Chapter 16 : On Buddha.
Time passed.
In a flash, half a month passed.
During this period of time, although there were many major events that took place in the world, they did not affect the Shaolin Temple in the slightest.
Su Qin’s life remained the same as before. He Signed In every day and listened to the “gossips” discussed by the disciples of the Handyman Court.
However.
On this day.
Su Qin’s peaceful days were ruined.
Nine Monks claiming to be from the Vajra Temple came to the Shaolin Temple. Because of this, Abbot Hui Wen and the Court Heads personally greeted them outside of Great Strength Hall, which just showed their importance.
The disciples of each Court also stood outside the Great Strength Hall.
“Vajra Temple?”
Su Qin looked at the nine Monks from the Vajra Temple.
The first of these nine Monks was very young, about twenty years old.
As for the other eight…
Su Qin glanced at the Monk standing behind, the Monk was wearing a red robe and a crown.
The Monk was full of vitality, and was no weaker than Abbot Hui Wen. He was a Grade 2 Martial Artist.
Although the other seven Monks all had different auras, in general, they were all Martial Artists in the Middle Realm.
“This is going to be a big show…” Su Qin murmured in his heart.
Although he doesn’t know the purpose of this Vajra Temple for coming here, just from looking at their postures, it was obvious that they were not simply visitors.
Sure enough.
Su Qin quickly learned from the whispers of the disciples next to him that this group of Monks from the Vajra Temple came here for the ‘On Buddha’ with the Shaolin Temple.
“Do you see that young Monk at the front? He is the Holy Son, Ba Tuo, of the Vajra Temple. He has deep roots, and it is said that a natural Buddhist phenomenon occured when he was born.”
“There is also a rumor that he is the reincarnation of an Arhat.”
“Ah? If the other party is really an Arhat’s reincarnation, then won’t the Shaolin Temple not stand a chance against him in ‘On Buddha’?”
“Look, maybe the Abbot and the Court Heads might have a way?”
…
The Shaolin Temple disciples whispered amongst each other.
Even the disciples of the Handyman Court were worried.
As an overall disciple of the Shaolin Temple, disregarding from which Court they were in, they share honor and disgrace with the Shaolin Temple. Naturally, they don’t want to see the Shaolin Temple lose to the Vajra Temple.“Namo Amitabha.”
Abbot Hui Wen cupped his hands together, “You all have journeyed far, the Shaolin Temple will treat you with good hospitality. Food is being prepared…”
Ba Tuo, the Holy Son of the Vajra Temple, bowed slightly in return: “I’ve heard of Abbot’s name, I hope we are not disturbing you all.”
After the meal.
Abbot Hui Wen began the ‘On Buddha’.
‘On Buddha’ is the tradition amongst the Four Buddhist Sects, and only Monks under the age of twenty can participate.
This is used to measure the strength of the younger generation in the Four Buddhist Sects, and also to determine who will be the Head (aka first) among the Four Buddhist Sects.
“Abbot Hui Wen, during this times ’On Buddha’, only Ba Tuo will represent the Vajra Temple.”
At this time, the Grade 2 Monk wearing a red robe and a hair crown stood up and spoke.
When his words were spoken, Abbot Hui Wen and the Court Heads frowned.
That’s because the rule of ‘On Buddha’ is that the opposing sides would send nine disciples each and then compete in knowledge about Buddhism, then finally the winner would be determined.
But now, the Vajra Temple only wants to send Ba Tuo? It was blatantly obvious that they were planning to use Ba Tuo to compete against the nine disciples of the Shaolin Temple.
This was simply looking down on the Shaolin Temple.
Even with a cultivation like Abbot Hui Wen, his expression still couldn’t help but change. The Head of the popular Martial Monk Court also looked towards the nine Monks of the Vajra Temple.
Yet, despite facing the pressure of the Shaolin Temple, the Grade 2 Monk from the Vajra Temple didn’t care.
‘On Buddha’ is a competition over Buddhist ideas and thoughts between Buddhist Sects. In each Sect’s view, one can only win and not lose.
But why the provocation?
The spectating Shaolin Temple disciples was even more angry.
“Isn’t the Vajra Temple acting too supercilious? They only sent one dísciple to participate in ‘On Buddha’?”
“Indeed they are too much. After all, the Shaolin Temple is also a Great Sect and it is the Head of Four Buddhist Sects. Does the Vajra Temple really believe that much in their skill and ability to dare send just one dísciple?”
“Even if Ba Tuo is a Holy Son so what? Has the Shaolin Temple also not had a Holy Son (Child)? This is a provocation!”
(Tl: I might use Child and Son interchangeably depending on the situation)
…
The Shaolin Temple disciples looked at the Vajra Temple Monks with slight dislike.
It is said that Buddhism does not seek to be competitive, but the Vajra Temple was clearly bullying them at this moment.
Buddhism is not ruthless and desireless, but it also has it’s fair share of fierceness and anger.
Only Su Qin still had a calm expression, as if he just didn’t care at all.
“Namo Amitabha.”
Abbot Hui Wen was silent for a moment before saying: “In that case, let’s start.”
Ba Tuo then stepped forward and sat cross-legged in front of the Great Strength Hall.“Zhen Yuan.”
Abbot Hui Wen said softly.
They then saw a Monk come out. He was also in front of the Great Strength Hall, sitting and facing Ba Tuo.
“It turned out to be Senior Brother Zhen Yuan.”
“Senior Brother Zhen Yuan is the disciple most valued by the Court Heads. It is said that his understanding in Buddhism is profound and he even often has discussions with the Abbot.”
“Go, Senior Brother Zhen Yuan! Let the Vajra Temple know who is the number one among the Four Buddhist Sects!”
.. .
When the Shaolin Temple disciples saw Zhen Yuan step forward, their spirits were lifted and they wore excited expressions.
Obviously, the Shaolin Temple disciple named Zhen Yuan has an extraordinary position in their hearts.
“Zhen Yuan?”
Su Qin also took a look at Zhen Yuan.
Since he’s a disciple having ‘Truth’ in their name, Su Qin has some impression of this Zhen Yuan.
(Tl: that’s the Zhen you see in their name)
“Senior Brother Zhen Guan, do you think Senior Brother Zhen Yuan will win?” At this time, a Handyman disciple asked in a low voice.
Su Qin has been in the monastery for ten years. And although he is still a Sweeping Monk, he obviously has some qualifications.
“Does that still need to be asked? Senior Brother Zhen Yuan will definitely win.” Before Su Qin could speak, another disciple interrupted.
Su Qin hearing this, shook his head slightly.
The Vajra Temple clearly has nine Monks, but they only sent Ba Tuo… There were only two possibilities.
One is that the Vajra Temple is stupid.
Second is that the Vajra Temple is confident. For them, as long as Ba Tuo is there, there is no difference between sending one person or sending nine.
The Vajra Temple and Shaolin Temple are both from the Four Buddhist Sects and famous across the world, so the possibility of one was naturally impossible.
Meaning, that only leaves possibility two, and that the Vajra Temple is very confident in Ba Tuo.
To the extent that as long as Shaolin Temple wins against Ba Tuo, the Vajra Temple will probably directly admit defeat.
Amidst Su Qin’s thinking.
The ‘On Buddha’ between Ba Tuo and Zhen Yuan began.
“Since Senior Brother is the visitor, you should start.” Zhen Yuan’s expression was solemn, he was neither humble nor proud.
Seeing this, the Disciplinary Court Head secretly nodded.
Zhen Yuan is his most favored disciple. His understanding of Buddhism is beyond ordinary people, otherwise the Abbot wouldn’t have Zhen Yuan be the first to go.
After all, getting that first win will give more vigour to the next matches.
But if the Shaolin Temple loses the first round, it will definitely leave a blow to the temperament of the disciples.
Ba Tuo was not shy either, and took upon the offer, he clasped his hands together:
“I have heard that for a while, Buddha is…”
Ba Tuo spoke extremely fast.