Chapter 532: Enlightened in the Cycle of Rebirth (6k6)

Chapter 532: Enlightened in the Cycle of Rebirth (6k6)



In the backyard of the temple, faint chants of sutras echoed from a small shrine.

"Thus, the Buddha has no fixed dharma name, Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, and there is no fixed dharma that the Tathagata can speak of. Why? The dharma spoken by the Tathagata is all ungraspable, unspeakable, neither dharma nor non-dharma."

As time flowed, the abandoned infant Chen Mu, who was once left outside the temple, had now grown into a seven or eight-year-old novice monk. Wearing a tattered kasaya, he knelt on a meditation cushion, reciting Buddhist scriptures.

"Tranquil Truth, how should one view all worldly phenomena?"

Suddenly, an old monk in a kasaya approached from outside the hall, chanting a Buddhist mantra, and asked Chen Mu.

Chen Mu replied, "All worldly phenomena arising from causes and conditions are like shadows in bubbles, elusive and ever-changing. Therefore, all conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, dew, or lightning, and one should view them as such."

The old monk listened and smiled slightly, then strolled away.

The old monk was the supervisor of Fathertemple Monastery and the same Venerable Pure Recitation who had brought Chen Mu to the temple. Over the past seven years, as Chen Mu grew up, the old monk had become the supervisor of the monastery. Regarding the abbot's words that Chen Mu had a connection with the Buddha, the old monk now firmly believed it, for Chen Mu seemed to have an innate understanding of Buddhism. From the time he could speak, his first words were Buddhist scriptures.

After that, he showed no signs of the usual restlessness and mischief of children his age. He only enjoyed listening to the chanting of sutras in the Buddha hall. As he grew older, he began to read the scriptures on his own. At the age of seven or eight, his understanding of the sutras even surpassed that of some monks who had been reciting them for years.

As a result, the monks in the temple secretly spread rumors that Chen Mu was the reincarnation of an Arhat, who had come to Fathertemple Monastery to guide sentient beings.

Although Chen Mu was just a novice monk, his status in Fathertemple Monastery was quite high. The abbot even began grooming him as a successor. Venerable Pure Recitation's position as supervisor was also due to his role in finding and raising Chen Mu.

"All conditioned phenomena should be viewed as such..."

After Venerable Pure Recitation left, Chen Mu murmured the scriptures, gazing up at the small Buddha statue above.

Thus, as observed, the dharma, the Tathagata.

During his second life as an official, after retiring and returning to his hometown, he had visited various Buddhist temples and Taoist abbeys. However, he felt. Until now, he hadn't realized that in every world, there seemed to be a Buddha, and there existed a Taoist Lord.

Faith took on countless forms, and it was normal for humans, amidst calamities, to seek solace in various beliefs. But for these beliefs to exist in all worlds, including the one he came from before arriving in the Great Xuan, was extraordinary.

Furthermore, the teachings of Buddhism and Taoism in every world seemed to contain hints of the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.

Previously, Chen Mu had no direct perception of this.

Since he began his martial arts training, his power had grown, and he was on the verge of transcending the mundane. Naturally, he paid no heed to the existence of gods and Buddhas, considering them mere fantasies of ordinary mortals. But now, he felt that things might not be so simple.

Just as he had comprehended the Void Dao and the Path of Time.

If someone fully understood the Path of Time and mastered the complete power of time, could their name echo through the river of time, flowing eternally without fading away? If someone fully grasped the Void Dao and controlled the entirety of the void's power, could their shadow reflect upon the myriad worlds, stretching infinitely without end, neither born nor destroyed? If only one world had figures like the Buddha or Taoist Lord, it wouldn't be surprising. But both of the real worlds he had experienced possessed them, and this world of reincarnation was no exception. Now, as he had entered the path of the void and was comprehending the Path of Time, he had a premonition that both the Buddha and Taoist Lord might truly exist.

Perhaps they were beings who had reached the pinnacle of the Great Dao, and thus their names and shadows could reflect upon all the heavens, existing in every world, transforming and spreading in various ways.

Of course, for now, these were just Chen Mu's speculations.

After all, the world he currently inhabited was still vastly different from his true past life. His previous life was in an immense and boundless starry universe, while here, it was an infinite void, an endless domain, nurturing countless worlds.

For now, he wasn't qualified to explore the connection between these two worlds. He couldn't even touch upon the thread that led him to this world. Perhaps only when he truly mastered the complete Void Dao or the Path of Time would he find all the answers, and his gaze would be free from confusion.

"Tathagata..."

Chen Mu murmured to himself, recalling the distant memories of his past life. He smiled, remembering the 'Tranquil Truth' he had once discussed with someone, but after a while, he fell silent, deep in thought. The more he pondered, the more he felt that there were indeed many intricacies within.

He had already lived three lives in this world, as a hunter, an official, and an emperor... But as time passed, all traces of his previous three lives had faded into the dust of history.

So, had he truly lived in this world before? Tathagata.

It wasn't about 'making the best of the situation,' but rather, the Tathagata.

The Primordial Dao was such an enigmatic concept, vague and profound.

Vaguely, Chen Mu seemed to glimpse a thread of the Path of Time, but as he tried to grasp it, it slipped through his fingers.

"Time..."

He murmured, feeling no regret but rather a hint of joy.

In his previous three lives, he hadn't made progress on the Path of Time, but in this life, he had finally taken a step forward. Although he hadn't captured that glimpse of the Path of Time's essence, he knew that one day, he would.

Chen Mu, with his boundless time, continued to immerse himself in the sutras, his head bowed.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, seventeen years passed.

At the age of twenty-four, Chen Mu, with the Dharma name 'True Stability', represented the Fathertemple Monastery and engaged in debates with a group of monks from the Spirittemple Monastery. He single-handedly debated against the group, and his arguments left the esteemed monks and rising talents from the Spirittemple Monastery in awe. His reputation soared.

Three years later, at the age of twenty-seven, Chen Mu, following the tradition of the Fathertemple Monastery, descended from the mountain to practice in the secular world. He spent ten years traveling across the country, visiting various temples. By the time he returned to the Fathertemple Monastery, he had already become a renowned figure in the world, attracting many young monks to follow in his footsteps.

Four years later, at the age of forty-one, Chen Mu succeeded the abbot of the Fathertemple Monastery. He propagated the Buddhist teachings, spreading the scriptures and their profound meanings, and became a revered monk recognized by the world. Even the royal court invited him to the palace several times to lecture on the scriptures. The current emperor himself gained insights and started to believe in Buddhism, and he even designated the Fathertemple Monastery as a national temple, bringing it great glory.

Forty years passed.

Chen Mu descended from the mountain numerous times, sometimes to enlighten the ignorant in the wilderness and sometimes to bring relief during times of disaster. His reverence grew, and even the court, which should have been shaken by various calamities, was greatly stabilized by his influence.

Two successive emperors bestowed upon Chen Mu noble titles, and he was eventually honored as 'Worldly Benevolent Dharmaraja Venerable'.

Another ten years passed.

Chen Mu, now over ninety-one years old, had long white eyebrows, flowing white hair, and a withered body. However, his complexion remained rosy, and he still moved with the agility of a young man. Visitors to the temple often referred to Chen Mu as the 'True Buddha of the World'.

One day, Chen Mu put on his kasaya and gazed out the window, watching the sunrise. He took a deep breath, stood up, and walked out of the hall.

Despite his light movements and the early hour, there were still monks waiting outside the hall. They immediately approached him, their faces filled with reverence as they bowed and said, "Abbot, do you have any instructions for us?"

The previous two emperors had believed in Buddhism, leading to its flourishing throughout the land. Although the current emperor didn't have strong faith in Buddhism, he didn't oppose it either, so Buddhism continued to thrive. In the present day, no matter which temple or monk you asked, they all knew that Chen Mu was the foremost monk in the world, the True Buddha of the World. They all aspired to serve Chen Mu, now in his nineties, was a revered figure.

Naturally, there were always monks waiting outside the hall where he rested, day and night.

"Pass on my instructions. Gather all the monks in the main hall. I have something important to announce."

"Yes, Venerable."

The attending monk immediately responded with reverence and hurried off.

Before long, the main hall of the Fathertemple Monastery, adorned with gold and jade, was filled with white-haired venerable monks seated in the front rows. Behind them knelt a group of middle-aged monks, while the younger monks with lower seniority respectfully stood outside the hall.

Chen Mu slowly walked into the main hall.

"Venerable."

Both the senior monks and the ordinary monks in the hall bowed respectfully to Chen Mu.

Chen Mu chanted a Buddhist verse and walked to the central abbot's seat, where he sat cross-legged. His long white eyebrows reached his knees, his complexion remained rosy, and his breath was steady. However, his next words shocked everyone in the hall.

"Tonight, I will enter Nirvana and attain Parinirvana."

Chen Mu spoke in a calm tone.

The hall fell silent, and the monks' faces were filled with astonishment. Even the white-haired senior monks were surprised. After a brief silence, one of them said, "The Buddha's compassion... Master has already attained the right fruit and is the True Buddha of the World. Why would he enter Parinirvana? Is it because we are foolish, and Master no longer wishes to guide us?"

In everyone's eyes, Chen Mu was almost like the True Buddha of the World, possessing supreme Buddhist teachings. Not to mention his other qualities, just the fact that he was over ninety years old and still had a rosy complexion and a youthful body was beyond ordinary people. How many people in this world could live to be ninety years old? And even fewer could maintain a youthful body at that age.

But now,

Chen Mu, who appeared completely normal, said that he would enter Parinirvana that very night. This news was like a thunderbolt.

Chen Mu remained calm and said, "All things in the world have their destinies. Although my physical body will enter Parinirvana, I have already attained the immortal dharma body and will enter the cycle of rebirth to comprehend the mysteries of all phenomena. After entering Parinirvana, I will manifest again in the world. You may continue to honor my dharma name."

Upon hearing these words, the monks in the hall looked at each other in surprise.

Some of the younger monks, in addition to their shock, also became excited.

Although those who believed in Buddhism trusted in the existence of the Buddha and the possibility of transcending the cycle of rebirth through cultivation, no one had ever witnessed such power in this world.

It was said that Chen Mu was the True Buddha of the World, possessing supreme Buddhist teachings, but no one had ever seen it with their own eyes.

But this time.

Chen Mu's words suggested that his Parinirvana was merely a shedding of his physical body, and he would manifest again.

Although the concept of the cycle of rebirth existed in Buddhism, and many people studied and believed in it, no one had ever witnessed it. But now, it seemed... they were about to witness the truth of the cycle of rebirth.

That night, Chen Mu sat peacefully on the dharma platform, his face calm.

After entering Parinirvana, Chen Mu's vision gradually rose, but his consciousness was not swept away by the power of time. Instead, he quickly grasped the threads of time and stabilized himself.

In this way, his consciousness once again followed the turning of heaven and earth and returned to the world.

This time, he was born into a farming family, and his consciousness entered the world just three years after his previous life as the Buddha 'Tranquil Truth' attained Nirvana.

At the moment of his birth, Chen Mu's hands formed the Wheel of Rebirth Seal, identical to the moment of his Nirvana. With one finger pointing to the heavens and the other to the earth, he stood between the cycles of heaven and earth.

Although there were no unusual phenomena in the world, the baby's unique birth still astonished the farming family, and the news quickly spread like wildfire.

Half a month later, the abbot of the nearest temple to the farming family, Spiritshadow Monastery, heard the news and was startled. He immediately made a connection and, without delay, led a group of monks to visit the family.

The aged abbot, with his slow and feeble steps, made his way into the thatched cottage.

He looked at the dilapidated bed inside.

There, Chen Mu, in the form of an infant, lay on the bed. It seemed as if he had heard the abbot's arrival, for he slowly opened his eyes and glanced at him.

That single glance was enough to make the abbot, a man over seventy years old, feel a sense of bewilderment.

He felt as if he had been transported back ten years to when he traveled to Fathertemple Monastery to listen to Chen Mu's sermon. When he looked up at Chen Mu then, the expression in his eyes was identical to that of the infant lying on the bed at this moment.

In a daze, the abbot felt as if the baby was smiling at him, and then he heard a voice, faint and unclear, yet still discernible.

"One six nine one nine one bar one look one no one mistake version!"

That was his Buddhist name.

The abbot's body trembled, and he chanted a Buddhist name, placing his palms together and bowing respectfully towards Chen Mu, saying, "Disciple Du E, welcomes the Venerable One."

Three years ago, after Chen Mu's Nirvana, the abbot had heard his final words, stating that although he had attained immortality and transcended the world, he would re-enter the cycle of rebirth to guide and save all sentient beings.

Three years later, seeing Chen Mu's reincarnation, the abbot's heart was filled with uncontrollable excitement.

Among those who practiced Buddhism, who wouldn't want to escape suffering and transcend the world? Yet, no one knew for sure how far they had progressed on their path or if they could truly break free from the cycle of rebirth. But now, a true transcendent had appeared.

As Chen Mu had said, he had already achieved an immortal body, transcended the cycle of rebirth, and was reincarnating to comprehend the mysteries of the Dharma and guide sentient beings. This was undoubtedly a great merit, as the world was filled with calamities and suffering.

Chen Mu had reached the other shore, and now he was returning to the sea of suffering.

Du E, who had practiced Buddhism for half his life, struggled to contain his overwhelming emotions and respectfully said, "Venerable One, this place is cold and harsh. May I have the honor of escorting you back to the temple?"

Chen Mu did not open his eyes but slightly shook his head.

Du E immediately understood Chen Mu's intention and placed his palms together, chanting a Buddhist name.

Days later, the news of the reincarnation of the Buddha from Fathertemple Monastery spread like wildfire, causing a sensation in the region! Within a thousand li, monks from various temples heard the news and were shocked, regardless of their status. They all set out to visit Chen Mu's place of rebirth. It wasn't just the monks; even famous and influential figures were stirred by the news.

The devotion to Buddhism by the previous two emperors had led to a flourishing of Buddhism and Daoism in the world, and Chen Mu's name was known far and wide. The news of his Nirvana three years ago had also spread in all directions, and many believed that Chen Mu would reincarnate and return to the world. However, as three years passed, some people gradually forgot.

Now, not only those who believed in Buddhism but even those who didn't were astonished by the news.

In no time, the remote village became a hub of excitement. Thousands of monks and tens of thousands of Buddhist followers flocked from all directions to witness this event.

The commotion naturally caught the attention of the court, and they couldn't ignore it. The local magistrate was terrified and reported the matter to his superiors immediately. Even the prefect was shocked, fearing that it might cause trouble. While reporting to the admiral and requesting troops, he also sent an urgent message to the central government.

After the news reached the central government, the entire court was astounded!

The previous two emperors had believed in Buddhism and revered Fathertemple Monastery as the national temple. Chen Mu, as the abbot of the national temple, naturally held an extremely high position. Even the prime minister would address Chen Mu as 'Venerable One' when they met.

However, most of the current officials did not believe in Buddhism, and many elder statesmen had even advised the previous emperors against it. Now, with the news of reincarnation, these elders were filled with doubt. Some even went as far as to say, "Spiritshadow Monastery is playing tricks and causing chaos, and their intentions are punishable!" and requested troops to suppress them.

As for the emperor,

upon hearing this news, he was also filled with doubt.

He wasn't particularly devout in his faith, but since the previous two emperors had believed in Buddhism, he couldn't overturn their decrees. Instead, he tried to control it as much as possible. However, as he grew older, his thoughts gradually changed, and he started to think about longevity.

Could the 'Venerable One' from Fathertemple Monastery truly reincarnate and transcend the cycle of rebirth?

Could transcending to the other shore also be true?!

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

The eunuch standing by his side called out softly as he saw the emperor lost in thought.

The emperor shook his head and finally snapped out of his daze. He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Pass on my decree to invite the Venerable One from Tranquil Truth to the palace... No, I shall go myself."

Based on the information gathered from various sources, he believed that the news was mostly true. He didn't think that the monks of Spiritshadow Monastery would dare to deceive and create such a shocking event.

If all of this were true, then Chen Mu, in his current infant body, would have been brought into the palace from afar, undoubtedly bringing too many variables and being too disrespectful. After all, if Chen Mu truly transcended the other shore, breaking free from reincarnation and attaining immortality, then he would truly be a living Buddha in this world. Moreover, he also wanted to obtain the method of transcending reincarnation.

Several days later, Emperor Hongguang left the capital, causing a stir throughout the realm.

If initially there were still those who doubted the reincarnation of the Venerable Tranquil Truth, now that even the Emperor himself had left the capital and headed west, it was enough to make people believe it to be eight or nine parts true!

Finally, after more than a month, Emperor Hongguang arrived in Xizhou and met the reincarnated Chen Mu.

At this moment, Chen Mu was still in his infant body, but no longer in the state of a newborn. Surrounded by a group of monks, he sat on a lotus platform, gazing at Emperor Hongguang as he approached step by step. With a calm demeanor, Chen Mu spoke, "Your Majesty."

Emperor Hongguang, who had followed the previous Emperor to meet Chen Mu when he was young, had not been particularly devout in his faith after ascending the throne. However, he had visited Fathertemple Monastery several times and had seen Chen Mu more than once. At this moment, he took just one look at the infant and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

As the Emperor, his mind was relatively calm, and he slowly said, "Since the Venerable has already reached the other shore, why would he re-enter the sea of suffering? Is it to guide sentient beings?"

"Not so," Chen Mu shook his head slightly and said, "Guiding sentient beings is done in accordance with the flow. I have entered the world to comprehend the profound mysteries of all phenomena."

Emperor Hongguang remained silent for a long time, then performed a Buddhist salute towards Chen Mu and asked, "Can the Venerable teach me?"

Chen Mu replied, "All sentient beings have the opportunity to transcend."

Although the rules of this realm greatly restricted the manifestation of extraordinary power, the Primordial Dao was omnipresent. Moreover, Chen Mu had also sensed that the names of the Buddha and the Daoist Patriarch shone upon the myriad realms, and those scriptures themselves were a form of guidance.

Ordinarily, it would be impossible for common people to comprehend the Primordial Dao. However, if they could gain enlightenment through these scriptures, then there would be a slim chance that upon death, they would be guided, allowing their consciousness to detach from this world and be reborn elsewhere.

Of course, Chen Mu would not explain all of this so clearly.

He had come here solely to comprehend the Time Dao, and everything he did was in accordance with the flow.

Finally, as Emperor Hongguang was also guided by Chen Mu, the commotion in the world gradually subsided.

Ninety years later, after seeing off the Emperor, Chen Mu entered Nirvana once more. Three years after that, he was born again and was found by others, continuing to be revered as the Living Buddha. While preaching Buddhism in the world, he also continued to comprehend the Time Dao.

Two hundred years later, the world was in great turmoil, and the dynasty changed. This was something Chen Mu could not change, or perhaps he had no interest in changing. The rise and fall of dynasties were the natural evolution of heaven and earth.

Because of Chen Mu's presence, the development of these hundreds of years solidified Buddhism's position in the world. Even with the establishment of a new dynasty, it was still revered as the state religion, and Chen Mu was honored as the Supreme One. His status surpassed that of emperors.

For emperors, if it were an ordinary person whose position surpassed theirs, they would naturally be unable to tolerate it. However, if it were a Living Buddha, they could accept it. In the previous dynasty, Chen Mu's presence was seen in the succession of emperors, and sometimes even in the selection of the next ruler. When some emperors grew old, they would even invite Chen Mu to choose their successor.

Of course, if this were all, the founding emperor of the new dynasty might not have tolerated Chen Mu's existence. But Chen Mu's status was not limited to the previous dynasty; he also had believers throughout the realm, and his reincarnation was already recognized by the world.

Who could shake the status of a Living Buddha who had lived for centuries? Not even the founding emperor could do so.

Thus, Chen Mu continued to live in the world, generation after generation, until the twentieth generation. Nearly two thousand years had passed, and after three dynasties had risen and fallen, there came a day when he told his disciples that after this Nirvana, he would no longer remain in the world.

The news spread, and believers from all over grieved.

That night, Chen Mu passed away peacefully.

This time, just as he had said, he would no longer remain in the world. With a calm gaze, he watched the flow of time in the world, once again accelerating and spinning faster and faster before his eyes.

Hundreds of years, thousands of years, tens of thousands of years... until hundreds of thousands of years later, a heavenly calamity descended, freezing the land and sealing it in ice for a thousand li. The world fell into great silence, and everything was buried. After tens of the survivors, and after tens of thousands of years, the world gradually warmed, and the human race began to thrive once more. However, everything Chen Mu had left behind was buried once again in history.

This time, Chen Mu merely watched calmly.

His consciousness was no longer pulled into this world, and he watched as time passed, witnessing thousands and tens of thousands of years of changes. The entire world was constantly in a state of reincarnation.

After an unknown number of years, everything suddenly collapsed, and the entire world caved in, finally vanishing into the void, completely silent and empty.

Chen Mu slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his vision was no longer empty but instead the familiar scenery of the cave behind Seven Profound Sect's mountain. His consciousness had silently returned to this place.

"Time..."

Chen Mu gazed around, murmuring softly.

All the changes in that world now seemed like a dream to him. Although he had entered the world, he was merely a witness, and in the end, through reincarnation, he had comprehended the true essence of the Time Dao!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end