574 Studying Buddhism (2/2)

Ning Que smiled and said, ”That's right. For example, my Eldest Brother reached the Seethrough State and Knowing Destiny State within a short time. Talent like this would be considered special. Even if I slap the Big Black Horse silly, I would still be unable to catch up.”

”Mr. First is of such extraordinary talent, so we can't use him to make comparisons.”

Master Qishan said, ”But you are very different from ordinary cultivators in the world. Other than your talent in Talisman Taoism which was discovered by Master Yan Se, your talent in other aspects of cultivation is just ordinary...”

Ning Que added, ”It is not just ordinary, it is so ordinary it is considered terrible.”

Master Qishan said, ”However, you have managed to enter the Knowing Destiny State in just three years with such terrible talent. It proves that your ability has long surpassed your ordinary talents...”

”I don't know how you have cultivated, but I heard of your performance at the three most crucial moments in cultivation. You began your path in Talisman Taoism during the summer rain. When you entered the Seethrough, it was thanks to the fish the Calligraphy Addict fried. And you entered the Knowing Destiny State while in battle a few days ago. Each time, they happened with no telltale signs.”

The Master continued, ”Cultivators place emphasis on order. They study the rules of the Qi of Heaven and Earth. But disciples of the Buddhism Sect rely on years of penance before they see the end of the path. This is what we call comprehension.”

Ning Que recalled the teachings of Master Huang Yang in the Wanyan Tower.

Master Qishan looked into his eyes and said seriously, ”Your performance when you broke through the realm had nothing to do with those opportunities. It was more like what the Buddhism Sect called comprehension. That is why your comprehension is good, and it'd be a waste not to study Buddhism.”

Ning Que had to admit that Second Brother did make sense. No matter if it was Taoism or Buddhism, they would speak nonsense when they wanted new blood...

”I am afraid I will fall asleep when I read Buddhist scriptures.”

He pleaded.

Master Qishan removed a thin scripture book from his sleeves and handed it to Ning Que. He said, ”I have especially picked an interesting scripture that is short. You shouldn't fall asleep reading this.”

With that, he walked into the temple to see how much Sangsang had comprehended today.

Ning Que flipped open the scripture in his hands and saw the simple illustrations. He couldn't help but be ashamed and annoyed. He shouted at the master's back, ”This is for children, can I have another book?”

...

...

After lunch and a short break, Sangsang continued to study Buddhism. Ning Que stood in the corridor outside the temple, teasing the Big Black Horse with a snow white lotus flower. He played until he was bored and thought of the scripture.

The illustrations in the scripture were simple and flowed well, and the stories were also very interesting. They cleverly hid the teachings behind the scripture. He grew more interested as he read, and had a monk bring him a bamboo chair.

He laid in the chair and flipped through the scripture. He would take an occasional sip of hot tea, and when he didn't feel like reading, he would look up at the autumn drizzle outside the temple to rest his eyes. He felt rather pleased.

Master Qishan walked out of the temple.

Ning Que stood up and handed him hot tea. He asked in confusion, ”Master, why have you come out?”

Master Qishan accepted the tea without hesitation and sat on the bamboo chair comfortably. He said, ”Miss Sangsang is meditating again. I have nothing to do inside, so I came to speak with you.”

Ning Que said in shock, ”She has entered meditation again so quickly? Are you sure that girl isn't sleeping?”

Meditation was a terminology used by the Buddhism Sect. It referred to the calmness of thoughts that came before enlightenment. It was a state where one would completely forget oneself. If using cultivation in Haotian Taoism as a metaphor, it would be like the empty state before one found an opportunity.

Sangsang entered meditation before noon and again after that. This meant that she had understood whatever Buddhism Dharma Master Qishan had taught her effortlessly. This was unbelievable.

Even though Ning Que knew that she had managed to produce the Haotian Divine Light at the blink of an eye when she was studying the West-Hill Divine Skill with Wei Guangming, he still found it hard to believe. That was why he wondered if she had fallen asleep.

Master Qishan said, ”I can still tell the difference between falling asleep and entering meditation.”

Ning Que saw that the master was calm and asked curiously, ”Master, you do not seem surprised.”

Master Qishan took a sip of tea and smiled. He said, ”I won't be shocked no matter what incredulous things happen to her.”

Ning Que said, ”I now believe what you said last night.”

”What did I say?”

”You mentioned that Sangsang could become a Buddha.”

”Everyone can.”

”Master, I am not good at saying things like that, even though Zen does sound charming.”

”Then I can make it clearer.”

Master Qishan laid in the chair and adjusted his shirt. He said, ”Buddha was a man, so why can't man become a Buddha?”

Ning Que said, ”I used to think that Buddha was like Haotian, and that it was only a symbol until teacher said that he existed. Then, I saw the chessboard yesterday and that was when I realized that Buddha truly existed.”

Master Qishan looked up at the sky and said, ”Buddha had once lived under the skies.”

Ning Que looked at the dark skies and drizzling rain. He asked, ”Since this is Haotian's world, then why does Buddha exist? Where did Buddha go?”

Master Qishan said, ”Since there is a beginning, there would be an end. Where there is life, there is death. Since Buddha is a man, then he would enter Parinirvana. This was recorded in history.”

Ning Que thought of his own curious encounters, and thought to himself that death did not come hand in hand with life.

With that thought, the autumn rain suddenly felt like one in the spring. He could not help but feel tired. He thought to himself, that since they were speaking of nothing important, then they should at least speak of something meaningful. He leaned against the railings and asked.

”If Buddha was a cultivator... then what state did he get to in the end?”

”As a disciple of the Buddhism Sect, how can we dream of undermining Buddha?”

”Buddha is benevolent, it's not much of a sin to talk about it.”

Ning Que looked at the master and asked tentatively, ”Buddha must have crossed beyond the Five States right?”

The master smiled and said, ”The Buddhism Sect does not have Five States.”

”I was talking about it relatively.”

”Of course.”

Ning Que understood.

He suddenly thought of a rumor, and asked Master Qishan seriously, ”It was said that before you got ill, you were thought by the cultivation world to be someone who was most likely to cross the Five States.”