True Fire on the Fire Spirit True Immortal's body was burning fiercely, it did not ignite anything external.

At this moment, more and more people gathered around, but the Fire Spirit Immortal had already entered a state of selflessness and egolessness.

Xuanzang, the Buddha of Sandalwood Nirvana, approached and asked Guanyin Bodhisattva, "What is this Lord Fire Spirit?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "It seems you are about to have an epiphany."

"Oh?" Xuanzang said with some surprise, "That looks like the Nirvana of the Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and said, "That's right."

Hearing their conversation, Manjushri Bodhisattva couldn't help but wonder, "The Fire Spirit Lord was originally a spiritual fire that attained enlightenment in the world, and his talent in Buddhism is of the highest caliber. Could he possibly have some connection with the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable Buddha?"

At this point, Manjushri Bodhisattva fell silent, while Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva exchanged glances.

It wasn't just them who had this doubt; all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and deities present shared this thought.

However, this matter involves too much cause and effect, and cannot be said casually. If the Fire Spirit True Immortal were just a rogue immortal, it would be easy to say, but she is now the Grand Master of Fate of the Mortal Realm Jade Palace.

Even if she really had some connection with the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable Buddha, it shouldn't be them who brought it up first; it should be the Fire Spirit True Immortal or Zhuang Yan who brought it up first. But this involves a concept: the Buddha's state after 'Nirvana'.

This is something that those present cannot explain clearly. Nirvana is a final concept and result in Buddhism, symbolizing the extinguishing of the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance, and reaching the eternal state of Tao that is neither born nor dies, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing.

This realm is beyond the comprehension of those present. Perhaps only those with the profound understanding of the Buddha and the Three Pure Ones can truly comprehend it.

So people have guesses, but it's hard to say. First, it's not something to say, and second, it's uncertain. What if it's just a coincidence?
At this moment, the Xuan Yang Fire on the body of True Immortal Huo Ling became increasingly intense, and even broke out of the Ninefold Dharma Treasure Pavilion, like a huge fire wheel enveloping the entire Ninefold Dharma Treasure Pavilion.

Although the flame did not ignite anything external, all the immortals felt their Dao hearts burning intensely.

Such a strange phenomenon naturally attracted everyone's attention, and soon Maitreya Buddha, Zhuang Yan, the Eastern King Duke, the Western Queen Mother, and others also rushed over.

Meanwhile, some of the immortals present were already experiencing some mental anguish. Although they had no distracting thoughts and no desires, they felt as if their hearts were being boiled in oil, and their magical power was also rising and boiling.

Some monks and novices even fainted. Maitreya Buddha immediately summoned the Dharma protectors and instructed them to send those who had fainted inside and outside the Dharma Treasury back to the hermitage to recuperate.

Other deities who could not bear the torment also left the Dharma Treasury Pavilion on their own initiative. In just half an hour, only those deities with profound Taoist cultivation remained in the Dharma Treasury Pavilion.

"It's an epiphany." Maitreya Buddha only glanced at Fire Spirit True Immortal before immediately determining her state.

Dongwanggong asked curiously, "Why did Lord Huoling attain enlightenment because of the 'Nirvana Diagram of the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha'?"

The Queen Mother of the West also asked, "Could it be that the Lord of Fire Spirit has some karmic connection with the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable Buddha?"

Zhuang Yan himself couldn't answer the question. He was very strong, but his cultivation level was low, so he could only look at Maitreya Buddha.

Maitreya Buddha slowly said, "The Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha attained enlightenment through innate spiritual fire, and the Fire Spirit Lord is also a wisp of Xuan Yang True Fire in the world. The Fire Spirit Lord is exceptionally talented and has a deep understanding of the methods of our Buddhist sect. In addition, both she and the Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha attained enlightenment through spiritual fire, so they were able to have an instant enlightenment upon seeing the Nirvana Diagram. All of this was simply the result of sufficient accumulation and the natural course of events."

"I see." Everyone suddenly realized. Then Erlang Shen asked, "Buddha of the East, there is something I don't understand. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you about it."

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "Please ask, Erlang Zhenjun."

Erlang Shen asked, "After the Buddha's Nirvana, in what form does he exist? Why can't we see him in this world again?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "After the Buddha's Nirvana, he became an eternal being, neither born nor dying, so he can naturally not be seen in this world again."

Erlang Shen said, "Then how do we know that he really exists, and not that he simply disappeared after his rebirth?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled slightly and said, "Erlang Zhenjun's question shows that he has seen through the root of the problem. The existence of Buddha after Nirvana is difficult for us to understand, but there is a way to get a glimpse of it."

"Oh?" Erlang Shen asked, "What method?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "Please, Erlang Zhenjun, gather your thoughts and use your primordial spirit to chant the Dharma name 'Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha' three times in your spiritual platform, and you will naturally know."

Without hesitation, Erlang Shen gathered his thoughts, closed his eyes slightly, and then his primordial spirit clasped his hands together in his spiritual platform and chanted the Buddhist name "Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha" three times.

Just as he finished reciting it for the last time, he suddenly felt a faint, unknown power descend upon his spiritual center, gently brushing against the three flowers of his primordial spirit.

Erlang Shen suddenly shuddered, opened his eyes, and a look of fear flashed in them—fear of an unknown power.

"How is it?" Maitreya Buddha asked with a smile.

Erlang Shen pondered for a moment, then said, "After I finished reciting, a force entered my spiritual platform and brushed over the three flowers of my primordial spirit. Huh? Why is the world so clear?"

Erlang Shen suddenly discovered that many laws of the world were clearly presented before him, and he gained a profound understanding of the principles of nature in that instant.

But this feeling only lasted for a quarter of an hour before it disappeared, after which Erlang Shen exclaimed, "This is truly incredible."

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "Yes, after the Buddha's Nirvana, he became an 'inconceivable' being, neither born nor dying, neither increasing nor decreasing, eternally unchanging."

“Since that’s the case, then I also have a question,” Bixia Yuanjun suddenly said. “Since Nirvana is the ultimate state of a Buddha, then what kind of being is the Tathagata Buddha?”

Upon hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought. Indeed, with the Buddha's level of attainment, he must have surpassed the Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha, yet he is still visible in the present world. Has he achieved Nirvana, or has he not?

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "Then I must ask Yuanjun a question: In this world, which came first, the Buddha or the Dharma?"

This question was not difficult for the immortals to answer, so Bixia Yuanjun directly said, "First there was the Buddha's teachings."

Maitreya Buddha nodded slightly and said, “Such a Dharma gate already exists in the world, but it was not yet named at that time. After Shakyamuni attained enlightenment, he named this Dharma gate ‘Buddha-dharma,’ meaning ‘right enlightenment.’ Before it was named, this Dharma existed but did not manifest. After Shakyamuni named it, this Dharma was revealed to sentient beings under the name ‘Buddha-dharma.’ Dipankara Buddha was originally just a being named Dipankara, although he had comprehended the Dharma in ancient times. But after Shakyamuni named the Dharma and founded Buddhism, Dipankara became ‘Ancient Dipankara Buddha,’ that is, the Buddha of the past. Shakyamuni is the Buddha of the present, but not simply ‘the present Buddha,’ but rather represents ‘the present of the Dharma.’ True reality is the original state, hence he is the Tathagata Buddha. Therefore, his Nirvana is naturally different from that of other Buddhas. His Nirvana is the renewal of the Dharma, not just personal transcendence.”

Bixia Yuanjun truly lived up to her reputation as someone who could create her own Taoist practices. When Maitreya Buddha explained it to her, she suddenly understood.

All that could be heard was Bixia Yuanjun reciting in a clear voice: "There is something undifferentiated and complete, which existed before heaven and earth. Silent and still, it stands alone and unchanging, moving in cycles without ceasing. It can be regarded as the mother of heaven and earth. I do not know its name, so I call it the Way, and I forcibly name it Great."

This passage comes from Chapter 25 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching," which means: There is something that is naturally formed, existing before the creation of heaven and earth. You cannot hear its sound or see its form. It is silent and empty, existing independently and endlessly without relying on any external force. It cycles and never decays. It can be the root of all things. I do not know its name, so I reluctantly call it "Tao," and I reluctantly give it another name, "Great."

Laozi discovered its existence before the creation of the world, and named it the "Great Dao". Therefore, Laozi is also called the Supreme Dao Ancestor because he discovered the "Dao" and named it.

Before Laozi discovered the Dao, this state was called Wuji (the ultimate void). When the Dao was discovered and named, the concept of "One" appeared, which is "The Dao gives birth to One".

Then Lao Tzu created heaven and earth, separating yin and yang, which is called "one begets two". Then heaven, earth, and all living beings were born, which is called "two begets three".

Finally, Buddhism, Brahma, demonic religions, nations, and all sorts of things appeared, which is called 'the three giving birth to all things'.

Therefore, the essence of cultivation is actually 'transcending heaven and earth and all things, returning to the infinite, and unifying great power'.

Zhuang Yan, who was listening from the side, also understood a lot and couldn't help but sigh: "Now I finally understand why the Great Celestial Venerable, who holds the power of the Heavenly Dao, still has to listen to Laozi and Buddha preach and expound the scriptures."

The Queen Mother of the West smiled at the King Father of the East and said, "It seems that we should listen more to the teachings and sutras of the Daoist masters and Buddhas in the future, and we must not be complacent and self-satisfied."

The Eastern King nodded and said, "That's very well said."

As soon as the two finished speaking, a strange change occurred ahead. The 'Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha Nirvana Diagram' suddenly flew out of the Buddhist seal and then spontaneously combusted in an instant.

Seeing this, everyone was puzzled, but Maitreya Buddha laughed and said, "Lord Fire Spirit is a person with great opportunities."

After Maitreya Buddha finished speaking, the Nirvana diagram was instantly burned to ashes, but the flames did not go out. Instead, they slowly transformed into a flame talisman, which flew straight into the Fire Spirit True Immortal's brow.

The next moment, the Fire Spirit Immortal opened her eyes, and then the color of the raging true fire around her changed, turning into the extremely pure Supreme Golden Buddha Sacred Fire.

The Fire Spirit Immortal took a deep breath, then formed a hand seal, and the 'Supreme Golden Buddha Fire' was immediately drawn back into his body.

At the same time, the fiery red mark between the eyebrows of the Fire Spirit True Immortal became even more vivid, and his whole body exuded an extremely sacred and holy aura.

Fire Spirit Immortal clasped his hands together and chanted, "Homage to the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha."

A moment later, the Fire Spirit Immortal turned around and found Zhuang Yan and a group of emperors, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas standing at a distance watching her.

Fire Spirit Immortal hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to each of the emperors, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas.

After exchanging greetings, Zhuang Yan asked with a smile, "What have you gained from this sudden enlightenment?"

The Fire Spirit Immortal said, "Your Majesty, I have just comprehended the Dharma meaning in the 'Nirvana Diagram of the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha,' and thus I have suddenly realized the Dao of the 'Supreme True Fire.' Afterwards, the 'Supreme Golden Buddha Sacred Fire' left by the Supreme Fire Spirit Venerable King Buddha in the 'Nirvana Diagram' manifested and flew into my brow."

"Good, good, good." Zhuang Yan praised three times in succession, then turned to Maitreya Buddha and said, "This time, the favor your Buddhist sect owes me is considered settled."

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha immediately clasped his hands together and chanted "Namo Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha." Amitabha Buddha, Sandalwood Nirvana Merit Buddha, Ratnasambhava Buddha, and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas behind him also clasped their hands together and chanted the name of Supreme Fire Spirit King Buddha.

The enlightenment of the Fire Spirit Immortal became the most celebrated story at this Buddhist Dharma Assembly on Mount Sumeru, and this event was extremely beneficial to both the Fire Spirit Immortal and the Buddhist community.

Firstly, the Buddhist sect used this incident to repay Zhuang Yan's enormous favor, but it also forged a good relationship with the Fire Spirit Immortal, truly achieving two goals at once.

This Dharma assembly can be considered the most cost-effective one held by Buddhism in the last five hundred years. (End of this chapter)