Greece brings evildoers.

Chapter 685 Buddha, I won again! (5.6k votes requested)

The two sat facing each other under the Bodhi tree.

Lorne asked the first question:

"In your opinion, why do all living beings suffer?"

"The suffering of sentient beings is mostly due to their failure to observe the precepts and their indulgence in desires. When sentient beings have pure minds, the land is pure; when sentient beings have impure minds, the land is impure. Therefore, we must guard our original mind, eliminate the five poisons, and observe the eight precepts."

Gautama clasped his hands together and began to speak eloquently:

"Abstain from killing, have compassion for all living beings, and even ants can find peace."
If you refrain from greed and contemplate giving, poverty and wealth can be harmonized.
If one abstains from lustful thoughts and cultivates celibacy, evil desires will not invade the body.
Refrain from false speech; if your words are not deceitful, then deception will not be rampant.

Abstain from alcohol, clear your mind, and all your actions will be righteous;
Abstain from excessive pleasure, discard the dross and retain the truth, and all beings will attain their desires.

The above is a summary of the methods for saving the world, derived from observing the people's conditions and pondering day and night; it is collectively known as "Bajie" (Eight Precepts).

If all beings are willing to diligently abide by these principles, they can dispel the five poisons of greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and doubt, and ensure that the world remains forever bright.

However, Lorne shook his head and scoffed:
"Nonsense! Without killing, hatred will never end."

If one cannot accumulate wealth, what difference does it make whether one is strong or weak?

Abstaining from sexual misconduct is a sin for all sentient beings.

Do not speak falsehoods, for they are mere illusions, bubbles, and emptiness.

I am not greedy for wine, but I am worried about the unpredictable rise and fall of the tides.

Do not indulge in pleasure, for youth is fleeting.

If one does not indulge in sleep, one will suffer endlessly without finding liberation.

Without indulging in desires, all actions become devoid of vitality!

These are completely different views, and could even be described as diametrically opposed.

Throughout history and across the world, hatred has always culminated in war and slaughter. Forbearance and forgiveness only become insurmountable knots in the heart, an unyielding resentment that never ends. Only by killing the enemy can hatred be put to rest; only by killing them all, until they are terrified, can war be ended.

If I am strong and you are weak, I will naturally take from you. As a superior person, isn't it only by stepping on those inferior people that I can demonstrate my strength and make my hard work to become strong worthwhile? If everyone is equal, why should I strive to climb up?
If love between men and women is not for pleasure, then all romances in the world are false and karmic debts, and how can offspring and bloodlines continue?
If I don't boast about myself, it's like returning home in wealth and honor, or wearing fine clothes at night—how can that show my nobility?

Pain and worry, how can you sleep at night without a drink to calm your nerves? How can you get rid of stress? How can you dispel worries? What can relieve your worries? Only a hearty drink!
Why not take advantage of your youth and strength to have fun? Are you going to wait until you're old, sick, and disabled to enjoy yourself? Will you still be able to play then? Will you still have the interest to play? Will you still have the energy to play?

Despite working hard and staying up late every day, one cannot escape aging and death. The mental and physical torment is endless. When will this suffering be relieved?
If you don't indulge your desires and enjoy your hobbies, and you're so strict with yourself every day, what's the meaning or fun in this life?
Gautama frowned and asked in return:
"Then, Master, how do you think we should govern the world and quell the chaos?"

"Stop war with war, stop killing with killing! Those who submit to me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish! Sweep away all injustice, and let the capable establish this eternal rule!"

Lorne answered with an air of dominance, exuding an unspoken authority that made Pandora and Boros dare not look him in the eye.

Gautama, however, remained upright and calm, like a swaying tree in a storm.

He picked up a flower and retorted in the same tone and with the same sentence structure:

"Bullshit! What does it mean to be 'capable'? It's nothing more than the winner takes all. It's precisely because there are too many people with your kind of thinking that the world is so corrupt. One person's greed influences ten or a hundred; a hundred people's evil thoughts spread to thousands or tens of thousands."

Using killing to stop killing only perpetuates hatred, which will never end.
Those who oppress those below them and greedily amass wealth are the beginning of injustice.

The collective karma of all beings has caused the imbalance of the order of heaven and earth, resulting in an abundance of evil deeds and turning the world into a sea of ​​suffering.

Therefore, we should strive to see our true nature and understand our own minds, achieving self-realization and self-awareness. Then, from one to a hundred, from a thousand to ten thousand, until all sentient beings can lay down their weapons, the sea of ​​suffering in this world will become a blissful paradise!

Lorne remained unmoved and sneered:
"Even if you can convince yourself, convince me, and convince everyone in the world with this, can you convince the powerful gods in the heavens?"

"And what about you? Even if you can kill thousands or tens of thousands of people and sweep away the injustices of all nations, can you still stand against all these gods in the sky?"

“What if I could?” Lorne retorted proudly.

"That's just a change of master for the slave."

The two looked at each other, their gazes meeting in the air as if sparking invisible flames.

To put it bluntly, these are two completely different philosophies.

One advocates governing the world with authoritarianism, while the other advocates influencing people with benevolence.

These two viewpoints are also reflected in the doctrines of their respective sects.

The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament states: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot."

The Buddhist scriptures say that the Buddha's compassionate heart covers all sentient beings, and he always seeks compassion for sentient beings to deliver them from all suffering.

But after gazing at each other for a long time, they seemed to understand each other, and simultaneously burst into laughter, uttering a single word:

"fart!"

Because neither of these is a perfect solution.

The Canaanites were vengeful and followed the principle of retribution, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and even claimed to dare to "fight against God." But what was the result?
Having wandered for a thousand years, they have found no place to settle down and still live a life where the world is their enemy.

Similarly, Indian monks advocate for tolerance and compromise, rejecting violence, but what was the result?

Brahmanism, which had been suppressed for a thousand years, rose again and expelled the monks almost without bloodshed. Even Nalanda Monastery, which the monks regarded as a holy place, was burned down by the foreign invaders who came to India.

Now, Gautama cannot even resolve the crisis of the Shakya clan, so how can he persuade the masses to lay down their butcher's knives?

Therefore, any extreme path is destined to fail.

Gautama clasped his hands together, seemingly enlightened:

"I understand what the master means: to show compassion, one must also use ruthless methods!"

"That's right, the way of the benevolent is the backbone, and the way of the tyrant is the edge. If we want the world to be well-governed, we must first use the way of the tyrant to eliminate injustice, and then follow the way of the benevolent to govern the world and bring peace to the people!"

Lorne smiled and nodded, giving his true opinion.

This viewpoint is also reflected in the changes throughout the Bible.

The Old Testament's "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" principle, which demanded reciprocal revenge, did not improve the Canaanites' situation. However, the New Testament's Gospel of Matthew states, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek also." This emphasizes tolerance and compromise, urging believers not to easily make enemies, which ironically led to the flourishing of Christianity.

Of course, in addition to holding a Bible in one hand, those missionaries often held a sword in the other.

The combination of these two factors made Christ the true King of Kings.

At this moment, Lorne no longer concealed his feelings and stood up, saying:

"I can be the Overlord, and I will conquer new territories with my sword!"

Although he had a premonition, Gautama was still taken aback:
"Does Your Excellency truly intend to challenge the gods?"

The greatest power in this world is the divine beings who are endowed with authority. At the same time, they are also the source of the greatest injustice and most conflicts and chaos.

The caste system in ancient India, which viewed people as cattle and slaves and divided them into four classes, originated from the instructions of the gods in heaven.

Only by eliminating these powerful figures, both large and small, can the conditions be ripe for implementing the "Kingly Way".

“Why not?” Lorne smiled faintly and pondered, “If a god is killed, he will also die!”

“You are the same,” Gautama reminded him.

Lorne laughed nonchalantly, "Then let's see whose sword is sharper."

Then, he paused, revealing his true intentions:

"But to educate all people and save all living beings, only a king can do it."

"It's just changing the master of slaves. How are you any different from them? What's the point of all this?"

Gautama listened with some disinterest.

"No! In my opinion, this world needs neither masters nor slaves! Gods belong to the gods, and humans belong to humans."

Lorne shook his head and solemnly said:

"Therefore, God's wars are resolved by God, and man's future is decided by man!"

This is an idea, and also a promise.

Upon hearing this, Gautama's expression instantly changed.

Since God has made the choice, then humanity should also have its own awareness.

If the human world is a sea of ​​suffering, then I will practice this Mahayana Dharma to ferry all beings to the other shore.

After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind, knelt down under the Bodhi tree, and clasped his hands together in prayer:
"If I attain unsurpassed Bodhi and become a fully enlightened being, the land I reside in will be endowed with immeasurable and inconceivable merits and virtues, and there will be no hells, hungry ghosts, birds, beasts, or even the smallest insects."

May all sentient beings, including those in the realm of Yama and the three evil realms, be reborn in my Pure Land, receive my Dharma teachings, and attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. May they never again fall into the evil realms. If this vow is fulfilled, I will become a Buddha. If this vow is not fulfilled, I will not attain unsurpassed enlightenment.

The solemn and dignified chanting of Buddhist scriptures, the convergence of boundless starlight, and the golden halo as radiant as a lotus flower condensed behind Gautama's head.

Lorne sensed the rising sacred aura and couldn't help but think of some extremely absurd spiritual practices in Indian mythology: asceticism and grand vows.

Anyone who undergoes decades of arduous practice can command (not beg) a high-ranking deity to bestow blessings—essentially making a wish—and the deity cannot even refuse. Even more absurdly, the power bestowed by a deity can exceed the deity's own power. For example, if an ascetic requests invincibility from a deity, that person truly becomes invincible, and even the deity cannot defeat him.

Of course, this strategy only applies within the Hindu pantheon. Therefore, the solution is often for Shiva to dance and restart the Hindu pantheon, or for the gods to use various clever methods to break the curse.

At this moment, beneath the Bodhi tree, Gautama, his hands forming a lotus-shaped mudra, chanted with ever-increasing fervor:
"When I attain Buddhahood, may all sentient beings in the ten directions be born in my Pure Land, and may they all possess bodies of pure purple-gold, handsome and clean, and be of the same kind. If there are differences in appearance, some beautiful and some ugly, I will not attain perfect enlightenment."

When I attain Buddhahood, all sentient beings born in my land will be able to see and hear clearly their past lives, their good and evil deeds, accumulated over countless eons. They will know all the past, present, and future events in the ten directions. If this wish is not fulfilled, I will not attain perfect enlightenment.

When I attain Buddhahood, all sentient beings born in my land will attain the ability to know the minds of others. If any sentient being cannot fully understand the thoughts of sentient beings in hundreds of thousands of Buddha-lands, I will not attain perfect enlightenment.

When I attain Buddhahood, all sentient beings born in my land will attain supernatural powers and perfect perfections. In a single thought, they cannot traverse countless Buddha-lands, visiting and making offerings to all Buddhas. If I do not attain perfect enlightenment, I will not achieve Buddhahood.

When I attain Buddhahood, all sentient beings born in my land will be free from discrimination, their senses tranquil. If they do not decisively attain perfect enlightenment and realize Great Nirvana, I will not attain perfect enlightenment.

When I attain Buddhahood, my light will be immeasurable, illuminating the ten directions, surpassing all other Buddhas, and exceeding the brightness of the sun and moon by countless billions of times.

When I became a Buddha…

Buddha means enlightenment.

As a prince born early in life, Gautama was able to see his true nature and understand his own mind from a young age. He began his spiritual practice early on and had already accumulated enough power to ask the gods for blessings.

However, he did not directly appeal to the gods, nor did he fight for anything for himself. Instead, he used himself as a medium to ask heaven and earth for a path of salvation for all living beings.

The gods wage war, and all living beings suffer. I shall use my body as a boat to ferry all beings to the other shore.

Under the Bodhi tree, enlightened beings recited forty-eight grand vows, fully expressing their compassion and care for all things in this world.

Gradually, flowers rained down from the sky, golden lotuses sprang from the ground, and strange phenomena appeared all around him. Countless golden Sanskrit characters floated and shimmered around him.

Upon seeing this, Lorne quickly set up a barrier to conceal the changes in the surroundings and prevent the Hindu gods from noticing the situation.

As the last wisp of chanting faded, he looked solemnly at the figure beneath the Bodhi tree:

"Everything comes at a price. You make such a grand vow, seeking neither God nor others, but only yourself. Do you know the consequences of doing so?"

"To relieve the suffering of all living beings, I would not hesitate to die ten thousand times."

Gautama slowly opened his eyes, and smiled as he held up a flower.

Those deep eyes seemed half-open, half-closed, filled with compassion and determination. The black hair tied behind his head was bound into fleshy buns by some force, reflecting the golden halo behind his head and bringing an indescribable peace.

Lorne gave this enlightened person a deep look, his gaze complex.

Legend has it that after Buddha Shakyamuni entered Nirvana, he transformed into several pieces of Buddha bone and 84000 pearl-shaped relics of his true body; it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was reduced to dust.

These relics were enshrined in stupas by monks from various regions, who chanted scriptures day and night, thus believing they possessed the miraculous power to cleanse the mind and body and ward off evil. This swept away the unhealthy practices that had plagued India before, bringing a thousand years of peace and stability to the country, a period known as the "Age of True Dharma."

Perhaps this is the answer he wanted, and also the consequence he himself sowed.

Lorne sighed and said no more.

Under the Bodhi tree, the enlightened one still sits cross-legged with head bowed, continuing to contemplate the path he must take.

If I remember correctly, this period of enlightenment will take seven days and seven nights to complete.

After a moment's thought, Lorne looked at Boros beside him and said:
"After Gautama awakens, you will stay here, resume your original name, and help him spread Buddhism. You don't need to go back to Rome. I will explain things to Alexander."

Upon hearing this, Boros turned pale and knelt down in fear and trepidation.
"Sir, what wrong have I done?"

"No, it's just to give you and your family a great opportunity."

Lorne paused, then said meaningfully:
"Under the Buddha's teachings, all beings are equal, free from the shackles of caste, and everyone can be a king!"

Boros was slightly taken aback, but then he realized what was happening, and a look of excitement and amusement appeared on his face.

He was not lacking in talent, but his status as a commoner was a source of deep distress.

Under India's deeply entrenched caste system, even if he were to make a name for himself, it would be difficult for him to become the ruler of a country and be accepted by the majority of Indians.

However, if Buddhism is promoted, it advocates equality for all.

So what if he rose from humble beginnings?

The nation's most important assets should only be acquired by those with both talent and virtue!
If others can sit on this throne, why can't he?
Thinking of this, Boros could hardly contain his excitement and quickly assured him:
“My lord, I will certainly follow your instructions, promote Buddhism, and establish Buddhism as the state religion.”

"You're not ready yet, it's not the right time."

Lorne shook his head slightly, opened the magic circle diagram, and handed over a golden rune ring:

“Give this to your grandson Ashoka, and he will finish what you haven’t done.”

In fact, Gautama was merely the founder of Buddhist theory; it was King Ashoka who truly established Buddhism as the "true Dharma" and spread it widely.

It is said that during the reign of King Ashoka, Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia, Iran, Parthia and other places, and even as far as Egypt, enjoying unparalleled popularity.

Brahmanism, native to India, was almost completely eradicated and suppressed for a full thousand years before it finally found an opportunity to revive.

—But…Ashoka? His grandson?
Just as Boros was feeling lost, Lorne stepped forward and touched his forehead with his finger.

A series of images, both real and unreal, surfaced in Boros's mind:
Because he remained in India, he initially endured a period of poverty and hardship, but the help of a Brahmin named Kyodiriya brought him good fortune. Kyodiriya recognized his talent and invested in him, helping him acquire his first fortune, which he then used to recruit an army. His military leadership skills were thus put to use, and he led his army to conquer vast territories, earning him the title of "Moon Protector King"...

His son, Pindola, succeeded him, consolidated his power, and continued to expand the territory.

The throne passed to his grandson, Ashoka, who swept away sixteen powerful kingdoms, unified India, and achieved unprecedented national strength, earning the title of the "Mauryan Dynasty"!
As the last image in his mind faded, Boros opened his eyes, a hint of understanding gradually appearing on his face.

Just as the two debated before: in times of chaos, one must first act with the power of a tyrant, and then govern with the way of a benevolent ruler.

At present, he has no foundation or achievements, the caste system is deeply rooted, and countless Hindu gods are looking down on the mortal world. At this time, it is impossible for him to work out the vain idea of ​​using Buddhist compassion to save people.

Only through gradual progress and the combined efforts of three generations can the magnificent map of the destined Peacock Empire be constructed.

It seems that he can only make a start, and the time will be truly ripe when his grandson Ashoka ascends the throne.

Looking at the somewhat dejected Boros, Lorne comforted him:
"Since the reign of King Ashoka, Buddhism has been regarded as the orthodox religion. With the establishment of the Mauryan Dynasty, the true Dharma has been practiced in the world for a thousand years!"

"And then?" Boros pressed.

"The Dharma-ending Age will last for a thousand years, and the Dharma-ending Age will last for ten thousand years!"

Boros's expression changed slightly upon hearing this:

"My lord, what is meant by the 'Dharma-ending Age'?"

"The gods have vanished, the Buddha has disappeared, and those who uphold the precepts and practice cultivation are becoming fewer and fewer. All are now ordinary people ruling the world."

"Wouldn't that be terrible!"

Boros was startled, his eyes filled with fear and worry about the future.

However, Lorne shook his head and unexpectedly said:
"On the contrary, you will only truly grow up when you no longer need to appeal to gods or rely on Buddha. That means that everyone can walk their own path and become their own 'god'!"

He paused, then pondered meaningfully:
Similarly, an ideal, perfect world doesn't need any saviors or shepherds...

Lorne's unconventional declaration, which even turned his guns on himself as a "god," left Boros bewildered and momentarily at a loss for words.

Of course, his lack of understanding does not mean he cannot hear the expectations and love that God has for humanity in those words.

A surge of emotion welled up within Boros, and he immediately raised his right fist and slammed it into his chest, solemnly promising:

"Please rest assured, I will not fail you in your trust, and I will definitely not reveal anything related to you!"

really?
It's probably true.

If I remember correctly, after completing the important task of expanding the territory, this Moon Guardian King passed the throne to his son, then abandoned his wealth and honor, entered the dense forest alone, and starved himself to death according to Jain custom.

Lorne gave the man in front of him a deep look, his gaze softening.

Then, as if sensing something, he looked up at the northern sky and laughed loudly:

"Very well, the past is settled. Now, I will set the stage for you!"

Before he finished speaking, he pulled Pandora aside and headed towards the battlefield that belonged to the "gods".

hum!
At the same time, a dazzling golden pillar of flames shot up from the north, and countless fire spirits, Ifrit, flapped their wings and sang joyfully.

Immediately afterwards, chants of sacred sounds, ocean waves, and the roars of beasts resounded in three different eras of gods, echoing each other.

A chilling, murderous aura formed a visible black wave that completely tore apart the already extremely thin chaotic mist.

The last barrier between the Age of Gods was also removed.

The War of the Gods has officially entered its countdown!
(End of this chapter)