The Arhat Du'e clasped his hands together, and the sound of the evening drum and morning bell rang out: "Let go of your worries, and let the Buddha's heart be clear."

The mad monk seemed to have been struck hard by someone, and his figure appeared to be stiff, then slowly sat down and meditated with his legs crossed.

His face was still struggling, but no longer as crazy as before.

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The Arhat Du'e withdrew his gaze, looked up, and gazed at the secret realm of Mount Buddha. Rare anger appeared on his rugged face.

..........

Truly the obsession cut out by the Bodhisattva. I only mentioned a concept, and it seems that he has gained some enlightenment!

The Buddhist sect in Jiuzhou seems to prioritize strength and status, and then the Buddhist teachings... It may be different from the Theravada Buddhism in my world, but definitely lower than Mahayana Buddhism.

At least they don't have the concept of Mahayana Buddhism.

Seeing the old monk standing there dumbfounded, as if he had gained some enlightenment, Xu Qi'an estimated that this level was stable.

"What just happened? Why did the monk suddenly go mad..."

"Could it be the words of the gentleman with the silver gong just now?"

"A few words can have such power? Nonsense."

Ordinary people have no concept of "Mahayana Buddhism" and "Theravada Buddhism," so they are a bit puzzled by the sudden madness of the monk.

Not everyone heard the words of the monk before he went mad.

Just then, with a smile of great enlightenment, exuding a natural Buddha-like aura.

"Thank you for enlightening me, the poor monk has gained great enlightenment," the old monk smiled and clasped his hands together.

You really gained enlightenment?! I didn't expect that I could say a few nonsense words and make the high monk gain enlightenment... Xu Qi'an felt complicated.

Before he could respond, the old monk continued, "When the venerable monk Wen Yin was still a fourth-grade ascetic, he had doubts about why he couldn't become a Buddha.

"This obsession was hidden in his heart for countless years, until his life was about to end, he gained great enlightenment. There is only one Buddha in the world, and that is the Buddha. So he cut out me and obtained the Bodhisattva's status.

"I have been sitting in this secret realm for many years, always unable to understand how to become a Buddha, and even more unable to understand why I cannot become a Buddha."

The old monk stared at Xu Qi'an, as if he could see his distant self in the far west, and finally clasped his hands together and said to himself:

"I am the Buddha, the Buddha is me, Amitabha!"

Wen Yin was obsessed with transcending the ranks and becoming a figure on par with the Buddha.

Now, he finally gained enlightenment, and realized that the Buddha has nothing to do with ranks.

"Thank you for guiding me."

"The master's enlightenment is the Buddha's doing, not mine," Xu Qi'an said sincerely.

His words played a role in guiding the enlightenment, but the ability to gain enlightenment was accumulated by the master of obsession himself, and it was clear and profound.

Just like the brief words just now, ordinary people didn't feel much when they heard them, but the Buddhist monks understood the meaning in an instant, and even made extensions and insights in their minds.

A gust of wind suddenly blew in the secret realm, and the old monk turned into blue smoke and dissipated, disappearing without a trace.

Rustle, rustle...

The Bodhi tree swayed and bore green Bodhi fruits, hanging heavily on its branches.

The fruits emitted a sparkling green light, indicating that they were extraordinary.

The Buddha's realm was silent, with only the sound of the Bodhi tree rustling, but outside the Buddha's realm, it became lively.

Seeing this, the people of the capital were no longer astonished and shocked, they found it unbelievable.

If they hadn't heard wrong, the gentleman with the silver gong had enlightened the old monk under the tree, and for this, the old monk even expressed his gratitude.

A warrior enlightened a high monk and made the high monk gain enlightenment?!

This absurd and bizarre scene made the people of the capital forget to cheer.

"What did he say?"

On the rooftop of the restaurant, Chu Yuanzhen asked the master Heng Yuan beside him.

"Seeing flowers in the fog, seeing flowers in the fog... Xu Daren, please explain it clearly, explain it clearly..." Heng Yuan muttered to himself, seemingly oblivious.

Did Xu Ningyan's words have such a great impact on the people of the Buddhist sect? Chu Yuanzhen was astonished.

...........

Is this level considered broken? Xu Qi'an felt a sense of joy in his heart, and reluctantly glanced at the green Bodhi.

Let's talk about it again at the temple on the mountaintop! He thought to himself.

Just as he was about to leave, a loud voice suddenly came, echoing throughout Mount Buddha.

"What is Mahayana Buddhism, what is Theravada Buddhism? Explain it clearly before you leave, Master Xu."

Outside, everyone looked at the Arhat Du'e in astonishment. The dignified Arhat actually intervened in the fight between the two, which was something that no one had expected.

But at this moment, the expression on the Arhat Du'e's face was so serious that it made people think that they were facing a major event, and they dared not speak out in anger.

What is Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?

I completely don't understand.

The common people didn't understand, but among the top echelons of power in the capital, some people had a slight inkling.

Like Wei Yuan, like the Prime Minister.

This was the voice of the Arhat Du'e... It is true that the outside world can hear my voice and see my actions, but what is the meaning of directly intervening in the fight?

Xu Qi'an frowned and snorted, "May I ask, Master, what is the Buddha?"

"Before the Buddha, for seventy-two thousand, three hundred and sixty-eight years, no one became a Buddha. After the Buddha, for three thousand, four hundred and ninety-one years, no one became a Buddha.

"The Buddha is the Buddha, so how can everyone become a Buddha?!" The voice of the Arhat Du'e contained a questioning tone.

So the Buddhist sect in this world has existed for three thousand, four hundred and ninety-one years. Then why hasn't the idea of Mahayana Buddhism appeared?

After pondering for a moment, Xu Qi'an came to a conclusion: In the world of Jiuzhou, strength is paramount, and the realm is the foundation. Whoever has the biggest fist is the big shot. Therefore, it has suppressed the development of ideas.

In his world, everyone is just a mortal, and it is the differences in ideas that are constantly colliding.

Different environments lead to different directions of development.

In that case, I will have a good talk with you about what Mahayana Buddhism is. Yes, it is my own understanding of Mahayana Buddhism... Xu Qi'an said in a deep voice:

"So, in the eyes of the disciples of the Buddhist sect in the world, the Buddha is the Buddha, and not that the Buddha is everyone." In my opinion, this kind of thinking is simply ridiculous.The words were twisted, and no one understood them except for the monks outside the venue.

Jingchen couldn't help but say, "Where is the laughter? You must make it clear."

Master Du'e glanced at him, said nothing, moved his gaze, and looked back at Xu Qi'an.

"Of course it's ridiculous. Take the astrologers of the Bureau of Heavenly Masters, for example. The chief is a first-grade astrologer, but a first-grade astrologer is not the chief. Shouldn't this be a consensus? But in your eyes, Buddha is just Buddha. Isn't that ridiculous and strange?

"Shouldn't Buddha represent the highest position, rather than just referring to a specific person?"

This statement is truly blasphemous. Buddha is the founder of the Buddhist sect, the only Buddha, the existence they worship.

Such a high-ranking divine figure should be the only Buddha.

But Xu Qi'an's words do make sense, so the monks of the Buddhist sect were unable to refute them for a while.

Xu Qi'an continued, "So, I have a question to ask the master. What exactly is Buddha, a way to gain power, or a way of thinking?"

Master Du'e remained serious, but there was no anger in his eyes. Instead, he thought seriously for a moment and said, "It's both."

"So I say, this is the difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism," Xu Qi'an said confidently.

The monks below looked at each other, feeling uncomfortable as if scratching their hearts, wanting to hear Xu Qi'an's theory in one breath.

At the Bureau of Heavenly Masters, the chief astrologer stared wide-eyed and muttered under his breath, "This brat dares to say anything. It's over, it's over..."

Emperor Yuan Jing turned and asked, "Chief, what did you say?"

The chief smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Qi'an has given you a great gift."

Emperor Yuan Jing frowned, indicating that he didn't understand.

But the chief did not answer him.

Wei Yuan slowly got up, and with his hands clenched into fists inside his hanging sleeves, he seemed to have realized something.

"Amazing...." Prime Minister Wang said in a low voice.

Amazing?! Miss Wang looked at him in surprise, wanting to ask, but seeing her father's absorbed posture, she could only swallow her doubts.

"At present, in the Buddhist sect, power is supreme, and rank is the foundation. The goal of every Buddhist practitioner is to achieve a position, either as an Arhat or a Bodhisattva. In other words, it's about self-enlightenment. As for saving all sentient beings, that comes later. Master Du'e, am I right?"

Master Du'e remained silent for a while, then clasped his hands together.

This was an acknowledgment.

"Therefore, with power as the supreme, rank as the foundation, and Buddha as Buddha, I call this Hinayana Buddhism," Xu Qi'an looked up at the sky and said loudly.

"Master Du'e, esteemed monks of the Buddhist sect, am I right?"

A monk retorted, "If this is Hinayana Buddhism, then what is Mahayana Buddhism? Is it what you said, that all sentient beings are Buddhas? This is simply absurd."

"You find it absurd because you practice Hinayana Buddhism, which fundamentally still places rank as supreme, which is self-serving. But what if the mind is supreme?"

"The mind is supreme?"

Master Du'e chanted the Buddha's name and clasped his hands together. "Please enlighten me, benefactor."

"You think there is only one Buddha in the world, that Buddha is Buddha, and that humans cannot become Buddhas, only Bodhisattvas or Arhats. But, don't forget, was Buddha born as a Buddha?" Xu Qi'an spoke confidently, "I believe that everyone has the nature of Buddha, but it is obscured by the impurities of the world. After cultivation, seeing oneself clearly, everyone can become a Buddha.

"Master, seeing one's nature is being a Buddha!"

Boom!

Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck across the sky, and the faint sound of the Buddhist chant could be heard.

Everyone was astonished to see that Master Du'e was shimmering with golden light, responding to the unusual phenomenon in the sky.

In the Buddhist sect, this was an enlightenment.

Seeing one's nature is being a Buddha, seeing one's nature is being a Buddha... Master Du'e was immersed in a wonderful state, as if in a trance.

A voice in his heart was shouting wildly: Why is Buddha a Buddha? Why can't I be a Buddha?

No, everyone can become a Buddha.

This Buddha is not the Buddha of the practice system, but the Buddha within.

To outsiders, Xu Qi'an's words may only make some sense, but to Master Du'e, who had been practicing Buddhism for many years, they were truly thought-provoking.

Is Buddha really only determined by power?

Is Buddha really only the Buddha?

How narrow-minded.

If that's the case, then the saying "Buddha's light shines over the land" is just empty words. Only when everyone can become a Buddha can the land truly be illuminated by the Buddha's light.

This is the true Buddhist doctrine.

Buddha represents the pinnacle of the Buddhist system, but Buddhism should not be limited to Buddha.

The concept of Mahayana Buddhism has emerged, and a new school of thought has appeared...

...

The other monks did not have an enlightenment, but each had their own insights, and even felt enlightened, glimpsing different Buddhist doctrines and new realms of thought.

Among them, Master Jingchen was the most deeply moved, as if in a trance.

In the Nightwatcher area, the gongs suddenly heard a low laughter, coming from Wei Yuan who walked out of the cool shed.

"Enlightenment is good, enlightenment is good!" Wei Yuan said word by word.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Prime Minister Wang stroked his beard and smiled.

What does this mean? What is there to laugh about for these two powerful ministers? Master Du'e has had an enlightenment, is that something to be happy about?

Although the Great Feng and the Buddhist sect are allies, the current atmosphere is tense, with mutual competition and conflict, even bordering on hostility.

The civil and military officials did not think this was a happy occasion.

On top of the Bureau of Heavenly Masters, the Eight Trigrams Platform.

Emperor Yuan Jing burst into laughter, an unprecedented joy.

"Xu Qi'an has proposed the concept of Mahayana Buddhism. If Master Du'e had not had an enlightenment, it would have been fine. But since he has, when he returns to the Western Regions in the future, he will definitely promote Mahayana Buddhism.

"And this will inevitably cause a clash of ideas between the two schools of Buddhism. At that time, the endless debates will be just the beginning. Once a split occurs... hahaha."

It had been many years since he had laughed so heartily.

Only when both sides are evenly matched can they become allies. When one side becomes stronger and the other weaker, they will inevitably drift apart.

The Great Feng and the Buddhist sect are currently in such a state. The Great Feng's border is being harassed by the barbarian tribes from the north and south, while the Buddhist sect stands by idly.

If the Buddhist sect were to split in the future, then both sides of the split would seek the support of the Great Feng. The Great Feng would not only be able to elevate its status, but also stand to gain."The Supervisor is right; it is indeed a grand gift. Very good, Xu Qi'an's gift is to my utmost satisfaction."

In the pavilion, many nobles lifted their heads in astonishment, looking towards the top of the Bureau of Heavenly Masters.

"Is that the Emperor's laughter?"

"Why is His Majesty laughing? What's there to laugh about? Strange, with Duke Wei and Prime Minister Wang acting so out of character, His Majesty is also behaving oddly."

..........

"Mahayana Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism..."

Heng Yuan, the monk, was intoxicated, murmuring to himself: "I too can attain Buddhahood, even a martial monk can become a Buddha, everyone in the world can become a Buddha. To universally save all beings, to know the mind is to know the Buddha."

"What did that dog servant say?"

Biao Biao widened her eyes and looked towards Huai Qing. She knew it was something formidable but didn't understand it, so she could only ask the well-informed Huai Qing.

"What he said, I do not know, but I do know what the consequences will be," Huai Qing said.

"Consequences?" Biao Biao blinked her peach blossom eyes.

"From now on, Buddhism will be divided into Mahayana and Hinayana," Huai Qing revealed with a hint of a smile.

At the same time, Xu Xinnian explained to the Nightwatchers: "From now on, Buddhism will be divided into Mahayana and Hinayana."

The Nightwatchers' eyes widened instantly; they didn't need it spelled out to grasp the implications of Xu Xinnian's words.

They also understood why Duke Wei had laughed.

Jiang Lvzhong was overjoyed, his voice low and trembling with excitement: "This, this, Buddhism is in trouble now. What has Xu Ningyan done? What has he done? Hahaha."

In just a few words, he divided Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana... Xu Ningyan has done something remarkable... Duke Wei, did you anticipate all this?

An ordinary-looking woman's eyes suddenly brightened; she despised Buddhism, utterly so. That's why she specifically sent a sixth-rank martial artist to compete with Monk Jingsi.

The goal was to suppress the arrogance of Buddhism.

Unfortunately, her subordinates were disappointing, not only failing to achieve anything but instead becoming a stepping stone for the other side.

Today, she mingled in the Nightwatchers' area to watch the duel, partly to join in the excitement, but more so to see the Buddhists embarrassed, to witness their defeat in the duel.

Xu Qi'an had not yet won, but this surprise was enough for the woman to roll around happily in bed when she got home.

He really is capable... the woman thought.

Meanwhile, among the nobles, some slowly chewed over the hidden meaning, their eyes widening as if they had seen a stunning beauty stripped bare and waiting in bed.

The surprise and ecstasy were hard to conceal.

When the civil and military officials looked at Xu Qi'an again, their eyes were different. Although this man was part of the eunuch faction and annoying, they had to admit, he always brought surprises.

With him taking action, it somehow felt reassuring.

............

PS: These chapters indeed took longer to write, so please don't scold me. You all have seen how hard I've been working. Writing slowly is a matter of ability, not attitude. I've been burning the midnight oil, striving hard, which should show my sincerity.

You can criticize a genius for not striving to improve, for indulging in leisure all day, but you can't fault someone of mediocre talent who works diligently, staying up all night writing.

My slow writing isn't due to a lack of sincerity or arrogance; it's really a personal ability issue. I'm actually not very good at writing grand scenes like this; I'm better at writing about daily life.

I'm trying to transition, so I'm not familiar with many writing methods, and I'm also not very knowledgeable about Buddhism. I'm afraid of creating big logical loopholes, so I write very cautiously, and it's tough.

Moreover, from the start of this dueling plot, I've written 27,000 words in three days, averaging 9,000 words a day. That's not a small amount, right? I feel like I've outdone most full-time authors.

So when I see the comment section constantly complaining about updates, I'm actually quite sad. Because I really am giving it my all, my utmost effort...

Alright, I'm going to take a bath and get a little sleep before heading to work.......