“Cough…” Chu Kuangren nearly spitted out his half-swallowed rice when Hui Xin made the suggestion.
What now?
Another one who wanted to talk to him about Buddhism?
The last time this happened with Wu Ye, he nearly went mad even though the incident ended up being favorable for him and Wu Ye actually improved in his Buddhist cultivation.
However, who knew if Chu Kuangren could still be that lucky this time?
Although Chu Kuangren possessed the Lucky Halo, he still hesitated to react rashly.
No matter how lucky he was, he could not bear the consequence of driving a person to insanity.
“Master, you’re one of the most renowned eminent monks there is, few could rival you in Buddhism. How am I capable of sparring with you?”
“Brother, you’re too humble. Wu Ye has told me everything. Till today, I’ve yet to fully realize the intricacies of the wise teaching you shared with him. I’m afraid it’s me who cannot rival against your knowledge of Buddhism.” Hui Xin laughed bitterly.
Hui Xin was genuinely ashamed.
As the Abbot and a great eminent monk of his generation, Hui Xin’s Buddhist cultivation had lost to a youngster despite years of studying the Buddhist teachings.
Hui Xin felt embarrassed in the face of such a reminder.
However, this encounter represented an opportunity for him as well.
Just like Wu Ye, Hui Xin had been stuck within the same Buddhist realm for years now. He simply needed a mentor to guide him on the right path.
Such a mentor could only be someone whose Buddhist cultivation was above him. Unfortunately, even the Sages of Thunder Temple could barely surpass his cultivation realm, let alone other members of the temple.
Chu Kuangren’s appearance gave Hui Xin a glimmer of hope. When Wu Ye recited the lines of Buddhist teachings that Chu Kuangren had imparted to Hui Xin, he felt that the Buddhism bottleneck that existed for years had finally shaken!
That was precisely why Hui Xin had invited Chu Kuangren to the temple. He had hoped that through their sparring process, Hui Xin could finally break through the bottleneck.
“I hope you don’t mind sharing your ways with me.”
Hui Xin looked at Chu Kuangren with the utmost sincerity.
On the other hand, Chu Kuangren could feel a headache.
If Chu Kuangren was really well-versed in the ways of the Buddha, he would not mind sparring with Hui Xin, but unfortunately, Chu Kuangren was not familiar at all.
Chu Kuangren’s only exposure to Buddhist teachings was from hearing scattered well-known verses here and there in his past lives. Who knew how much use it could be?
He could probably get away with reciting some ancient Buddhist poems before people who were less well-versed with Buddhist teachings. However, to enlighten a Supreme Honorable eminent monk was another story.
“If you could grant my request, the entire scripture library and all its ancient archives shall be open for your reference.”
Just when Chu Kuangren was planning to decline Hui Xin’s request, Hui Xin abruptly made another offer.
The surrounding monks’ jaws immediately dropped.
The scripture library of Thunder Temple was home to many valuable Buddhist teachings records and technique archives that dated back to ancient times.
No one would expect that in order to spar with Chu Kuangren, Hui Xin was willing to make such a huge sacrifice.
At that, Chu Kuangren immediately canceled his intention to decline as his eyes lit up and he considered the offer.
Scripture library?
Although Chu Kuangren was not interested in Buddhist scriptures, he did feel that the Buddhist techniques would be of great use to him.
After all, he possessed the incomplete form of the Transcendent Coalescence Daoist Physique. If this physique was brought to completion, it would be the ultimate Supreme Daoist Physique, superior even to the Exquisite Nine Orifices Sword Heart and Infallible Tormented Physique!
The completed Daoist Physique would bring myriads of benefit to him.
Meanwhile, in order to achieve that goal, Chu Kuangren needed to amass a large number of techniques to further enhance his insight in the way of Dao.
Chu Kuangren had learned many techniques by now. Just from the Dharma Sect alone, Chu Kuangren had already mastered more than eight thousand techniques.
However, Chu Kuangren still needed to journey further should he wish to complete the Transcendent Coalescence Daoist Physique. To be able to freely indulge in the sea of Buddhist techniques the scripture library could offer was a rare opportunity.
“I’m willing to discuss teachings with you, Master. But I’m not sure if I would be of much help to you,” said Chu Kuangren truthfully.
“No problem. Whether this sharing session is successful or not, the scripture library will still be open for you,” said Master Hui Xin cheerfully.
“Very well, then let’s begin.”
“Please follow me, Brother Chu.”
Hui Xin led Chu Kuangren into a grand hall.
Within the hall was a row of majestic Buddha statues.
There were two zafus in front of those statues.
Chu Kuangren and Hui Xin each took their seats before they began to exchange knowledge. The news of them both sparring soon spread throughout Thunder Temple.
Many monks came to observe when they heard their Abbot was about to exchange knowledge with Chu Kuangren. Even the Sage Monks were surprised.
In a small worship hall deep inside the Thunder Temple.
Several old monks were sitting in the meditation posture. One of them suddenly opened his eyes and said excitedly, “Interesting, Hui Xin is now exchanging the ways of the Buddha with Chu Kuangren. I wonder how high Chu Kuangren’s Buddhist attainment is.”
“Heh, let’s go take a look.”
“He’s definitely full of surprises. The golden Buddha statue in the Ancient Battlefield was enough to prove that Chu Kuangren’s Buddhist cultivation is remarkable.”
They then sent their spiritual thoughts out of the small worship hall.
At this moment.
In the grand hall.
Chu Kuangren and Hui Xin were sitting on the zafus.
“After you, Brother.”
“Hmm.”
Chu Kuangren looked ahead and asked, “What does the Buddha mean to you?”
“To free all living beings from torment and to do good is to live the ways of the Buddha.”
“Hmm, this is a reasonable answer.”
Chu Kuangren replied softly.
“If I may ask, Brother, what does the Buddha mean to you?”
Hui Xin looked at Chu Kuangren and asked solemnly.
“I’m the Buddha!”
Those words alone were like thunder that exploded in the monks’ ears, and the faces of the Thunder Temple’s Sages changed drastically.
“Ridiculous!”
“He’s the Buddha? Does he even have respect for the Buddha?”
“Here I was thinking that this bastard would have any insightful knowledge to our teachings. Who would’ve thought he would end up uttering such shameless remarks?”
The monks and Sages of the Thunder Temple were horrified by Chu Kuangren referring to himself as the Buddha. Their reaction soon turned into one of anger.
To them, Chu Kuangren’s remark was a huge insult to the Buddha!
Such a remark was sure to provoke anger among others!
“Brother Chu, what do you mean by this?!”
Hui Xin said sternly.
It was evident that he was pissed off at Chu Kuangren’s remarks.
“I’m the Buddha!”
“Or rather… Every living being is the Buddha! The Buddha resides within us. It’s not something we search for outwardly. To acknowledge the Buddha within is the path to true Buddhism…”
Once Chu Kuangren explained, the crowd immediately went into deep contemplation. Even the Thunder Temple’s Sages could even feel a resounding clarity echoing within their minds.
Hui Xin’s body jerked, and the Buddhist Light on his body began to surge as he ascended into a state of enlightenment.
What was the way of the Buddha?
The Buddha was not a physical presence.
The Buddha was a way of life.
Every living being had the traits of the Buddha residing within them. To acknowledge and understand such traits was to become the Buddha. Therefore, every living being was the Buddha. The way of the Buddha existed in everything!
Hui Xin’s Buddhist Light glowed even brighter.
It was only after a while that he gradually opened his eyes, stood up, and gave Chu Kuangren a bow. “Thank you for showing me the way, Brother.”
“You’re over complimenting me, Master. Do you wish to continue?”
“Your high Buddhist cultivation is admirable. I’ve gained more than I could ever ask for from one line of wisdom. There’s no need to continue further.”
Hui Xin said softly.
Chu Kuangren was confused.
Was that it? Was it that simple?
“And about the scripture library…?”
“Rest assured. From today onwards, all the scriptures in the library shall be made available to you, Brother. You’re free to read it at your own will.”
“Alright.”
Chu Kuangren nodded satisfyingly.
Chu Kuangren did not expect the exchange to go that smoothly. Hui Xin had gained all the insights he needed to become enlightened from a single sentence; what a Master indeed.
