Conferred God: Got cramped at the beginning

Chapter 1088 Great Thunderclap Temple, All Buddhas Move Together

That's one version of the story about traveling west.

The most crucial step for Taiyi to achieve Daluo is to obtain the Dao Fruit.

There are different methods to obtain the fruits of the Tao.

He passed down his own "Tao," so that his Tao would be recognized by Heaven and Earth and by all living beings.

This is one approach.

Between heaven and earth, a ritual, a ceremony, is arranged.

That's one way.

Compared to other methods, this method of obtaining the fruits of the Tao through rituals has a small hidden danger.

Even the rituals themselves can be usurped.

If your ritual is usurped, then you and your ritual will become nourishment for another to reap the Dao fruit and ascend to the Great Luo.

And this hidden rumor is that:

The journey of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang to the west to obtain Buddhist scriptures was a ritual.

Moreover, this is an extremely powerful ritual—a ritual that connects Buddhism and humanity simultaneously.

Xuanzang himself was part of this ritual.

This massacre was also one of the entanglements of this ritual.

In the midst of the carnage, all the turmoil is part of this ritual.

If someone could refute Xuanzang during his journey to the West, causing him to turn back, or even eat him...

It can then replace its position in this ritual and seize the Dao fruit nurtured by this ritual.

Where this rumor came from, no one in the world knows.

But when it swept across the entire world like a gust of wind, almost all those who had reached the pinnacle of Taiyi in the world vaguely sensed that the immense ritual that covered the entire Southern Continent and connected the Central Region and the Western Continent.

In a vague sense, all the Taiyi, whether human, demon, immortal, or god, instantly believed the sudden rumor.

Even the Buddhas in the Great Thunder Temple in Xiniu Hezhou have unwavering faith in this teaching!
Therefore, at this moment, in the eyes of every Buddha in the Great Thunderclap Temple, a raging fire of anger burned.

"who!"

"Who is it?"

"Who exactly leaked our Buddhist secrets?" Inside the Great Thunderclap Temple, the Buddhas looked at each other with suspicion.

When this rumor started.

While the other gods and immortals in the world were still trying to determine whether the rumor was true or false.

The Buddhas of Buddhism have already confirmed the truth of this rumor.

—After all, this is a ritual that covers Jambudvipa, connects the human realm in the Central Region with Aparagodaniya in the West, and links humanity and Buddhism together.

It also symbolizes the humanitarian acceptance of Buddhism and the rituals that signify the flourishing of Buddhism!
Such a ritual is almost guaranteed to produce a Great Luo Dao Fruit—in fact, it can produce more than one Great Luo Dao Fruit.

The strength of that Great Luo Dao Fruit far surpasses that of others!
After confirming the truth of this claim, the Buddhist monks began to deduce who had spread the secrets of Buddhism throughout the world.

You should know that before these rumors spread, even the Buddhas of Buddhism had never imagined that this journey to obtain the scriptures would be such a grand ritual.

I never imagined that Xuanzang, who went on his pilgrimage to the West, could actually attain enlightenment and become a Great Luo Immortal... or even a great supernatural being.

The thought of Xuanzang's claim of "Mara's corrupting influence on Buddhism," and his proposed reforms of Buddhism...

Finally, this is combined with a ritual that encompasses both humanity and Buddhism.

Within the Buddhist community, countless Buddhas tremble with fear at this thought.

A great vow made by an ordinary person to reform Buddhism.

This is a great vow made by a powerful figure who is on the path to becoming a Great Luo, to reform Buddhism.

These two things mean completely different things.

That affects something entirely different.

In addition, there is another point, which is the source of this rumor.

When the rumor first spread, all the Buddhas were absolutely certain that the source of the rumor must be their Buddhist sect.

Before this rumor spread, even the Buddhas themselves had not noticed the rituals involved in the pilgrimage—let alone others.

This touches upon the fundamental rituals of their Buddhist community. Apart from their own Buddhist community, who else could comprehend the profound mystery within it?
Moreover, after confirming the truth of the rumor, more than one Buddha in the Great Thunderclap Temple, who was skilled in divination, made calculations about the rumor.

Without exception, all the Buddhas who were skilled in divination pointed to Buddhism in their calculations.

Even the results they calculated together all pointed to Buddhism!
The ritual for this westward journey was revealed by a certain figure within the Buddhist community.

It's even possible that it's one of the Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Temple!
The calculations that could be made by all the Buddhas, or even by everyone working together, could only reach the Buddhist realm, and not the level of any specific individual...

In an instant, countless Buddhas turned their gaze upon Shakyamuni.

At the beginning, Shakyamuni's smile as he held up a flower turned into a bitter smile.

He knew very well that the Buddhas before him were doubting none other than himself.

After all, there are not many people in the entire Buddhist community who can avoid the calculations of those Buddhas, and even if those Buddhas work together to calculate, they still cannot figure anything out.

only……

"Amitabha, good, good, good."

“This matter was not done by this Buddha.” Shakyamuni calmly faced the Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Temple.

As he spoke, a wisp of his breath fell away.

Within the Great Thunderclap Temple, all the Buddhas joined forces to crush Shakyamuni's aura.

Then, under the cover of the Buddhas, several Buddhas who were skilled in divination also used this method to make divinations.

With this clear aura as a guide, the calculations made in this joint effort were exceptionally fast.

In just a short while, those Buddhas who were skilled in divination had all obtained the results of their calculations.

The rumors pointed to something that did not align with the aura emanating from Shakyamuni—the two were clearly distinct.

This means that the source of the rumor was not only unrelated to Shakyamuni, but Shakyamuni also had no knowledge of the details surrounding the rumor. As much as the Buddhas knew about the rumor, Shakyamuni knew as much as they knew, without exception.

After Shakyamuni, Dipankara Buddha and the future Venerable One also manifested in this Great Thunderclap Temple, revealing their auras, which allowed the Buddhas of this sword to calculate.

Nothing was gained.

In other words, these three giants of Buddhism, who respectively govern the past, present, and future, are all unrelated to this matter.

Upon seeing the calculated results, Dipankara Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha all raised their eyebrows slightly.

"It really isn't you?" The three Buddhist patriarchs exchanged messages, each one filled with astonishment.

Just as the Buddhas suspected that the source of this rumor was related to the three supreme masters of Buddhism—these three supreme masters of Buddhism also suspected that the rumor, and even the ritual, was fabricated by one of them.

After all, only these three people in the entire Buddhist community were able to quietly draw upon the essence and foundation of Buddhism to create such a massive ritual.

Therefore, they all made a slight disturbance within the Great Thunderclap Temple, lest they act too hastily and leave any traces that could be discovered by the other Buddhas.

Similarly, having these Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Temple implies that the situation was instigated by these three supreme Buddhist figures, and that these three supreme figures cooperate with everyone's investigation. This is also the will of these three supreme figures—in this way, even if it really is one of them, the remaining two can still find a way out.

But who would have thought... that they weren't the ones who caused this mess?
But apart from them, who else in the world could cause such a change within Buddhism?

saint?

impossible!
Now, all the powerful figures from the four corners of the world are watching Pan Tian's actions.

At this point, a Buddhist saint would absolutely not risk the wrath of the world by personally taking charge of the scheme.

That's far too dangerous.

That would be far too much of a loss.

Even if it were just to cut away the rotten flesh of Buddhism, it would be completely unnecessary to do so.

It wasn't a saint, nor any of the three of them, so who else could it be?
A slight stirring occurred to Shakyamuni's mind.

He then brushed the movement away.

Immediately afterwards, his gaze fell upon the Great Thunderclap Temple, and upon the face of each Buddha.

The same applies to the Dipankara Buddha and Maitreya Buddha standing nearby.

Under the gaze of these three supreme beings, the Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Temple all stepped down from their lotus platforms and apologized to the three supreme beings.

Nowadays, Buddhist sects talk about the equality of all beings—but in reality, it is all beings outside of Buddhism who are equal and subordinate to them.

Within Buddhism, the hierarchy and rank of one's profession are extremely strict.

Even among Buddhas, there are differences between great Buddhas with long and extensive Dharma lineages and small Buddhas with thin and weak Dharma lineages.

—There are such differences between Buddhas.

Then the difference between Buddha and Buddha Patriarch is naturally even greater!

From the perspective of Buddhism, for these Buddhas to collectively doubt the three supreme deities of Buddhism at the Great Thunderclap Temple is an utter act of 'great disrespect'.

If they can really deduce that the rumors are related to these three supreme figures in Buddhism, then so be it.

Ironically, their calculations proved the innocence of these three supreme beings.

Then there's much to say about this highly disrespectful act.

At this moment, it was entirely reasonable for the three supreme beings of Buddhism to join forces to expel these Buddhas from the Great Thunderclap Temple, demote them to Jambudvipa to undergo tribulations, and then withhold a portion of their Dao fruits. With the power of the entire Buddhist sect, it was entirely reasonable to knock these Buddhas down half a step from the rank of Daluo.

However, after careful consideration, Shakyamuni ultimately abandoned this extremely tempting idea.

—Since the decision has been made to cut away the rotten flesh of Buddhism.

Since Xuanzang had already embarked on the ritual of 'attaining enlightenment' and was heading towards the Great Thunderclap Temple.

So these Buddhas naturally needed to stay in the Great Thunderclap Temple and wait for the arrival of that reform.

Thus, the flames of reform swept through Buddhism, turning all the Buddhas who should not have stood on lotus thrones into dust in the flames...

Only in this way can this reform be thorough enough, and only in this way can Buddhism completely break free from the influence of Brahmanism.

By banishing these Buddhas to Jambudvipa and demoting them by half a step... it seems like a punishment, but in reality, it is a form of protection.

Shakyamuni would not do such a thing!

And so, at that very moment, the voice of Dipankara Buddha resounded throughout the Great Thunderclap Temple.

As these Buddhas, who had fallen from their lotus thrones, anxiously awaited Shakyamuni's judgment and punishment for their great disrespect, the voice of Dipankara Buddha, like a lamp lit in the long night, dispelled all their confusion and unease.

"Amitabha, good, good, good."

“World Honored One, this time, the Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Temple are uneasy and have been swayed by rumors.”

"Although this action is highly disrespectful, all the Buddhas are acting for the future of Buddhism, so it is understandable."

"I hope that Master can forgive all Buddhas and punish them leniently."

"This is what Dipankara Buddha said."

"Excellent, excellent." As Dipankara Buddha spoke, a compassionate expression also appeared on Shakyamuni's face.

“The ancient Buddha was overthinking it.” Shakyamuni sat upright on the lotus platform, and with a gentle wave of his hand, he helped the Buddhas who had fallen off the lotus platform back onto it.

"All Buddhas act for the greater good of Buddhism, even at their own expense. I am overjoyed, so how could I possibly punish them?"

"May all Buddhas return to their lotus thrones."

"The matter of Buddhist rituals still needs to be discussed in detail by all the Buddhas."

In this bloodbath, the presence of Buddhism was already exceptionally conspicuous.

Among the Buddhas in this Great Thunderclap Temple, who knows how many people harbor ulterior motives?

There are countless Bodhisattvas and Arhats outside the Great Thunderclap Temple who have connections with people from beyond the realm, and some may even be incarnations of powerful figures from beyond the realm.

—Buddhism never asks about a person's background when accepting a disciple. In addition, as a great religion of saints, Buddhism has the mysterious power to 'obscure heavenly secrets and hinder divination.' Therefore, not only those immortals and gods who have committed crimes, but also the incarnations of powerful beings from other realms, all like to step into Buddhism and use its existence to conceal themselves.

In Shakyamuni's view, although the chessboard of this calamity is in Jambudvipa, transforming into a demon is the most suitable identity to play a move in this calamity.

In reality, during this calamity, the number of powerful beings from outside the realm who chose to side with Buddhism was no less than that of those who side with the demon race.

Given the already unrest and instability within Buddhism, the story of the Western Journey ritual spread throughout the world in an instant.

At this moment, the most eye-catching thing in the world was no longer the demon race, but the Buddhist sect!
(End of this chapter)