The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 697

Chapter 697: Chapter 693: Dharma Platform Sermon Chapter 697: Chapter 693: Dharma Platform Sermon Chan'er naturally accompanied Bai Xiaotian on the flying boat. After days of recuperation, his physical condition had fully recovered, though he still looked somewhat dispirited.

He hadn't thoroughly discussed with Shen Luo the details of the three-day heart-to-heart with Zhan Guo. In fact, apart from chanting the Purifying Heart Mantra, he had also had debates with Zhan Guo who would occasionally regain consciousness.

Zhan Guo's proficiency in Buddhism far surpassed his expectations. Even though Chan'er had eventually won the debate, it was also a great test for his mind and spirit.

Finally, by continuously communicating with the relics left behind from his previous life and borrowing their power, Chan'er was able to fully awaken Zhan Guo.

“Mr. Bai, have you seen Zhan Guo since that day?” Sitting behind Bai Xiaotian, Chan'er suddenly asked.

“No. It is said that he was seen going out of the city gate. Many speculate that he returned to his homeland to atone for his sins. Anyhow, after that day, no one has seen him.” replied Bai Xiaotian.

“What's up, does Master Chan'er need him for something?” Shen Luo asked curiously.

“Not really, but after I talked him out of his predicaments that day, I felt that there were some Zen teachings I didn't explain clearly. It has been troubling me.” Chan'er replied.

“Master Chan'er shouldn't worry too much. It is said that Zhan Guo tidied himself up and left the city with a smile on his face. Apparently, you have already helped him transcend the cycle of suffering.” Shen Luo consoled him.

Hearing this, Chan'er nodded without saying anything else.

The group soon arrived at the meeting location. When they saw the tents stretching over a dozen miles in the desert, they all found it truly spectacular.

The three of them descended from the sky and arrived at the open area directly in front of the assembly. The monks who had arrived were all congregated there, dressed neatly and quietly reciting scriptures.

Although Qi Lianmi was the king, he wasn't standing on the assembly platform. Like the common believers, he just set up a tent with an overhanging eave right in front of the assembly platform and sat there with the queen and the princes.

Seeing Shen Luo and his party land on the platform, Qi Lianmi immediately waved at them with a smile on his face.

Shen Luo and Bai Xiaotian waved back, and Chan'er just gave a bow with his palms pressed together.

“The supreme, profound and subtle dharma, difficult to encounter in billions of eons. Today I have seen and heard it, received and maintained it, and I vow to realize the Tathagatas' true meaning.” Master Lin Da stood before the monks and introduced the topic using verses from the “Buddha Speaks of Amitayus Sutra”.

“So, we heard.” The monks responded collectively, bowing and reciting.

Tens of thousands of people gathered around them, all sitting on the floor. The previously cacophonous sounds all quieted down.

“May all great benevolent ones ascend the Dharma platform and prepare for sermon.” Master Lin Da scanned the crowd and said.

Right after his statement, he first flew up and landed on the central altar of the assembly location. He joined his hands and sat cross-legged on the Lotus Zafu.

Following him, monks from the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar like Longtan, Baoshan, and others also rose one after another. Sixteen monks in total scattered and landed on the higher platforms around.

“Master Chan'er, are you ready?” Shen Luo asked in a low voice.

Chan'er looked at Shen Luo and nodded, appearing somewhat nervous.

Seeing this, Shen Luo smiled and made a magic spell with his hand. He waved it towards the ground, and a clear spring bubbled up, forming a spiral of water waves. This lifted Chan'er gently into the sky and took him to the Dharma platform.

After Chan'er seated cross-legged, he felt the wind slowly passing by him. Suddenly, an unfamiliar yet familiar scene vaguely appeared in his mind. It seemed that at some point in time, he had also sat high on the Dharma platform, engaging in a spiritual debate with others.

However, this scene vanished quickly. Only an isolated image appeared in Chan'er's mind, leaving a vague impression.

Chan'er only slightly lost focus before regaining his attention. He held the prayer beads silently in his hand and began chanting the Heart Sutra.

The other Zen Masters from various institutes also ascended the platform one by one. They all sat cross-legged and chanted to focus their mind. The disciples that came with these Zen Masters also sat on the ground in the lower frontier of their master's Dharma platform.

“Master Tuo Lan, for this Dharma assembly, which scripture will you be using as the basis for your sermon?” Master Lin Da, as the presiding monk of the Mahayana Dharma Assembly, did not start preaching first but selected a master from the Cheshi kingdom to be the first to hold a sermon.

The thin and elderly monk bowed towards Master Lin Da from afar upon hearing this and then began speaking:

“This poor monk will be using the 'Sutra of the Ten Wholesome Ways of Action' as the basis to discuss buddhas and bodhisattvas' methods for cutting off evil karma and alleviating hardships. If sentient beings wish to cut off all troubles, they need to vow to practice the Ten Wholesome Ways of Action: Not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying, not engaging in malicious gossip, not using harsh language, not engaging in idle chatter, renouncing envy, quenching anger, and getting rid of foolishness…”

Although Shen Luo wasn't a member of the Buddhist sect, he had read some Buddhist scriptures in the past. He knew that the old monk was preaching the fundamental methods of practicing the Buddha Dharma, which was to renounce these ten forms of evil behavior and discipline oneself.

Later on, Master Tuo Lan continued to speak about being a conscientious individual which stemmed from these Ten Wholesome Ways of Action. His content was easy to understand and broadly encapsulating. As a practitioner himself, his voice penetrated a span of ten miles around the Dharma platform.

Not only were the monks enraptured, but the common people around them listened with great interest as well.

After Master Tuo Lan finished speaking, Master Lin Da and the monks bowed to him. After chanting the phrase “Amitabha”, he instructed the second Zen Master to commence his sermon.

This monk used the 'Sutra of Round Enlightenment' as a reference, telling stories about Sakyamuni Buddha and numerous bodhisattvas regarding how to cultivate the Bodhisattva Way. With many poetic verses and Zen stories quoted in his lecture, the sermon was quite engaging.

Shen Luo, sitting cross-legged next to the Dharma platform below Chan'er, glanced at Bai Xiaotian next to him who was meditating with his eyes closed as if listening intently to the monk's sermon.

Just as Shen Luo was about to close his eyes and meditate, he noticed a trace of arc-shaped light flashing under the wooden planks below him, causing his pupils to contract slightly.

However, when he looked closely, the light had already vanished.

“An illusion?” Shen Luo was surprised. Then, he released his divine sense and began to investigate below.

Through this investigation, he discovered that under the square he was sitting on, there was indeed the fluctuation of mana. It was orderly revolving, but after careful inspection, Shen Luo found that this Array was merely a common one for gathering the Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi.

The gathering speed was not fast, and the amount of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi was not large. There was nothing special about it.

To be on the safe side, Shen Luo still informed Bai Xiaotian about this through a voice transmission.