BXBX NOVEL Chapter 167 - 166: Floating...Floating Up?
With Xuanqing’s cultivation level,
Even when situated high above the ground, the slightest movement on the ground passed to his ears without missing a beat.
On the Wan Fa Zong Altar,
After Elder Jingde had donned the Heavenly Master’s attire, he took over the responsibilities of the Old Master.
However,
What was peculiar was that he neither picked up the portable microphone placed on the table nor approached the fixed microphone; instead, he walked directly to the altar.
Elder Jingde took a deep breath.
“Fellow laymen, now proceeding to the final segment, Lecture and discuss the scriptures!”
“Before that, may I ask if any of our esteemed guests from other denominations are willing to contribute by lecturing first?”
Though his voice was not loud, it resonated clearly in everyone’s ears, as if the newly appointed Heavenly Master was speaking beside them.
Those nearby didn’t notice anything amiss, but those further away were shocked inside.
It should be noted,
as the sacred place of the entire Taoist denomination, this grand altar for major ceremonies could easily accommodate a few thousand people due to its vast area.
What was divine,
Even if the newly appointed Heavenly Master shouted loudly at the location where he was speaking, those at the periphery might not be able to hear clearly, which was why speakers were set up initially.
However,
Since it was a holy ground of the Taoist denomination, even if any divine occurrences took place, they merely widened their eyes and gasped deeply, without losing their rationality to cry out loud.
The whole venue just became quieter, and even the sound of people taking deep breaths was unusually clear.
The silence could be cut by a knife!
The quietness was shattered by an aged voice.
“Amitabha!”
An elderly voice came from the speakers around, and on the live broadcast screen, a monk was seen speaking into the microphone.
The old monk had long eyebrows, donned in orange-red kasaya, and his facial expression was amiable, with a good appearance.
When Elder Jingde started asking questions, the old monk raised his hand, and a workforce member handed over the microphone.
“Old Monk Jingkong of Anfa Temple is willing to borrow this platform to lecture on the Sutra of the Floating Tusita as a contribution.”
Though there were many private competitions between Buddhism and Taoism, they all emphasized the harmony of the two denominations in the grand scheme of things.
Moreover, in previous years, during the Heavenly Master Succession Ceremony, there was a segment where other denominations were allowed to lecture to demonstrate the magnanimity of the new Heavenly Master.
“Master Jingkong, please go ahead!”
Elder Jingde smiled, not obstructing the other party but gesturing for him to proceed.
“Amitabha, thank you, Heavenly Master Jingde!”
Old Monk Jingkong nodded with a smile and walked leisurely toward the lectern.
The lectern wasn’t very high, around two meters, mainly to ensure that everyone could see the lecturer, and a fixed microphone was placed on it.
Old Monk Jingkong went up,
didn’t waste words, and directly sat cross-legged to begin his lecture.
“The Buddha is commonly known as Buddha Boat, Buddha Boat and the Floating Tusita sound similar, both originated in the west… for those who follow the path…”
“To cleanse one’s mind of greed, anger, and ignorance, to rid one’s body of killing, lust, and theft, and to stop one’s mouth from falsehood, gossip, and all evil speech, this is called the Ten Virtuous Paths.”
“What is considered evil is putting down the butcher’s knife, which is a great virtue, making one worthy of the Merit Buddha…”
Comparing the phrases of the scripture coming out of the old monk’s chanting, in combination with his long white eyebrows and kind face, gave an impressive bearing.
About ten minutes later, one short paragraph was completed.
The old monk paused his lecture.
The following segment would be answering questions, where believers and journalists from the audience could ask questions freely, and he would provide typical answers to dispel doubts.
“If anyone has any questions, please raise your hand to indicate!”
As soon as his words fell,
Most of the believers on the perimeter did not raise their hands. After all, those who could attend the Heavenly Master Succession Ceremony were devout Taoist followers. Why would they be interested in Buddhism?
However, journalists from the media raised their hands one after another, each with different intentions. Some were genuinely interested, while others were looking for news.
Old Monk Jingkong then pointed to someone who raised their hand.
“Donor, please speak!”
“Hello, Master Jingkong, may I ask if the sentence ‘laying down the butcher’s knife to become a Merit Buddha’ is somewhat unfair to kind people?”
The inquiring journalist was a woman with bangs and wearing a trench coat.
“Amitabha, this evil isn’t the same as the other evils; the so-called evil refers to those who have the ability to do evil!” The Old Monk Jingkong clasped his hands together.
“Human nature is inherently evil; those who have the ability to do evil but choose not to are deemed great virtues and can directly attain the Floating Tusita to achieve Merit Buddha!”
Upon his utterance,
Many people pondered,
Indeed,
In a sense, it was reasonable to call those who held high positions and wealth yet did right by their responsibility, without resorting to evil deeds, as virtuous people.
This was especially manifest in this era of rampant desires.
Unfortunately, no matter how good religious teachings are, they require people to execute them. It was widely known what Buddhism had become today!
The reporters raising their hands to ask questions mostly had the intention of watching a farce. However, the old monk resolved them one by one.
How could someone without enough skill dare to lecture at such an occasion?
As the first old monk finished,
God Church, Mansa Religion… representatives were also sent to the stage to lecture one after another.
It is worth mentioning that,
These churches were essentially localized after their introduction to the Yan Country, and many of their teachings even deviated from their original denominations.
The lecture process was quite dull; the main attraction was the reporters’ sharp questions after the lecture. Things would become hilarious if someone without enough knowledge or slow reactions took the stage.
Soon,
All the representatives of the churches had finished lecturing, and it was now the afternoon.
Next,
It was time for Elder Jingde to take the stage.
Everyone quieted down, watching the newly-appointed Heavenly Master intently, wondering how he would lecture and later answer questions.
After so much buildup, the new Heavenly Master needed a stronger performance to stand out.
In fact, this was a test, similar to that of a king guarding the country’s gate and dying for the gods of soil and harvest.
At this moment,
Elder Jingde held a feather duster and stood empty-handed at the edge of the Taoist temple.
One could not tell whether it was an illusion,
The Taoists in front row saw a flash of divine light on the body of the newly-appointed Heavenly Master.
Just as they thought that Heavenly Master Jingde would climb the lectern step by step like the previous speakers,
An unexpected development occurred.
Whoosh ~
The newly-appointed Heavenly Master seemed to become a light feather, floating up amidst a gentle breeze.
????
Such a scene!
Including the Taoists, everyone present was dumbfounded..