I made up myths in America

Chapter 163 Seeing the Tathagata
Sakyo-ku, Kyoto.

It is the ward with the lowest population density and the largest area among Kyoto's eleven wards.

This area boasts numerous mountains and forests, and its scenery is beautiful.

Every spring, you can see the cherry blossoms as red as a dream, and when autumn comes, you can climb to a high place and look out at the red leaves covering the forests in the distance. You can also invite a few friends to soak in the hot spring and have a few drinks together.

This is why, despite its mountainous terrain and inconvenient transportation, this region has been beloved by scholars and hermits since ancient times.

Kurama-ji Temple, Jisho-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Shimogamo Shrine, Heian Shrine, Kifune Shrine, Sanzen-in Temple
Large numbers of religious buildings are located here.

When tourists visit Kyoto and search for travel guides online, every guide mentions that Sakyo Ward, a cultural and artistic haven, is a must-see. Here, you can see mountains covered in autumn leaves, cherry blossoms in full bloom, or witness the famous Kurama Fire Festival.
After the bizarre event of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons tonight, many tourists and locals' first reaction was to flee to this place, hoping that the demons wouldn't dare approach this place where so many gods and Buddhas are worshipped.

But at this moment, as the biting cold air swept in, the area around Kurama Temple turned into a snow-covered wasteland. Many tourists who came here to take refuge were dumbfounded, realizing that the bodhisattvas and deities enshrined in the temples and shrines didn't seem to be very effective.

Until a thunderous roar echoed through the sky.

Harada Yoshiya, his body shrouded in intense blood energy, wielded a demon sword and charged forward. His blood-red sword energy soared into the sky, cleaving a pale white pillar of ice light in two. The people, who had been stunned, suddenly snapped out of their daze and began to scream and scatter, fleeing this dangerous place.

"Ha, ha, being a hero is fucking tough."

Harada Yoshiya landed on the top of a large tree covered in frost, panting heavily. He had switched to holding his sword with both hands. As a swordsman, his hands, which should always be steady, were trembling slightly because they had been scratched by the cold air earlier, and his body was also feeling cold and numb.

"Hey, Yazi, Flying Eagle, are you guys still there?!"

He shouted loudly to his surroundings, but when no one answered, he cursed inwardly that the two guys were disloyal, having tricked him into coming over and then quietly running away.

"Looks like I have no choice but to fight with all my might."

Harada Yoshiya gritted his teeth, gripped his sword with both hands, adjusted his breathing, and focused most of his attention on the expressionless Inugami flying in mid-air. His body was tense, waiting to receive the next fierce attack from the opponent.

But then he realized that the other person wasn't even looking at him, but instead was staring intently to the southeast, at Nara Prefecture, which borders Kyoto Prefecture.

"What does this mean?!"

It would be best to avoid fighting if possible. After his initial burst of enthusiasm subsided, Harada Yoshiya reverted to his previous slippery nature.

Holding the demon sword, he quietly retreated to a convenience store in the Sakyo Ward, picked up bread and bottled water, and ate and drank heartily to regain his strength.

Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister's residence in Tokyo, where the cabinet ministers were closely monitoring the situation in Kyoto, they looked at each other with some odd expressions.

Why did they stop fighting halfway through?

This dog god doesn't seem like someone who's easy to talk to.

Just as they were wondering, in Nara Prefecture, dozens of kilometers away from Kyoto City, many residents stared wide-eyed with excitement at the phantom image of Namo Shakyamuni Buddha appearing in the sky above the western suburbs. They quickly took out their mobile phones to take pictures of this miraculous scene and posted them on the internet.

The video taken by one of the residents of Nara Prefecture, who lives near the western suburbs, is probably the clearest.

In the video footage, dazzling golden rays of light rose from the famous Toshodai-ji Temple, forming a huge phantom image of the Buddha in the sky.

This Buddha, who holds the highest position in Buddhism, is radiant with golden light. He sits cross-legged with his hands placed in front of his abdomen, his right hand on his left, his two thumbs joined together in the meditation mudra, and his compassionate gaze looking down upon all living beings.

"Amitabha Buddha, it is Namo Shakyamuni Buddha!!"

Some Japanese Buddhists recognized the Buddha's identity and their faces lit up with immense joy, thinking to themselves that they were now completely safe.

Even Buddha has manifested his power; what demons and monsters can possibly run rampant in their country now?

"call"

In various government departments in Tokyo, high-ranking officials who were nervously considering fleeing breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, feeling equally confident that this time they were safe!

So what if a hundred ghosts parade at night? What demons and monsters would dare to act presumptuously before this Buddhist venerable one?

"Quickly, quickly, prepare a helicopter for me! I need to fly to Nara Prefecture immediately!!"

At the Imperial Palace, Emperor Naruhito felt a jolt of excitement, sensing that this was a golden opportunity for their imperial family to rise again.

If they could win the favor of this Buddha, who would dare to mock the Japanese Imperial Family for not having the bloodline of Amaterasu? Otherwise, since the extraordinary events occurred, at the request of the people and the cabinet, the Imperial Family has held several sacrificial ceremonies at the Ise Grand Shrine, but why have no divine miracles been displayed?
"There's nothing I can do, Amaterasu. Since you won't perform a miracle, I'll have to find another way."

And just as the emperor, full of anticipation, boarded a helicopter and headed straight for Nara Prefecture.

Toshodai-ji Temple.

Inside this temple, originally built by the eminent Chinese monk Jianzhen, the abbot, Nishiyama Akihiko, felt a chill run through him as he stared blankly at the main hall, which had once housed a seated statue of Master Jianzhen, suddenly cracking open.

The ground collapsed downwards, revealing a deep, dark crack that emitted a terrifying black aura.

Among them, a tall, thin old monk dressed in a brocade kasaya slowly walked out, his right hand raised in front of his chest. After scanning the monks present, he smiled insincerely and asked Nishiyama Akihiko, "Abbot, what year of Tianbao is it now?"

"Tianbao?!"

Nishiyama Akihiko was stunned for a long time before he realized that this was the reign title used by Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty when Jianzhen crossed the sea to the east.

He did some mental calculations and, forcing himself to speak, replied in Chinese: "Master, it has been almost 1,300 years since Master Jianzhen crossed the sea to the East."

"Thirteen hundred years, hehe."

The tall, thin old monk sneered upon hearing this, his somewhat chilling gaze sweeping over the monks present before settling on the Jianzhen statue in the now-cracked main hall. He spoke in a somber tone:

"I didn't expect so much time to have passed, you bald monk Jianzhen. It seems you are still not as lucky as me and did not survive me."

"!!!"

Upon hearing this, the abbot, Nishiyama Akihiko, realized something was amiss and quietly retreated behind his disciples.

But the tall, thin old monk's gaze fell on him first, and with a wave of his hand, he pulled Nishiyama Akihiko to his side.

"Ahhh!!"

Suddenly, the old host let out an extremely miserable scream, his whole body withered and shriveled, leaving only an empty skin.

The monks around them also cried out in alarm, realizing that the other party might not be a high monk, but a demon that had been sealed away by the ancestor Jianzhen. They quickly scattered and fled.

"Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot; the sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore!"

But the next second, the Buddhist chant, or rather the demonic chant, that resounded throughout the entire temple caused all the monks of Toshodai-ji to freeze instantly. Their expressions changed from panic to calm composure. They put their hands together, approached the tall, thin old monk, and bowed to him in unison, saying, "Greetings, Master Pudu Cihang." "Amitabha, call me Abbot."

The tall, thin old monk wore a compassionate smile. As if putting on clothes, he casually draped the abbot Nishiyama Akihiko's skin over himself, and the two blended together seamlessly, indistinguishable from one another.

The crack behind him, which had been emanating an ominous black aura, healed itself automatically, and everything seemed perfectly normal.

And this time.

Many residents living near Toshodai-ji Temple were attracted by the unusual phenomenon in the sky and rushed into the temple hoping to receive some of the Buddha's blessings.

And then this is what they saw.

Master Akihiko Nishiyama, a highly respected monk in Japan, sat cross-legged with his disciples in the main hall, hands clasped together, their expressions solemn.

Behind them, the golden-painted Namo Shakyamuni Buddha radiated dazzling Buddhist light.

"Buddha really did appear!"

Some elderly Buddhists, upon witnessing this scene, had tears in their eyes, knelt on the ground, and devoutly recited Buddhist scriptures.

The monks beside Pudu Cihang, their expressions devout, actively promoted the reputation of their abbot, saying:

"The world is in chaos, and demons run rampant. Master Xishan has just received the decree from Buddha and is determined to go to the capital to eliminate demons and save people from suffering."

"Namo Amitabha Buddha, Buddha is compassionate, Master is compassionate."

More and more citizens of Nara Prefecture, regardless of whether they believed in Buddhism or not, all bowed to this truly virtuous and eminent monk with utmost piety.

"Amitabha."

This great demon, whom Lu Bai had just created and endowed with some of the supernatural powers of [Xianzhao] and [Dragon God], wore a compassionate smile as he sculpted flowers, exuding the air of a highly virtuous monk.

As he stood up, a golden lotus would appear on the ground with each step he took.

The citizens of Nara Prefecture standing inside the temple seemed to hear Buddhist chants in their ears, and their expressions became even more devout. They stood still, watching the high monk, whose seemingly slow pace was actually incredibly fast, disappear into the horizon.

Before long, he arrived in Kyoto, dozens of kilometers away. Wearing a yellow monk's robe, he radiated golden light. Looking down at the chaotic scene of demons dancing and ghosts roaming the city of Kyoto, he clasped his hands together and chanted Buddhist scriptures.

"Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was staying in the Jeta Grove, Anathapindika's Park, in Shravasti, together with a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty monks."

"All forms are illusory; if one sees all forms as non-forms, then one sees the Tathagata."

The chanting grew louder and louder.

The scriptures that he uttered emitted golden Buddhist light and solidified into physical form.

"Nani?!!"

Harada Yoshiya, who had just been wondering why the dog god had stopped moving, jumped up and stared in disbelief at the large expanse of golden Buddhist scriptures that had appeared in the sky.

And there were far too many people who showed similar expressions to him.

Anyone who was following the situation in Kyoto, or who was already in Kyoto, stared wide-eyed at this unbelievable scene.

Many high-ranking monks and abbots in the temples were so excited that their faces turned red, and they stared at the screen without blinking.

Meanwhile, in the conference room of the Tokyo Prime Minister's residence, the high-ranking monk, who had been invited earlier but whose presence had been rather weak, now looked at the astonished and bewildered gazes cast upon him by the surrounding priests and Onmyoji, clasped his hands together, chanted Buddhist mantras, and felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

Sure enough, compared to the gods worshipped by these Shintoists, their Buddha is more compassionate. He can't bear to see his followers suffer, and he manifests his power whenever he wants.

At the same time, since they were all from the same circle, these eminent monks recognized Nishiyama Akihiko and couldn't help but feel a little envious and jealous.

When it comes to Buddhist teachings, these people have debated them privately quite a bit. Apart from being somewhat proficient in Chinese culture, Nishiyama Akihiko's Buddhist practice doesn't seem to be that profound. So why is he able to gain the Buddha's favor while they can't?

"Amitabha."

If they continued thinking about it, they would break the precept against anger. The monks quickly lowered their heads, silently recited scriptures, and stopped thinking about these things.

Meanwhile, under the gazes of countless people, some in astonishment, some with reverence, and some with excitement.

Above Kyoto, a vast expanse of golden Buddhist scripture text stretched out, forming a sacred, solemn, and colossal phantom of Buddha behind the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

With His appearance, countless solemn chants filled the heavens and earth, and golden Buddhist light illuminated the entire sky above Kyoto.

The demons wreaking havoc throughout Kyoto covered their ears in pain, and some of the weaker ones even exploded, turning into wisps of green smoke and returning to Rashomon.

"Haha, these monks really do have something special."

In a luxurious mansion in Tokyo, an elderly man with an extraordinary demeanor, who had recently donated a considerable amount to various temples, laughed heartily upon seeing this.

His subordinates immediately lowered their heads and flattered him, saying, "Yes, Lord Clan's vision is indeed far-sighted, beyond our reach."

Compared to these forces associated with monks and temples, the Shinto priests in the various shrines and temples were devastated by this scene.

They finally realized that the Shinto predecessors in history couldn't outmaneuver these monks.

Their Buddha truly manifests his power when they are in trouble, but the main deities they worship do not respond at all when they are in distress.

The only Inari god who showed some kindness only granted Sato the power and then abandoned him.

How are they supposed to fight these bald monks?!

At this moment, under the watchful eyes of countless people, more and more ghosts showed expressions of pain under the golden light of Buddha. Some scattered and fled, while others turned into green smoke and re-entered Rashomon.

Only the dog god, hovering in mid-air, faced the golden Buddhist light that was both sacred and tinged with an eerie quality. He spoke for the first time, his expression filled with doubt and uncertainty: "Where did you come from, monk? This Buddhist light is strange."

“Amitabha Buddha, I am Nishiyama Akihiko, the 89th abbot of Toshodai-ji Temple.”

Pudu Cihang didn't give him a chance to continue speaking. The golden Buddhist light around him grew stronger and stronger, and he raised his palm to clap.

The illusory image of the Great Sun Tathagata Buddha behind him also raised his palm at the same time, striking forward with a swastika-shaped handprint accompanied by bursts of Sanskrit chants.

(End of this chapter)