Chapter 458: Chapter 413, Buddhism Complete
The guide Saint solemnly said, "Small Mahayana Buddhism lacks the Supreme Treasure to suppress Qi Fortune; even if it prospers briefly, it is destined not to endure, just as with the Jie Sect of bygone days."
Duo Bao Tathagata remained silent.
Zhunti Buddha Mother smiled and said, "Now that you have completed Taishang’s task, returning to the Eastern region naturally brings many benefits, but are you truly content?
You cultivate the path of supreme self-regard, but without the support of a dominant force that champions the self, your path is like the moon’s reflection on water or flowers in the mirror, forever without the opportunity for enlightenment.
If you stay and inherit our Daoist tradition, you will control Buddhism and become the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Buddhas, solidifying your Dao Foundation."
The Buddha then immediately said, "I can gift you the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus as a treasure to suppress Qi Fortune and protect the prosperity of Buddhism, but you must inherit the Mahayana Buddhism."
Duo Bao’s eyes gradually brightened, his mind caught in a struggle. There was still a chance to turn back, but if he were to inherit Mahayana Buddhism, he would effectively sever ties with the Western region.
Zhunti Buddha Mother smiled and said, "There’s no need to hurry; I’ll give you three days to consider. After three days, come to receive the Dharma Decree, by then you should have made your decision."
The Buddha rose, bowed, and quickly departed.
The guide Buddha voiced his concern, "Junior brother, if Duo Bao refuses us, our Daoist lineage will be extinguished."
Zhunti extended a hand, capturing a floating flower petal between his fingers, smiling as he said, "Duo Bao will surely agree. It’s a simple choice; one option is to stay and become the unique Ancestor of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the other is to return and merge into the Immortals and Buddhas.
Duo Bao will make the wisest decision."
In the Heavenly Court four days later, the Buddha Light shone brilliantly over Western Spirit Mountain, and the resonating sound of Sanskrit chanting shook the heavens. Many great powers throughout the Three Realms turned to look westward, a sense of enlightenment rising in their hearts, knowing Buddhism was finally about to reach a conclusion.
Within the Great Leiyin Temple, with All Buddhas Gather assembling, Arhat Bodhisattvas stood in rows — Ran Deng, Ksitigarbha, Maitreya, Mahasthamaprapta, Great Sun Tathagata, Guanyin, Wenshu, Puxian, Ju Liusun, and others all stood below.
The Buddha sat atop the Lotus Platform above, his resonant voice filling the Great Leiyin Temple: "At the dawn of Heaven and Earth, before the ages of old, a Saint descended to establish Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism sought to deliver the world and Heaven and Earth, while Small Mahayana Buddhism focused on self and sentient beings. Yet, with Mahayana often opposing Small Mahayana, the Buddhas turned their backs, and the Bodhisattvas turned into foes — this should not be!
Today I hold the Buddha Disk, oversee all of Buddhism, merging Mahayana and Small Mahayana Buddhism into one unified Buddhism; henceforth, there is no longer any distinction of magnitude or sense of right or wrong. Our Buddha is compassionate, aligning with the heavens above and delivering the people below!"
All of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas below joined hands and bowed respectfully, saying, "Namo Amitabha Buddha — Our Buddha is compassionate," their solemn and imposing voices echoing throughout the Great Leiyin Temple.
The resounding voice of the Buddha called out, "Randeng Ancient Buddha, step forward to be sealed!"
Randeng Buddha approached, his face expressionless, and bowed, feeling a wrenching pain in his heart, as these were honors that should have belonged to him.
The voice of the Buddha boomed, "Randeng Buddha, master of the ancient Mahayana Buddhism, like the light of a lamp, like the silence of a tomb, has delivered beings in all directions through countless calamities, and now has achieved full Merit. By decree, Randeng Buddha is honored as Randeng Ancient Buddha, esteemed as the Past Buddha Ancestor!"
All Buddhas below joined hands and lowered their heads in respect, saying, "Namo Randeng Ancient Buddha!"
Randeng Buddha bowed and respectfully said, "I thank the Buddha," as a Golden Lotus rose beneath his feet, lifting him up with Randeng Buddha seated within.
"Maitreya Buddha, step forward to hear your conferral."
Maitreya Buddha hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and bowing deeply.
"Before the birth of Buddha, Maitrea held the reins of Buddhism, practiced all active dharma, promoted the true essence of the Buddha Sect, and universally guided all beings to salvation.
Now that Buddhism has been unified and completed, by decree Maitreya is conferred the title of Future Maitreya Buddha; throughout the Infinite Calamity, as all Buddhas enter Nirvana, Maitreya shall assume the Buddha Position."
Maitreya sneered in his heart, thinking: All Buddhas entering Nirvana, what Buddha Position will I have then? But outwardly, he expressed his delight and respect, saying: "Thank you, Duo Bao Tathagata Buddha!"
Ksitigarbha, Mahasthamaprapta, and other Bodhisattvas looked on expectantly at the Buddha, thinking: Now that Maitreya and Randeng have been conferred as Buddha Ancestors, surely we too will be allotted some Buddha Positions. With Past Buddha Ancestor and Future Buddha Ancestor determined, perhaps they will now establish Buddha Ancestors for the four directions, East, West, South, and North, similar to the Four Imperial Lords of the Heavenly Court. Although they are not as exalted as Past and Future Buddhas, it would still be quite acceptable.
Duo Bao Tathagata glanced over Ksitigarbha and the other Buddha Bodhisattvas.
Ksitigarbha, Mahasthamaprapta, Medicine Buddha, and Great Sun Tathagata all revealed a smile.
The Buddha swept his gaze across them and a vast voice resounded: "Past, present, future, suppressing transversely through all three realms, this is the limitless world, where only Buddha is revered. With the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus, I suppress the Qi Fortune of Buddhism—Buddhism is established!"
Om~
Above the Spiritual Mountain, the Merit Gold Cloud churned, and the Merit Gold Cloud split into myriad pieces, descending below.
One third was obtained by the Buddha.
Randeng Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Ksitigarbha, Mahasthamaprapta, Medicine Buddha, Great Sun Tathagata, and the other Buddha Bodhisattvas who competed for the position of Past Buddha Ancestor each received a part, and the remaining merit dispersed into thousands, falling like golden rain, entering the body of every Buddhist Disciple.
All Buddhas felt the sudden increase in merit within them, and with great joy, they clasped their hands together and bowed, saying: "The Buddha shows great compassion!"
Ksitigarbha and the others all had sullen faces, detesting Duo Bao Tathagata for not granting them any conferral.
Duo Bao Tathagata let out a sigh of relief in his heart, Buddhism was finally unified. With great merit descending from heaven, Buddhism shall flourish—his face broke into a smile, his Dao Foundation was established.
Om~ From above Duo Bao Tathagata’s head rose a Qingyun, from which a large Shariputra flew out and transformed into a white-robed monk, bearing an eight-parts resemblance to Duo Bao Tathagata.
The little monk turned and bowed to Duo Bao Tathagata, then transformed back into a ray of white light into the Qingyun. In an instant, a powerful pressure swept through the Three Realms: Buddhism was complete, all Buddhas gathered, the Buddha successfully achieved the Quasi-Saint Realm with Two Corpses, becoming a Great Power with might over a region.
Subsequently, powerful pressures rose in quick succession in the West, as Ksitigarbha, Maitreya, Mahasthamaprapta, and Medicine Buddha all instantly entered the Quasi-Saint Realm. The prosperous momentum of the West was established, and the whole Primordial World was shaken.
Within the Zining Palace of the Heavenly Court, Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian sat on the main seat, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table surface. If it were before, the sudden emergence of so many Quasi-Saints in Buddhism would have indeed been a concern for Hao Tian. But now, with Emperor Gouchen and the Law Enforcement Team in place, what does it matter if there are a few newly emerged Quasi-Saints? Nonetheless, Buddhism must now be taken more seriously; indeed, Duo Bao Tathagata Buddha has some skills.
Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian laughed softly, speaking out: "Shen Gongbao!"
A rainbow light approached from the distance, landing in front of Zining Palace and transformed into the figure of Shen Gongbao.