As the old monk flipped his palm, a golden ray shot out from the brow of the giant Buddha statue in the temple behind him.
The golden ray landed, manifesting a simple and unadorned monk's pagoda inscribed with golden Buddhist texts.
When eminent monks enter parinirvana, sometimes Buddha's fire will burn their mortal body, leaving behind Shariputra that symbolizes the essence of their Buddhist teachings.
Others, like this old monk, seal their flesh in a pagoda, becoming a Flesh Buddha Saint.
Handing the pagoda containing his Flesh Buddha Saint to Qi Xiu, the old monk seemed relieved, golden glimmers dancing in his eyes and brows.
"The old monk's wish is fulfilled, and will soon disappear. It is a pity that after waiting tens of thousands of years, my external possessions have long been worn out by time, leaving nothing to offer the True Monarch.
Only these few Buddha beads, which were magical treasures I refined during my path to enlightenment.
