Wizards begin with Occlumency.

The situation became very strange.

For certain known reasons, the bodhisattvas (great sages) of major Buddhist temples are not in a position to comment on or react to the matter of Abbot Liaofan of Baima Temple.

After all, the monk Liaofan did not attack Buddhist temples, much less the Dharma.

He simply asked a very simple and straightforward question, then made a grand vow, and put it into practice.

Even the monks who follow Master Liaofan now were not bewitched by him, but rather they actively followed him to try to practice the Bodhisattva path of Buddhism.

The only person whom the monk Liaofan invited was Princess Guanglin.

As the story spread and was discussed more frequently, its impact on the three locations grew increasingly significant.

The first one is the White Horse Zen Temple.

Originally, the monk Liaofan was only sent to represent the guest house to attend the marriage recruitment event for Princess Guanglin. Who would have thought that the monk Liaofan would actually "abduct" Princess Guanglin and cause such a big news incident.

Based on certain unknown facts, Abbot Yuanzhi of Zhike Temple had already suspected that Abbot Liaofan was the reincarnation of Master Wusheng, and now he was even more convinced of this idea.

However, when questioned by the abbot of Baima Temple and the head of the Discipline Hall, Monk Yuanzhi did not voice his suspicions.

"Uncle-Master, Senior Brother, I really don't know."

Throughout the entire conversation, Abbot Yuanzhi only used this one sentence to answer the questions from the abbot and the head of the Vinaya Hall.

Monk Yuanzhi had a special identity; he was the son of the previous abbot.

The matter of Monk Liaofan is still unresolved, so the abbot and the head of the precept hall have no way to deal with Monk Yuanzhi.

They can only continue to be treated perfunctorily, even when they know they are being given the runaround.

The second place is the entire territory of the Song Kingdom.

One story is that the monk Liaofan is currently leading people on a journey within the territory of the Song Kingdom, using practical actions to cultivate his Buddhist heart and practice the Dharma.

Secondly, the Prince of Guanglin has a special status. He is the first in line to the throne of the Song Dynasty, but he did not become the crown prince as is customary.

Princess Guanglin, the only daughter of the Prince of Guanglin, stayed by the side of the monk Liaofan.

Through this period of observation, people have discovered that Princess Guanglin is neither a fool nor a pretty face. In the process of cultivating her Buddhist heart and practicing Buddhism, Princess Guanglin has demonstrated strong abilities and skillful tactics.

This is very interesting.

It seems that Princess Guanglin is more suitable than Prince Guanglin to rule the secular affairs of the Song Kingdom!

Thirdly, it is said that the current emperor of the Song Dynasty has been preoccupied with worry for more than ten days, unable to eat or drink.

Although Buddhism is prosperous, it is high above all others, and people are superior to them.

However, worldly affairs still need to be handled by someone, and the imperial court and government offices still need to be established.

With the existence of the imperial court and government offices, power naturally arose.

If you can't become a superior person in Buddhism, then become a superior person in the secular world!

Therefore, the patriarchs and members of the powerful families in the State of Song understood the current emperor's situation, but they did not empathize with him and would only laugh secretly.

They've shot themselves in the foot.

You suppressed Prince Guanglin so ruthlessly!

If things weren't done this outrageously, why would the Prince of Guanglin hold a son-in-law selection event?

Even if the monk Liaofan still made this grand vow without holding a grand ceremony to find a son-in-law, it would be done on other occasions, and would only cause a stir within the Buddhist community, without affecting the secular world.

The third place is Ci'en Temple, located in Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty.

That same day, after leaving the Guanglin Prince's Mansion, Monk Nengqing returned to Ci'en Temple and reported the matter to his master, the abbot of Ci'en Temple, requesting the abbot to order all Buddhist temples within the Song Kingdom to join forces to subdue the demon.

However, the reply that Monk Nengqing received was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.

The abbot of Ci'en Temple not only refused to issue an imperial edict, but also imprisoned Monk Nengqing and forbade all monks in the temple from leaving.

Although there was no explicit statement that Ci'en Temple was closed to the public, pilgrims could still worship as usual. However, anyone with a discerning eye could sense the change in the atmosphere at Ci'en Temple.

All of this was caused by Link, who had transformed into the monk Liaofan, and was not within Link's concern.

He now has a new problem.

As he practiced more and more, the monks who followed him began to have more and more doubts about Buddhism.

How much does Link know about Buddhism?

He was not proficient in Buddhism; he only had a superficial understanding of it in his previous life and had collected some information about Buddhist civilization during the years he spent in seclusion.

The reason Link thought of stirring up ideological disputes within the remnants of Buddhist civilization by making great vows, reviving the Three Vehicles of Buddhism, and making the Bodhisattva Vehicle of Buddhism valued again was because he saw the possibility of success in doing so.

Knowing that this will succeed does not mean that Link is well-versed in Buddhism.

Therefore, during this period of time, Link avoided answering the monks' questions one after another.

However, avoiding the topic too often is also not good, as it can easily arouse suspicion.

If Link truly wanted to practice Buddhism for his own sake, he could have simply ignored the monks and focused on his own practice.

That's not the ultimate goal.

Link still needs to find a way to answer the monks' questions, to make them more convinced of his and the Bodhisattva's teachings, and to make them more dissatisfied with the current state of Buddhism and the human world.

In this way, ideological struggles can easily breed and grow, until they tear apart the remnants of Buddhist civilization from within.

"What's wrong? Do you have a headache?"

Lotte Snow's smug voice rang in Link's ears.

Link completely ignored it.

Knowing that I, your cheap brother, am having a headache, instead of offering help, you just stand by and watch the show. You really don't know any better.

Jasmine didn't hear Lotesno's telepathic message, but based on her understanding of Link, she saw that Link's brows were slightly furrowed and guessed what was going on.

She immediately launched into a tirade against her sister-in-law, sending a telepathic warning to Lottesno not to cause trouble.

Is Lotte Snow the type of person who backs down when faced with a challenge?

No!

As a result, Lottesno not only did not restrain himself, but became even more rampant.

One gloating word after another reached Link's ears, like the incessant whispers of a demon.

and many more……

Link suddenly realized something and was inspired.

The devil's whispers...

Well……

It seems like this is a good idea; it should be able to appease them for a while.

So, at noon that day, after leading the monks to collect alms and having a meal, Linke put on an act of preaching and explaining the scriptures.

Upon seeing this, the monks who had followed Lin Ke immediately sat down around him.

"I have heard two Buddhist verses, and I would like to share them with you all."

Link didn't waste any time or preamble; he got straight to the point: "Regarding these two verses, I have no fixed opinion, nor do I distinguish which is superior or inferior, right or wrong, or high or low."

Upon hearing this, the monks took it even more seriously, their minds becoming more focused, and they waited patiently for what Link would say next.

Link didn't delay any longer and continued, "The first verse is called the Verse of No Form. Please listen: The body is a Bodhi tree, the mind a bright mirror stand; constantly wipe it clean, lest it be covered with dust."

After reciting the Buddhist verse, Linke closed his mouth, indicating to the monks to ponder the Buddhist principles contained within it.

Many monks, including Monk Liaochen, fell into deep thought.

What is this Buddhist verse about?

It discusses the methods and secrets to cultivating and realizing supreme enlightenment.

The body refers to the six sense organs that are held by the storehouse consciousness.

The mind is the storehouse consciousness.

The metaphor of the Bodhi tree and a clear mirror illustrates the inherent purity and clarity of the mind and body.

The sutra says: "Controlling the mind is the precept, from the precept arises concentration, from concentration arises wisdom, this is called the three non-outflow studies."

This verse earnestly exhorts people to diligently cultivate themselves, turn from delusion to enlightenment, and transform defilement into purity. By following the Dharma, they can gradually purify their afflictions and attain Bodhi. They must not be lazy or negligent.

In short, the key is to practice Buddhism and attain enlightenment, which requires "gradual practice".

The four lines, totaling twenty-four characters, are concise, vivid, and rich in Buddhist principles.

Many monks listened with rapt attention, feeling that this single Buddhist verse alone made their trip worthwhile.

"You're pretty good, kid. How did you even come up with that?"

Lottesno, who had been hiding in the shadows, suddenly jumped out again and started rambling on and on.

Link paid no attention, simply watching the monks sitting around him, immersed in comprehending the Buddhist principles of the "Formless Verse".

"Shut up!"

Jasmine noticed Lottesno's little tricks again and scolded him.

The longer they spent together, the more Jasmine adapted to Lottesno's changeable personality, and their interactions became increasingly relaxed.

Just as Lotte Snow often said, the relationship between the older brother, the older sister-in-law, and the younger brother is cheap, and the way they get along is even cheaper.

Linke was pleased to see this happen.

No matter how eccentric Lautesno's personality was, or how perverse his actions were, he was ultimately a saint reincarnated.

With this mission of infiltrating behind enemy lines and coordinating from within and without completed, the will of the Wizarding World will no longer suppress Lotesnor.

At that time, when and in what form he wants to re-enter the Saint Realm will be entirely up to Lotesno.

If Jasmine cultivates a good relationship with Lottesno now, she'll have someone to rely on in the future.

Suppressing the random thoughts that surfaced in his mind, Link glanced around at the monks, giving them no more time to contemplate the "Verse of No Form".

Link slowly began to speak: "The second Buddhist verse I have heard is called the Bodhi Verse. Bodhi has no tree, the bright mirror is not a stand; originally there is nothing, where can dust alight?"

The moment the chanting of the Bodhi Verse ended, it immediately caused a stir.

This Buddhist verse is based on the "Verse of No Form," but it completely overturns the Buddhist principles of the "Verse of No Form"!

Doesn't the "Verse of No Form" use the Bodhi tree as a metaphor for the body and the bright mirror stand as a metaphor for the mind, to show that the inherent nature of body and mind is clear and pure?

Since our nature is already clear and pure, where can we get tainted by dust?

If it's free from dust, why bother wiping it?

The question arises: the "Verse of No Form" contains a lot of Buddhist principles, and the "Verse of Bodhi" also contains a lot of Buddhist principles.

Both Buddhist verses contain Buddhist principles, yet they contradict each other. Which one should one believe?

Many monks were left bewildered.

Should we believe in the gradual cultivation of the "Verse of No Form" or the sudden enlightenment of the "Verse of Bodhi"?

Gradual cultivation can lead to the attainment of supreme enlightenment, as can sudden enlightenment.

They are practicing the Bodhisattva path of Buddhism in order to attain unsurpassed Bodhi and unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. They must choose between gradual cultivation and sudden enlightenment.

Seeing this, Link smiled almost imperceptibly, then ignored the monks who were deep in thought and got up to leave.

In just a few steps, Link disappeared from sight.

By the time the monks came to their senses, Link and Jasmine had vanished without a trace.

Therefore, the monks turned their attention to Monk Liaochen.

"Don't look at me, how would I know?"

Upon seeing this, Monk Liaochen shouted and ran away, saying, "If you want to ask, go ask Liaofan yourselves. This humble monk is going back to Baima Temple."

In the blink of an eye, Monk Liaochen had also disappeared.

The monks did not disperse immediately, but discussed among themselves for quite some time.

Some people think that "gradual cultivation" is reasonable, has a clear path to follow, and is a bright and smooth road, while "sudden enlightenment" is also reasonable, but it places too much emphasis on comprehension and opportunity, and is not suitable for the general public.

If one cultivates self-awareness and only attains true enlightenment, one can achieve "sudden enlightenment";

If one seeks to cultivate perfect enlightenment and attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, it can only be achieved through gradual cultivation.

Some people believe that "sudden enlightenment" is reasonable, that it is the broad road to enlightenment, and that with sufficient understanding and the right opportunity, one can attain perfect enlightenment, and then awaken to perfection and attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.

In short, as the discussion progressed, the monks gradually split into two factions, unable to persuade each other, and eventually parted ways.

The "Verse of No Form" and the "Verse of Bodhi" were then transmitted back to various Buddhist temples along with the departing monks, before the Buddhist community had reached a consensus on how to view and treat Monk Liaofan.

For a time, even within the Buddhist community, there was a lack of consensus on how to view and treat Monk Liaofan.

New hot topics are emerging and quickly gaining popularity.

Gradual cultivation, sudden enlightenment, supreme enlightenment, supreme perfect awakening.

Two diametrically opposed yet contradictory yet unified Buddhist doctrines, two divergent yet unified paths, lay before all Buddhist temples and all monks.

There is a growing trend toward a massive and profound intellectual debate.

It's not that only "gradual cultivation" and "sudden enlightenment" can lead to supreme enlightenment, which is why Buddhist temples and monks attach so much importance to it.

Rather, it was Link's great vow and two Buddhist verses that stirred up a storm within the Buddhist community.

A wind called "Thoughts and Debates".

Many Buddhist temples and monks are unwilling to admit it, but must admit it: for a long time, they have been blindly worshipping Buddha and cultivating their physical strength, while neglecting to cultivate their minds.

Link's appearance and actions brought "spiritual cultivation" into their field of vision, making supreme enlightenment the ultimate pursuit once again.

It wasn't that no one noticed the problem hidden beneath Link's "Great Vow" and the two Buddhist verses:

What is the true essence of Buddhism?

What is the purpose of practicing Buddhism?

Furthermore, it wasn't that no one noticed Link's sinister intentions.

But will the one who started this have no descendants?

In the past, they could rely on their superior numbers to condemn the few clear-headed individuals as "heretical and evil."

Now, they are among the few who are clear-headed. How can they expect their sober opinions to awaken the monks who are vaguely falling into the fanatical tide of enlightenment?

Under the call that "everyone can become a Buddha", they continue to condemn the monk Liaofan, who brought the concept of "everyone can become a Buddha" back to Buddhism, as "heretical and evil".

They will likely be immediately branded as heretics and evil spirits.

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

Upon discovering this change in Buddhism, Lotesno couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Brother, you're quite the smooth talker! The words you utter are truly remarkably similar..."

"The devil whispers." (End of Chapter)