The world was silent, and Amitabha Buddha stood still for a long time before stepping up into the sky and sitting cross-legged.
His calm gaze fell upon Su Changqing, "Might I ask for your guidance?"
The moment these words fell, endless Buddhist cultivators in the Lingshan and Western Domain were all astounded.
Is this... a debate on the Dao?
The solemn Amitabha Buddha, the forefather of all Buddhas, actually wishes to engage in a debate with a mere Divine Skill Realm cultivator?
This scene left not only the Buddhist cultivators of the Western Domain but also Su Nan, Wu Jiuling, and others astonished.
"Chang Qing... knows Buddhist techniques as well?"
Su Nan couldn’t help but ask.
"He should... I suppose."
Wu Jiuling murmured uncertainly, "Back in the Little Immortal Sect, the Buddha Peak Master gave Chang Qing numerous Buddhist manuals."
Hearing this, Su Nan and everyone present couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
Using the manuals given by the Buddha Peak Master... to engage in a debate with the Buddha himself?
No matter how one looked at it, it seemed unreliable. Even if that Peak Master came himself, he’d likely kneel upon seeing Amitabha Buddha.
"Let’s just watch. If things go awry, regardless of who Buddha is or isn’t, we’ll fight first and talk later!"
Su Nan’s eyes hardened as he tightened his grip on the spear in his hand.
The Great Cyan Spear shimmered with a dim light, poised to strike at any moment.
...
In the sky above, Amitabha Buddha and Su Changqing sat facing each other.
Their images bore an immense disparity.
Behind Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha light flowed like an ocean, as if he bore a golden wheel of Buddha light illuminating all.
While where Su Changqing sat, it was as light as a breeze, with nothing remarkable at all.
The countless Buddhist cultivators of the Western Domain all focused their gazes on Su Changqing with scorn and rage.
"To dare debate the Dao with the Buddha, not knowing the limits of life!"
This seemed to be what was on the minds of most of the Buddhist cultivators.
The word ’Buddha’ in the Western Domain weighs heavier than the heavens and earth.
However, unlike other Buddhist cultivators who were dismissive, Amitabha Buddha was not at all careless.
He adjusted his robes, his expression calm and solemn, looking at Su Changqing as if seeing an equal being.
"The Dao may be myriad, but there is only one Buddha, and that Buddha is Amitabha."
In the debate of the Dao and speaking of the doctrine, the first sentence was to clarify one’s origin and foundation.
It was evident that Amitabha Buddha regarded this debate with significant importance.
"The Dao is infinite, and the doctrine boundless. Buddha itself is Dao, so how can there only be ’one Buddha’?"
Su Changqing sat cross-legged, seemingly unaffected by the realm or status of ’Amitabha Buddha.’
He remained in a relaxed and comfortable posture, without joy or sorrow, as if facing an equal creature, and spoke with a smile,
"A personal Buddha, the path is too narrow, it is just Small Vehicle."
"Yet all beings are Buddha, that is the grand boulevard, this is called Mahayana!"
At this moment below, countless Buddhist cultivators in the Western Domain were watching those debating... two Buddhas.
And none had expected that just at the beginning, Amitabha had already fallen behind.
One speaks of Small Vehicle, the other of Mahayana, from the source and basis of Buddha itself, there was already a gap.
However, the Amitabha Buddha, who had practiced Buddhism for countless ages, would not be easily shaken in his beliefs.
He slowly spoke as if a true Buddha reciting scriptures and teaching the Dao:
"My Buddhist technique is rooted in the Four Noble Truths: suffering, origination, cessation, and the path, helping sentient beings recognize the world’s suffering and know the root of suffering."
"Thereby cutting off delusion, attaining the Arhat Fruit, breaking the cycle of birth and death, and achieving transcendence."
Su Changqing’s knowledge sea churned, ancient memories surfaced one by one,
"A Buddha does not seek peace and joy for himself but wishes all beings to be free from suffering."
"Bodhisattvas arise the Bodhicitta, practice the six perfections and myriad practices, enduring countless eons, helping all beings become Buddhas, entering the world of mortals, breaking life and death, assisting others, this is Mahayana!"
Below, countless Buddhist cultivators initially had absolute faith and devotion towards Amitabha Buddha.
But when Su Changqing’s words fell, countless Buddhist cultivators stood in place dumbfounded.
Not seeking peace and joy for oneself, but wishing all beings to be free from suffering...
The Buddhist teachings often say, my Buddha is compassionate, but if compassion takes form, it seems... Mahayana Buddhism is the true embodiment of compassion.
Whereas the compassion of the Small Vehicle is only for oneself, for Buddha’s own compassion.
At this moment, words like ’narrow-minded’ and ’Small Vehicle’ gave everyone a new understanding.
"Personal transcendence is not easy, how difficult is it to help all beings attain enlightenment?"
"Why not focus on oneself, achieve liberation, and then enlighten others?"
Amitabha’s expression carried confusion, though it was a debate, it seemed more like questioning, seeking an answer.
"How do you know, enlightening others is not a practice for oneself?"
Su Changqing’s one sentence left Amitabha Buddha momentarily stunned.
"Entering the world of mortals, facing myriad tribulations, assisting others, attaining proper fruits."
"Every person you assist, every tribulation you resolve, aren’t you experiencing them yourself?"
"You help all beings, and all beings help you. Isn’t every tribulation you go through a chance to understand your Heart Demon and refine your cultivation?"
Su Changqing looked at Amitabha Buddha, clasped his hands together, and said with a smile:
"Buddha should focus on all beings, not on oneself alone."
"Those who attain the Dao have the help of many; those who lose the Dao have little help. The heart of Buddha should be boundless, compassionate to the world."
Hum!
Su Changqing’s words seemed to contain the profound truth of the Heavenly Dao.
Though he exhibited no unusual phenomena, pure Buddhist intent suddenly appeared behind him.
The Buddhist intent transformed into countless living beings, landing behind Su Changqing, each with hands clasped and faces filled with gratitude.
The numerous Buddhist cultivators in the Western Regions were stunned by this scene.
Among those illusory figures, there were many they recognized.
Those were the ascetic monks who were devoured by the sands of the Western Regions while on the path of seeking Buddha.
Su Changqing’s truth of Buddhism today awakened them completely, making them understand what Buddha truly is.
In the past, the ascetic monks of the Western Regions were devout, yet their faces were filled with sorrow and suffering.
But now, the monks behind Su Changqing were equally devout.
However, their expressions were devoid of bitterness, replaced instead by serene and peaceful smiles.
Many high monks on Lingshan were stunned in place by this scene.
Why do ascetic seekers in the Western Regions mostly have sorrowful expressions?
Because these people, encountering various ’tribulations,’ come to the Buddhist sect seeking transcendence and salvation.
But what did Lingshan do?
They helped no one; instead, they used the endless sands as a test.
In addition to the ’tribulations’ of all beings, they added more suffering.
Because Buddha once said, only by understanding suffering and recognizing it can one transcend it.
In the past, Buddhist cultivators regarded this as the ultimate truth, firmly believing in it.
But now, seeing the pure Buddhist intent formed by persistent thoughts behind Su Changqing.
A terrifying thought suddenly arose in their minds.
Is Buddha... truly right?
The true Buddha should be as Su Changqing said, aiding all beings with compassion, shouldn’t it?
The Mahayana Buddhist Technique, entering the world to save people, taking on tribulations, refining oneself, benefiting both self and others.
The Hinayana Buddhist Technique, recognizing suffering, creating suffering, understanding suffering, harming others to benefit oneself.
The purpose of both is transcendence, becoming Buddha.
But one is a narrow self-Buddha, the other is a Buddha saving all worldly beings.
Which one... is right?
The countless Buddhist cultivators of the Western Regions remained silent, their concept of ’Buddha.’
For the first time in many years, it was severely shaken.
And this was clearly sensed by Amitabha Buddha.
Su Changqing’s words on Buddhism had shaken his very foundation.
If it were anyone else, they would have long been killed on the spot, so why continue to debate?
However, Amitabha Buddha seemed unaware, still lost in contemplation.
He was understanding the arcane truths of the Mahayana Buddhist Technique and comparing them with the Hinayana Buddhist Technique he practiced.
"The root nature of all beings differs, good and evil are hard to distinguish, how should one save them?"
"With compassion at heart, wisdom as the guide, and inspired by the exquisite principles of the Buddhist Technique."
"The Hinayana Buddhist Technique emphasizes the observance of precepts and strict adherence to the rules. Is this method correct?"
"Observing precepts is permissible, but one should take Bodhicitta as the root, as long as the intention is pure, it should also lead to great success..."
In the sky, Amitabha Buddha and Su Changqing sat high, elaborately discussing the profound truths of the Buddhist Technique.
However, the conversation that started as a debate gradually turned into Amitabha Buddha seeking guidance.
Su Changqing’s profound understanding of the Buddhist Technique caused a stir in the Buddha Country of the Western Region, until finally, a giant ancient Bodhi tree appeared behind him.
Vast Buddhist resonance soared to the sky, and Su Changqing’s voice grew louder.
He seemed to evolve from the light mountain clouds to become a true... Buddha.
This debate lasted a long time, suddenly three days passed.
At this point, Su Changqing’s Buddhist light soared to the sky, the ’Buddha’ Dao laws on the Jade Disc having reached perfection long ago.
On the opposite side, the expression on Amitabha Buddha’s face was complex.
There was joy, resentment, unwillingness, hesitation; the true meanings of the two Buddhist Techniques constantly intertwined and collided in his heart.
After a long while, Amitabha Buddha slowly stood up.
He looked at Su Changqing, clasped his hands together, and bowed, "The grace of your teachings, I will remember in my heart."
Previously, Amitabha Buddha never understood what Yan meant by taking the wrong path, where exactly the mistake was.
But now...
He understood completely!