This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 306 The Underworld

When Zhuang Lin said such things, many people could easily define it as a provocation against the Venerable One of Mount Ling. Even for a Confucian immortal, it was a bit too much to do in a setting like the Ullambana Festival.

However, at this time, apart from the Buddha, no one wanted to confront Zhuang Lin.

Firstly, this was no longer a normal discussion of cultivation and Taoism, but a debate. Who could possibly win an argument against a Confucian immortal? Moreover, no one wanted to directly offend him.

The key lies in how the Buddha responds.

However, it was clear that the Buddha in Mount Ling would not lose his composure in this situation. Moreover, although the Confucian Immortal seemed aggressive, there was no real malice in his words. On the contrary, there was a special feeling about him.

In Buddhism, this translates to compassion for all beings, while in Confucianism, it would be a feeling of lamenting their misfortune and being angry at their lack of resistance.

"What you say makes sense!"

The golden Buddha smiled and nodded in response, showing no anger whatsoever. Looking at Zhuang Lin, who also appeared calm, the Buddha understood that the other party was not really looking for trouble. Then, he slowly spoke again.

"The mundane world of ordinary people is ultimately a series of trials. For cultivators, it is a tribulation; for ordinary people, it is cause and effect. All things and beings in the world have their own karmic retribution. Today's result is the cause of yesterday; the result of this life is the cause of the previous life. Similarly, the suffering in this life will end and the blessings in the next life will follow. It is not that we are inactive, but rather that all things in the world are subject to the cycle of heavenly principles."

The Buddha's words were not loud, but they spread calmly throughout the vast sacred mountain, reaching every corner and the ears of all living beings here.

Zhuang Lin did not immediately refute upon hearing this, seemingly lost in thought.

"Past lives and present lives?"

The concept of past and present lives does exist, especially among Buddhists, and it is also accepted by many people from various schools of thought. However, their understanding of it differs. But as long as one's spirituality is not extinguished, it is indeed possible for one to be reincarnated.

Zhuang Lin was also waiting for the Buddha's words, and after thinking about it, he shook his head slightly.

“What the World-Honored One said is not without reason, but it is only your reasoning. I will not argue with you about cause and effect, nor do I intend to preach to you. It is just that when I came here, I saw the chaos between Yin and Yang from the clouds and felt moved by it. Now, listening to the Ullambana Festival preaching about salvation and liberation, I suddenly find it absurd.”

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin laughed, whether it was sarcasm or感慨 (a feeling of deep emotion), picked up the wine cup on the table, gestured to the World Honored One, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Although these words were somewhat impolite, the Buddha remained composed in the face of the Confucian immortal. Instead of being angry, he showed compassion for humanity and celestial beings, and clasped his hands together in admiration.

"Sir, you are compassionate and care deeply for all living beings. How admirable!"

These few words of compassion seemed devoid of emotion, carrying a hint of majesty, and the entire sacred mountain seemed to fall silent all at once.

"They're not responding," Zhuang Lin smiled slightly, not at all nervous. He looked at the golden Buddha, whose eyes were lowered and remained silent. He then looked around and saw that the bodhisattvas and arhats were all silent, as were the immortal cultivators, gods, and demons who had come.

"Speaking of which, I, Zhuang, have been studying diligently for many years and unknowingly entered the path of cultivation. This is the first time I have seen so many gods and Buddhas gathered here. I thought such a grand event would be extraordinary and otherworldly, but now it seems that it is not much better than the song, dance and poetry gatherings of the mortal world!"

The golden Buddha suddenly opened its eyes, and a magnificent Buddha light spread out like golden waves, instantly surging towards all parts of Mount Ling.

At this moment, the Buddha's light, which appeared magnificent to outsiders, was filled with an undeniable sense of oppression for Zhuang Lin. However, his smile remained unchanged, and he shook his head slightly.

The Buddha's light was very peaceful, and there was no sense of it actually using its power to suppress people, but Zhuang Lin could sense a faint anger in his indifferent eyes. This was not observing the aura, but just a feeling that arose suddenly.

So where did this feeling come from? Zhuang Lin didn't think he had any kind of mind reading ability, but he understood the moment the doubt arose.

This is the Buddha's "telepathy." The other party seems to want to probe Zhuang Lin's heart, but his heart is only calm. However, because of this action, Zhuang Lin understands the dissatisfaction that has arisen in the other party's heart.

Zhuang Lin's heart calmed down. He knew that in terms of pure state of mind and profound cultivation realm, his opponent might not be much better.

Mentally, Zhuang Lin had completely cast aside his previous apprehension towards the Buddhist Buddha. Although he was looking up at the enormous golden Buddha, it was almost the only one in this sacred mountain that looked at him with an equal gaze.

Even in the eyes of that Buddha, there was a peculiar feeling, as if a Confucian immortal was looking down at him from above, with a calm and condescending attitude. Startled, he looked at Zhuang Lin again, but had lost that feeling from the previous moment.

Counterfeit goods are counterfeit goods after all!
The white light around Zhuang Lin intensified, expanding and stretching out the surrounding golden light, illuminating a small patch of sky with a pristine white hue.
The atmosphere of this discussion has changed drastically since its initial harmony.

Most Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and celestial deities remained relatively calm, but some demons and those who couldn't grasp the situation widened their eyes, some even becoming excited. Could this debate not just remain verbal? Would the Buddha and the Confucian immortals actually fight?

Zhuang Lin then looked at Arota, who was bowing his head and trying to make himself less noticeable.

“Master, when you came, you said that if all people could believe in the Buddha and understand the true meaning of the Dharma, they would naturally let go of their desires, escape the sea of ​​suffering, and ascend to the Pure Land, thus attaining liberation. I, Zhuang, also came to see what profound truths this Pure Land of liberation held, but now it seems to be nothing more than that!”

Atara was so frightened that he almost turned pale, but he knew that he could not afford to make the slightest mistake. Although he was almost collapsing inside, he remained calm on the surface and took a step forward.

"Sir, you are mistaken. You are a learned man of both heaven and man, and you should naturally understand that the true essence of the Buddha's teachings is the Dharma of awakening wisdom. If one attains wisdom, one will naturally find peace of mind, and with peace of mind, everywhere is bliss!"

Adora's words made Zhuang Lin's eyes light up. He believed that many people in a place like Lingshan could say such a thing, but few could say it here.

"What the master says is true; I, Zhuang, was attached to appearances!"

As soon as Zhuang Lin said this, the golden Buddha above regained its serene expression and nodded slightly to Atala. The Buddha's light and righteous energy no longer seemed to be in conflict as before, and everything seemed to calm down.

Buddhist bodhisattvas and arhats, as well as practitioners from all walks of life, breathed a sigh of relief, while others felt slightly disappointed.

However, for Atara, it felt like he had survived a catastrophe, and he exclaimed, "Excellent, excellent!"

However, Zhuang Lin did not return to his seat. Instead, he looked at the Buddha again, his gaze remaining calm. The Buddha met his gaze in return.

"Today, during the Ullambana Festival, I, Zhuang, am fortunate to be here and have had a brief discussion with the World-Honored One. It can be considered a karmic connection. I do have something I wish to make clear!"

The Buddha above nodded slightly.

"Sir, please speak!"

Zhuang Lin stopped keeping everyone in suspense.

"On such a day, when I came here, I saw the world in turmoil and chaos. Although I felt this, I realized that human power has its limits, and even we cannot have everything go smoothly."

However, a virtuous person knows what to do and what not to do. To ignore the chaos of the world may be the path of a spiritual practitioner seeking tranquility, but it is not the path of a virtuous person.

Although these words were similar to those before, the Buddha did not feel offended or interrogated. He knew that this was the Confucian Immortal's demand of him, so he listened quietly.

"I am but a humble person with limited influence and ability, yet I still wish to leave something behind for all living beings. This chaos between Yin and Yang comes one after another. Even though the rites and music of the mortal world have collapsed, there will still be days of peace. But the underworld is different; chaos will never end."

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin looked in certain directions, where the ghostly aura was quite strong, but it didn't seem to be the Ghost Emperor or the Lord of the Underworld.

"The Five Ghost Emperors and the Lord of Mount Tai are supposed to govern the dead, but the underworld is more fragmented than the mortal realm, and the number of ghosts is countless. Today, taking advantage of this Ullambana Festival, I have something I wish to do."

As Zhuang Lin continued speaking, the golden Buddha and everyone present gradually understood.

This Confucian immortal actually wanted the underworld to be connected, with each region having its own underworld officials to govern it, and the underworld having its own officials to maintain communication between the two worlds, so that people could have a free place to go after death.

These words were simple, yet they drew gasps of amazement from many. Atala, standing to the side, subconsciously recalled what Zhuang Lin had said on the way here. Perhaps the Master had this idea before, or perhaps the debate with the World-Honored One was just a prelude to a discussion.
The content is actually not complicated. It is the real system of the City God of the Underworld, which truly enables the local ghosts and gods to govern the underworld, ensuring peace after people grow old, get sick, and die. Through mutual connection, they can also escort people to their true final resting place.

It can also protect both the Yin and Yang realms.

Zhuang Lin's words were bold, at least in the current situation, but they were also eye-opening and made many people, including those who were considered gods and Buddhas, understand the key point.

This is something that may have been thought of by many, but it is not easy to accomplish. It involves both the realms of Yin and Yang, various paths and aspects of cultivation, and is also very important to gods and Buddhas. It can be said that it involves a lot of interests.

To accomplish this, the efforts of all parties are needed. There must be a truly capable person who can take care of both the Yin and Yang realms and gain the trust of all cultivators, especially gods and Buddhas. Confucian immortals are clearly the most suitable.

(End of this chapter)