Conferred God: Got cramped at the beginning

Chapter 1097 Problems with the New Buddhism
Xuanzang looked up at Zen Master Jinchi in front of him, his eyes filled with some doubt.

He already knew the problem.

He came to see Zen Master Jinchi to witness Zen Master Jinchi's Buddhist teachings and to draw inferences from them.

The problem is that what Zen Master Jinchi was referring to at this time was not Buddhism at all.

Rather, it is the 'application' or 'method' of Buddhist teachings.

That is a means, not the fundamental principle like Buddhism.

“Zen Master, this is not the Dharma.” Xuanzang looked at Zen Master Jinchi with a solemn expression.

"This is just a method."

“If this is not the Dharma, then what is the Dharma?” Zen Master Jinchi asked rhetorically.

How can Buddhism have so many restrictions?
The existence of Buddhism is for the purpose of liberating and educating sentient beings—this method is the method of liberating and educating sentient beings, so how can it not be Buddhism?

Listening to Zen Master Jinchi's words, Xuanzang couldn't help but fall silent.

After a long while, he finally shook his head.

Compared to others, Zen Master Jinchi had his own unique understanding of 'Buddhism'. Similarly, based on his own Buddhist teachings, he also had a complete logic for understanding the universe.

Although his Buddhist teachings differed from Xuanzang's.

However, Xuanzang also had to admit that Zen Master Jinchi's Buddhism was indeed a form of Buddhism.

But that is not the correct Buddhist teaching.

That's too materialistic!
That's too extreme!
It was as if everything he sought was for the purpose of saving people and for the propagation of the Dharma.

If one cannot save people, if one cannot spread the Dharma, then everything is meaningless.

In particular, Zen Master Jinchi never considered the issue of succession.

Even if this Buddhism is still the true Buddhism in the hands of Zen Master Jinchi, it is the Buddhism of compassion, and what about after it is passed down?
Will it change?
Will it be misinterpreted?
Definitely!

"The law becomes clear only through debate... That's wrong!"

Suddenly, Xuanzang gained a completely new understanding of Buddhism and Taoism.

When people mention the Tao or the Dharma, they always say, "Without debate, there is no clarity," as if the Tao and the Dharma are something mysterious and difficult to understand.

But in reality, why should the Tao and the Law need to be like this?

Shouldn't the right and wrong, the good and bad, the clarity and ambiguity between Tao and Law be clearly seen at a glance?
Why bother arguing about it?

If a law can only be understood through debate, and a principle can only be known through debate, then that law or principle must be problematic.

The reason is also very simple.

The same path, the same method.

If you win the argument today, then this decision shall prevail.

What if you lose the debate tomorrow?

Will the interpretation of Tao and Dharma change again?

So what about the people and all living beings who have been taught by this doctrine and method?
How can something that involves 'right and wrong,' 'should and shouldn't,' 'can and cannot,' 'permissible and impossible' be easily changed by different perceptions?

Xuanzang lowered his gaze.

In that instant, he remembered someone.

The Great Dragon God who upholds Heaven and righteousness high above.

The Monkey King is a very 'noisy' demon god.

He always had a good mood and an extremely strong curiosity about all things, changes, and creatures in the world.

Similarly, he also enjoys communicating with others.

Along the way westward, the Monkey King hardly had a moment of peace.

Through those repeated conversations, Xuanzang learned many secrets about the world.

Through the narration of the Monkey King, Xuanzang also "met" countless powerful figures in the world.

Among the many powerful beings in the world, there are always some who can be called legends even among the powerful.

For example, the Great Dragon God who upholds Heaven and righteousness.

—The Monkey King was actually not very willing to mention this great dragon god.

But in the vast universe, this great dragon god has touched far too many things.

No matter what the Monkey King talks about, it inevitably veers towards the Great Dragon God who upholds Heaven and righteousness.

Therefore, although Xuanzang has never met the Great Dragon God who upholds justice and righteousness, he has a considerable understanding of this majestic deity.

The most prominent label attached to this deity is the rule of heaven!
In Xuanzang's understanding, the existence of the Heavenly Rules was not initially a 'rule' but a 'tool'.

At that time, the Heavenly Court governed the world and the immortals and gods with Heavenly Rules.

But at that time, the existence of the Heavenly Rules was 'secret'.

The creatures between heaven and earth know of the existence of the Heavenly Rules, but they are not clear about the details of the Heavenly Rules.

Even less clear is the scale of the Heavenly Rules.

At that time, the existence of the Heavenly Rules was more like something that maintained the majesty of the Great Heavenly Venerable and the Heavenly Court within the Heavenly Court.

Until this great dragon god who upheld the heavens and righteousness touched the authority of the heavenly rules, and then used it to forge the Execution Platform.

Immediately afterwards, this great dragon god inscribed the part of the Heavenly Law concerning the 'Law of Death' directly onto the Execution Platform.

The complete contents of the Heavenly Rules were then inscribed on the stele in front of the Heavenly Gate.

Therefore, the gods and immortals who came and went all knew the contents of the Heavenly Rules and the limits of the Heavenly Rules.

After that, the existence of the Heavenly Rules truly became a set of rules for governing the world.

Countless immortals and gods throughout the world follow this path.

Furthermore, beneath the Heavenly Stele, before the Temple of the God of Justice, and before the Hall of Punishment, there are also deities of the judicial system seated there.

If anyone has questions about the rules of heaven, they can directly ask these deities.

Of course, due to the special nature of the Hall of Punishment, the vast majority of immortals and gods do not go there.

"Buddhist teachings should be as clear and direct as the laws of heaven," Xuanzang thought to himself.

"No, not only that—it needs to be clear and direct, but also simple and straightforward."

"It is meant so that people can understand the true meaning of Buddhism at a glance."

"Know what is right, what is wrong, what is good, and what is evil."

The warning he received from Zen Master Jinchi led Xuanzang to directly align the existence of Buddhism with the laws of heaven.

Then, at the level of the Heavenly Rules, press down further.

After all, the Heavenly Rules are aimed at countless immortals and gods—regardless of their intelligence, those immortals and gods are at least literate and can understand the contents of the Heavenly Rules.

But how many mortals on earth are illiterate?

If his Buddhist teachings truly align with the laws of heaven, extending into countless elaborate rituals and procedures, how could ordinary mortals possibly understand them?
In that case, wouldn't Buddhism still be distorted and twisted by those people?
It's always the same; things may be clear and lucid at first, but after one or two generations, they become murky again.
Thinking about these things, Xuanzang examined the Buddhist teachings he had compiled and immediately discovered the problems within them.

The Buddhist teachings he outlined are certainly correct.

However, it's too complicated! And too complex!
If a monk like him dedicates himself to studying scriptures until his hair turns white, he will naturally be able to comprehend the true meaning of Buddhism.

But ordinary people, where do they find so much time to immerse themselves in Buddhism?
“It has to be changed!”

Once this thought arose, Xuanzang already had the intention to leave.

After all, he was not far from the Kingdom of Fengqi. In the Kingdom of Fengqi, his new Buddhist teachings would be manifested in the 'human world' for the first time, and would be tested in the 'human world'.

At this point, he discovered the flaws in his new Buddhist teachings, the huge weaknesses, and naturally he had to do everything in his power to eliminate these weaknesses and fill in the gaps.

However, while it's easy to enter Guanyin Temple, it's not so easy to leave.

"Judging from your words, Master, do you think this old monk of mine has strayed from the orthodox path?"

Zen Master Jinchi lowered his gaze, his expression turning somewhat grim.

He could understand that Xuanzang did not understand his own Buddhist teachings—but he could not accept that Xuanzang believed his own Buddhist teachings were wrong.

After all, he wanted to use Buddhism to enlighten all beings!

If someone questions the validity of his Buddhist teachings and he is unable to explain them, wouldn't that hinder his ability to teach and guide sentient beings?
Why would sentient beings be willing to listen to this erroneous Buddhist teaching?
Upon hearing this, Master Xuanzang shook his head.

Master Jinchi's Buddhist teachings are flawed—they are too utilitarian and too hasty.

But this is not a problem of Buddhism, nor is it a problem of Zen Master Jinchi.

That's why Xuanzang gave up on trying to persuade Zen Master Jinchi.

Because no matter what, Master Jinchi himself is practicing his Buddhist teachings, using them to teach sentient beings, and using them to save sentient beings from their difficulties.

For Xuanzang, this kind of Buddhism, no matter how impatient or utilitarian, was absolutely 'correct' and difficult to refute.

The real problem with Buddhism is:
This is the Buddhist teaching of Zen Master Jinchi alone.

This is a Buddhist teaching that only Zen Master Jinchi himself could comprehend and practice.

In the generation of Zen Master Jinchi, this Buddhism was the true Buddhism, which used gold and jade as its outward appearance and teachings as its essence.

But by the time of Zen Master Jinchi's next generation, or the generation after that, Buddhism would visibly transform into a false doctrine that pursued wealth and luxury.

Xuanzang glanced at Zen Master Jinchi.

Then I took a look at the situation of the Guanyin Temple.

—Clearly, Zen Master Jinchi himself was aware of this problem.

The fact that, apart from Zen Master Jinchi, there were only novices who were actually demons in disguise in this Guanyin Temple, but no monks who truly inherited the Dharma, is clear evidence of this.

Once Xuanzang confirmed that Zen Master Jinchi himself was aware of this point and the problem, he spoke frankly about it.

"The Zen master's Buddhist teachings are indeed profound."

"However, a hundred years after the Zen master, to whom should this Dharma be passed on?"

Xuanzang sighed.

Upon hearing Xuanzang's words, Zen Master Jinchi's eyes lit up immediately.

In the Zen temple, the novice monks who had been transformed from novice monks all looked at each other with immense joy in their eyes.

"Good good."

"The Master is indeed a great monk; he can see the profound and difficult nature of my Buddhist teachings at a glance."

Zen Master Jinchi looked at Xuanzang as if he had met a kindred spirit, and began to recount his experiences over the years.

Over the years, he has actually tried many times to recruit some disciples in order to pass on his Buddhist teachings.

Unfortunately, all those who came seeking the Dharma were foolish and stubborn, beyond redemption, and utterly incapable of understanding the true essence of his Buddhist teachings.

But now, Xuanzang not only knows the true meaning of his Buddhist teachings, but also understands their profoundness.

Isn't this the best way to inherit his Golden Pool Buddhist teachings?

"I heard that the Dharma Master is going to Mount Ling to obtain the true scriptures and save all sentient beings."

"Master, how far away is Mount Ling?"

"How about the Dharma Master stay in my monastery, discuss the Dharma with me, and teach sentient beings?"

Zen Master Jinchi extended an extremely warm invitation.

"Zen Master." Xuanzang also declined Zen Master Jinchi's invitation, giving Zen Master Jinchi no room for speculation.

"The foundation of Buddhism lies in the Great Thunder Temple."

"In comparison, the Great Thunder Temple is the root, while our Buddhist teachings are merely branches and leaves."

“Now, the situation in the Great Thunder Temple is unpredictable, to the point that the foundation of Buddhism is obscured and its branches and leaves are difficult to fathom.”

"If the foundation collapses, then even branches like you and me will rot and wither."

"This humble monk is going to the Great Thunderclap Temple to formally set things right!"

Xuanzang explained his purpose.

Compared to his grand aspirations, the Buddhist teachings of Zen Master Jinchi were merely minor details.

Moreover, Xuanzang was originally somewhat resistant to this kind of Buddhism that was difficult to pass on.

However, upon hearing Xuanzang's words of refusal, Zen Master Jinchi's expression turned gloomy once again.

In an instant, the novice monks in the Zen temple also became murderous.

"Master, all living beings in the world are living beings."

“Aren’t the beings in my Zen monastery also beings?” Zen Master Jinchi asked.

"Does the Master see all living beings in the world as having different levels of size and status?"

When it comes to saving sentient beings, is there any need to consider who should go first or last?

There was a hint of sarcasm in Zen Master Jinchi's words.

The novice monks, who were actually demon gods, also sprang into action, sealing off various parts of the monastery.

It looked as if they wanted to forcibly keep Xuanzang in the Zen temple.

Sensing the aura emanating from those demon gods, the Monkey King couldn't help but brandish his Ruyi Jingu Bang, grinning to reveal his sharp teeth, and hissing in a low voice, making a threatening gesture.

—It's better if those demon gods don't move.

But as soon as they moved, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven immediately and clearly sensed the strange threat emanating from them.

"There's something wrong with this Guanyin Temple!"

"There's a big problem!" The Monkey King's heart pounded violently.

After he achieved indestructibility.

Especially after that blow in Liangzhou, after he took another step forward, there were even fewer things in the world that he could sense as dangerous.

That's why he had such goodwill towards everything, and why he dared to try anything...

But who would have thought that in this small Guanyin Temple, the very few powerful individuals who could give him a sense of danger would suddenly appear in large numbers?

Those novice monks who were actually demon gods... he glanced over them.

Almost everyone made him feel a little threatened.

This is too outrageous.

"It was indeed an unprecedented massacre."

"This is quite a spectacle..."

"So funny!"

The Monkey King almost let out a shrill scream.

(End of this chapter)