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Chapter 6 Planting a Seed (12k) [Please Subscribe!]
Jinshan Temple is named after the mountain, and the mountain enhances the temple's grandeur.
The mountain is not high, only a hundred feet high, but it covers a vast area, spanning a hundred miles, all of which is the territory of Jinshan Temple.
Built into the mountainside, the temple and mountain are integrated, with winding corridors, eaves, and stone steps connecting them. There is a pagoda on the upper floor, a pavilion outside the upper floor, and a pavilion inside the pavilion.
Inside the temple, the sounds of chanting Buddhist scriptures filled the air, as if countless monks were reciting sutras.
The mountain is bathed in golden light and auspicious clouds rise, truly deserving of its reputation as one of the world's most sacred Buddhist sites.
Next to Jinshan Temple, there is also a tall pagoda.
The iron tower is shaped like a bamboo shoot, slender and upright, with a top like a lid and a spire like a bottle. Its color resembles iron but is not iron, and its style is unique.
Like a pillar supporting the sky, it pierces straight into the clouds.
The tower is carved with tens of thousands of exquisite stone statues, each with a different posture, yet all are lifelike.
A small golden bell hangs from the octagonal ornament, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
A river breeze blows, causing the golden bells to sway and make a clear sound, which is said to have the effect of warding off evil spirits and demons.
It is the famous Leifeng Pagoda.
During the Buddhist festival, Jinshan Temple was newly decorated, and the golden statue of Buddha enshrined in the Mahavira Hall was polished to a gleaming shine.
The lamp oil in the ever-burning lamp was replenished to the brim, and a stick of incense as thick as a baby's arm was inserted into the incense burner. Wisps of smoke rose, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to everyone in the hall.
The hall was filled with people, all of whom were distinguished guests participating in the Sangharama Dharma Assembly.
They were all powerful figures from various forces within the Song Kingdom, or representatives of the Song royal family, and several others came from powerful neighboring countries.
Abbot Lingguang of Jinshan Temple sat in the main seat. His hair and beard were all white, and he was wearing a bright red kasaya. His face was radiant, and he was chatting with many fellow practitioners.
The many people in the hall who knew each other simply exchanged glances as a greeting, without engaging in much conversation.
Their gazes were mostly fixed on Jinshan Temple, and their faces all showed solemn expressions.
All eyes were on them.
But there stood Fahai, wearing a bright red kasaya and holding a vajra staff, with his eyes closed, in a corner of the hall.
He made no move, yet a mysterious aura emanated from him, causing many of the most powerful figures in the mortal realm to shudder.
Further afield, throughout the human realm, many reclusive Golden Core cultivators cast their gazes in this direction.
In the cultivation world, the leaders of all sects are at the Tongxuan realm, which is considered to be the most outstanding experts in the world. As for the higher level of the Golden Core realm, they are extremely rare among millions of people.
Even the most prestigious sects rarely produce one; usually, it takes hundreds of years for one to appear.
Moreover, those who achieve such accomplishments, after settling their worldly karmic debts, either ascend to the heavenly court to serve as officials or retreat into seclusion to cultivate themselves, rarely engaging in worldly affairs again.
Therefore, I have heard that a Buddhist disciple has now advanced to the Golden Elixir realm and has been bestowed the title of Buddhist Son.
The Golden Core cultivators in seclusion sensed its aura and awoke from their secluded places, turning their gazes toward Jinshan Temple.
They all wanted to know whether this so-called Golden Core Realm Buddhist disciple was real or fake!
"Praise be to the World-Honored One!"
At this moment, Zen Master Lingguang stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and loudly proclaimed a Buddhist chant, saying, "The auspicious time has arrived. I, Lingguang, the humble abbot of Jinshan Temple, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to travel from afar to participate in our temple's Sangharama Dharma Assembly and the conferment of the title of Buddha's Son upon our disciple Fahai! Our temple is deeply honored!"
"Praise be to the World-Honored One!"
Thousands of disciples of Jinshan Temple sat cross-legged in the square in front of the hall, with their hands clasped together, and began to chant scriptures.
Immediately, Buddhist chants and hymns resounded, and those with weak willpower would surely be brainwashed and drawn into the embrace of Buddhism.
Fortunately, most of the guests present had profound cultivation and were not affected by it. Even the prince of the Song Dynasty royal family had a cultivation level that was no weaker than the others.
Where is Fahai?
At this moment, Abbot Lingguang shouted loudly.
Fahai, who was standing at the corner of the hall, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Disciple Fahai is here!"
At this time, Fahai, though his appearance was somewhat youthful, wearing a bright red kasaya and holding a vajra staff, did not exhibit any unusual phenomena, yet he possessed a dignified and imposing presence.
"The world is full of suffering, all beings are in pain, only the true Buddha can save all beings! Fahai, you entered my Buddhist path at a young age, with excellent aptitude and extraordinary understanding. After twenty years of practice, you have attained the Bhikkhu status!"
Abbot Lingguang said in a deep voice, "I hope you will guard against arrogance and impetuosity, diligently cultivate yourself, and soon go to Mount Ling to attain enlightenment!"
"Fahai, can you really do that?"
Finally, Lingguang shouted loudly, like the roar of a Vajra, like a sudden awakening, prompting deep reflection.
Fahai respectfully replied, "This disciple will remember!"
Bang, bang, bang!
Just then, golden light exploded like fireworks, dazzling and spectacular, and a phantom slowly rose from the endless void.
He stood on a golden lotus, his whole body surrounded by Buddha's light, carrying all living beings on his back, like the Buddha descending to earth.
Thump, thump, thump!