Man in the heavens, wins by lying down to prove the truth

Chapter 321 Refining and Nourishing, at the Dragon Flower Banquet

"Several hundred years have passed, and Venerable Maitreya will be giving his first Dharma assembly. He has invited us to the Dragon Flower Banquet. Are you interested?"

Zhou Cheng looked at Yu Yun and Taiwei Hua.

Taiwei Hua shook his head and said, "I have not yet subdued the five hearts, and it will take several hundred years to achieve success. After that, there is still the process of gathering herbs, controlling the fire, cooking, nurturing, and mating before the elixir can be formed. The most important thing is to avoid having any thoughts or intentions, so I will not go."

The righteous path of the Golden Elixir is fraught with disaster at every step and calamity at every turn.

From the moment one enters the Dao and sees the inner landscape, to subdue the five minds, one must go through seven steps to form the elixir, each step fraught with life and death.

When Zhou Cheng subdued the Mind Monkey and the Golden Lord, he also received Laozi's help, which is why he was not burned to ashes by the Mind Fire.

Only after subduing the three minds and suppressing the two spirits of consciousness and desire did Zhou Chengfang gain clear wisdom and be able to overcome tribulations with his own wisdom.

Taiwei Hua has not yet reached this stage, so it is extremely dangerous. One wrong step could lead to the loss of all previous efforts, or even to being reduced to ashes.

“In that case, I will meet this Venerable Maitreya and listen to the Zen wisdom of this Eastern Buddhist teaching,” Yu Yun nodded.

"Very well. The Dragon Flower Banquet will be held a hundred years from now. Now that I have completed my herb gathering and have all four herbs, I will take this time to cultivate a cooking skill."

Of the seven steps—entering the Dao, calming the mind, gathering herbs, controlling the fire, refining, nurturing, intercourse, and forming the elixir—only the step of controlling the fire truly demonstrates human wisdom.

The so-called "fire control" refers to combining the power of the primordial spirit and the five hearts to ignite the Great Dao Fire and master its mysteries.

With Zhou Cheng's wisdom, controlling the Dao Fire is as easy as turning one's hand and taking something out of a bag; there is no need for deliberate cultivation, so he can skip this step.

As for the refining process, this step involves using the fire of the Dao to forge the Qi of the five hearts, combining it with the Dao rhythm of the Zhou Tian (a system of celestial bodies), and transforming the formless and intangible Qi into a true medicine.

This is the transformation from formless and intangible to tangible and substantial, but the work is not yet complete.

It needs to go a step further, making it both tangible and substantial, yet intangible and without substance, achieving a wondrous state of being neither non-existent nor non-existent.

To put it bluntly, this cooking process is about tempering the heart with the heart. If one is not careful, the heart will die and the spirit will be destroyed. It may seem that there is still a chance of life, but in reality, the primordial spirit will be completely dissipated and the mind will be gone.

Therefore, this step is extremely dangerous and requires complete concentration.

Furthermore, depending on the depth of one's understanding of the Great Dao, the time required for the refining process also varies; the deeper one's Dao cultivation, the less time is required for the refining process.

If one's cultivation and understanding are insufficient, forcibly attempting the refining process will not yield results even after thousands or tens of thousands of years. In the meantime, even the slightest mental disturbance will lead to death and the dissipation of one's cultivation.

"Controlling the heat and cooking are things I can master in a day or two; after that, it's just a matter of nurturing the food."

The term "warm nourishment" can be divided into "warm" and "nourishment".

The warmth, derived from the Daoist principles of the universe, transforms into a mysterious and gentle fire, refining and eliminating impurities to achieve a thorough understanding of the four medicines.

Zhou Cheng seems to use pure heart qi, sincere heart qi, clear heart qi, and diligent heart qi to make medicine, but there must be impurities in it. This is the nature of the human heart, and even sages cannot escape the common ways.

Only by eliminating the dross and retaining the essence can the four medicines be fully effective.

However, after removing the dregs, the dosage of medicine is insufficient, so a period of recuperation is required.

Nourishment involves continuing to harmonize the five hearts, using the Qi of the heart to transform into nourishment and moisturize the four medicines.

Only when the four medicines are clear and transparent like pure crystal, and when one has a thought or intention, a great light of spiritual radiance arises, illuminating all directions, is the four medicines complete and the nurturing process accomplished.

"I will cultivate my inner peace and seclude myself in my grotto for a hundred years. No matter who or what kind of deity disturbs me, I will immediately respond."

Zhou Cheng looked at Yu Yun and gave her earnest instructions.

Yu Yun possesses a cosmic lake, which, after being forged by Zhou Cheng, is a supreme treasure for sacrificial rites, containing immense power. In this realm, it is known as the Limitless Supreme Treasure.

"Go into seclusion now, I'll take care of everything."

Yu Yun nodded. As she spoke, countless starlight swirled and shrouded the cave, creating a realm within a realm, a heaven within a heaven.

Beside him, Taiwei Hua sighed inwardly, his eyes dimming.

"I am too weak and too impatient. I insist on cultivating the Golden Core Dao, and it will be difficult to make progress for thousands of years. I am powerless to help you."

"He should follow the example of Yu Yun, first cultivate the unorthodox path, seek a correct result in the unorthodox path, and then pursue the Golden Elixir Path."

"My heart has stirred again, my mind is hard to control..."

Taiwei Hua took out a bamboo scroll, on which was written the Taishang Laojun Shuo Chang Qingjing Jing (Scripture of Purity and Tranquility) in dragon and phoenix script.

This is an opportunity that Laozi sent through Zhou Cheng. It was written by the Primordial Beginning of All Realms and has many mysterious benefits in cultivating one's mind and character.

"The Great Dao is formless, yet it gives birth to heaven and earth; the Great Dao is without emotion, yet it governs the sun and moon; the Great Dao is nameless, yet it nurtures all things..."

The clear, melodious chanting of sutras rose up, whispering softly and purely, echoing throughout this grotto-heaven, nourishing all living beings on the mountain island.

On the waterside pavilion, Zhou Cheng sat cross-legged in meditation, his mind entering an inner realm.

The interior landscape is vast and ethereal, with countless mountains dotting the horizon, resembling an ink painting spreading out.

The sun and moon illuminate the scene, and stars hang high in the sky. Below, the Yellow Woman sits serenely in the center, transforming a golden cauldron and jade furnace with a compassionate heart.

Beside the golden cauldron and jade furnace, there are four guardians protecting the four directions.

"Pong!"

The myriad great paths and endless mysteries aroused the Dao rhythm of this world, presenting a primordial Dao fruit, igniting a gentle fire, and refining the four medicines.

In the blink of an eye, the illusory four medicines underwent a qualitative change, transforming from formless and intangible Qi into tangible and substantial objects, ultimately becoming medicines that were not nonexistent, possessing both tangible and intangible characteristics, just like the magical power of celestial beings.

Thus, the cooking process is complete, and it is time to nourish it gently.

All the myriad Daoist principles converged with the acupoints of the Zhou Tian, ​​and with the primordial power of this world, they transformed into a gentle Great Dao fire, which surged into the golden cauldron and jade furnace, slowly burning the medicine.

Around the golden cauldron and jade furnace, one could see the four spirits—the Mind Monkey, the Golden Lord, the Will Horse, and the Wood Mother—sitting cross-legged, chanting various Taoist scriptures, generating formless Qi, which was then blended in the hands of the Yellow Woman and poured into the cauldron to perform a nourishing function.

As time passed, the golden cauldron and jade furnace roared even louder, with four medicinal herbs hanging high inside, resembling elixir embryos, displaying four colors: red, white, black, and blue.

Gradually, a faint, clear light emerged from the four kinds of heart medicine.

This is the light of the mind, not a phenomenon of supernatural power, nor the mysterious light of the Great Dao. It is simply a phenomenon arising from a clear and transparent mind and a profound state of mind.

The seven steps of Daoist alchemy are all forms of cultivation.

The same applies to nurturing; nurturing requires the power of five hearts.

Four hearts nourish, tolerance is the furnace.

If one's capacity for tolerance is not strong enough, one cannot withstand the heat of a mild medicine.

If the four qualities of purity, cleanliness, sincerity, and diligence are not fully developed, then the vital energy that nourishes the embryo will be insufficient.

……

A hundred years is a long time for ordinary people, enough to last for five generations or more.

For practitioners, however, a Jiazi (60 years) and a day are essentially the same, passing by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, in the waterside pavilion.

Zhou Cheng has been sitting on the futon like a stone statue for nearly a hundred years.

Beside him, incense made from the supreme elixir of Taiwei Huafen had a calming and profound effect. He also held a scripture and recited it respectfully, spreading a profound and tranquil atmosphere to aid Zhou Cheng.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, Taiwei Hua sensed something and looked at Zhou Cheng.

Only red, white, black, blue, and yellow light could be seen flowing and swirling.

This light is a clear radiance, bright and round, dazzling yet not glaring, intense yet not blinding, gentle and harmonious, inspiring longing in people's hearts.

"Reciting scriptures for a hundred years is a great service."

Zhou Cheng's voice rang out, and he stretched out his arms to embrace Tai Weihua.

"My supernatural powers are weak, and I can't help you much. This is all I can do."

Taiwei Hua spoke softly, his eyes clear, showing no sign of lust concealing his true feelings. Clearly, he had achieved a state of mind where he had subdued his desires.

For Taiwei Hua, this century of chanting scriptures was also a form of spiritual practice. "The method for subduing the five minds that the old mother passed on to you may be profound, but it is probably not as suitable for you as the one I have deduced."

As Zhou Cheng spoke, he lightly touched Taiwei Hua's brow, leaving a red dot of cinnabar, containing the secrets of alchemy, from the method of subduing the five hearts to how to control the amount of herbs to the secrets of fire control.

Each of these methods is a closely guarded secret within this world.

Outside the grotto, Yu Yun sat upright on a cloud, suddenly feeling as if she were being embraced.

"Finally out of seclusion, I..."

Just as Yu Yun was about to get up, her body suddenly went limp, her long legs tensed, and her beautiful cheeks flushed red.

"Hiss, why is it so violent? Damn Taiwei Hua, what tricks is he using now!?"

Yu Yun's figure flashed, transforming into a stream of light and entering the cave. Her figure appeared beside the spring, unable to rise again.

As the saying goes, Taiwei Hua subdues the willful horse, so the original mind is not tormented by desires, and no matter how intense they are, they are unharmed.

Yu Yun, however, could not bear it. Her mind went blank, and she curled up on the shore, muttering incoherently, making a complete fool of herself.

"If you hold grudges like this, be careful, or you'll face serious trouble."

Zhou Cheng smiled and embraced Taiwei Hua, performing the ritual of yin and yang intercourse.

"How can you hold a grudge? Sister Yu, aren't you enjoying it? Listen... your moans are so enchanting." Taiwei Hua chuckled, once again unleashing his secret battle technique, amplifying the feeling of being tormented by lust a hundred thousand times, and ruthlessly punishing Yu Yun.

And so, several months passed.

……

On Mount Sumeru lies Maitreya's Pure Land.

Zhou Cheng and Yu Yun arrived on clouds, not in a hurry, but leisurely passing by, overlooking the vast mountains and seas.

But beneath Mount Sumeru, there stood magnificent palaces and pavilions, filled with exquisite halls and jeweled courtyards.

"The Maitreya Buddha's sacred site is quite impressive," Yu Yun said, glancing at Zhou Cheng beside her.

Zhou Cheng laughed and said, "If you want to promote a great religion, you must have dignity. If you are simple and frugal, you will be looked down upon."

First respect the garment, then respect the person; this applies to all factions and schools of thought.

As they spoke, Zhou Cheng and Yu Yun descended from the clouds and arrived at the foot of Mount Sumeru.

"Could it be the arrival of the Primordial True Man?"

A young novice monk clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect, and then asked the question with reverence.

"It is I. And who is Your Excellency?" Zhou Cheng nodded and smiled.

The young novice monk quickly replied, "I dare not claim such a title. I am merely a Yellow-Eyebrowed attendant under the Buddha, and I respectfully welcome the Venerable One's arrival."

Yellow Eyebrows?

Zhou Cheng glanced at the young novice and felt that he was upright and accomplished in Buddhism, showing no sign of the arrogance that would later lead him to falsely claim to be the World Honored One.

To impersonate a powerful being and use this to create karma is a grave taboo in this realm.

On the journey to the west, Red Boy once disguised himself as Guanyin Bodhisattva, which angered the compassionate leader.

It should be understood that Bodhisattvas fear the cause, while ordinary people fear the effect; this is simply the case.

"Please, esteemed sir and fairy, come with me. The Buddha has been waiting for you for a long time."

"That's how it should be."

With the yellow-browed boy leading the way, Zhou Cheng and the others followed him into this magnificent scenic spot.

The Buddha's light shone brightly, and the Dharma was radiant. Everywhere was decorated with the seven treasures of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, coral, giant clam shell, red pearl, and agate. It was truly a magnificent and solemn Buddhist holy land.

Suddenly, auspicious clouds passed by and landed not far from Zhou Cheng and the others.

Zhou Cheng had never seen the newcomer before, but he recognized him at a glance: the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Dharma Form, one of the Dharma Forms of the Bodhisattva of the Sea.

"Could it be the First Venerable One?" Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva transformed into the form of a vase, holding the vase in one hand and bowing with the other.

“Indeed, I have long admired the name of the Venerable Guanyin.” Zhou Cheng nodded and smiled.

Upon seeing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "In that case, I wish to accompany you, Venerable One, to pay homage to the Buddha who came from the East."

Immediately, the group continued into the mountains and saw phoenixes in pairs, luan birds in pairs, rare flowers and fruits, black apes and cranes, and all sorts of magnificent sights.

In the very center of this pure land, one sees a magnificent temple, with Vajra attendants standing on either side of the temple gate, their faces filled with fierce expressions, guarding the main hall.

When Zhou Cheng and his group arrived at the entrance of the main hall, the Vajra Guardians bowed and said, "Greetings, Venerable Nan. May I ask who this gentleman is?"

The Guanyin of the Sea, along with the Buddha, is known as one of the Five Elders. Although not the Buddha, she surpasses the Buddha and is one of the most virtuous and powerful beings in the world.

"This is the first Venerable One, a great master who enlightened the Buddha's teachings that came from the East. You should quickly pay your respects."

As soon as Guanyin Bodhisattva finished speaking, all the Vajras were greatly surprised and hurriedly bowed and apologized, saying, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

Enlightening those who spread Buddhism from the East is a great merit.

If one enters the sacred mountain, one should also be placed on a lotus throne and called Buddha.

After Zhou Cheng entered the temple, he saw the Buddha Hall standing tall, with a banquet set up outside. There were immortals, gods, and Arhats sitting at the table, discussing the Tao and having a great time.

Upon seeing Zhou Cheng and the others arrive, they all stood up to greet them.

Zhou Cheng may not seem famous in this world, but in reality, he is already well-known throughout the land. Anyone with great abilities knows Zhou Cheng.

After all, when he followed Laozi westward out of Hangu Pass, the purple aura swept up the nine heavens, and he even became friends with the Heavenly Sage, so no one dared to disrespect him.

As Zhou Cheng entered the main hall, he saw Buddhas and gods hanging high throughout the void, with only the Buddha from the East sitting in the central position, and the other Buddhas attending him.

Even the World-Honored One, Tathagata, and the Ancient Buddha of Lamplight each sent a golden-bodied Dharma image to sit beside the Buddha of the East, to show the Buddha of the East's veneration.

Those who could enter the main hall for a banquet were all people of great supernatural powers, such as bodhisattvas, immortals, and great gods, all seated around the hall.

As for the Buddhas, Emperors, and great virtuous beings of the Three Realms, they are suspended high on lotus thrones in the void, without distinction of high or low.

Upon seeing Zhou Cheng enter the hall, the Buddha of the East quickly rose and said, "Greetings, True Man and Fairy. Please take your seats."

After he finished speaking, a divine monk chanted Buddhist scriptures, and two lotus platforms were unveiled and hung high beside the Buddhas of the Three Worlds as a sign of respect.

"Boom!"

The ancient bell tolled, echoing throughout the hall, and the Dragon Flower Banquet officially began.

Then, immeasurable light emanated from the Buddha of the East, and from the light, a thousand Tathagatas appeared, each preaching the Dharma, with countless mysteries and countless wonders, sweeping across the entire void.

Once the sermon begins, those who wish to listen will naturally do so, while those who do not wish to listen will not be disturbed. They will sit quietly and wait for the sermon to end before enjoying the Dragon Flower Banquet.

The Longhua Banquet is extraordinary, containing many sacred objects, which are said to have the power to prolong life.

It should be known that among the countless immortals and gods in the Three Realms, very few can achieve true immortality and enlightenment.

The attainment of the Golden Elixir is beyond question, but even achieving it through unorthodox methods is difficult. Without it, lifespan is limited, hence the need for various elixirs to prolong life.

Whether it's the Heavenly Peach Banquet, Laozi's Elixir Gathering, or the Buddhist Dragon Flower Banquet and Ullambana Festival, these are among the few opportunities that can prolong life.

For those of great power, this is a place to discuss the Way.

But for the vast majority of those "destined to attend," diligently serving the Heavenly Court or the sacred mountain is for the sake of this elixir of longevity.

For a time, all dharmas shone brilliantly.

After the chanting of the sutras faded and the sermon ended, the Buddha from the East recited mantras.

Then a Dragon Flower Tree grew out: "Thinking back to those days, I attained enlightenment under the Dragon Flower Tree. The spiritual tree is extraordinary. Hearing my Buddhist teachings, it bore various fruits, producing hundreds of strange flowers and thousands of exotic fruits, which I will share with everyone."

(End of this chapter)