Under One Person: My Inner Realm Connects to All Worlds!

Chapter 172 The Celestial Maiden's Wondrous Body
As Han Yun made his move, the threads of willpower that were wrapped around it broke off one by one, turning into specks of colorful light and dissipating into the void.

The spirit suddenly called out softly, "Master!"

Ripples appeared in the void behind the golden statue, revealing a series of flowing images.

The devout gaze of the Northern Wei artisans as they carved the first Buddha statue on the cliff; the image of monks shielding the grottoes with their bodies during wartime; the kneeling prayers of people throughout history before the Buddha for peace…

“These are the true merits,” Han Yun said softly. “They are not for selfish desires, but for good intentions that come from the heart.”

The golden body of the Golden Chestnut Buddha suddenly trembled slightly, and the white hair relic fell off on its own, hovering in front of Han Yun. The white hair relic's light gradually intensified, like the bright moon breaking through the clouds.

The figure of a white-robed layman can be vaguely seen in the relics; it is the true form of Vimalakirti.

"Good."

A gentle voice echoed from the void, "Thank you for your kindness in cleaning me, young friend!"

Han Yun raised his palms in respect: "Your Excellency guards this place with your golden body, bearing the weight of countless vows; this is truly great compassion."

Vimalakirti's illusory figure shook his head with a smile: "It is not about enduring, but about resolving. The vows of all beings flow like rivers, and I am merely a shallow beach, allowing them to settle and be purified."

"This lingering thought of mine has persisted until now, and only then have I met you, my young friend. It is truly a matter of fate. Today is the day I am liberated. Afflictions are enlightenment. True liberation is not to be separated from birth and death, nor to attain Nirvana."

"Let's go!"

As he finished speaking, the relic emitted a soft light, and the broken threads of vow power re-coalesced within the light, transforming into pure golden vow power that sprinkled outwards like a drizzle.

Looking up, Jingling saw that outside Maijishan, the Buddha statues that were originally entangled in selfish desires were now all coated with a faint golden glow, their faces appearing even more compassionate and solemn.

"Master, this is..." the Mirror Spirit exclaimed in surprise.

Han Yun smiled slightly: "Vimalakirti used himself as a guide to transform the greed and desires of sentient beings into pure merits. This is the path of the Mahayana Bodhisattva, which does not dwell in Nirvana, nor does it depart from the world."

Vimalakirti's illusory image gradually faded, leaving only his voice echoing in the Buddhist realm: "Young friend, you bear the true teachings of Buddhism and Taoism, and one day you will surely attain supreme enlightenment. This precious jewel is hereby given to you."

Han Yun turned to look at the golden body of the Golden Millet Tathagata, which had now been free of all dust and dirt, and was as transparent as glass, radiating a clear light. The precious pearl in its hand also emitted a soft glow.

Han Yun took it down and focused his mind on it.

However, what he didn't expect was that this was a lineage, but it was not suitable for Han Yun to cultivate, because the lineage was called: Heavenly Maiden Auspicious Wondrous True Dharma Body!

According to the Vimalakirti Sutra, Mara, the demon king, attempted to tempt Vimalakirti and the Bodhisattva of the World through a celestial maiden, but ultimately, due to Vimalakirti's wisdom and supernatural powers, Mara was forced to give the celestial maiden to Vimalakirti.

Vimalakirti enlightened the celestial maiden to the Bodhicitta through his teachings, while the demon king retreated out of fear of Vimalakirti's majesty.

This lineage is likely the method by which the Golden Millet Tathagata guides the celestial maiden to cultivate truth and goodness.

The cultivation method records that cultivating this celestial maiden body brings seven auspicious and wonderful benefits.

Firstly, she possesses a unique fragrance. Legend has it that the goddess of perfume, in her previous life, perfumed the Buddha's feet, and upon being reborn in the heavenly realm, she possessed a subtle fragrance that could be smelled from four thousand miles away to a hundred yojanas away, bringing peace and happiness to all who smelled it.

Secondly, her radiance is exceptional. The celestial maiden's body radiates like molten gold, far surpassing that of ordinary celestial beings. Her radiant light symbolizes the magnificence and blessings she possesses.

Thirdly, one's appearance becomes dignified. Those who cultivate this method will have increasingly perfect appearances, smooth skin, and be free from the impurities of the skin. Their eyes and brows will naturally exude a compassionate and solemn aura, making them unforgettable to behold.

Fourthly, her voice is melodious and pure. When the celestial maiden speaks, her voice is like the sound of a clear spring, which can bring joy to the listener and instantly dispel their troubles.

Fifth, mental clarity. The goddess of perfumed ointment attained the first stage of enlightenment (Sotapanna) after hearing the Buddha's teachings, possessing the wisdom of liberation. Those who practice this method gradually gain wisdom, are able to resolve the mental afflictions of sentient beings, and skillfully expound the Dharma. Sixth, lotus blossoms with every step. With each step, golden lotuses bloom beneath one's feet, making every step magnificent.

Seventh, the body without defilement. The celestial maiden body that is ultimately attained is pure and undefiled, does not fall into the cycle of reincarnation, and can manifest in various forms to liberate sentient beings according to their needs.

After reading the contents of the inheritance, Han Yun couldn't help but smile: "This is indeed a peculiar cultivation method, but unfortunately it is not compatible with the path I cultivate."

The spirit leaned closer, blinked, and said, "Master, why don't you let me try?"

Han Yun raised an eyebrow: "You, a Mirror Spirit, cultivate the Celestial Maiden Body?"

The Mirror Spirit chuckled and twirled, a soft, luminous light emanating from its body: "Though I am not human, I have now shed my demonic aura and am of pure essence, perfectly suited to the cultivation requirements of this Celestial Maiden's Mystic Arts. Moreover..."

She suddenly lowered her voice, "If I can cultivate into a celestial maiden, I will be able to better assist my master in the future."

Han Yun pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright. This technique focuses on cultivating the mind, and you are a suitable candidate since you are of a relatively pure and kind nature."

As he spoke, he gently tossed the pearl, which then transformed into a stream of light and entered the Mirror Spirit's brow.

The spirit of the mirror revealed its true form: an ancient bronze mirror floating in the air, its surface rippling with waves, through which the wondrous image of a celestial maiden could be faintly seen.

Then, a past event appeared in the mirror.

When Vimalakirti's daughter, the Moon Goddess, was born, she did not cry, but could speak of her past lives and karmic connections. The light emanating from her was brighter than the moonlight, like gold, illuminating the house.

By the age of eight, she had grown into a beautiful young woman, attracting the admiration and pursuit of young boys from various ministers, lay Buddhists, elders, and noble families in the city.

The Moon Goddess preached the Dharma to all in the sky; her voice was clear and melodious, and all who heard it awakened the Bodhicitta (the aspiration for enlightenment). Later, she followed the layman Vimalakirti in her practice and ultimately attained the wondrous body of a celestial maiden.

In other words, this method of the Heavenly Maiden's wondrous body is actually a legacy passed down from the Moon Goddess.

However, the appearance of this Moon Goddess is exactly the same as that of the Mirror Spirit, which is truly unbelievable.

Or is it that the Mirror Spirit became the Moon Goddess and, in the illusory world within the mirror, retraced the Moon Goddess's past experiences and thus inherited this legacy?

Such is the wonder of fate.

Or perhaps, the Mirror Spirit and the former Moon Maiden are just two similar flowers.

The Mirror Spirit transformed back into human form and bowed to Han Yun.

“The Venerable One has attained liberation, and it is time for us to depart as well.” Han Yun took the Mirror Spirit’s hand, took a step, and his figure disappeared from the Buddhist Realm.

When they reappeared, the two were back on the plank road of Maijishan. The setting sun was just right, bathing the entire Maijishan in gold, like a granary full of golden millet. A mountain breeze blew by, and the clear sound of the wind came from the thousands of Buddhist niches, like the chanting of Buddhist hymns.

Looking at the newly renovated grotto, the Mirror Spirit exclaimed, "Master, these Buddha statues seem different now."

Han Yun nodded: "Greed, anger, ignorance, and pride are all part of Buddha-nature; afflictions and enlightenment are originally one. With his supreme wisdom, Venerable Vimalakirti transformed afflictions into enlightenment, and the ten thousand Buddha statues here have now become a true forest of merit."

He gazed at the horizon and said softly, "Buddha does not save people; only people can save themselves. But if there are Bodhisattvas willing to be boats and rafts, it is a blessing for all living beings."

Therefore, the Buddha is the enlightened one, and also the decisive one!

(End of this chapter)