Two days later, the auspicious Dharma ceremony was held as scheduled!
The location is an open area on the hillside of Xiaoling Mountain.
This place is known as the "Zen Forest", but it is different from ordinary Taoist temples. The Zen Forest has rugged boulders and towering peaks.
One after another, strange cliff peaks rise from the ground, densely covering the hillside. However, the top of each peak is no bigger than a cone, and can only accommodate one person standing on it.
The most important part of the auspicious Dharma assembly, the sutra debate among ten thousand monks, is held here.
Debate is generally divided into two types, one is confrontational debate.
There are two debaters, one of whom will ask questions and the other will answer, and no counter-questions are allowed; after reaching a point, the reverse will happen again until one person cannot ask a question.
All the monks participating in the auspicious Dharma assembly must pass the initial debate and obtain a number plate. The monks who obtain the number plate can enter the 'Zen Forest', set foot on the corresponding mountain peak, and then enter the second level to establish a sect debate.
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The person who wins the debate is the one who establishes the clan.
In the Zen forest, the founder is on the second highest mountain.
When the founder of the sect established his own theory, there was no limit on the number of debaters, and they were called "questioners" or "questioners". They kept asking questions, sometimes one person asked, and sometimes several people asked.
During the debate, those who ask questions can shout loudly, applaud, dance beads, pull up their robes, pace back and forth, or practice Wuying Zen.
If the person who established the clan is unable to parry or respond, the person who established the clan will fail, and the person who established the clan will exchange places with the questioner.
The person who asks the question will become the new founder.
As the debate progresses, losers go from high to low, and winners go from low to high.
Until all the questioners fail to defeat the person who establishes the clan, the clan is established successfully.
You can climb to the highest peak of the Zen Forest and become the ultimate winner.
Dang~dang~dang~
Twelve bells resounded throughout Xiaoling Mountain, and the sound contained the sound of thunder.
The monks came to the outside of the Zen grove and waited quietly for the host's arrangements.
Soon the abbot, Buddhist disciples, and elders of Daleiyin Temple all came here.
The dharma titles of Daleiyin Temple are arranged according to "only pass on the dharma seal, and achieve enlightenment and harmony".
The current abbot is the sixth generation, Zen Master Yinfa, whose name is Yinfa. Although he is old, he is still energetic.
"Amitabha."
"It's good, it's good."
After a while of pleasantries, Abbot Yinfa officially announced the start of the debate.
Debate is actually more about testing the memory of scriptures, so monks who have practiced for a long time will naturally have an advantage.
According to the arrangements of Daleiyin Temple, the monks began to draw lots to decide the groups.
Soon they formed groups, and the one who was assigned to the same group as Li Chen was a young monk who was about the same age as him.
The little monk was not tall, and his figure was slightly thin. His eyebrows were gathered into one point. When he saw that it was Li Chen, he couldn't help but have a wry smile on his face.
[The little monk is so lucky...ah.]
【It’s really hard to describe in words.】
"Young monk, Baima Temple in Chang'an Prefecture, Miao Di, I have seen the Buddha's disciples who killed living beings."
After saying this, the young monk was very polite and bowed to Li Chen.
Just when Li Chen was about to respond, a golden light suddenly appeared in his mind.
[‘Tingting’ discovered the reincarnation of ‘Sitting Arhat’. 】
Meditate on Arhat!
Li Chen nodded slightly in response, but stared at the other person closely.
Unexpectedly, this seemingly frail little monk turned out to be the reincarnation of the legendary Meditating Arhat!
Meditation Arhat is one of the ten disciples of Buddha.
Because he likes to meditate and meditate, he understands everything and becomes mundane and free from the worldly world. In meditating, he can know what others don't know, and when he performs his work, he can do what others cannot do. In this way, he can gain wisdom and action.
Just being a disciple of the First Buddha is enough to explain the other party's wisdom.
"Amitabha."
"Little Monk, Killing Life Temple in Southern Xinjiang, Lichen."
The little monk raised his eyebrows and glanced at Li Chen's face.
【This disciple of the Buddha who kills lives is so approachable.】
[It’s not a loss even if you lose to him~]
"Master Lichen, shall we begin?"
The little monk's face was a little reserved.
And Li Chen nodded: "Master Miaodi, please come first."
The first level of debate is antithesis, which consists of one question and one answer. This cycle repeats until there are no more questions to ask, then the remaining person wins.
The young monk put his hands together, nodded slightly, and asked: "What should I do first if I believe in Buddhism?"
Li Chen held the rosary in one hand and stood on his chest with the other, and replied: "You should first take refuge in the Three Jewels and take refuge in the Three Jewels."
"What are the Three Jewels?"
"The three are Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. They can benefit the world and are rare to encounter, so they are called treasures."
"Who is Buddha?"
"Buddha is a person who has attained the supreme right and omniscient knowledge. The virtuous name of the leader means the enlightened one. The so-called self-consciousness means to be aware of him and to achieve perfect enlightenment."
"What is law?"
…
The two asked and answered questions without any hesitation, and in an instant they exchanged more than a dozen questions.
'Dialogue' itself is different from fighting in combat. It mostly relies on scriptures and questions to each other must be based on evidence.
The main test is each other's solidity in scriptures, lessons, and practice.
As time went by, some people were defeated in the debate one after another.
After half a stick of incense, more than half of the people outside the Zen forest were already missing.
But the relationship between Lichen and Miaozhen still continues.
"What is praise?"
"This is a verse to praise the merits of the Three Jewels and praise the benefits of the Three Jewels."
Li Chen was also very surprised by the young monk in front of him. He looked a few years younger than him, but he did not expect that his memory of Buddhist scriptures was far better than that of monks of the same age.
Li Chen asked himself, if it were not for the help of "The Secret of Karma and Transformation of Karma" (Zhi So), this little monk Miao Di's understanding of the scriptures would be far better than his own on the path of Buddhism.
At this moment, Monk Miaodi's forehead was gradually dripping with sweat. Originally, he was still a little lucky.
After all, according to previous rumors, Sesshoji Temple has never been familiar with Buddhist scriptures.
But now he was smiling bitterly in his heart. The Buddha who took life in front of him was fluent in both questions and answers, with a relaxed look on his face.
But as the problem deepens, the speed becomes slower and slower.
Finally it was Lichen's turn to ask questions again, and the little monk Miaodi became nervous.
Just listen to Li Chen ask: "How can we cultivate our own Zen mind?"
As soon as this question came out, Miaodi looked stunned, as if she was deep in thought.
After a long time, he slowly raised his head and said solemnly: "I...can't answer."
"The little monk is willing to bow down."
A touch of relief flashed across the young monk's face, and he clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Lichen. When he raised his head, he hesitated and asked, "I wonder if Master Lichen can help the young monk clear up his doubts?"
Li Chen smiled and nodded: "Cultivation of Buddhism, self-cultivation, and mind."
"It is recorded in "Essential Interpretation of Amitabha" that 'what appears only with the mind, only changes with consciousness'."
When the young monk heard this, a light shone in his eyes: "Only what appears with the mind, only changes with consciousness!"
"Little monk understands!"
"Master Lichen is well-read and proficient in Buddhist principles, and he is willing to be inferior to the wonderful truth."
"I wish the Master a successful start in this auspicious ceremony!"
The successful establishment of a clan is the highest achievement of the Auspicious Dharma Assembly.
Just when Li Chen was about to respond, he suddenly heard the voice of the young monk Miao Di, who deliberately lowered his voice: "Be careful of Lei Yin Buddha!"
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