Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, both seeing the satisfaction in each other's eyes. They had toiled for tens of millions of years to bring about the Western Sect's current abundance of talent. After the Jie and Chan sects were severely weakened, the Three Pure Ones' Daoist sect split, leaving Nuwa alone. It could be said that the Western Sect was now a major sect in the prehistoric world, and no one could stop its eastward expansion. Although the Heavenly Court, led by the Queen Mother of the Azure Heaven, was hailed as a major force in the prehistoric world, it was not worthy of the two sages' attention. As for Penglai Island, while claiming to be a protector of the Xuanmen, its actions were quite eccentric, and its intentions were unknown. However, regardless of Penglai Island's actions, it ultimately did not establish a sect, and its strength was not taken seriously by the two sages.
The Western religions that reformed and established Buddhism did so for two reasons: firstly, they lost their original regional characteristics, which limited their development; and secondly, they took the opportunity to change their name and ride the wave of the Xuanmen (Taoist) sect's fortunes to great success. Now, the two saints have gathered all their disciples, naturally for the purpose of spreading the Tao, or in other words, to divide the spoils.
At that moment, Jieyin sat regally on the Nine-Rank Lotus Platform of the Primordial Spiritual Treasure, three relics appearing on his head; Zhunti manifested the golden body of Bodhi, holding aloft the Seven-Jeweled Tree, instantly radiating golden light that illuminated the entire sky; and the chanting of Brahma resounded throughout the universe. Golden lotuses descended from the sky, filling the Three Realms with a fragrant mist. All beings felt refreshed and invigorated, as if they were in a realm of illusion. They knelt and prostrated themselves towards Mount Sumeru, calling upon the Holy Ones for their compassion. Jieyin and Zhunti, for the sake of the flourishing of Buddhism, naturally displayed their supernatural powers and spared no effort! Jieyin and Zhunti chanted in unison: "Our great vow is to pity the suffering of all beings; to deliver all those with affinity to the Western Paradise; our great vow is to pity the suffering of reincarnation, to realize the true nature of Buddhahood, and to attain the supreme path."
"Now we establish the Western religion as Buddhism, and shall propagate the Dharma. We shall universally save all sentient beings, helping them escape the cycle of suffering! Take refuge in the Buddha!" After the two finished chanting, Jieyin joined his palms and said, "Namo Amitabha Buddha!" Zhunti also joined his palms and said, "Namo Subhuti Buddha!" Each word resonated like the morning bell and evening drum, striking the hearts of the crowd, leaving them with a sense of peace. This was a time when the Eastern Zhou dynasty had recently moved its capital, and the various vassal states were engaged in constant warfare. Today they were under the rule of the Great Zhou, but tomorrow the king would change. The people suffered greatly, their lives filled with misery, unsure of whom to listen to. Now, hearing the great Dharma of the saints Jieyin and Zhunti, they silently recited in their hearts: "Escape suffering, escape the cycle of reincarnation, take refuge in the Buddha, and journey to the Western Paradise!" After Jieyin and Zhunti finished speaking, their appearances changed. Both formed hand seals, their hair fell away, and their ears grew to their shoulders. They no longer resembled the Taoist priest Yuanlai; they were the two Buddhas worshipped by Buddhism in later generations!
Immediately afterwards, the Medicine Buddha chanted: "Namo Medicine Buddha!" This refers to the Medicine Buddha of the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli in the Horizontal Three Buddhas of Buddhism. The Maitreya Buddha chanted: "Namo Maitreya Buddha!" This refers to the Future Buddha in the Vertical Three Buddhas of Buddhism. However, the words "Original Teacher" were not present in either of these chants.
In Buddhism, "本师" (Ben Shi) refers to the one who elucidates Buddhist principles, teaches and guides the Buddha-land, and thus, Jieyin and Zhunti are considered the founders of Buddhism. Bhaisajyaguru, as the chief disciple of Buddhism, usually acts as the master and teaches his disciples, so he naturally deserves the title "本师." While Maitreya is also one of Jieyin's two chief disciples, he does not receive this honor.
The five great disciples of Cundi—Vipassi, Sikhin, Visvabhava, and Kṣānāgāmin—transformed into Vipassi Buddha, Sikhin Buddha, Visvabhava Buddha, Kṣānāgāmin Buddha, and Kassapa Buddha. They are five of the Seven Ancient Buddhas in the Three Buddhas of the Three Times in later Buddhism.
The three immortals, Jin Guang Xian, Wu Yun Xian, and Pi Lu Xian, whom Zhun Ti brought back from the Eastern Land of Jiejiao, transformed into the Three Bodies of Buddha in later Buddhism: the Dharmakaya Pi Lu Buddha and the Cloud Buddha.
The Medicine Buddha's two disciples, the Sunlight Daoist and the Moonlight Daoist, transformed into the Sunlight Bodhisattva and the Moonlight Bodhisattva, respectively. The twelve Yakshas transformed into the twelve Divine Generals. And the three thousand disciples of the Jie Sect who were converted into the Western Sect by Zhunti in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation transformed into the three thousand Buddhas, becoming the grassroots backbone of Buddhism.
The Buddhist monks chanted a Buddhist prayer to Jieyin, saying, "Homage to the Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha!" Then they chanted a Buddhist prayer to Zhunti, saying, "Homage to the Buddha Mother, Namo Subhuti Buddha!" This is because, apart from Bhaisajyaguru Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, all the Buddhist monks were led into the Western Paradise by Zhunti. Therefore, Jieyin is called the Buddha, and Zhunti is called the Buddha Mother.
Inside the Yuanjue Cave on Mount Lingjiu, Randeng sat upright, with four second-generation Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect—Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Cihang, and Julusun—below them. Further down, Wei Hu, a disciple of the Chan Sect Golden Immortal Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, stood holding a demon-subduing pestle.
Since the Investiture of the Gods, sages have not left their posts without imparting the Great Dao. The Jade Purity Sage, Yuanshi Tianzun, was no exception. Naturally, all affairs, large and small, of the Chan Sect fell to the Chan Sect's vice-leader, Randeng. Now that the Antarctic Immortal was serving in the Heavenly Court, and the Twelve Golden Immortals had lost their powers, this arrangement was not problematic. However, Yuanshi Tianzun held his closed-door disciple, Yun Zhongzi, in high regard and intended to cultivate him, thus entrusting him with many important matters. Although Yun Zhongzi possessed high aptitude, his learning was rudimentary. How could he gain the respect of the Chan Sect, where seniority was paramount? The Twelve Golden Immortals had only lost their powers, not their temperaments!
With his ability to light lamps, how could he not know that he was merely a transitional figure in the Chan sect? Perhaps only if…
Once he reached the Quasi-Saint realm, he would have no place in the Chan Sect anymore. The Chan Court, established as the state religion by the human race of the mortal realm, possessed the fortune of heaven and earth. Yun Zhongzi already possessed the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm; he usually helped the human race and had some merit. Now that this great calamity was over, he could enjoy a life of leisure, and with Yuanshi's guidance, reaching the Quasi-Saint realm was only a matter of time. Randeng and Zhunti had long been in cahoots, so they didn't fight for power in the Chan Sect. Instead, they changed their attitude and befriended various Golden Immortals, thus gaining considerable sympathy.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com