Chapter 54: If Hell is not empty, I will not become a Buddha!
In response to the Buddha's inquiry, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was not as awed as other Bodhisattvas. Although he had reached the status of Bodhisattva and his temperament was much gentler than before, compared to other Buddhas who were all smiling, Bodhisattva
, there is still a bit of an aura that does not allow strangers to enter.
"Buddha, from the perspective of my disciples, I am the last protector of the Way. It is better to wait a little longer before making a decision!"
Seeing everyone's expressions of surprise or doubt, Ksitigarbha continued: "Since Emperor Gouchen has promised the Buddha, he will surely take action soon. When the time comes, perhaps the most suitable candidate to protect the Tao will be
Appear in our field of vision."
The Tathagata Buddha glanced at Ksitigarbha indifferently. He knew very well that this Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was the mouthpiece of Emperor Gouchen. Since this person said this, the emperor must have started to look for candidates for Buddhism. It is estimated that Ksitigarbha will be the one in the near future.
Some demon kings in the fairy world will make big moves.
"That being the case, we are yet to make a final decision on the candidate for the last guardian. This era has just begun. Our Buddhist sect can still afford to wait for hundreds or thousands of years!"
With this opening of the Buddha's mouth, the Buddhist discussion on the journey to the West came to an end. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bowed with their hands together and then left one after another.
Buddha and Bodhisattvas are the foundation pillars of Buddhism. Most of them are located in Xiniuhezhou and cannot be left for too long.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, on the other hand, did not leave with the others, but stayed quietly outside the gate of the seventh-story pagoda, clasping his hands in front of the Buddha.
"Buddha, this disciple is leaving."
"But Emperor Gouchen has new arrangements for you?" Buddha's heart sank. At this critical moment when the journey to the west was about to begin, he did not want Ksitigarbha to leave.
"That's not the case. I once listened to the Dharma under the throne of the Great Emperor, and also listened to the Dharma under the Buddha's throne. Now the immortal way and the Buddhist way are integrated, and the disciple finally understands how to take the future path."
"The way of a disciple is not in Lingshan, but in the underworld!"
Hearing the words, the Tathagata was thoughtful, but his eldest disciple, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, asked with some eagerness and curiosity in his eyes: "Is it possible that my junior brother wants to turn to the ghost realm again?"
There may not be much conflict between the immortal method and the Buddha. It is not impossible for the two to practice together, but the method of the ghost way is definitely incompatible with the Buddhist method. She does not think that these three methods can be practiced together.
"it's not true!"
Ksitigarbha finally had another expression on his face, with a hint of compassion and even fearlessness.
"As the saying goes, if I don't go to hell, who will?"
The magnificent sound resounded in all directions in the central pure land world, like rolling thunder, and was heard by countless Buddhist monks.
"Disciple Ksitigarbha, I have made a great vow today that hell will not be empty, and I vow not to become a Buddha. If I violate this vow, I will never attain enlightenment!"
As soon as these words came out, the wind and clouds suddenly surged, the sky and the earth changed color, and even in this central whirling world, there was a golden light of merit all over the sky, which directly submerged into Ksitigarbha's body.
This is a great wish that has been recognized by the will of the universe. Under the infusion of this golden light of merit, Ksitigarbha's aura continues to rise, until finally, it has the power to change the rules of heaven and earth.
The monks who possess this power have a common name in the three realms, that is...Taiyi Golden Immortal!
"Taiyi Golden Immortal... If you make a big wish, can you directly become Taiyi Golden Immortal?"
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva was immediately stunned. Since the birth of the universe, all the Taiyi realm powers were born innately. I have never heard of any acquired monks reaching this realm through cultivation methods. But now, today
, she actually saw a powerful Golden Immortal with her own eyes, who forcibly passed the Great Vision and possessed the power of will that only the Taiyi Golden Immortal had. How could she not be shocked by this?
Even the Buddha was stunned for a moment, but then he shook his head again.
"It's not that simple!"
Tathagata Buddha looked at Ksitigarbha with a complex expression, "Your strength comes from the great aspirations, from the will of the universe or the recognition of heaven. Before the great aspirations are completely completed, your Taiyi realm strength is actually the mirror flower, water moon, and heaven's way."
You can take it back at any time!”
"It is true, but no matter what, the disciple has at least taken the first step, hasn't he?" A rare smile appeared on Ksitigarbha's expression. Although this Taiyi realm strength is very unstable, in any case, this is
In his way, at least, he has taken the most difficult first step.
"But if you take this step forward, your freedom will be restricted in the underworld. If your grand ambition is not fulfilled, it will be difficult for you to take another step forward..."
Having said this, the Buddha shook his head with some pity, "You should be very clear about how difficult it is to fulfill this great ambition. It can be said that it is impossible to realize it. If not, it would be impossible to make the will of the universe sense and gain the guidance of heaven.
Agreed! Is it worth losing your freedom for the illusory Taiyi Realm strength?"
Ksitigarbha was silent, and finally let out a long sigh, "Buddha, you were born as a god, and you were born as the Taiyi Golden Immortal. Naturally, you don't understand that we and other inborn beings will plot and fight for that blessing and that little cultivation resource.
The hardship and suffering of killing.”
"Although the great ambition restricts my freedom, at least in the underworld, I have the strength of Taiyi realm. Although it may be just a mirror in the end, at least, this is at least a hope. I am the first sentient being in the three realms to have a clear hope.
The hope of promotion may be slim, but it is infinitely better than the darkness ahead with no end in sight. This point alone makes it worth my unswerving pursuit!"
The Buddha was silent, but Guanyin Bodhisattva and his second disciple Jin Chanzi beside him kept nodding, seeming to agree with Ksitigarbha's opinion.
After all, in the three realms of the universe where the way forward is cut off in the Taiyi Realm, even if it is just a tiny bit of light, it is worth their efforts to fight for it.
If you are not an acquired soul, you will never understand how crazy an acquired monk can be for the sake of the lofty Taiyi Golden Immortal realm!
The Buddha pondered for a moment, and finally nodded, "Although I don't understand your way, I won't stop it... It's just that although my Buddhist sect is strong, I can't interfere with the underworld. If you want to enter the underworld,
I’m afraid it’s not easy!”
Although Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at this time has been temporarily recognized by the will of the universe by virtue of his great wish, and has been endowed with the power of will that Taiyi Golden Immortal had just now, in the eyes of Tathagata Buddha, Ksitigarbha at this time is still too immature, and the underworld
If Emperor Houtu, the ruler, does not allow him to enter the underworld, there will be no hope of completing his great ambition!
"Thank you Lord Buddha for your concern. The Emperor has paved the way for the disciples in this matter. The Lord of the Underworld will not stop the disciples from entering the Underworld!"
When Ksitigarbha said this, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.