Chapter 659: Lingshan Catastrophe, the Buddha's Death
In June of the 23rd year of Zhenguan, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty died at the age of 52. He was temple-named Taizong and posthumously named Emperor Wenwu Dasheng Daguangxiao. He was buried together with Empress Wende Changsun in Zhaoling Mausoleum.
The whole country is in mourning and the whole country is in mourning.
During his 23 years in office, he worked diligently to govern the country, loved his people, and established a harmonious relationship between the ruler and his subjects. He created the prosperous Zhenguan Era, which is renowned for thousands of years, and became a role model for emperors in later generations.
After the mourning period, Crown Prince Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, and his uncle Zhangsun Wuji became the regent minister, wielding great power in the court.
Princess Li Lizhi, who defends the country and travels to the fairyland, was conferred the title of King of Chen, the leader of the second generation of Zhelong, in charge of the Imperial Observatory and the Bad People, which also set a precedent for women to be crowned kings.
But anyone with a discerning eye knew that the newly enthroned Emperor Li Zhi was trying to show his goodwill to someone in this way.
At the same time, in a corner outside the court, a woman named Mei Niang entered Ganye Temple and became a nun.
History seems to have changed a lot, but also seems to have changed nothing.
Tai Chi Palace.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Master...has already left the capital."
When Changsun Wuji told the new emperor Li Zhi the news, he clearly noticed that his nephew, who was sitting on the dragon throne, had become much more relaxed.
In fact, it was not only Li Zhi, but also himself.
The departure of just one person made the newly-crowned emperor and the powerful regent secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
It was because that man's name was Li Daoxuan, and he was the imperial teacher of the Tang Dynasty whom even the late emperor respected as his teacher and friend.
It is no exaggeration to say that with the passing of Emperor Taizong, no one in the entire Tang Dynasty could compare with Li Daoxuan in terms of prestige.
What Li Zhi was most thankful for was that the man was a true master of virtue who did not care about royal power or wealth.
"Where did the Imperial Master go?"
"The Imperial Master is a deity, and he is as elusive as a dragon. How can we know? But we estimate that he may have gone to Xiaoxiang."
Xiaoxiang is far away from Chang'an, which shows that the imperial teacher really has no intention of interfering in state affairs. Li Zhi finally put his mind at ease.
His eyes flickered, and he asked, "Have all the concubines of the late emperor gone to Ganye Temple?"
Changsun Wuji was a little surprised.
Li Zhi explained calmly, "I grew up in the palace and was well taken care of by them. Ganye Temple is poor and cold, and some of them are old and may not be able to bear the hard work."
Changsun Wuji sighed that his nephew was so kind and filial. He cared so much about people who were not related to him by blood. Wouldn't he be doubly good to his uncle in the future?
"Your Majesty, except for Concubine Yang who volunteered to be buried with him in Zhaoling Mausoleum, all the other concubines of the late emperor have been buried in Ganye Temple. Although they are not as wealthy as those in the palace, they have no worries about food, clothing and other expenses."
Li Zhi nodded and wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it.
After Changsun Wuji left, he leaned on the dragon throne alone, closed his eyes and thought. The light golden curtain fell, making his figure look very ethereal, revealing a sense of alienation and majesty.
…
Xiaoxiang water vein, Yuxuan Palace.
After seeing Li Shimin off for the last time, Li Daoxuan left Chang'an and returned here again.
He knew that Li Zhi was not Li Shimin. If he stayed in Chang'an, the emperor and his ministers would feel suffocated. Only by leaving would they not even sleep soundly.
With the death of Li Shimin, Li Daoxuan also found that his connection with the Tang Dynasty became weaker.
Chang'an without Li Shimin always made him feel a little strange, and it would be more comfortable and at ease to return to Yuxuan Palace.
"Sister Yu, please wait a little longer. I will be able to find your soul soon."
Li Daoxuan looked at Sister Yu who was lying quietly in the crystal coffin as if she was asleep. His eyes softened and he revealed a hint of a smile.
As more and more familiar people passed away, he came to understand more and more the meaning of a Taoist companion.
With a slap on the Three Realms Gourd, a golden light floated out. It was the Holy Buddha Narvasami, or the soul of the giant python god.
But compared to before, he now looked extremely miserable.
His soul became as thin as paper, almost transparent, and his body was covered with scars, as if he had been drowned, burned, chopped by knives or axes. His eyes were dull, as if his intelligence had been crushed.
During this period of time, he endured countless tortures in the Three Realms Gourd.
Li Daoxuan felt that the time was about right, so without further ado, he placed one hand on his head, and his spirit directly invaded his soul and read his memory.
Erpo Sumei was no longer able to resist, and after a brief struggle, he completely lost consciousness.
…
"Amitabha, Mahoraga, the Buddha ordered the two of us to guard the Sutra Library, to protect the Mahayana Buddhism and the Three Treasures, and to wait for the pilgrim to obtain the sutras. Why are you here?"
The voice is warm, compassionate and approachable.
Li Daoxuan saw a white-robed monk with golden eyebrows, closed eyes, handsome face and extraordinary temperament. He was slightly stunned. Isn't this Erpo Shamei?
No, that's not right!
This person's every move was as quiet as a virgin, calm and unmoved, with an extraordinary temperament, and Buddha's light surged when he looked around. Compared with him, Erpo Shamei was undoubtedly an ugly imitator.
This is a true great Buddhist figure!
Mahoraga, the giant python god, crawled to the feet of the white-robed monk and said flatteringly, "Venerable Ananda, I am also a Buddhist disciple. Can you show me the Mahayana Buddhism and the Tripitaka?"
The Tathagata once said at Mount Lingshan, "I now have three collections of sutras. There is a collection of Dharma, which talks about heaven; there is a collection of Treatises, which talks about earth; and there is a collection of Sutras, which talks about saving ghosts. There are thirty-five volumes in total, totaling 15,144 volumes. It is truly the path to cultivating the truth and the door to righteousness and goodness."
There is no doubt that the Mahayana Buddhism and the Tripitaka are the supreme methods that the Buddha comprehended. The giant snake god has impure senses and naturally felt itchy when he heard the news.
Before Venerable Ananda could speak, another Venerable refused first.
"Mahoraga, not to mention that the Buddha Tathagata has ordered that only the pilgrim can take the scriptures. Even if the two of us let you off, you still can't watch."
The giant python god said indignantly: "Venerable Kasyapa, how do you know that I can't see it?"
Kasyapa was calm and composed. He smiled when he heard this and said, "Because this sutra carries the destiny of my sect, only those who seek the sutra can see it, hear it, and talk about it. Not to mention you, even Ananda and I cannot take it away or open it."
Li Daoxuan looked at the monk wearing a cassock. Although he was not very handsome, he had a profound Zen spirit and a tranquil and otherworldly look. His heart moved.
It turned out to be the two great venerable monks Ananda and Kasyapa.
The Buddha had ten great disciples, among whom these two are the most famous. Needless to say, Ananda is the representative of appearance in Buddhism. Because he is so handsome, he is pursued by many beautiful women, but he has always remained chaste and remained calm.
Kashyapa is even more famous. He is known as the best ascetic among the ten great disciples and has a very high level of comprehension. It is said that after practicing Buddhism, he entered the realm of Arhat in eight days.
When the Buddha's incarnation on earth passed away, he appointed Kasyapa to temporarily take over the position of the leader, which shows how much he valued him.
The Dragon-Subduing Arhat among the Eighteen Arhats is also the incarnation of Venerable Kashyapa.
However, the giant python god did not believe what the two venerables said. It coveted the Mahayana Buddhism, so it simply waited in the Sutra Library and refused to leave.
The two venerables looked at their noses with their eyes and looked at their hearts with their noses, and each of them entered into a state of meditation and no longer paid any attention.
Time passes slowly.
An unknown amount of time had passed, but just when the giant python god became discouraged and was about to give up and leave, the sound of a golden bell suddenly rang out in the sacred mountain.
Ding! Ding! Ding...
Nine consecutive rings symbolized the fall of an arhat.
Kasyapa and Ananda opened their eyes at the same time, and their clear Buddha hearts, which had been cultivated for tens of millions of years, began to fluctuate.
The bells continued to ring without stopping.
This time there were eighteen shots.
The Bodhisattva has fallen!
Boom! !
Suddenly, there was lightning and thunder in the sky above Lingshan Mountain, and blood rain fell. The earth trembled, the beautiful flowers and grasses withered quickly, and the Buddha's light and auspicious clouds also dimmed and shattered.
The bells never stopped ringing.
Jie Di, Jia Lan, Arhat, Bodhisattva, these former gods and Buddhas of the sacred mountain have died one after another, and a kind of silent sadness and fear filled the hearts of the two venerables.
They were in the Sutra Repository and had no idea what was happening outside, but they all understood one thing.
This is an unprecedented Buddhist catastrophe!
They were lucky. The Sutra Repository was an important place in Lingshan, and it was protected by many formations. Most importantly, the Mahayana Buddhism, which carried the fortune of Buddhism, was here, and it protected them invisibly.
But even so, they felt an unprecedented sense of oppression, as if some strange force was constantly eroding their golden body Buddha power.
"Amitabha, I must go out and take a look."
Ananda stood up and wanted to leave the Sutra Repository. Although the Buddha's heart was frantically warning him when he had this thought, he showed no fear and his eyes remained firm and calm.
For Buddhist disciples, how can they ignore the dangers at Lingshan Mountain just because they are afraid of death?
Venerable Kasyapa stopped him.
"Ananda, you stay here, I'll go out."
Without waiting for Ananda to refute, he continued: "The Mahayana Sutra is here. In order to protect the fortune of our Buddhist sect, one of us must stay behind. My cultivation is higher than yours, and I am good at fighting. I can also help our Buddha after we go out."
Ananda was speechless.
The cultivation level of Venerable Kashyapa is the highest among the ten great disciples, so he is called the number one ascetic. He has also incarnated as the Dragon-Subduing Arhat, and his fighting skills are second to none. If he goes out, he will indeed be of greater help than himself.
Turning around and looking at the Buddhist scriptures, Ananda remembered what the Buddha had told them. He sighed, said nothing, and just bowed to Kashyapa.
Kasyapa returned the greeting and then left the Sutra Library, never to return again.
Not long after, the Buddhist bell rang twenty-eight times, marking the death of the Venerable.
In the Sutra Repository, only Venerable Ananda and a giant python god that was trembling with fear were left.
They continued to guard the Sutra Library. The bells outside continued to ring, but the frequency was getting lower and lower. In the Sutra Library, despite the protection of the Mahayana Sutra, that strange power was getting stronger and stronger.
Ananda had a deep cultivation base, so he could still endure it. However, the giant python god could not. Its foundation became increasingly weak, and its six-meter-long body shrunk by half. It hid in a corner, dying.
Ananda showed a look of reluctance, but the power of Buddha allowed him to hold on.
Two days later.
The bell rang again, but this time it rang for thirty-three consecutive times. Lingshan Mountain shook and all the Buddhas mourned together.
Ananda's face was filled with tears and he fell to his knees, his heart filled with unspeakable sadness. Not only him, but even the giant python god was crying bitterly.
The Buddha has fallen!
Lingshan...is completely finished!
