Chapter 2272: What Do You Need to Believe in Buddhism For?
“The lot of you rely on Buddhist pilgrims’ temple donations and repay them by saying a few inexplicable words to them. Is this called enlightening the world?”
“Amitabha, the past affects the future, and you always reap what you sow. Only if there is a cause there will be an effect. If you don’t do evil, there will be no evil.”
“Then what do you need to believe in Buddhism for?” Ning Shu tilted her head and looked at Hui Ji. “Have you ever gone to the outside world to see it?”
“Is your goal to enlighten the world, or to become a Buddha?”
“This novice monk wants to enlighten the world.”
Ning Shu smiled and replied, “If you want to enlighten the mortal world, you have to walk into it. Those who are struggling in the mortal world are the true people you should enlighten.
“Or are you afraid that if you enter the mortal world, you will get infected by worldly affairs, and be consigned to eternal damnation?” Ning Shu said indifferently.
“Benefactor, are you angry at what happened last night or what happened at today’s troop rally? Is that why you want to destroy the belief in this novice monk’s heart?” Hui Ji said lightly.
“Tsk. You saw through me. You’re spot on, very accurate.” Ning Shu looked at the young monk and asked, “What’s the point of you living like this?”
“Well, what is the point of living like Benefactor?”
Ning Shu spread her hands. “Being alive is the most important thing for me. Just like how it’s the most important thing for you to enlighten the world.
“How can you enlighten the world without going to hell? Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva went to hell to spread Buddhism and he vowed that until the hells are empty of suffering beings, he won’t become a Buddha.’”
“If I were you, I would go to the mortal world. What is the point of reciting Buddhist scriptures every day? The outside world is much more brilliant than Buddhist scriptures,” Ning Shu said earnestly to Hui Ji.
“Amitabha. People covet pleasure. After going to the mortal world, what changes is a person’s will to resist it.” Hui Ji ignored Ning Shu’s temptation. “This novice monk knows that there are too many things in the outside world.”
“If your will gets corroded by worldly affairs as soon as you enter the world, then what use is becoming a senior monk? What use is reading so many Buddhist scriptures?” Ning Shu said contemptuously.
“Don’t forget your original life principles and act honestly from the beginning to the end. As the wisest monk in a hundred years, how could you not even understand this?”
“Amitabha, Benefactor doesn’t need to provoke this novice monk. Even though this novice monk wishes to enlighten the world, he must first enlighten himself,” Hui Ji said insipidly after performing a Buddhist mudra.
In order to enlighten oneself, one must know oneself. But, as a doctor could not treat themselves, the most difficult thing in this world is to know oneself.
Ning Shu couldn’t persuade Hui Ji, nor could Ning Shu accept Hui Ji’s arguments.
How ridiculous was a monk who never had to worry about food and clothing, spouting about how he wanted to enlighten the world?
“Little monk, I dare to assure you that you will never become a Buddha. Definitely, definitely…
“Your Buddha’s heart looks crystal clear and indestructible, but it is not even as good as a stone. A stone that rolls about in the mortal world, and has been worn smooth through shakes and bumps… That stone can bear hardship with equanimity, no matter where it is.”
Ning Shu: Fuck…
She knew it’d be hard to destroy a person’s faith, but such a monk like Hui Ji could only be regarded as the real deal.
He persevered with his beliefs. Not many people could do this.
“Thank you, Benefactor, for your advice. Hui Ji will take it to heart.” Hui Ji performed a Buddhist mudra to Ning Shu.
Ning Shu hammered her chest, feeling inexplicably stifled.
“Little monk, you can do other things with your talents once you leave the monastic order, and you will make a greater contribution to the world. That will be more useful than reciting scriptures and knocking wooden fish.”
“Amitabha, the reason why this novice monk stands out is actually just because he reads one or two more Buddhist scriptures than others. Hui Ji has no other talents.”
Ning Shu waved her hand. She was too tired to talk to him, so she just turned around and left.
“Benefactor…”
Ning Shu waved her hand without looking back. “Don’t persuade with how ‘repentance is salvation.’ You can’t say that what I do is wrong, little monk. I have more merits than you do.”
Ah, it was so refreshing to act cool like this.
Why would he try so hard to persuade others that repentance is salvation? If a person refuses to be reformed, then just have them cremated.
Guiding people into doing good was indeed merit, but so was eliminating evil.
Translator: Take
Editor: Ran
Translator: Kaho