I really don't want to be a traitor

Chapter 589: Bodhi Gāthā

"I am obsessed with appearances."

"Thank you for your enlightenment, Master."

The three great monks had practiced Buddhism for many years and had reached a high level of enlightenment.

It’s just that the Buddha’s treasure is too precious, and he was temporarily confused.

Fan Li stripped off their Buddhist robes and replaced them with tattered monk robes. How could the three monks not understand Fan Li's good intentions?

"There is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a mirror stand. The Buddha nature is always pure, where is there any dust?"

Master Shouzhen spoke first.

He recited a Bodhi Gāthā, which is a poem that specifically expounds the essence of Buddhism.

Below the stage, the monks and believers exclaimed in amazement.

Some people recite this Bodhi Gāthā silently over and over again, hoping to remember it in their hearts.

Someone who happened to have a pen moistened the tip of the pen with saliva. Since he couldn't find paper, he simply took off his monk's robe and copied down the four lines of poetry.

Qiongqi was stunned!

What happened?
Just now, Fan Li stripped the monk of his clothes. It was such an embarrassing and indecent scene. It was a blasphemy against the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and it was a heinous crime.

As a result, no one denounced Fan Li's crimes?

Did Master Shouzhen comprehend a glimpse of the ultimate truth of Buddhism from this?
"The body is a bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror. The bright mirror is inherently pure, how can it be stained by dust!" Monk Qianshan suddenly began to recite.

At first glance, the content of his Bodhi Gāthā is very similar to that of Shouzhen.

But in fact, there are quite a few differences, which also reflect the differences between the two in their Buddhist practice.

However, Master Qianshan and Master Shouzhen looked at each other and frowned at the same time.

In the past, the three monks were friends, and they knew that there were some differences in their understanding of Buddhism.

They were also very confident, thinking that their level was higher than that of their friends. They were secretly happy in their hearts, but never said it out loud, nor did they argue about who was better.

Now, they said it out loud face to face. Neither of them was convinced by the other, but they could not argue due to friendship.

The people in the audience were also stunned!

I never dreamed that today's [Yulanbon Festival] would be so wonderful! ?

There is a second Bodhi Gāthā poem?
With so many spectators present, the two Bodhi Gāthās will be immortalized!
The only question is, which of the two great monks' Bodhi Gāthā is better, and which one is slightly inferior to the other?

Shouzhen's and Qianshan's Bodhi Gāthās may seem similar, but they are actually quite different from each other.

One said, 'There is no Bodhi tree', while the other said, 'The body is the Bodhi tree'.

You said 'a clear mirror is not a stand', and I said 'the mind is like a clear mirror'.

But the most crucial part is the last sentence. Master Shouzhen said "Where is the dust?", which denies the "existence" and emphasizes the "non-existence", that is, the Buddhist idea that all worldly temptations are like dreams and bubbles.

However, Master Qianshan's "Where can I be stained by dust" emphasizes "letting go" and "liberation", which are also the ultimate principles of Buddhism. Although they are not inferior to Shouzhen, they are indeed different.

"Grandmaster?"

"Master of Silent Zen?"

The two old monks couldn't bear to argue with their good friend, so they could only put their hopes on Fan Li and ask him to help them decide who was the better of them.

Fan Li also smiled at the two old monks, but still said nothing.

He turned his gaze to Master Huihai again.

As eminent monks, Qianshan and Shouzhen have already gained some insights. Could it be that Huihai has gained nothing?
of course not.

However, Huihai saw that his two old friends had already had differences, and his own gains were indeed different from those of his two old friends.

He was afraid of hurting their friendship of many years, so he didn't want to say anything for a moment.

"Hui Hai, you..."

At this time, Qianshan and Shouzhen also reacted, but one old friend remained silent.

The two old monks blushed with shame.

Qianshan forced a smile and said, "Hui Hai, just tell me what you think. In fact, when it comes to Buddhist wisdom, Shouzhen and I may not be as good as you."

Shouzhen's eyelids twitched, but he didn't say anything to refute.

"OK then."

Unable to refuse the kind words, Master Huihai finally nodded. He cleared his throat and spoke slowly: "There is no Bodhi tree, and there is no mirror stand. There is nothing at all, so how can there be dust?"

The first sentence is exactly the same as the Bodhi Gāthā of Master Shouzhen.

Shouzhen was overjoyed when he heard the news, thinking he had found a soulmate!

Qianshan, however, looked extremely embarrassed, as if he was asking for trouble.

But after hearing the saying "Originally there is nothing, so where can dust gather?", they suddenly realized that Huihai was indeed better than them!
It includes both the understanding of "existence" and "non-existence", as well as the explanation of "liberation" and "letting go".

All of Huihai's thoughts can be ultimately attributed to cause and effect with one sentence: "Where does the dust come from?"

And cause and effect is the foundation of the existence of Western religions!

If there is no cause and effect, how can we persuade people to be good?
If there is no cause and effect, how can we save the world?
If there is no cause and effect, how can the Western Paradise exist?
"Master Hui Hai!"

Below the stage, the crowd also erupted in applause and cheers!
The third Bodhi Gāthā is actually the culmination of Buddhism!

Even the two great monks Qianshan and Shouzhen were convinced and bowed to Huihai.

But Huihai bowed respectfully towards Fan Li.

Qianshan and Shouzhen also hurriedly turned around and bowed respectfully to Fan Li!

The three great monks were all enlightened today, and the bottleneck of Buddhism that had been stagnant for a long time was broken through.

All this is thanks to Master Shukou Zen.

Although the audience in the audience is far less intelligent and comprehension-savvy than the three great monks, they at least believe in the monks.

"Shut up Zen!"

Everyone shouted in unison, praising the silent Zen master who could enlighten even three great monks.

There is only one person who cannot accept this fact!

"Why do you worship him?"

"Why worship him!?"

Qiongqi felt completely bewildered and wanted to grab Huihai by the collar, yelling at him, asking if his Buddhist practice had damaged his brain.
What did Fan Li do?
He just punched Qianshan and changed his tattered monk robe into one.

Is this worthy of your praise?

Are you guys out of your mind?!
thump...

The sound of wooden fish hitting.

Fan Li took out a wooden fish like a magician and started hitting it seemingly casually.

However, while beating the wooden fish, he looked at Qiongqi with a half-smile.

Qiongqi felt extremely insulted!

Originally, he was the best at misleading people and stirring up trouble.

However, there were nearly a thousand people gathered at the lecture platform, and without exception, they all stood on Fan Li's side.

Even the three eminent monks he invited almost became Fan Li's followers.

Qiongqi's mentality collapsed!
Being defeated in the field you are best at?
No matter how eloquent you are, the other party will frustrate all your means just by not saying a word?

"Why!?"

Qiongqi suddenly roared at Fan Li.

"They only believe you and not me, why?!"

This roar caused the surroundings to fall into silence for a short time.

But immediately someone became displeased and loudly rebuked the Imperial Master, saying that he should not be rude to Master Shukou Chan.

"Please ask the Imperial Master to apologize to Master Shukou Zen!"

"Apologise quickly!"

"Even if you are the Imperial Master, you shouldn't act so presumptuously in front of great monks!"

After hearing the scolding from the crowd, Qiongqi's face was full of disbelief.

Most of them were invited by themselves to make fun of Fan Li, but now they are speaking for Fan Li?
(End of this chapter)