As a court official skilled in the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, Yuann Li had been known for his carefree youth, befriending monks and Taoists. Thus, he was the first to realize the killing intent hidden within those seemingly ordinary five words!
"Mr. Yuan?" Mo Chou looked at him in surprise, humbly seeking guidance, "Is there a problem with what Mr. Zhao said?"
Swish—
In an instant, everyone, including Xu Zhenguan and Princess Wen Zhu, turned their eyes to Yuann Li.
Though the Empress possessed profound cultivation and was not inferior to n in her erudition, Xu Zhenguan had devoted most of her energy to cultivation and state affairs.
The so-called importance of specialization ant that while she understood the Buddhist spells and divine skills, she was not necessarily proficient in Buddhist theories.
As for Princess Wen Zhu, despite being in the Western Regions for a long ti, frankly speaking... she was only passingly familiar with these esoteric matters.
"Mr. Yuan, could you enlighten ?"
Xu Zhenguan's heart stirred as she inquired.
Based on her understanding of Zhao Douan, after the initial shock, she speculated that his sudden appearance must have a certain purpose.
This near-blind trust prevented her from stopping him.
Yuann Li regained his senses and looked at the Empress with an unusually serious deanor, even tinged with a faint excitent, "Your Majesty, if my guess is correct, Mr. Zhao is currently undertaking an enormous task that benefits the country and the people, one that will influence generations to co!"
Xu Zhenguan was taken aback, that man...
Princess Wen Zhu looked doubtful, suspecting that this ruler and his minister were putting on a show for her. Wasn't that gigolo supposed to be just an empty-headed dandy? Why were they all so serious?
"What is this great task?"
Xu Zhenguan instinctively asked, but Yuann Li shook his head, gazing forward and gripping the chair's arms tightly, "I am not sure yet. I need to hear what Mr. Zhao says next."
Xu Zhenguan pursed her lips as she, too, turned her gaze forward.
...
"Is Buddhist Law in the world?" The Red Sect Master furrowed his brows as he asked, "What does this an?"
A qualified straight man...
Zhao Douan smiled slightly as he gradually entered a state of oration, speaking aloud:
"For thousands of years, the core issue discussed in Buddhist Law has been no more than the four words 'how to beco a Buddha.' Forget cultivators for a mont. I ask you all: how do devout lay followers beco Buddha?"
Bian Ji and the Red Sect Master frowned but did not imdiately answer.
However, a monk below could not hold back and shouted, "One should practice charity and accumulate rits!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhao Douan chuckled, "A story recorded in the 'Altar Sutra.' Forr Emperor Liang constructed temples, and one day he conversed with Moya Practitioner, asking, 'I have spent my life building temples, ordaining monks, and providing charity. What rits have I gained?' Moya said, 'Indeed, there are no rits.'"
"Emperor Liang built countless Buddhist temples and was so good to the Buddhists, doing all those charities, yet Moya Practitioner claid he had no rits. Evidently, in Buddhism, accumulating rits is not about acquiring blessings but about the Dharma Body."
That monk was montarily bewildered.
Zhao Douan jested, "It seems you, a monk, recite scriptures carelessly, not as well as a layperson like reading the scriptures."
The monk turned red with embarrassnt.
Zhao Douan smiled and said, "Naturally, becoming a Buddha is not about acquiring blessings. In my perspective, it is just about an instant of realization. Without enlightennt, one remains a sentient being; when realization occurs, the sentient being is Buddha!"
The mont of enlightennt!
Before everyone could react, Zhao Douan suddenly quickened his speech, pointing to the sky:
"Just as rainwater does not originate from the sky, but rather the Dragon King in the rivers and seas invokes it to nourish all sentient beings, all vegetation, all sentient and non-sentient beings, perating all... the wisdom of sentient beings is also just like this."
Translated, everyone can beco Buddha just as sentient beings can receive rainwater, equal opportunities for all.
Bian Ji loudly questioned, interrupting forcefully, "No, why do you think sentient beings only need sudden enlightennt, without hard cultivation, to beco Buddha?"
Zhao Douan continued without pause, with firm resolve, "The nature of people is pure, like a clear sky!"
He loudly declared:
"The nature of people is pure, like a clear sky. Wisdom is like the sun, intelligence is like the moon, wisdom is always bright. When the mind is outwardly attracted, delusion like floating clouds covers it, and the inherent nature cannot be revealed..."
"According to this Magic Door, from ancient tis, sudden and gradual, both establish no-thought as the essence, no-form as the body, no-abode as the foundation."
"What is 'no thought,' 'no form,' 'no abode'?"
Zhao Douan asked and answered himself:
"A person of no thought sees all Dharma, and is not attached to any Dharma."
He then glanced around the crowd and scoffed, "Eastern and Western Buddhism both emphasize the practice of ditation, thinking this thod can calm the mind. I do not agree. If the mind is calm, why uphold precepts? If one acts straight, why practice Zen?"
"... At all tis, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying, one should always practice straightforward mind."
"In such a way, defining does not enter, wisdom has no dependence; even raising a hand or taking a step is constantly within the dojo."
...
The Water Viewing Tower.
As Zhao Douan unleashed his full energy, speaking eloquently, layer upon layer of sound dominated the venue, turning the entire debate conference into his podium.
The court officials, who initially could barely keep up, gradually fell out of step, their gazes becoming increasingly bewildered.
"Mr. Yuan... what Mr. Zhao just said, I could still understand, but what does it an now?" An official couldn't help but ask.
Xu Zhenguan also looked over.
She was also finding it hard to keep up!
In the midst of all eyes upon him, Yuann Li's face beca increasingly flushed, increasingly... excited! Thrilled!
"Your Majesty..."
Yuann Li swallowed a mouthful of saliva, first glanced at Princess Wen Zhu, then organized his words and said, "The specifics of what Mr. Zhao is saying need not be comprehended deeply, nor is it essential. Your Majesty only needs to know that what Mr. Zhao speaks of is sowhat similar to the Zen of the Bodhisattva's tradition, except that the theories upheld by the Bodhisattva in the past are far less complete and comprehensive than what Mr. Zhao elaborated."
Xu Zhenguan was taken aback, "Bodhi... the doctrine of sudden enlightennt she held?"
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