Chapter 56

The bell tolled faintly, incense smoke swirling.

Dongling Temple was built halfway up the mountain, with worshippers as numerous as threads in a loom, offering incense and bowing to the Buddha, all requiring long queues.

Qin Shuo was not here to pay respects to the Buddha, so he detoured around the main hall, found a monk receiving guests, and stated his purpose.

Upon hearing he was recommended by the eldest daughter of the Song family, the monk did not dare to neglect him, leading the two to the monastic courtyard where Monk Ku He resided.

The Song family of the prefectural city wielded great power; even Dongling Temple had to show them some deference.

Moreover, the former head of the Song family and Monk Ku He were close friends despite their age difference; the temple's Buddha statue repairs and building renovations had also seen considerable effort from the Song family.

Thus, once Qin Shuo revealed his identity, he received an enthusiastic welcome from Monk Ku He.

"Young master, do you wish to cultivate Vajra Buddha Nature?"

Upon learning Qin Shuo's purpose, Monk Ku He, whose beard and eyebrows were all white, wore a look of surprise.

The young man before him was vigorous and full of upward spirit; no matter how one looked, he did not resemble someone who had seen through the mundane world and sought refuge in the Buddhist door.

If not for the recommendation from the Song family's young lady, he would have suspected this was some dissolute young master from another family, coming merely to seek amusement.

"Please, Master, guide me." Qin Shuo clasped his hands together, his attitude humble.

Monk Ku He pondered briefly, then finally spoke:

"Vajra Buddha Nature is the fundamental awakened nature of a person; it must be cultivated through the three aspects of body, speech, and mind.

Specific cultivation can be divided into three steps: regulating the body, mantra recitation, and visualization. If you are sincere in your practice, this old monk can demonstrate a thing or two for you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Master." Qin Shuo bowed again.

"Follow me."

Monk Ku He led Qin Shuo into a meditation room, then gestured for Qin Shuo to sit opposite him on the futon.

"Regulating the body to enter stillness is to correct the physique, adjust the breathing, so as to achieve clarity of thought."

Monk Ku He crossed his left and right lower legs, placing the tops of his feet respectively on his thighs, spine straight and upright, then placed the back of his right hand over his left palm, the two thumbs touching, resting at the position of the dantian.

Qin Shuo followed suit.

"This is the Diamond Seat and Samadhi Seal; when regulating the body, one must relax the chest and firm the abdomen, tuck the chin and incline the head, press the tongue to the upper palate, and slightly open the eyes."

Monk Ku He patiently explained the key points to Qin Shuo; seeing any non-standard aspects, he would personally step in to help correct them.

Next came mantra recitation.

So-called mantra recitation means reciting the Vajra True Word or the Great Sun True Word; through sound vibrations, it harmonizes body and mind, breaks attachments, dispels delusions, and reveals the true self's Buddha Nature.

The final step is visualization of the Vajra Sattva.

The Vajra Sattva has one face and two arms; the right hand holds the Five-Pronged Vajra Pestle, the left palm supports the Silver Bell, adorned in precious robes, with a lotus jewel crown on the head; the forehead, throat, and heart all bear Buddhist mantras.

This visualization requires discarding the physical form.

One must visualize the Vajra Sattva as a transparent, pure body of light, then observe each of its details, such as hair, pores, pupils...

And imagine golden sweet dew flowing from the Buddha's body, washing over the physique, cleansing evil karma.

After completing this sequence, already half an hour had passed.

After Qin Shuo became familiar with the entire process, Monk Ku He rose and said: "Vajra Buddha Nature is like the sun wheel; its key lies in breaking the Five Aggregates. The method I teach is merely external form; if you wish to achieve true fruition, you still need to personally break delusion and attachment, only then can you achieve something."

"Master, if I practice this method daily, how long until I achieve minor success?" Qin Shuo pressed on.

The three conditions required for refining Great Longxiang Force—the Vajra Body and Longxiang Divine Intent—have already been secured.

If nothing unexpected occurs, Qin Shuo is confident he can achieve minor success in both within one month.

Now only the condition of Vajra Buddha Nature remains; Qin Shuo naturally feels anxious.

This is, after all, a Martial Saint Divine Ability; once cultivated, one can possess the mighty power to reverse and attack immortals, to fight beyond one's level.

The Longxiang Monk could fight to mutual injury with the Xiaoyue Yaowang, who rivals a Martial Arts Grandmaster; the Great Longxiang Force divine ability was indispensable, making Qin Shuo unable to help but feel envious.

However, Monk Ku He's response poured a basin of cold water on him.

"Young master, if you harbor this mindset, I fear the Buddhist Dharma will be difficult to accomplish."

The old monk shook his head; his snow-white eyebrows swayed like willow branches.

He spoke solemnly: "The Five Aggregates are heavy clouds—form, sensation, perception, volition, consciousness. Young master, you wholeheartedly seek the Dharma, yet unaware you have already fallen into the clinging of the 'volition' aggregate; without removing this obstacle, your Buddhist Dharma will be difficult to accomplish."

"It is I who have been impatient."

Qin Shuo adjusted his attitude, yet sighed inwardly; it seems this Vajra Buddha Nature cannot be quickly achieved.

If he truly had to meditate all day, break delusion and attachment, would he not become a true monk?

Although somewhat disappointed, he still respectfully paid his respects to Monk Ku He.

Monk Ku He placed his palms together in a single hand to return the salute, but Qin Shuo suddenly froze, his gaze drawn to the Buddhist bead string in his palm.

【Discovered Ingredient: Sandalwood Buddhist Beads】

【Refining Conditions: Recite the Avatamsaka Sutra ten thousand times, recite the Shurangama Sutra ten thousand times】

【Refining Effect: Perfect attainment of the four meditations and eight concentrations, enlightened mind and seen nature, body and spirit united!】

"Young master, are you interested in this old monk's Buddhist beads?"

Seeing Qin Shuo continually staring at the beads in his hand, Monk Ku He opened his palm, pushing the bead string forward.

"Indeed, I am somewhat curious."

Qin Shuo did not stand on ceremony, taking the Buddhist beads with both hands and examining them carefully.

The beads felt icy cold in hand, carrying an ancient air; likely nourished by Monk Ku He's day-and-night sutra recitation, bearing the old monk's Buddhist cultivation, hence identified by the Taotie Cauldron as an ingredient.

If he could find a high monk deeply versed in Vajra Buddhist Dharma, and refine his day-and-night turned Buddhist bead string, could he not quickly achieve Vajra Buddha Nature?

Thinking this, he quickly spoke: "Master, in this prefectural city's territory, are there any high monks deeply versed in Vajra Buddhist Dharma? This junior wishes to go pay respects and learn a thing or two."

"In the vicinity of this prefectural city, temples mostly take the Shurangama Sutra and the Lotus Sutra as their primary practice; if you wish to study Vajra Buddhist Dharma, you may go to Mingwang Temple in Black Water City.

There, the abbot Jueming Master has profound attainment in Vajra Buddhist Dharma, far surpassing this old monk; perhaps he can give you some guidance."

Monk Ku He, with kind eyes and benevolent gaze, knowing Qin Shuo's obsession with Vajra Buddha Nature was deep, no longer urged him, and pointed him toward Mingwang Temple to seek the Dharma.

"Black Water City, Mingwang Temple? What a coincidence?" Qin Shuo thought in surprise.

It really was like searching high and low with no result, and yet the Vajra Buddha Nature he had been painstakingly seeking turned out to be in Mingwang Temple in Black Water City—what a coincidence.

"Thank you for telling me, Master." Qin Shuo sincerely expressed his gratitude.

He had already made up his mind: once he returned to Black Water City, he would immediately go to Mingwang Temple to find Master Jueming.

After achieving his goal, Qin Shuo exchanged a few words with Monk Ku He, then rose to take his leave.

Before parting, Monk Ku He gave him a copy of the Diamond Sutra and warned him not to rush for quick results, lest deep attachment hinder his cultivation.

Leaving Dongling Temple, Qin Shuo was in high spirits.

The three conditions for refining the Longxiang Relic and obtaining the supernatural power Great Longxiang Force now had some clues.

Once he achieved minor success in the Longxiang Golden Body, he would go to Mingwang Temple to obtain the prayer bead string containing Vajra Buddha Nature, after which he could begin refining that fragment of the Saint Relic Bone.

"Before that, I need to find time to recite the Diamond Sutra ten thousand times, so that when the prayer beads are in hand, I can immediately begin refining them." Qin Shuo muttered to himself.

According to his estimation, refining Monk Ku He's prayer bead string would require reciting the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Shurangama Sutra each ten thousand times.

So, would refining prayer bead strings or related dharma items containing Vajra Buddha Nature in the future also require reciting the Diamond Sutra ten thousand times?

If so, then he could start preparing in advance.

It was perfect—on the way back to Black Water City, with nothing to do and unable to cultivate the Longxiang Golden Body, reciting the Diamond Sutra would be just right.

While mentally calculating the refining of the Longxiang Relic, Qin Shuo and Xiao Liu unknowingly arrived at the mountain's base.

Just as he was preparing to let Xiao Liu have the carriage come over to return to the Song Mansion, several tall and sturdy youths approached and surrounded the two of them.

The leader had a square face and broad visage, his stature imposing, with his arms crossed over his chest.

He first glanced at Xiao Liu of the Song Mansion, seemingly confirming his identity, then turned his gaze to Qin Shuo and spoke in a deep voice:

"Are you Qin Shuo? Our young master requests your presence!"