Even the tea vendor beside them was stunned by what Jue Ming said. Outside of the Royal Temple, Mingfa Temple had the longest history and the most monks, but no one had ever seen a master issue such a respectful invitation before.
Jian Dan accepted the bow graciously. Since she was being invited, she could now enter the temple openly, which was not a bad outcome. With a slight nod, she followed Jue Ming into Mingfa Temple.
As expected of the oldest temple in the Dilin Kingdom, the outer walls of Mingfa Temple were constructed entirely of gray bricks. Climbing ivy crawled across their surface, adding a touch of vibrant green to the ancient masonry. The walls had weathered countless years of wind and rain, lending them a timeless and austere charm.
Jue Ming led Jian Dan through the central mountain gate. On the way, he waved over a young monk sweeping the courtyard and instructed him to notify the abbot that a senior had arrived.
Passing through the entrance hall, they encountered a bell tower on the left and a drum tower on the right, the two standing in balance and harmony. After crossing a fifty-meter stretch of gravel path, the Heavenly King Hall appeared ahead, housing the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. Beyond that stood the Grand Hall of Great Heroism.
The Grand Hall was twice the size of the Heavenly King Hall. Within stood a golden statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni, its incense offerings more abundant than anywhere else. The enormous incense burner in front of the hall was filled to the brim, and many devout worshippers knelt in prayer.
A faint bluish-purple glow flickered in Jian Dan's eyes. She saw strands of faith energy drifting from the worshippers into the golden statue, a sight that caught even her attention.
Beyond the main halls lay the Dharma Hall, and after that, the Scripture Repository. Since that area was not open for casual visitors, Jian Dan was instead led to a row of monk quarters on the left.
Extending her spiritual sense, Jian Dan enveloped the entire temple within it.
From above, she saw how the layout of Mingfa Temple followed a central axis, with symmetrical balance from front to back. The design embodied the principles of yin and yang, order and stability. Nestled among mountains, pines, flowing streams, and scattered pavilions, the temple gave off a peaceful and harmonious aura, embodying the spirit of Buddhism.
Jian Dan found the atmosphere quite calming. Indeed, the Buddhist path was well-suited for cultivation of the mind and easing the sharpness of one's killing intent.
Under a bodhi tree in the monk's courtyard, an elderly white-bearded monk in plain white robes awaited her. As soon as he saw Jian Dan from afar, he joined his palms together and offered a solemn greeting.
"Amitabha, greetings to the honored guest."
"Greetings, Master."
"Please, this way."
They sat under the bodhi tree, with a sandalwood table placed between them. Jian Dan crossed her legs on one side of the mat and motioned for the abbot to sit.
"May I ask how Master is addressed?"
"This humble monk's Dharma name is Jue Fa. May I ask how to address Senior?"
"My surname is Shan. I've only just arrived here and hope my presence hasn't caused trouble."
"To have Senior grace our humble temple is our fortune."
Jian Dan smiled.
"My spiritual pet disturbed the temple earlier. I apologize for the inconvenience and ask Master for understanding."
Jue Fa clutched his string of prayer beads and responded with a smile.
"So it was the spiritual pet of a senior. No harm done."
Jue Ming had already brought over tea and served them both before quietly standing to the side, ears perked to listen.
"May I ask if Senior requires anything of us?" Jue Fa asked politely. He had no choice but to be respectful. The aura surrounding this senior was natural and unrestrained, and the merit energy on her body was more than what all the monks of the temple combined could muster. There was no way they could harm her even if they tried.
In such circumstances, solving things peacefully was the wisest path. So Jue Fa asked directly.
"I'm traveling and happened to pass through here. I do have some questions I hope Master can help clarify."
"Please, ask freely."
"This is the mundane mortal realm. Yet I see that monks here are able to cultivate. How is this possible?"
"Amitabha. In the mortal realm, we rely on two things to cultivate. First is the power of the people's faith. Second is the merit earned from subduing beasts and demons."
"I see. Are there other cultivators here?"
"Could Senior clarify what types of cultivators?"
"I mean Dao cultivators, demon cultivators, and beast cultivators."
Jue Fa's heart tensed. Where exactly did this senior come from to ask such things? Still, he answered carefully.
"The Daoist path has nearly died out in these lands. There are very few who still practice it. As for demon and beast cultivators, they are enemies of our Buddhist order. We would never allow them to exist."
"Oh?"
Jian Dan raised an eyebrow but did not argue. Instead, she continued.
"Are all these demons and beasts guilty of bloodshed?"
"What good can come from demons and beasts?" Jue Fa could not help but interject.
Jian Dan remained calm, still smiling.
"Then has anyone from your Buddhist sect ever ascended to Buddhahood?"
"This…"
That question left both monks speechless. In all their memory, there had never been such a case.
Jian Dan nodded knowingly and turned to Jue Fa.
"Does not Buddhism teach that all sentient beings are equal? What is a 'being'? What is 'equality'?"
Jue Fa recited a verse.
"Amitabha. All beings in this world are equal. Differences in status arise from karmic cycles and past deeds."
Jue Ming nodded beside him in agreement.
Jian Dan gave a small nod, then shook her head slightly and said with a soft smile:
"What Master says is not wrong, but the perspective is too narrow."
"We are eager to hear more."
Jue Fa was still respectful. It was normal for a senior to have differing views.
Jian Dan slowly turned her teacup, organized her thoughts, and spoke solemnly.
"In my eyes, from the royal family to the common people, every monk in this temple is a sentient being. So too are the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, the grass, the trees, the wind, and the rain.
True equality of beings means the essence of all life is the same. It is compassion extended to all, no matter their form. It is equality before karma."
Jue Fa nodded repeatedly at her explanation, while Jue Ming fell into silent thought, feeling something wasn't quite right but unable to pinpoint it.
"So then," Jian Dan continued, "if all things can attain Buddhahood, even a stubborn stone, why must you annihilate demons and beasts without exception? Are there no kind ones among them? Even among humans there are both good and evil. Are there not wrathful deities among the Buddhas too? If there are good demons, why not offer them a path? Why must all be slaughtered?"
"Amitabha. Those who commit bloodshed must be eliminated."
"And those who have not? You slay them too without offering redemption?"
Jian Dan shook her head. She felt that the Buddhists in the Dilin Kingdom had strayed from the essence of their teachings.
"In my impression, monks are supposed to be compassionate. To show mercy only to those who look like you and not to all living things is misguided."
The two monks remained silent.
Jian Dan understood that once a belief system was deeply ingrained, it would not be easy to change. No wonder no one here had ascended. Partly, it was because disaster loomed over this land, but also because their faith was too limited.
There was no point continuing this conversation. Jian Dan rose to her feet, gave the two monks a polite nod, and still smiling, said:
"One flower, one world. One tree, one life. One blade of grass, a paradise. One leaf, a Buddha. One grain of sand, a Pure Land. One place, a realm of peace. One smile, a karmic bond. One thought, a tranquil heart.
The Buddha possesses great wisdom, but you have yet to understand it. When you do, you too will become Buddhas."
With that, she turned and left, lotus blossoms forming under her feet as she rose step by step into the air. Each petal bloomed and withered in rhythm with her steps, echoing the changing of the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. She vanished into the sky, leaving the two monks behind.
Jue Fa stood frozen. The Buddhist energy within him had already begun to stir.