Six Discussions
Inside the Nuwa Palace in the Outer Heavens, the Holy Mother of Humanity, Nuwa, coldly gazed at the golden light in the west. Equally cold-faced was a figure within the Biyou Palace on Golden Turtle Island…
The Jade Purity Saint, who was sitting quietly in the Jade Void Palace, remained expressionless, and it was impossible to know what he was thinking...
Inside the Eight Views Palace of the Outer Heavens that day, the Supreme Sage Laozi opened his eyes, let out a long sigh, stood up, took the innate treasure Taiji Diagram, mounted his green ox, and vanished in a flash...
On Penglai Island, Xuantian was preaching when he suddenly looked up at the golden light in the west, then ignored it and continued preaching, though he couldn't help but have some thoughts in his mind.
How could Xuantian not know that Buddhism, having established its doctrine and spread its teachings, had caused such a great commotion with the two Western Saints? At this moment, he couldn't help but think of how Buddhist temples were now ubiquitous in later generations, while Taoism remained obscure. Buddhist believers were everywhere, but Taoist believers were few and far between, or almost nonexistent. Only during festivals might some people worship the Kitchen God or the God of Wealth. The great Taoist deities were completely unknown. The most famous was Guanyin, and everyone knew "Amitabha," but no one knew about the "Three Pure Ones" or the Jade Emperor. This shows the immense influence of Buddhism.
In fact, Xuan Tian doesn't have any particular preference for Buddhism or Taoism. Everyone needs their own spiritual sustenance. Whether one believes in Buddhism or Taoism is entirely up to their own heart and freedom! Buddhism emphasizes "compassion," while Taoism emphasizes "longevity." Both start from oneself and extend to others, emphasizing the unity of heaven and man, guiding people towards goodness, and expressing a compassionate and empathetic philosophy.
However, later, in order to develop its own doctrines and cater to the ruling class's policy of keeping the people ignorant, Buddhist thought excessively emphasized cause and effect, encouraging people to accept their fate passively and eliminating any spirit of resistance among believers. How can society progress under such circumstances? Furthermore, the goal of Buddhist believers is to escape the suffering of the world and transcend the cycle of reincarnation. If everyone becomes a Buddhist, who will engage in productive labor?
The reason why Buddhism and Taoism ultimately differed so greatly in strength lies in the fact that Buddhism learned to instigate mass warfare and to start from a high level, while Taoism sought nature. While nature was indeed natural, the key issue was that nobody believed in it. Furthermore, Taoist doctrines, since their inception, have been too different from Buddhist scriptures, lacking the latter's persuasive power. It must be said that Buddhist scriptures held immense appeal for ordinary people, especially those suffering from hardship. It's like the Bible's "He who believes in me will have eternal life." Although 100 people know it's wrong, 99 hope it's true, and the one who does hope it's true for him but wrong for others.
Xuan Tian was filled with complex thoughts, and his sermon revealed a hint of irritation. Just then, a thought suddenly struck him, and Xuan Tian stopped and said to the boy beside him, Shi Zhong, "Go outside and welcome the Sage of the Human Sect in."
Shi Zhong accepted the order and went out. Before long, he saw purple mist rising from the edge of the East Sea, and celestial music was playing. When Shi Zhong looked up, he saw the sage of the Human Sect, Laozi.
Shi Zhong quickly stepped forward and said, "This servant of the Sage of Xuantian respectfully awaits the arrival of the Sage of the Human Sect."
Laozi descended from the green ox, nodded with a smile, but said nothing.
Shi Zhong knew that Lao Jun was this kind of person, so he didn't say much and just led the way. Along the way, Lao Jun finally saw how prosperous and beautiful Penglai Island was. Everywhere was a magnificent sight. The island was full of nature yet full of vitality. There was a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle. Lao Jun couldn't help but nod. Xuan Tian was indeed extraordinary for becoming a saint before him.
Xuan Tian had already stopped speaking and was waiting inside the Dutian Hall. Shi Zhong led Lao Jun to the outside of the Dutian Hall, gestured for him to go in, and then withdrew.
Laojun entered and bowed to Xuantian. Xuantian returned the bow, pointed to his left, and immediately a cloud bed rose up. Laojun nodded and sat down on it.
Laojun sat down without speaking, and Xuantian, seeing this, also remained silent. The two sat there, seemingly lost in thought with their eyes closed, but in reality, each harbored their own plans.
Finally, Laozi arrived. Xuantian, having the advantage of being on his home turf, spoke first, saying, "Brother Dao, you are truly blessed." He was referring to Penglai Island, this blessed land. Laozi was just making small talk here.
Xuan Tian was well aware of Lao Jun's intentions, and said only, "I can't say I have good fortune, but it's not as peaceful as Brother Dao's Eight Views Palace."
Laozi was taken aback by the words, unsure how to respond. The Eight Trigrams Palace was indeed quiet, but it felt deathly still, devoid of life. A moment of silence fell between them, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Just then, the Medicine Master Taoist made a great vow and transformed into the Medicine Buddha. The Western chanting resounded once more, giving Laozi a chance to speak. Laozi glanced westward and said to Xuantian, "Brother Taoist, what do you think of this matter?"
Xuan Tianli ignored the Western chanting. Penglai Island was isolated from the outside world; though the Western chanting was beautiful, it couldn't penetrate. Only the two sages could hear it through the external barriers. Xuan Tianli looked at Laozi and said, "Does Brother Dao not know?"
This question stumped Laozi again. Xuantian's meaning was clear: Laozi and Yuanshi had joined forces to suppress Tongtian during the Investiture of the Gods calamity, and then invited two people from the Western Sect. The Western Sect's rise to prominence was largely due to the three thousand disciples of the Jie Sect. The trouble was caused by the two of you, so naturally you two should resolve it. What business is it of mine to come to me now?
Lao Jun paused for a moment, then suddenly bowed to Xuan Tian and said, "I wish to become a Buddha."
Xuan Tian glanced at Lao Jun, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Upon hearing this, Lao Jun's eyes lit up, and he nodded.
"Why? How?" Xuan Tian asked two questions in a row.
"The two Westerners have established a separate sect. We don't know what method those two Buddhist saints used to steal the fortune of our Xuanmen sect, and how we can take it back. I only want Duobao to disperse the fortune of Buddhism," Laozi said. "Let Duobao also establish a Buddhism, called Hinayana Buddhism, to distinguish it from the Mahayana Buddhism of Amitabha Buddha and the others. But it belongs to Buddhism, and half of the fortune of Buddhism will be given to Hinayana Buddhism. In this way, the fortune of Mahayana Buddhism will not be so strong."
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