From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 293 News of the Peacock

The night returns to silence.

Meng Yuan was alone in the inn. He lit a candle and took out the book that Master Zhitong had entrusted to him to pass on to Dugu Kang.

There was no text on the cover, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a story about the origins and history of Buddhism.

Buddhism originated in the West, initially as Theravada Buddhism, which was a method for self-cultivation.

However, when Theravada Buddhism was prevalent, the Buddhist path could only reach the middle level and was difficult to advance further.

At that time, there were not many people practicing Buddhism, but later a wise man appeared in the world and adopted the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism.

Unexpectedly, this extraordinary person found the path to the highest three ranks through this, and from this arose Mahayana Buddhism, a method for helping both oneself and others. Moreover, Mahayana Buddhism flourished in the world, and countless people entered the Buddhist order.

Throughout history, there have been countless eminent monks in Buddhism. There were three ancient Buddhas in the past, but only one person has reached the pinnacle. He is known as the Ancient Buddha World Honored One, or the Buddha of the Past.

However, the three ancient Buddhas no longer exist, and the one in charge is the Western Second Grade Free Buddha.

Meng Yuan looked closely and discovered that Master Zhitong not only had a clear understanding of Buddhist history, but also categorized and explained the various schools of Buddhism.

The divisions among Buddhist sects are mostly based on their philosophies. The most prominent of these are the gradual enlightenment school and the sudden enlightenment school.

The gradual path of cultivation advocates practicing through one's own actions, while the sudden enlightenment path advocates observing the actions and intentions of others, thereby gaining enlightenment oneself, and ultimately becoming a Buddha.

In the Buddhist path, entering the third grade from the fourth grade requires making and fulfilling a great vow. However, the differences between the gradual and sudden enlightenment schools have existed for a long time, and the fourth grade is a point of division.

Moreover, they are fundamentally different, and the distinction only arises at the fourth rank.

The two schools also have different classifications of the four realms: one is the Dust-Free Realm, and the other is the Dust-Free Realm, both of which mean a clear and bright mind.

The abilities of the two are not much different. Both are free from the disturbance of greed, anger, ignorance and other distracting thoughts. They have a Buddha-like heart in their hearts and are thus Buddha's children. They have Buddha-like light on their bodies. When performing magic, some have the light of merit wheels, while others do not.

As for the difference in supernatural powers, it depends on the changes in one's own Dharma form, which are also vastly different.

For example, some supernatural powers that cultivate equality among all beings are such that they become stronger when faced with the strong, which is called equality, making them extremely difficult to deal with.

In his book, Master Zhitong also expressed his views on the three grades of cultivation, as well as his conjectures about how the three grades could cultivate supernatural powers and Dharma forms.

Meng Yuan examined it carefully and suddenly felt that Master Zhitong was about to attain enlightenment, or even go further.

Upon closer examination, however, Master Zhitong should be considered to have reached the fourth level of Buddhist attainment. To advance further from this level, one must make a grand vow and fulfill it.

Master Zhitong was not well-known, nor was he known to have done anything significant. He rarely even went down the mountain, preferring to meditate in seclusion. He had very few friends outside the community.

Meng Yuan thought for a while but came up with nothing, then continued reading.

The book recounts Master Zhitong's knowledge and understanding of the Buddhist path, and then unexpectedly brings up the debate between the three teachings.

Meng Yuan discovered that some learned people liked to study the doctrines of the three schools of thought.

Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are different, but they also have many things in common. Meng Yuan was well-versed in the classics of these three schools and naturally had some knowledge of their respective doctrines. Master Zhitong was clearly not only well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, but also knowledgeable in Confucianism and Taoism.

Many of my insights incorporate the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism.

As he flipped through the pages, Meng Yuan gained many profound insights into Buddhist teachings.

Buddhism also has the concept of three stages to ascend to heaven. Moreover, Buddhism emphasizes cultivating the mind, and the tempering of the body and bones is naturally indispensable, but most of the time it depends on one's own enlightenment.

Many contents in Master Zhitong's book are similar to those in the book that Dugu Ying had given him earlier, and they can be used to corroborate each other. After reading for a while about Master Zhitong's views on the debate between the three teachings, the book ends with conversations between Master Zhitong and his younger disciples and fellow disciples.

These are all seemingly profound and unfathomable arguments, but they are actually just witty banter, where you say something nonsensical and the other person replies with something nonsensical.

At first glance, it seems to have profound Zen philosophy, but upon closer examination, it doesn't seem very interesting. It's better to read a couple of illustrated books instead.

Meng Yuan was a pragmatic man after all. He read the scroll three or four times, memorizing everything before finally putting it away.

In conclusion, Meng Yuan felt that while this book would be of great use to those who practiced the Buddhist path, its usefulness was still quite limited.

Dugu Kang has now been captured by Qing Guangzi and has become his new disciple. Qing Guangzi is much more capable than Zhitong.

Thinking this, Meng Yuan couldn't help but think of Dugu Kang again, wondering how he was doing.

Having not slept all night, Meng Yuan was still wide awake, so he simply wrote letters to his two virtuous wives at home, as well as to the Third Miss and Xiangling. He specifically asked Xiangling to avenge Huanxi's betrayal.

Before dawn, Meng Yuan went out, ate a meal, and set off to find someone to send a letter.

Although it was early, there were already people coming and going on the street.

Before he even reached the government office, he saw a monk walking towards him.

The monk had a bald head, wore a tattered, thin robe, leaned on a wooden stick, and had a dirty face with a beard.

The area with the most monks is Ping'an Prefecture, and there are quite a few ascetic monks who travel around there. These monks don't ask for money, but only for leftovers.

"Amitabha, please have mercy, benefactor." The monk came closer, leaning on a wooden stick with one hand, clasping his hands together with the other, and bowing deeply.

"Untie the screen?" Meng Yuan rubbed his temples, scrutinizing the other man. "Brother Jie?"

“Amitabha, this humble monk is a monk and has no brothers or sisters,” Jie Kaiping said.

"You've got some nerve, how did you end up in the city?" Meng Yuan asked.

“There are plenty of ascetic monks in Ping’an Prefecture, so what’s so strange about me?” Jie Kaiping said, scratching his neck. “This is called doing as the Romans do. The best way to hide in a water jar is to become a puddle of water.”

"You're a... puddle of sewage." Meng Yuan managed to hold back from swearing, and pulled Jie Kaiping into a small alley, asking, "Qing Guangzi really doesn't want you anymore?"

"Amitabha." Jie Kaiping sighed upon hearing this. He looked at Meng Yuan, his dirty and smelly face full of seriousness. "Benefactor Meng, there is no longer Qing Guangzi in the world, only the Holy King of Light."

“That’s right, only the Holy King of Light remains.” Meng Yuan nodded.

"I heard that the Buddha of the West has sent the Arhat of No Birth to us. What are your plans to do?" Jie Kaiping asked.

"This is not something I can concern myself with." Meng Yuan was actually very concerned, but unfortunately, he lacked the power to help.

“The Arhat Wusheng is no simple man; he probably wants Qingguangzi to clear his name,” Jie Kaiping said with a smile. His voice softened as he added, “I know who’s helping Qingguangzi at Lanruo Temple! He’s been operating in the shadows, and it’s definitely not just one person, but probably more. But what he’s seeking is to advance further!”

"Who is it?" Meng Yuan asked hurriedly.

"Lend me some money first," Jie Kaiping said pitifully, rubbing her hands together.

Meng Yuan was speechless and could only cover his forehead and sigh.

(End of this chapter)