Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2442: 216: Tianyin (Part 3)

“Amitabha, everyone, please calm down.”

The monks inside the temple halted their actions right after hearing Buddha Tianyin’s statement and directed their gazes toward him.

True Man Gai furrowed his brow a little and voiced his displeasure:

“True Man Taiyi is striving to end the catastrophe brought by the Supreme True Buddha, so he had to resort to this Dharma. As the old saying goes, if you know both your enemy and yourself, victory comes in a hundred battles. What’s the issue with that? It’s definitely preferable to you all, who stay cooped up here daily, ignoring everything happening outside.”

Clearly, True Man Gai harbored considerable grudge against these monks.

Nevertheless, Buddha Tianyin offered a serene smile and then sent the monks away.

Within the temple’s grand hall, just three individuals were left, including Yan Poluo, who then expressed with a faint sigh:

“True Man Gai, Layman Taiyi, I hope you won’t hold it against us. In this minor thousand world, the dominant path is that of Small Mahayana, so most of us concentrate on our personal enlightenment. Without the Supreme True Buddha right at our gates, they probably wouldn’t even agree to join me in setting up a formation against the foe.”

Wang Ba, listening to this, appeared lost in contemplation.

He knew that in Buddhism, Small Mahayana stresses individual transcendence, whereas Mahayana aims at saving all sentient beings. The first is about benefiting oneself, the second about aiding others.

From what Buddha Tianyin described, the monks’ disinterest in worldly events and their rare involvement in outside matters stemmed from pursuing Small Mahayana Cultivation, which centered only on self-transcendence.

Wang Ba felt a touch of confusion and inquired:

“Earlier, the High Monks all claimed that the Supreme True Buddha’s Dharma strays from the path, but I’m wondering what precisely makes it odd? In my own Cultivation, I’ve not sensed any variance, so I’m eager to learn from the Buddha Lord and gain some insight.”

Buddha Tianyin smiled at these words and responded with a question of his own:

“What practices have you followed?”

Wang Ba held nothing back and answered promptly: “The Great Bliss Sutra, Liberation of Wisdom Sea Sutra, and Prajna Dharma Sutra, to name a few.”

Upon hearing this, Buddha Tianyin nodded and remarked:

“These are truly the proper Buddhist doctrines, matching those of the Middle Thousand World and Great Thousand World, with no problems at all. Yet, the doctrines taught by this sect differ greatly from those in the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm.”

Curiosity piqued, Wang Ba pressed further:

“In what way do they differ?”

Buddha Tianyin articulated slowly and distinctly:

“The Supreme True Buddha follows the path of Mahayana Buddhism.”

Wang Ba paused in surprise for a moment:

“Mahayana Buddhism? But the followers of the Supreme True Buddha embody the three poisons, showing ruthlessness and apathy, much like Demon Cultivators—how could that possibly be Mahayana Buddhism?”

Buddha Tianyin gave a slight nod, followed by a gentle shake of his head:

“It’s clear Layman possesses deep understanding of Buddhist principles, though teachings can be upright in words but deviate in practice.”

“The Mahayana way in Buddhism promotes salvation for all; only through immense calamities and sufferings can one amass great merits and reach true liberation. But without such trials and tribulations, how could anyone attain Buddhahood?”

“On the other hand, Small Mahayana Buddhism might seem self-centered and narrow, but its monks adhere strictly to righteousness, pursuing self-liberation and bliss. Though it appears limited, it provides a reliable route; not every being becomes a Buddha, yet it serves as the authentic means for individuals to save themselves.”

“As for those salvation methods driven by fixation, they stem not from pure intentions but from rigid obsessions. Once obsession takes hold, the mind constricts, making true universal salvation impossible.”

“That’s why, in our Cultivation, we prefer to close ourselves off from the world, steering clear of external chaos, rather than inviting endless disasters for personal advantage.”

“Evidently, the Supreme True Buddha takes a different route.”

A sudden clarity washed over Wang Ba.

His earlier guesses matched remarkably well with what had just been said.

Back then, though, his grasp of Buddhism in the Third Realm Sea remained fuzzy. Now, with Buddha Tianyin’s guidance, everything fell into sharp focus, evoking a familiar verse from an ancient Buddhist sage:

“The body is a Bodhi Tree, the mind as clear as a mirror stand. Always strive to cleanse it, never let dust settle.”

This realization, while less profound than those of supreme monks, exactly captures the practical path for common folk to find release.

The Small Mahayana Buddhism upheld by the monks in the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm echoes this essence when set against Mahayana Buddhism.

“So, you mean the Supreme True Buddha’s doctrines aren’t inherently wrong, but someone has deliberately twisted their foundation?”

Wang Ba couldn’t help but voice this thought.

“Young friend grasps it swiftly indeed.”

Buddha Tianyin nodded approvingly.

But Wang Ba didn’t smile; after a brief reflection, he asked gravely and with care:

“Is this person Tibo, by any chance?”

At the mention of that name, a faint disturbance finally crossed Buddha Tianyin’s features:

“Young friend… you truly know of this individual?”