Conferred God: Got cramped at the beginning

Chapter 1041 Trivial Matters, Iron Fork Temple

Looking at the small canyon in front of him, the monk Xuanzang swung his nine-ringed staff at a nearby tree, instantly breaking several large trees in half.

Then, the monk Xuanzang arranged the large trees side by side, pulled up some vines, and built a simple wooden bridge. He then erected a stone pillar next to the bridge, inscribed with the words "Buddha Bridge," to prevent the bridge from being dismantled at will.

Then, he walked onto the wooden bridge, jumped heavily in the middle to make sure it was stable, and then stepped across it with satisfaction, crossing the small canyon. He walked back and forth on the wooden bridge several times.

The canyon is not large, but without this wooden bridge, people on both sides would have to follow the contours of the canyon to cross, which would take at least half an hour.

“If the Great Sage is in a hurry to attend the banquet, he may go ahead first,” Xuanzang said.

"Great Sage, rest assured, this place is still a land of humanity."

"As the Great Sage said, the power of immortals and gods cannot be used by humans. Besides immortals and gods, this staff in my hand is not to be trifled with either."

Master Xuanzang shook the nine-ringed staff that had just swept over several large trees. The staff's ornaments jingled clearly as Master Xuanzang shook it.

“This…” The Great Sage Equal to Heaven hesitated.

He didn't want to leave Xuanzang behind, nor did he want to miss the Great Banquet of the Bull Demon King.

As for leaving behind an avatar...

It was fine before.

After personally experiencing the descent of the Great Luo incarnation to the mortal realm, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven no longer dared to leave only one incarnation by Xuanzang's side.

"Monk, you've cleared mountains, filled pits, and built bridges all this way..."

"Didn't you ever think about how long it would take you to reach Mount Ling at this rate?"

The Monkey King rolled his eyes and immediately changed his tune.

He could certainly see that Xuanzang's actions were beneficial to both himself and others—but what Xuanzang did was really too small.

The things that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven did were all earth-shattering events, and he didn't care at all about the trivial matters that Master Xuanzang did—he was even less willing to delay his journey because of these trivial matters.

“Great Sage, the Buddha’s teachings are the way to enlightenment, the way to relieve suffering and distress, and the way to guide all sentient beings.”

"How can those who are troubled by trivial matters not be considered all living beings?"

“I practice Buddhism and seek the Dharma for my own sake, but it is also for the sake of all sentient beings.”

"All living beings are equal, regardless of size."

“If I, a humble monk, disregard these trivial matters and all sentient beings simply because I seek the Dharma, then what is the use of seeking the Dharma?”

Just as the Monkey King was about to speak, the monk Xuanzang spoke again.

“I know, what the Great Sage is trying to say is that my power is now weak and feeble—even if I were to manage these matters, I wouldn’t be able to manage much.”

"When I return from my pilgrimage and integrate Buddhism, I will gather the strength of the entire Buddhist community. On that day, I will be able to accomplish more than I have accomplished in the past few years."

"Therefore, it is really not worth it for me to delay my trip because of these trivial matters."

"Is this what the Great Sage wants to say?" Master Xuanzang slowly moved forward, carrying his nine-ringed staff—on this mountain, there is an Iron Fork Temple.

The old monk in the temple was quite knowledgeable about Buddhism.

Xuanzang then planned to go to the temple to discuss Buddhism with the old monk and see if the old monk could answer his questions about Buddhism.

Thinking about this, Xuanzang couldn't help but recall the cassock bestowed upon him by Jin Chanzi.

Jin Chanzi was a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. Even if Xuanzang's mind was as clear as a mirror, he couldn't help but feel a little ripple upon receiving the kasaya bestowed upon him by Jin Chanzi.

Although he has not yet put on the kasaya, he secretly opened it by moonlight one night and examined it carefully.

It was around that time that he saw the words on the kasaya.

Amitabha Buddha said:
When I pass away, a demon will appear as a monk.

There are beings like Mara, who wear my robes and appear as monks.

Entering my precious Sangha, destroying the banner of purity.
Misinterpreting the profound and subtle Dharma disrupts the boat of Prajna.

He broke his own vows and led others astray.
He takes the form of a monk, yet performs the deeds of Mara.

The moment the robe was opened, even the bright moonlight turned somber.

The words engraved on the robe, like the patterns on the robe itself, almost completely overwhelmed Xuanzang's reason the moment they came into view.

The demon-made monk.

Mara's chaotic teachings.

That explanation could almost cover all his doubts since he began to understand Buddhism!

Why are there so many shortcomings in Buddhism?
Why is it that some highly accomplished monks who have studied Buddhism have not only failed to develop compassion, but have instead secretly developed many of the five poisons (greed, lust, and delusion)...?

And there's something he still can't understand... "Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot."

The reason is here.

The demon-made monk.

Mara's chaotic teachings.

Once we acknowledge that this is a demonic act of creating a monk, and that Mara is disrupting the Dharma, the current chaos within Buddhism will be explained in an instant.

But is that really the case?

On that sacred mountain, in that Great Thunderclap Temple, all the Buddhas of Buddhism are there!

If, in the presence of all the Buddhas, Mara were to disrupt the Dharma and cause demons to become monks, what would be the situation of the Buddhas on Mount Sumeru?

Were they affected by this wave of chaos and disorder?

Furthermore, the kasaya that Zen Master Jin Chanzi sent... even this direct disciple of the Buddha could only use this method to transmit the message to him, a mere mortal.

Does that mean that the entire Lingshan Mountain is already beyond saving?
Even Shakyamuni Buddha has been subdued by Mara.
Inside and outside Mount Ling, countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are no longer trusted by the World Honored One.

In short, after the robe was unfurled, the problems of Mount Ling became increasingly bigger, more terrifying, and more unthinkable!

After that incident, Xuanzang never opened that robe again.

After that, Xuanzang became even more enthusiastic about all sorts of trivial matters.

He is also becoming increasingly active in discussing Buddhist teachings with the abbots of various temples.

Even the Monkey King himself didn't notice that, beneath this unassuming demeanor, the monk Xuanzang had already begun his quiet cultivation.

Moreover, what he cultivates is none other than the most skilled method among the many methods—the method of the human immortal, which is most adept at killing and warfare!

For Xuanzang, whether it was discussing the Dharma or dealing with these trivial matters along the way, it was all a form of spiritual practice!
All of these can enhance his strength and enable him to better practice Buddhist teachings!

"The Buddha enshrined in the Iron Fork Temple is the Buddha of Compassionate Light King." "He is a Buddha known in Buddhism for his compassion and strength."

"And the Iron Fork Temple is a place where the Buddha of Compassion and Light often manifests his divine power."

"If even the abbot of the Iron Fork Temple's understanding of Buddhism contradicts the morality of good and evil among sentient beings, then Mount Ling might really be in trouble," Master Xuanzang thought to himself.

Randomly, the monk Xuanzang looked at the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

“Great Sage, next, I will go to the Iron Fork Temple to discuss the Dharma.”

"The Iron-Clad Monk of the Iron Fork Temple is a renowned compassionate monk."

“The Iron Fork Temple is certainly safe and sound,” said the monk Xuanzang. “Great Sage, you may first go to Jambudvipa to attend the banquet of the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven.”

However, Master Xuanzang had already made up his mind to use this Iron Fork Temple to probe the current situation of Buddhism. He wanted to subtly reveal some information about Mara and see how the Iron-Clad Monk would react. But this was not something that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, an 'outsider,' should know. Therefore, before discussing the Dharma, he wanted to send the Great Sage Equaling Heaven away first.

"This..." The Great Sage Equal to Heaven looked at the monk Xuanzang, who showed no sign of quickening his pace, and then at the direction of the Southern Continent. He was caught in a dilemma and scratched his head in frustration.

After a long while, he wiped the back of his head, drawing out a bit of his essence blood, which seeped into the fine hairs, turning them all crimson.

“Master Xuanzang, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven is my elder brother. I must attend his banquet no matter what.”

"Take this hair. If you encounter any trouble, unfold this hair."

Xuanzang took the hair, placed it between the nine rings of his staff, watched the Great Sage Equaling Heaven leap away, and then lifted his foot and headed towards the Iron Fork Temple.

There were only a handful of monks in the Iron Fork Temple.

Apart from the presiding monk, the other four people included one orphan whom the monk had taken in, and three disciples who had converted to Buddhism.

However, compared to Buddhist disciples in other temples, the three disciples in the Iron Fork Temple who had committed sins and converted to Buddhism were indeed treated differently—Buddhist disciples in other places could freely travel around in their robes.

But in this Iron Fork Temple, the Buddhist disciples who had taken refuge in Buddhism were all wearing shackles and working in the temple.

"Upholding the Buddha's teachings requires restraining the restless mind." Seeing Xuanzang's surprised look, the iron-clad monk explained.

“These disciples, though they have taken refuge in Buddhism, are restless and their minds are unsettled. Therefore, this old monk specially made these shackles for them.”

"In this way, when the body is still, the spirit is at peace; when the spirit is at peace, one can control the restless mind."

"That's what the Iron-Clad Monk is saying."

"I see." Xuanzang nodded. "The Master's compassion is truly extraordinary."

Looking at these three 'monks' working in shackles—although this is somewhat contrary to Buddhist precepts.

Xuanzang inexplicably felt that the Iron-Clad Monk's method of "conversion" was the authentic method of conversion.

Those who have made mistakes and want to seek refuge in Buddhism should be guided by this method.

"Does Master Xuanzang also think this method is appropriate?" Seeing that Master Xuanzang's face showed no deep hatred, the Iron-Clad Monk was immediately in a good mood.

In the past, he also had considerable communication with monks from other places.

However, when this strange method was mentioned, monks from other places abhorred the conversion method of the Iron Fork Temple, believing that it was too heretical—if this method was used, how could so many believers voluntarily convert to Buddhism?

How can Buddhism grow stronger?

After several unpleasant encounters, the Iron-Clad Monk simply locked the mountain gate and stopped communicating with the other monks.

He didn't even attend the grand water and land festival in Chang'an.

"The Master truly deserves to be called the leader of Buddhism. His insight is indeed different from that of the ignorant monks in other places."

The Iron-Clad Monk said happily.

"In my humble opinion, the Venerable Monk's method of taking refuge is more appropriate than that of other temples, but it is not quite appropriate enough."

Xuanzang said that he had already made up his mind before coming here.

After arriving here, he naturally didn't mind revealing more of himself in front of the Iron-Clad Monk.

"I would like to hear the details," said the Iron-Clad Monk and Eleven.

"Between heaven and earth, there is karma and merit."

Master Xuanzang immediately sat down in front of the Buddha statue.

"Our Buddhist method of salvation is to make those burdened by karma perform good deeds to offset their karma and free them from the suffering caused by karma."

Xuanzang explained the essence of that strange method of salvation—in Buddhist theory, constantly being accompanied by a green lamp and an ancient Buddha, and chanting Amitabha Buddha's name, is considered to be performing meritorious deeds.

"Indeed." The iron-clad monk nodded.

“If Buddhist disciples stray from the Buddhist path in order to avoid the suffering of karma, then we should guide them toward goodness and to perform more good deeds.”

“While the actions of the great monks may help them calm their restless minds and settle their wandering thoughts, they do not benefit their meritorious deeds.”

“If this continues, karma will surely cloud the mind. Even if the mind is restrained, it will inevitably break free and run wild.”

"Therefore, in my humble opinion, the senior monk should urge them to perform more good deeds."

"Where is the merit?" The iron-clad monk seemed to have seen a true comrade and took two more steps forward.

“Building bridges and roads, curing the sick and saving lives, aren’t these all acts of merit?” Master Xuanzang recalled the trivial matters he had encountered along his journey.

"Just like the Iron Ridge Mountain below the Iron Fork Temple."

"The mountain roads are difficult to travel, with ravines crisscrossing the area, making it extremely inconvenient for the people to travel."

"If the great monk can urge these converts to Buddhism to open up mountains and build roads to benefit the people, wouldn't that be a meritorious deed that can eliminate their karma?"

"Excellent, excellent!" Upon hearing Master Xuanzang's words, the Iron-Clad Monk couldn't help but beam with joy.

Although Buddhism is now a mixed bag, there are still some wise people within it who have seen through the situation.

For many years, some people have argued that the saying "lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot" has some problems, and there is also dissatisfaction among those who convert to Buddhism to avoid disaster.

But given the prevailing trend, those who saw through the situation could not go against it. They could only think about how to guide and restrict those who had converted to Buddhism so that the reputation of Buddhism would not be ruined... or rather, how to salvage the somewhat bad reputation of Buddhism.

The Iron-Clad Monk's act of binding people with chains is a form of 'punishment'—although he has entered the Buddhist order and is no longer bound by worldly laws, he can still use this Buddhist method of 'punishment' to slightly reduce the sins of those people.

The problem is that even this kind of punishment caused a great uproar within Buddhism, leading to its rejection by many monks, who even scorned the Iron-Clad Monks as heretics.

The Iron-Clad Monk was at a loss for words in response—his actions ultimately lacked a basis in Buddhist teachings.

But now...

He looked at the Venerable Xuanzang before him and felt a surge of emotion.

"Truly worthy of being the leader of Buddhism!"

(End of this chapter)