Chapter 967: Chapter 78: Cultivation Chapter 967: Chapter 78: Cultivation What is True Enlightenment?

In Buddhism, the original meaning of Buddha is enlightenment, which has three levels:
The first is self-enlightenment, that is, self-realization of one’s own nature; the second is enlightenment of others, that is, teaching Dharma to enlighten people; the third is perfection in practice.

Among the Yaanatraya Buddha School, the Pratyeka-buddha School focuses on causality for enlightenment, also known as the solitary enlightenment vehicle. It does not have clear hierarchical levels and shall not be discussed first.

Sravaka School, also known as Hinayana, achieves Arhat Fruit, which is self-enlightenment and also True Enlightenment;
Bodhisattva Dharma School, also called Mahayana, realizes enlightenment, which is self-enlightenment and enlightenment of others, considered equal to True Enlightenment but not yet truly becoming a Buddha;
From self-enlightenment and enlightening others to perfection in practice is called unsurpassed equal Enlightenment and is then recognized as “Buddha”.

The triad of great suns overhead, Eastern Medicine Buddha, Central Gautama Buddha, and Western Amitabha Buddha, represent Buddhas of unsurpassed equal True Enlightenment.

In this part of the world, and even in the twelve inhabitable worlds left by Buddhist civilization, the classifications of Sramanera (Wizard Apprentice), Vajra (Official Wizard), Arhat (Sage), Bodhisattva (Great Sage), and Buddha (a few special Ninth Level Great Sages) are merely divisions of spiritual realms.

They are not divisions of attained results in Buddhist practice!

Achieved results and realms are not the same thing.

This was something Link had previously confused, thinking that achieving the realm of an Arhat was equivalent to achieving the Arhat Fruit.

It wasn’t until he entered Dharma Hall for secluded cultivation that he finally understood what the real difference between them was.

To put it bluntly, one is about cultivating power, while the other involves cultivating both power and mind.

Faced with the uproar and condemnation led by Monk Nengqing of Bianjing Ci’en Temple, Link’s response was to form the Ksitigarbha Fundamental Seal and make a great vow, thereby declaring to everyone that he was choosing the path of cultivating both power and mind.

It was also a separation from most of the Buddhist temples and monks, indicating that he intended to cultivate the Bodhisattva Dharma School, and achieve self-enlightenment and enlightenment of others, up to perfection in practice, to prove unsurpassed equal True Enlightenment.

It was also, regarding this part of the World, towards the remains of Buddhist civilization, towards the triad of great suns overhead, a declaration of a great vow, a question raised and even a criticism.

“I, Monk Liao Fan, vow to lead all sin-laden beings to Bodhi and attain True Enlightenment.”

This calmly spoken statement, not loudly uttered, echoed over and over in the ears and hearts of Monk Nengqing, Monk Liao Chen, and over three hundred monks, and even Prince of Guanglin.

It seemed that even the heavens and earth responded.

At the small square, the environment was peaceful, with no wind and utter silence.

Monk Liao Chen opened his mouth wide, staring in shock at Link who had just made his great vow and calmly walked down from the preachng platform.

He suddenly realized that he had been conservative!

His master had been conservative too!

His junior brother had not just undergone minor changes after recovering from his injuries; he had completely transformed, almost like a different person!

Even, Monk Liao Chen began to deeply believe that his junior brother was the reincarnation of Master Wusheng.

Monk Nengqing, coming from Bianjing Ci’en Temple and direct disciple of the abbot, was filled with shock, horror, and fear.

He very much wanted to point at Monk Liao Fan, who was walking down from the preaching platform, and loudly berate him, continuing to denounce Monk Liao Fan as part of the Evil Path, as an enemy of the Buddha or as corrupting Buddhism.

Yet, from nowhere, a powerful force completely bound him, restraining him from moving, from speaking, even from shifting his eyes.

Over three hundred monks each had their own thoughts.

Some monks subtly felt that Monk Liao Fan’s question and vow were filled with a Zen spirit, captivating and desirable.

Other monks felt an immense division, as if their innate hearts and the Buddhist teachings they had received since childhood were in opposition and battle.

Some monks suffered greatly, thinking their hearts were numb, their wounds scabbed and pain-free, but they were not completely numb and not without impact.

All the things they had seen, heard, and done, resurfaced one by one.

Is this world really a peaceful Buddha land, or an endless sea of suffering…
Are they really blind to see?

Some monks, just like Monk Nengqing, looked at Monk Liao Fan with shock, horror, and fear, as if looking at someone from the Evil Path, an enemy of the Buddha, or as corrupting Buddhism!

At this moment, the Prince of Guanglin just wanted to cry.

Sob sob sob…
In the chambers of the Commandery Princess, Jasmine’s eyes brimmed with stars, filled with love and pride as she looked at Link.

This was her husband!

While she was still thinking about minor squabbles, he had already decided to undertake a major act that would overturn the foundation of Buddhist civilization’s remnants.

Moreover, this major act, under the guise of the three Buddha manifestations, could not be opposed.

Not only could they not openly oppose it, they could not secretly interfere either, but only observe.

Because before the remnants of Buddhist civilization existed, the three Buddhas had already attained unsurpassed equal True Enlightenment, enabling them to overlook the current state of mankind within the remains of Buddhist civilization, thus remaining aloof, above worldly concerns.

But they cannot remain aloof and at the same time interfere and oppose Link.

That would be digging their own graves!

It would be telling all the civilizations in this part of the universe, especially those at the pinnacle like the divine and demon civilizations, to look, to come and see that they were slapping their own faces, admitting that the path they had previously followed was wrong from the root.

And is this merely a face slap?

It’s a fallacy in their Dao!

It’s a collapse of their Dao foundation!

The celestial immortals and Celestial Masters of the divine civilization, and the Celestial Demons and Heavenly Demons of the demon civilization, would definitely seize this rare opportunity to kill the three unstable Buddhas once and for all!

Hidden in the shadows, Lotson was also very surprised at this time; he had never considered that Link would take this path.

This path was both a royal road and filled with insurmountable obstacles.

Even he, putting himself in Link’s position to consider how to break the situation and act, tended toward initiating upheaval.

Otherwise, why would he have sneaked into the Prince of Guanglin’s study to leave behind a seed that would instigate internal unrest within Song Country, and even among the neighboring countries?