Chapter 369: Set Down All Desire


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The seven buddhas on the wall seemed to come from the past to stand in the present. Each of the Ancient Buddhas emitted a glowing Buddhist-light, and Chen Mo felt the chanting in his ears grow stronger and stronger.

“Little Monk, may I ask who these buddhas are?” Chen Mo asked a young novice monk who was sweeping leaves nearby.

The novice monk unhappily glanced at him: “You do not even know the Atita Temple’s famous Atita Seven Buddhas, how did you come to the Pure Land World.”

“The Atita Seven Buddhas?” Chen Mo honestly did not know.

The novice monk proudly pointed at this wall, “The Atita Seven Buddhas are the seven Buddhist Patriarchs closest to our time. They are Vipassi, Sikhi…” The young monk paused, unclear whether he forgot or did not know the rest, and shouted: “A layperson like you would not understand anyways, what a waste of my time.”

Chen Mo amicably asked: “Then what destiny does this wall have?”

“This ‘Seven Buddhas Wall’ is but the symbol of our Atita Temple. If you can fully grasp the Seven Buddhas Wall, you can enter the temple. Oh, I also heard Master mention that the Seven Buddhas Wall ‘listens to sounds of the past, practices Zen in the present, and eradicates disasters in the future.'” The young monk continued to sweep the ground. “It is enough for an outside cultivator like yourself to behold the Atita Temple’s prestige.”

Chen Mo sunk into contemplation.

Carefully scrutinizing this Seven Buddhas Wall, the Atita Seven Buddhas appeared lifelike to his eyes.

The Bodhi Soul Technique indeed reacted because of this wall just now. Could it be…

A thought flashed through Chen Mo’s mind.

Chen Mo stopped in front of the Seven Buddhas Wall and exercised the Bodhi Soul Technique. Slowly, the lines of the Seven Buddhas on the wall cleared up.

“Words?”

Chen Mo saw characters seemingly appear on the Seven Buddhas. The chanting in his ears faded, and under the Bodhi Soul Technique, Chen Mo noticed that the Seven Buddhas on the wall were apparently reading some mantra. This mantra was very indistinct. He could only use the Bodhi Soul Technique to barely make out the faintest traces.

The Bodhi Soul Technique was Buddhism’s supreme Soul Technique, able to see through the mysteries of martial learnings and allow the mind to absorb abundant experience. Chen Mo immediately realized this Seven Buddhas Wall was indeed the holder of a secret power.

It was a pity that Chen Mo did not actually practice Buddhism and still was yet to reach Buddhism’s most profound and complete level. Otherwise, he would be able to distinctly hear the Seven Buddhas’ chant. The current Chen Mo could only vaguely perceive their mantra, yet he was unable to discern the words being uttered.

He exercised the Bodhi Soul Technique for a few more cycles, but Chen Mo was still unable to grasp anything.

Any other person would have no choice but to give up, but Chen Mo just happened to have a solution. His eyes glowed, and Chen Mo opened his palm, manifesting the Bodhi Treasure Karma.

The Bodhi Treasure Karma swept towards the wall alongside the Bodhi Soul Technique.

Buddhist light filled the skies and radiated out.

Swiping seven times in succession, the mantra of the Seven Buddhas Wall appeared upon the Bodhi Treasure Karma. Chen Mo looked through the Buddhist light. It was some Sanskrit, and CHen Mo fortunately understood some Zen, recognizing the meaning of this script. “Calling, calling out. Revealing, revealing all. Making heartfelt prayers. Dissolving, disappearing blame. Vanishing vanished blame. Eminent virtues appear, and all blame is truly buried and gone by this power, svaha.”1 

Once he read the mantra, the script entered his mind and was converted into a secret text.

“These are the Blame Dispersing Words of the Seven Buddhas!”2

Chen Mo was astounded.

The novice monk absent-mindedly swept the ground. When he had swept half of the area, he raised his head to see that cultivator was still stopped in front of the Seven Buddhas Wall, staring at it. The young monk jeered. Even the Atita Temple’s abbot could only grasp half of this Seven Buddhas Wall. It truly was foolishly conceited for a cultivator who did not even know about the Atita Seven Buddhas to make a vain attempt at understanding this. 

The young monk lifted his bucket when, at this moment, he suddenly noticed that the Seven Buddhas Wall had become a bit strange. The lifelike Buddhas of Antiquity seemed on the verge of leaping out as they radiated Buddhist-light.

This was the second time that the little monk had seen the strange phenomenon. The first time was when the Atita abbot meditated in front of the Seven Buddhas Wall, but that time, the wall’s light was definitely not so intense.

It cannot be?

The monk’s eyes widened, and then he noticed Chen Mo bring out the Bodhi Treasure Karma and sweep.

Countless rays of golden light flowed into the Bodhi Treasure Karma, the chanting grew louder, and the little monk knocked over the water bucket in astonishment. He landed on his butt, his expression panic-stricken as he ran up the mountain in terror. “Master, this is bad, a thief is stealing the Seven Buddhas Wall’s dharma…”

“I am comprehending this, what do you mean stealing.”

Chen Mo was very speechless when he heard the novice monk’s voice. The softest recitation of the Blame Dispersing Words of the Seven Buddhas could eliminate negative karma. Being one of Buddhism’s great powers, Chen Mo did not expect to be able to learn such a power merely by browsing about in the Pure Land World. As expected of the Buddhist saying, all things have fate, especially the Buddha.

Just as Chen Mo was about to carefully mull over this Blame Dispersing Dharani using the Bodhi Soul Technique when, suddenly, something happened on Senior Sister Jiang Yuezhuo’s side. Chen Mo stowed his thoughts and hastily flew over.

A group of golden armored guards had surrounded Jiang Kui. Among them, two of them were reaching to grab the girl. Chen Mo struck with the Zhangtian Seal, knocking out the two of them attempting to capture her. In a flash, he appeared beside Jiang Yuezhuo.

“Brazen lunatic, you actually dare to sneak attack the Da Ye’s imperial guard.” An officer shouted.

The golden armored guards drew their sabers and glanced at each other.

Chen Mo growled, unleashing the might of the Black Turtle and forcing all of the guards back a step.

“Junior Brother.” Jiang Yuezhuo hid behind him.

“It’s okay.” Chen Mo smiled.

“So you came as well.”

An indifferent voice came from the steps above. Chen Mo looked up to see a woman wearing a purple gold cap and white scholarly clothes stared at them, a seeming grin on her face.

She was none other than “Cold-blooded Beauty” Yang Su.

Yang Su spotted Jiang Kui studying Huaisu’s calligraphy when she came out of the Buddha Of Emptiness Palace. Knowing that this “Clear Empty Shadow” was a disciple of Mount Hua, she ordered the guards to capture her, not expecting someone would dare defy her order.

Chen Mo.

Mount Hua’s sole male disciple. He apparently had some extraordinary Star Energy.

“Your Distinguished Self Yang Su, what is this. We have already wagered Mount Hua, are you planning to violate our agreement?” Chen Mo calmly came down.

Yang Su slowly descended the steps. She stopped in front of him. The woman’s figure was tall and slender, her every movement scholarly. There was a female general beside her, dressed in golden armor and white robe, wearing a Buddhist cap. Her eyes were overbearing, like she was a Star General.

Chen Mo had never seen her and was unsure if she was one of the Nine Elders Of Sui or not, but judging from her Realm, she had yet to reach Heavenly Star.

Hearing Chen Mo address her directly, that female general shouted: “How can a man like you address Milady’s name without an honorific.” Saying this, she stepped forward, her palm thrusting towards Chen Mo.

The female general’s feet seemed to tread on lotuses. She swiftly closed the distance, the smoothly attacking with her palm. Her palm was like a flower combined with the mystery of Buddhism’s golden lotus. At the same time this “Golden Lotus Mark”3 attacked, the Black Turtle on Chen Mo’s body manifested, and a power that dominated world was unleashed. 

After suffering his opponent’s Golden Lotus Mark, Chen Mo neither retreated nor dodged. He did not budge in the slightest.

The female general was a bit startled. Chen Mo was already counterattacking with his own palm. The Bagua’s Qian Three Linked slammed against the female general’s shoulder, sending her flying away.

Seeing a Star General actually get launched by a cultivator’s slap, the other guards were stupefied.

“You are Chen Mo, right, it appears you are ignoring my Da Ye’s laws?” Yang Su’s eyes glowed.

“We came here without pretext nor trick to admire the inscription on the stele. We are unaware of what laws we might have violated to make you apprehend us without distinction of right and wrong.” Chen Mo inquired.

“Milady, let me go kill him.” The female general got up and patted the dust off her body, her murderous aura overwhelming.

Yang Su stopped her: “Do you have a Buddhist Invitation?”

“None.”

“You are in the Pure Land World as neither a child of my Da Ye nor do you have a Buddhist Invitation. Others who enter in this manner violate the law. Now, you are to be apprehended. In light of the bet on Mount Hua, I can only keep you in custody until that day, upon which you will be released. If you are any more unreasonable, then your Mount Hua will lose another disciple today.” Yang Su’s expression was gentle, yet each word she uttered was powerful and resonating, striking their hearts.

At this time, a crowd of monks ran over from the side in a hurry.

“Lady Yang Su.” The abbot in the lead was very astonished to see Yang Su. He promptly put his palms together in deference.

“Abbot, this is the man who stole the dharma of the Seven Buddhas Wall, we cannot let him go.” The novice monk shrieked. The Atita Temple’s monks glared furiously at Chen Mo.

“You can eat messily if you want, but you can’t make random accusations. When did I steal your dharma.” Chen Mo said with conviction.

“It’s you, I saw the Seven Buddhas Wall’s Buddhist-light get stolen by you.” The novice monk fussed.

“Abbot Atita, what is the meaning of this.

“Old Monk heard the young monk say the Seven Buddhas Wall’s dharma was stolen by a cultivator. Old Monk saw this was indeed the case, so we specifically rushed here.” Abbot Atita was a Universe Origin Realm cultivator. He benevolently said: “Fellow, would it be possible for you to return the dharma you obtained to this temple?”

“Dharma can be returned now, can it. Then I might as well help you go to the Western Paradise to see the Buddha.” Chen Mo sneered.

Jiang Yuezhuo chortled. Sensing the atmosphere was off, she blushed and stopped.

“You!” Abbot Atita’s expression sank.

“You intrude upon the Pure Land and steal our dharma. Are all of Mount Hua’s disciples actually thieves? Hmph, Milady, I feel we should execute him on the spot. Mount Hua would not have any opinion.” The female general suggested.

“I never imagined that the magnificent Buddhist Pure Land would need to use a despicable trick like entrapment. Looks like Yang Guang’s Buddhism truly is a laughingstock.” Chen Mo retorted.

“How outrageous.” The female general was furious.

All of the monks were also enraged.

“Lady Yang Su, we received the Heaven-filling National Scholar Great Master Dao’an’s invitation to enter the Pure Land. We did not intrude without permission at all.” Jiang Yuezhuo said. “Furthermore, it is even more nonsense to say that my Junior Brother stole dharma. From the very beginning, dharma can only be comprehended by people with Buddha nature and roots of wisdom. If he was witless, how could he have comprehended a dharma that not even the abbot was aware of? This perfectly explains that we have sufficient qualifications to enter the Pure Land.”

“Ridiculous, a disciple of Mount Hua’s Daoism dares speak of some Buddha nature?”

“Utter rubbish, he did not even know Atita a moment ago.”

The monks questioned them harshly.

“How could the Heaven-filling National Scholar invite Daoists like you. You are truly conceited. Milady, just kill them.” The female general sneered.

Just at this moment when everyone was mutually hostile, all of a sudden, a warm voice drifted over.

“Benefactors Chen Mo and Jiang Kui indeed are here by Poor Monk’s invitation. I wonder if Poor Monk has committed an offense?”

Shi Dao’an’s figure appeared descending the staircase. The woman faintly smiled like a lotus.

But this was not the person herself, rather, it was a True Spirit.4

Even if she was far away in the Buddha Of Emptiness Palace discussing dharma with Yang Guang, she nevertheless could split off a True Spirit to defuse to situation. This power made everyone present feel shock.

The monks and bodyguards reverently cupped their fists.

Everyone knew that the present Heaven-filling National Scholar Shi Dao’an was Yang Guang’s closest person.

“Great Master, is there a misunderstanding, how could you allow Daoist disciples into the Pure Land? If the Monarch realizes this, Great Master Dao’an perhaps will be in a predicament.” Yang Su smiled, easygoing.

“Benefactor Chen Mo has Buddhist perception. Daoism and Confucianism are both fine so long as he has a connection to my Buddha. If this Pure Land World refuses him, that betrays the true intent of the Pure Land. Would you not agree, Benefactor Yang Su?” Shi Dao’an warmly said.

“Buddhist perception?” Yang Su certainly did not believe a disciple of Mount Hua could have any perception towards Buddhism. Most likely, he was improvising.

“Then I shall ask you a question. If you are able to answer, we will overlook this incident. Otherwise, we will have to trouble you to enter the Da Ye’s Heavenly Prison to comprehend dharma.” Yang Su said nonchalantly.

“Looks like Your Distinguished Self Yang Su does not believe the Heaven-filling National Scholar. Fine, then. Ask away.” Chen Mo shrugged.

The Cold Blooded Beauty said: “Yang Su will not make things difficult for you, the question is not profound. Since you grasped the Seven Buddhas Wall’s dharma, then I shall ask you, what is the prerequisite for Zen meditation.” 

As expected, this was not considered difficult. Zen meditation was the quintessence of Buddhism, and anyone who practiced Buddhism would have some understanding. But talking about it was easy, practice was not. While everyone knew what Zen meditation was, Zen understanding required a stronger Zen level. Perhaps not even the Atita Temple’s monks could speak of a convincing reason for this answer.

The Atita Abbot wiped his sweat, muttering to himself that this Cold-blooded Beauty was indeed frightening. He himself could not possibly offer a satisfactory answer. The abbot stared icily at Chen Mo; he actually wanted to know whether or not this man who grasped the Seven Buddhas Wall’s power had true talent.

“The prerequisite for Zen meditation?” Chen Mo realized her intentions, and his brow twisted.

“We shall give you some time to think. If you are unable to grasp it, then you will be locked in the Heavenly Prison.” The female general smirked, victory was at hand.

“No need to wait, I shall answer you right now.”

Chen Mo waved his sleeve and answered.

“Eight words!”

“Eight words?”

“Set down all desire!”

“Keep your mind still!”


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  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Small_Mantras
  2. 七佛滅罪真言, personally, I like another TL, Sin Eradication Dharani of the Seven Buddhas
  3. 金蓮印
  4. OK, so she’s probably on the same level of strength as Fang Moujia.

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