Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Buddha watched Chen Jiao leave the hall, his figure disappearing into the auspicious light and mist outside the hall, before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

The air in the hall was filled with the wafting fragrance of sandalwood incense, and only boundless silence remained.

On the lotus platform, Buddha slightly turned his head to look at Jin Chanzi, who stood beside him with his eyes lowered, and slowly spoke:

"Jin Chanzi, what do you think of this True Lord Jingfa's potential?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Chanzi paused for a moment, as if savoring the moment.

His eyes seemed to reflect the events that had just taken place in the hall, and even the scene of towering waves and a lone tree standing firm at Lingyun Ferry.

After a moment, he respectfully clasped his hands together and replied:

"Reporting back to Master."

In my humble opinion, this True Lord Jingfa outwardly appears gentle and amiable, but inwardly harbors a sharp edge.

When he traveled to Lingyun Ferry, he did not rely on external things, nor did he avoid cause and effect; he calmed the storm with his own heart.

This demonstrates that he possesses a steadfast and unwavering mind, a sharp and discerning wisdom, and is neither attached to material things nor swayed by circumstances.

The questions and answers in front of the hall, when discussing the sacred sites of the past, revealed the Master's compassionate heart. It was not merely a plea for mercy, but rather a guidance of compassion with wisdom and an explanation of compassion with the Dharma.

Its inherent qualities... are like unpolished gold and jade, deep and profound; and like the moon hanging in the sky, clear and bright. It is not something confined to a pond, but rather a talent destined to soar to the heavens.

The disciple…is deeply impressed.

The Buddha listened quietly, nodded slightly, and a hint of sighing appeared in his eyes:

"Excellent. Your eyesight is not bad."

It is a pity that he first encountered the Taoist Ancestor, who had already received the true teachings of the Xuanmen, and was appointed to a position in the Heavenly Court, bearing the responsibilities of laws and regulations.

His connection with me, a Buddhist monk, was ultimately only a fleeting one.

However, if they can relinquish some worldly attachments and enter my school, given their temperament and qualities...

Given time, one will be able to see through ignorance, realize the emptiness of the five aggregates, attain the pure and dignified Buddhahood, and widely liberate sentient beings.

"What a pity, what a pity."

Having said that, he said no more, lowered his eyes again, and entered into that supreme, profound, and subtle state of meditation.

The chanting of Buddhist hymns rose again in the hall, and the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air. Only a barely audible sigh, seemingly there yet not there, dissipated into the endless light.

…………

…………

Even after leaving the Great Hall of Great Joy, the fear and unease in the heart of the Venerable One did not dissipate as the distance between them increased.

On the contrary, it is like a carbuncle that clings to the bone and cannot be removed.

He rode on a cloud, but instead of returning directly to his master's Joyful Courtyard, he wandered aimlessly through the many halls and corridors of Mount Ling.

Everywhere one sees winding corridors and soaring eaves, each embracing its own terrain, creating a myriad of magnificent sights.

The sacred mountain is vast and boundless.

Besides the majestic Mahavira Hall in the center, there are countless monasteries, pavilions, lotus ponds, and pagodas scattered in all directions, surrounded by auspicious clouds and faint chanting.

Many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats have their own temples here, where they preach, meditate, or expound the Dharma, creating a magnificent spectacle.

The Joyful Buddha's sacred site, "Joyful Temple," is located in a secluded valley filled with blooming flowers on the western slope of Ling Mountain.

In stark contrast to the solemn and majestic atmosphere of the central Mahavira Hall, it exudes a more vibrant, joyful, and carefree charm.

The Venerable Great Joyful Sound was filled with unease, pondering how to report today's events to his master.

Not only did he fail to persuade the True Lord of the Pure Law, but he also incurred the displeasure of the Golden Cicada Buddha due to a slight carelessness, and in the end, he did not get his hands on the rat spirit... It was truly a case of everything going wrong.

Just as he was feeling depressed and his mind was wandering, he turned through a corridor doorway planted with twin sal trees and from which flowed a babbling jasmine spring.

Just then, a deep, open laugh, seemingly capable of encompassing all troubles, came from the depths of the bamboo path:

"Haha... I wondered who was preoccupied with worries, it turns out to be Venerable Great Music."

What troubles you, making your mind so distracted?

Laughter followed.

A portly, bare-chested, fat monk emerged from the bamboo grove, waving a palm-leaf fan and smiling broadly.

There was this Bodhisattva:

Large earlobes and broad shoulders signify good fortune; an open belly and generous heart embrace all directions.

His brows are always filled with a sense of the future, and his smile shines even before he opens his mouth.

The compassionate form is neither defiled nor pure; the makeup is both emptiness and form, a state of effortless freedom.

The cloth bag can contain three thousand worlds, and the lotus throne has long been destined for the future king.

It is Maitreya Bodhisattva, who resides in the Tusita Heaven and will succeed Shakyamuni Buddha as the fifth Buddha of this fortunate eon.

The Venerable Great Bliss was startled, quickly composed himself, straightened his expression, and bowed with his palms together.

"It is Maitreya Bodhisattva. This humble monk has been rude and offended the Bodhisattva's dharma carriage. I hope the Bodhisattva will not be offended."

Maitreya Bodhisattva chuckled, waved his palm-leaf fan, and didn't seem to care at all. (From "Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord Jingfa" - a work of stunning writing with a captivating plot! The voice was loud and resonant.)

"It's alright, it's alright."

The wind blows through this courtyard, and you walk by, so how can you say it's a disturbance?

Judging from the Venerable One's expression, it seems he had just left the Great Buddha Hall. Why does he appear sorrowful instead of joyful?

The Venerable Great Bliss blushed and felt uneasy.

Under the smiling gaze of Maitreya Bodhisattva, which seemed to see through everything yet was not oppressive at all.

Surprisingly, the embarrassment he felt from failing his mission, as well as his fear and resentment towards Chen Jiao and Jin Chanzi, had all quietly melted away.

He dared not conceal it, and knew that he could not conceal it in front of the Bodhisattva.

He then briefly recounted how he had failed to welcome Chen Jiao and lead the white rat spirit to the other side, which instead displeased Jin Chanzi.

He omitted the detail of how his secret use of supernatural powers was exposed by Chen Jiao, only saying that "his words were presumptuous and offended the True Lord and the Buddha's disciple."

Maitreya Bodhisattva listened quietly, his smile undiminished, but rather appearing even more serene. He spoke slowly:

"Oh? So that's why."

Jin Chanzi, my junior brother, is straightforward, yet his heart is devoted to the solemnity of Buddhism; Your Excellency need not worry too much.

"The laws of the world cannot be forced, nor can they be avoided. What is not accomplished today may not be a bad thing; what is frustrating now may be the cause of liberation in the future."

Your Excellency, please behold—

Maitreya Bodhisattva extended one finger, pointing to a Bodhi tree outside the corridor, beneath which a clear spring flowed gently, meandering into a stream.

"This spring water meanders around rocks and fills ravines, never forcing itself to flow straight down, nor drying up due to temporary obstruction."

It all flows eastward into the sea; not a single drop is missing.

Following the Bodhisattva's gaze, the Venerable Great Joyful Sound saw a babbling brook reflecting the radiant light of the sacred mountain, flowing freely.

The pent-up feelings in my heart have gradually dissipated.

He took a deep breath and bowed again, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Bodhisattva. I was foolish and almost developed an obsession."

Maitreya Bodhisattva smiled and nodded, saying no more. He waved his hand, signaling the Venerable One to leave.

The Venerable Great Joyful Sound bowed again, and then felt his steps become much lighter. He then rode on a cloud and headed towards the Joyful Courtyard.

Corridor.

Maitreya Bodhisattva stood smiling, gazing at the departing clouds and then at the direction of the Mahavira Hall, murmuring to himself in a voice as soft as a breeze rustling through a Bodhi leaf:

"Jin Chanzi, Jingfa Zhenjun..."

Interesting, interesting…”

Having said that, he leisurely headed towards the main hall.

The Venerable Great Bliss descended from the clouds and landed in front of the Joyful Courtyard.

This Joyful Courtyard is located in the southwest corner of Mount Ling, and its atmosphere is quite different from the solemn and majestic halls outside.

The courtyard was deep and secluded, filled with exotic flowers and fragrant herbs. Warm springs flowed gently among the jade stones, rising up a faint, ethereal mist.

The palaces and pavilions are exquisite and magnificent, with upturned eaves and low-hanging curtains.

The faint sound of soft music and the subtle fragrance wafted through the air, making one's mind relax unconsciously.

There were no Vajra warriors guarding the gate, only two white jade flying goddesses on the left and right.

Her clothes fluttered, her posture was graceful, as if she were about to dance in the wind, her face was smiling, and she was lifelike.

The Venerable Great Musical Sound took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and then stepped into the moon gate shrouded in a pale pink glow.

As you walk through the winding corridors shaded by flowers and trees, the rich fragrance becomes even stronger.

Arriving outside the most secluded quiet room, the door was ajar, and the interior was dimly lit, with wisps of smoke rising from the mouth of a bronze incense beast.

"Disciple Da Leyin requests an audience with Master."

The Venerable One respectfully reported this from outside the door.

"Come in."

A voice came from inside the door.

The voice was not loud, but strangely blended the clear, resonant quality of a man with the gentle charm of a woman.

It sounds incredibly comforting and soothing, as if it can smooth out all the wrinkles in your heart.

The Venerable Great Bliss pushed open the door and entered.

The interior is elegantly furnished, with no Buddha statues in sight.

Only a huge "Yin Yang Harmony and Joy Heaven" mandala was placed in the center.

The designs are outlined with gold thread and colorful embroidery, depicting various mysterious and intricate patterns and the embracing postures of deities.

Beneath the mandala, a large cloud bed is set up, covered with brocade rugs woven from celestial silkworm silk, shimmering with light and color.

At this moment, Consort Ming was not by his side; only one person was leaning against the soft pillows of the cloud bed.

"The matter was not accomplished?"

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