“Ahem.”

In the awkward atmosphere, Zhang Jiuyang coughed twice and said, "Sanbao, kneel down."

Sanbao's pupils trembled, and he almost doubted whether he had heard it wrong.

Zhang Jiuyang touched his bald head and said with a smile: "Would you like to be my disciple?"

"Brother Zhang, I already have a master, and... I am devoted to Buddhism and do not want to learn Taoism. I have failed your kindness. I am very-"

“It’s just learning Buddhism.”

Zhang Jiuyang's voice was full of temptation. He said, "Do you want to know what the true Dharma is? Do you want to understand the true meaning of the Dharma?"

“If there is a chance for you to be exposed to a brand new Buddhism that you have never experienced before, would you be willing?”

Sanbao blinked, somewhat confused about what Zhang Jiuyang meant.

"And don't worry, I won't let you betray Baiyun Temple. You are still a disciple of Baiyun Temple. That Buddhist sect adheres to Mahayana Buddhism. As long as you practice Mahayana Buddhism, all Buddhist sects in the world are one family."

"Mahayana... Buddhism?"

Sanbao recited these four words blankly, as if there was some kind of magical power in them that instantly made his Zen heart move.

He even forgot about his uncle lying on the ground.

"Brother Zhang, what is... Mahayana Buddhism?"

The Buddhist teachings in this world are divided into only Zen and Tantric Buddhism, with no distinction between Mahayana and Hinayana. Zen Buddhism pursues spiritual enlightenment, while Tantric Buddhism overemphasizes the worship of Buddhas, dragons and elephants, and is even somewhat distorted in some places.

Although Sanbao is young, he is intelligent, has a high level of understanding, and has a great interest in Buddhism. He has read a large number of Buddhist scriptures in Baiyun Temple, but has never heard of the words "Mahayana Buddhism".

"In that new Buddhist sect, Buddhism was divided into Hinayana and Mahayana. The so-called Hinayana Buddhism was about pursuing one's own salvation and attaining the fruition through asceticism, such as Arhat, Bodhisattva and Buddha."

Sanbao nodded, this is similar to the current Buddhism.

"And Mahayana Buddhism, in simple terms, is about the pursuit of everyone being able to escape from the sea of ​​suffering, and that all living beings are Buddhas. It is not only about saving oneself, but also saving the world."

Hearing Zhang Jiuyang's words, Sanbao was shocked.

Can all sentient beings become Buddhas?

In the Buddhist scriptures he had read, it was always said that Buddha had infinite supernatural powers and perfect wisdom, and that one must go through countless hardships before achieving enlightenment, and that he was the supreme being.

But Brother Zhang said... Can all living beings in the world become Buddhas?

This statement is extremely absurd. If it were to spread out, it would probably be regarded as heresy by many Buddhist disciples, but Sanbao was vaguely touched.

"Brother Zhang, can everyone really become a Buddha?"

He couldn't help but ask.

"cannot."

Zhang Jiuyang gave the answer without any hesitation.

Even in the world of "Journey to the West", where Buddhism is so prosperous and Monk Tang retrieved the true scriptures and passed down Mahayana Buddhism, aren't the people still suffering from all kinds of hardships?

At the foot of Lingshan Mountain, there are the most man-eating monsters.

Sanbao's eyes suddenly dimmed.

"But just because Mahayana Buddhism cannot do that doesn't mean you can't. I am teaching you Mahayana Buddhism only to give you a reference, not to decide your future path for you."

Zhang Jiuyang looked at him, with a hint of expectation and encouragement in his eyes.

The path to becoming a strong person has to be walked by oneself.

What he values ​​most is never the Buddhist teachings, but the pure and flawless Buddha's heart of the Three Treasures. Only with such a heart of compassion will there be infinite possibilities.

Sanbao's eyes were filled with thought. He no longer hesitated and knelt down to kowtow to Zhang Jiuyang.

"Master, please teach me Mahayana Buddhism!"

Zhang Jiuyang was originally a person he admired very much, and now he was even more famous and outstanding. Sanbao knew that there were countless people in the world who dreamed of taking Brother Zhang as their master.

This is his opportunity and fortune.

"I don't know Mahayana Buddhism either, but there is someone who may be able to teach you."

Zhang Jiuyang laughed loudly, helped Sanbao up, and then pointed his finger at his forehead.

The next moment, a stream of light flew out from the visualization diagram and disappeared into the sea of ​​consciousness of Sanbao.

In an instant, his sea of ​​consciousness was filled with Sanskrit sounds and Buddha's light shone everywhere, as if infinite merits were born. Thousands of auspicious clouds bloomed, and the tiny space of his mind was like a paradise.

Sanbao's whole body shook violently, and his pupils fell into a daze.

He seemed to see a mad monk with a tattered hat, a tattered fan, tattered shoes and dirty patched clothes, walking wantonly in the world, not bound by the precepts, addicted to wine and meat, and behaving like a madman.

The monk's straw sandals have traveled all over the world, helping the poor and the needy, eliminating violence and protecting the good. With a wave of his broken fan, he can exorcise demons and monsters; with a throw of his patched clothes, he can hold the mountains, rivers, sun and moon; with a rub of his body, he can cure diseases and save lives.

Some people laughed at him, scolded him, and insulted him, but he didn't care.

He remained unmoved even if someone praised him, worshipped him, and respected him.

The whole world praises him but he is not encouraged; the whole world criticizes him but he is not discouraged.

He spent his entire life saving sentient beings from the sea of ​​suffering. Even every bite of wine and meat he ate was to liberate the souls trapped in the animal realm. Once they passed through his intestines, it was like they were passing through the six realms of reincarnation.

Until the end, he passed away peacefully, and expressed his life in a Zen poem.

It has been in a mess for sixty years, with battles stretching from east wall to west wall, but now that it has been cleaned up, the water and sky are still connected and blue.

…

Zhang Jiuyang looked at Sanbao who was in enlightenment and smiled with satisfaction.

This painting of "Jigong Conquering the Dragon" was carefully selected by him from among all the Buddhas. The Jigong in the painting is not only the incarnation of Arhat Conquering the Dragon, but also a holy monk and living Buddha widely circulated among the people.

According to legend, Jigong not only practiced Buddhism, but also had in-depth research on the three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. After his death, his influence among the people continued to expand, and his Buddhist name after he became a Buddha became as long as 28 characters.

The compassionate, merciful, benevolent, and wise Purple Gold Arhat Ana, the master of great power and salvation, the Three Yuan Praises and Transformations Heavenly Venerable!

This Buddhist name is extremely honorable, combining Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism in one. It is unprecedented and rare in the world.

According to legend, when Jigong was born, the seventeenth Arhat in the Arhat Hall of Guoqing Temple suddenly collapsed, and that Arhat was none other than Jianglong.

The Arhat Subduing the Dragon is the most famous and the highest status among the Five Hundred Arhats, but he is ranked after the Bodhisattva.

But his reincarnated Living Buddha Jigong's achievements far exceeded those of his previous life and could be compared with those of other Buddhas.

This is very rare in myths and legends.

Zhang Jiuyang passed this painting "Jigong Conquering the Dragon" to Sanbao in the hope that he would not be bound by one opinion, but integrate the opinions of hundreds of schools, and finally find his own way.

A path to Buddhahood that belongs to you.

He hopes that this road can bring some hope and change to the people who are suffering in every corner of the world.

After a moment, Sanbao slowly opened his eyes.

He seemed to have changed, yet seemed not to have changed. He stood still, his eyes as clear as water. He clasped his hands together and bowed to Zhang Jiuyang.

“So this is Mahayana Buddhism.”

His body suddenly burst into brilliant Buddha light, and his eyes were shining with wisdom, as if encompassing all the stars.

Zhang Jiuyang was shocked.

Is this... a sudden enlightenment?

The visualization diagram has almost achieved perfect integration with it. The Three Treasures were just obtained and they immediately received the first inheritance!

…