Chapter 2472: Cultivation in Buddhism
Although the Heart Sutra was considered an introductory study of Buddhism, it was also a classic sacred text of Buddhism, full of infinite wisdom and wonder.
Ye Futian deeply immersed himself in it. The content in the Heart Sutra was not much, and it was a little too obscure and dull for beginners. Once he entered into the space of total fascination, Ye Futian seemed to exist in the space of Buddhism. He sat cross-legged and surrounded by Buddhist runes. Faintly, lingering Sounds of Buddha could be heard, which was transmitted into the ears of those who could hear it, and it was deafening and unmistakable.
A Buddha lamp was lit next to him, which seemed to also light up the heart for Buddha inside of him. Ye Futian almost felt that he had always been a Buddhist cultivator and was now comprehending Buddhist scriptures.
As time passed, Ye Futian was surrounded by the Light of Buddha; it was as if he had been covered with a layer of gold all over his body. The white garment on him faintly glowed with a golden radiance.
Others were also leafing through these Buddhist scriptures next to them, but they were browsing. Even if no cultivation was involved, reading these Buddhist scriptures and meditating on them was beneficial.
Ye Futian stayed here for about a month before leaving. Soon after, Hua Qingqing took him to other ancient temples to study and comprehend Buddhist scriptures that were there and cultivate Buddhist superpowers. After coming to the sacred land of Western Heaven, Ye Futian was immersed in the cultivation of Buddhism.
In a blink of an eye, two months passed. Ye Futian had been wandering among the ancient temples during this time. The time he stayed in each location became shorter and shorter. Recently, it seemed that he was simply observing, then leaving right after. It was more like taking a tour of the place rather than cultivating.
In the meantime, at the sacred land of Western Heaven, the atmosphere of All Buddhas Fest was hitting a high point. The entire Western Heaven was more festive and lively than ever. There were already many people who were talking about the upcoming All Buddhas Conference.
It was rumored that some great Buddhas had already arrived on the spirit mountains of all the heavens in the World of Buddhism, and they had stepped into the sacred land of Western Heavens. Some even claimed they had seen those figures with their own eyes.
At this time, in a place of Buddhist cultivation in the Western Heaven, the Light of Buddha surrounds this space, full of peace and joy.
In one place, there was an eminent monk who was giving a lecture. Many Buddhist cultivators sat and listened quietly, their visage majestic and dignified. The Light of Buddha lingered all around them as if they were preparing for the coming of the All Buddhas Conference.
When the lecture was over, the phantom of those Buddhas in front gradually disappeared. The Light of Buddha still circulated in the quiet space upon those Buddhist cultivators. After a while, they opened their eyes and recited the Buddha’s name in thanks.
“How does everyone feel?” a cultivator asked with a smile.
“Buddha Lord’s preaching was enlightening and refreshing. The benefits are incredible,” someone replied.
“The Buddha Lord has an advanced and profound understanding of Buddhism and has elucidated some of my questions about the scriptures. I feel that my cultivation has improved a few more degrees because of it,” another jumped in.
“Arhat’s cultivation has already reached the pinnacle, and now that your comprehension has improved even more, you must be getting close to crossing the Buddha’s Tribulation. This time at All Buddhas Conference, you will outshine all the others.” Everyone was talking and praising the man, who was none other than Shenyan Arhat.
“What has that Ye Futian been doing? Is he still reading the scriptures?” Shenyen Arhat asked around. In the sacred land of Western Heaven, Ye Futian’s every move could not be hidden from their eyes. The top-rated Buddha’s Clairvoyance could see through the endless space, and in the land of Western Heaven, they could directly zoom in on Ye Futian’s location and what he was doing.
Therefore, Ye Futian’s cultivation in Buddhism did not escape their attention.
Of course, Ye Futian never thought of concealing his whereabouts or what he was doing. He knew that his every move was under the scrutiny of these Buddhist cultivators. Tianyin Arhat, for one, had been watching him from the shadows. He heard everything loud and clear when Ye Futian was chatting with Yumu before.
“Well, he has been wandering among the ancient temples of the Western Heaven, and no one has any idea as to his true intentions,” someone else responded.
“If you are speaking of cultivating Buddhism, going into a temple for a day or two then walking out of it is not the way to comprehend Buddhism.” Some other cultivators gave their two cents with a smile. His smile was tinged with a slight sense of sarcasm; it seemed he was amused by Ye Futian’s lack of self-awareness.
“Cultivation of Buddhism must avoid impatience. Although Ye Futian is talented, he has too high of a regard for himself. Perhaps he is eager to achieve success and wants to improve his realm by comprehending and cultivating in Buddhism. However, he is just wasting his time.”
“What if he could really comprehend Buddhism, receiving some enlightenment, and cultivated some Buddhism methods? What is his intention?” someone asked, a little curious.
“He wants to follow the example of Donghuang the Great—participate in the All Buddhas Conference and defeat everyone there,” a Buddhist cultivator replied with a smile, and everyone suddenly burst out laughing. The whole thing looked a little comical. There was a strong sense of mockery.
“To defeat all the Buddhas?” The golden eyes of Shenyan Arhat shot out some terrifying sharp rays. “If he comes to the All Buddhas Conference and asks to participate, whatever happens after that cannot be blamed on us.”
Ye Futian had not yet answered for the killings of their disciples, and now he wanted to participate in the All Buddhas Conference to defeat all the Buddhas. If this was not a crazy man’s talk, what else could it be?
The All Buddhas Conference was a major Buddhist event. What happened hundreds of years ago when Donghuang the Great visited was not known to too many people. Only some ancient Buddhas who had cultivated for many years knew exactly what happened once upon a time. But in their generation, and at this time, they would absolutely not allow a similar occurrence again in the Buddhist Sect.
After Donghuang the Great became emperor, what happened here was discussed in a positive light in the land of Divine Prefecture and was discussed ad nauseam. However, in the eyes of these Buddhists, their major event was crashed by some outsider, who then defeated all the Buddhas at their methods was certainly not viewed in a positive light. Especially those Buddhist cultivators, who were defeated by Donghuang the Great, must have had a difficult time swallowing their defeats.
It was said that some great Buddhas had been in retreat ever since. They had been heavily affected by the event that took place hundreds of years ago and had not yet fully recovered from it. They seemed determined not to come out of their retreat until they had proved the Great Path. There was even a great Buddha whose existence ended in Parinirvana because of what took place.
In any case, this matter, within the Buddhist circle, it was definitely a dishonor.
Of course, there were some top Buddhas who did not mind it. From their perspective, all beings were equal, and for that, they admired Donghuang the Great. This was because their philosophy in cultivating Buddhism was different from the rest.
However, Ye Futian didn’t know the things that were happening there. He continued to immerse in his own cultivation of Buddhist teachings and methods.
Before they knew it, there was only seven-day’s time left before the start of the All Buddhas Conference. Ye Futian stopped his comprehension of Buddhism and did not continue to cultivate in the ancient temple.
At this moment, Ye Futian and his group were here, on top of a peak in the Western Heaven.
Next to the cliff, one could survey the vast space of the Western Heaven below. Ye Futian sat with his legs crossed, surrounded by golden light. Now, it was no longer just a simple Light of Buddha. His body seemed to have turned into a golden body. He was radiant all over. It was as if it was the body of an ancient golden Buddha. With this transformation, he was surrounded by many Buddhist runes, while Sounds of Buddha lingered in the air.
In Ye Futian’s Life Palace, the entire Life Palace was surrounded by golden Light of Buddha, as if it had been transformed into a Buddha’s world. In this world, a massive and boundless Buddha shadow appeared above the firmament, like Dharma. It reflected upon Ye Futian, who was sitting cross-legged.
Behind Ye Futian, Hua Jieyu and Hua Qingqing stood there quietly, watching him cultivate.
“Looks like he doesn’t need my help anymore,” Hua Qingqing said softly. Ye Futian’s comprehension and subsequent cultivation of Buddhism astounded her!