From God of Lies to Lord of All Worlds

Chapter 244: Amidst the World's Terror, Buddhism is Established!

"What?" everyone exclaimed in shock. Hearing those words, they felt their entire worldview collapse!

Especially since, just moments ago, the aides surrounding the world's dignitaries had stated that the figure radiating golden light must be a Bodhisattva, if not a Buddha!

Their guesses weren't too far off. Was this actually the Buddha's close attendant, the first of the Eighteen Arhats, the patriarch of Zen, the Half-Seat Buddha, Mahakashyapa?

Their confident speculations were sound, but they never expected that such a prominent figure's first action wouldn't be to suppress the Asura or pray for the world, but rather to greet someone.

"Who is Kinnara?" This question echoed across the globe.

"Kinnara, one of the Eight Legions of Devas and Nagas, the God of Music, and also the manifestation of a certain Bodhisattva!" someone hastily explained. "It means 'human yet not human,' the literal meaning of the name!"

After saying this, the Buddhist monk experienced a sudden realization. "Hiss... Wait, the eminent monk who appeared in the city earlier was named Zanluo. The name Zanluo is merely a variation of the ancient translation. If you put the syllables back together, wouldn't it perfectly match... Kinnara?"

"In other words, Kinnara is the very monk who appeared and acted in the city?" Many people finally understood. As expected, how could a monk with such power be just an ordinary Buddhist monk?

Now, hearing Venerable Kashyapa's words, they understood that this was actually a Bodhisattva!

"A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being! One who seeks supreme awakening above with wisdom, and transforms sentient beings below with compassion. They practice all Paramitas and are cultivators destined to achieve Buddhahood in the future. Those who courageously seek enlightenment are all called Bodhisattvas!" Before the high-level officials of various nations could even ask, someone had already taken the initiative to explain."This is a spiritual status above an Arhat, a state that can only be attained in Mahayana Buddhism. It could even be said that it is a mandatory stage for all sentient beings to become a Buddha. If he is a Bodhisattva, it means he is already on the path to Buddhahood!"

Through these discussions, many learned the definition of a Bodhisattva, which only intensified the overwhelming bitterness in their hearts!

First a Buddhist monk arrived, and then came a Bhikkhu. After the Bhikkhu came an Arhat, and not just any Arhat, but a Venerable Arhat closely attending the Buddha. And now, there was even a Bodhisattva present?

The land of India was truly exceptionally lively!

Amidst the crowd's sighs, space itself seemed to tear apart. A peculiar rift materialized, and a white-robed figure familiar to many naturally appeared before their eyes.

"It really is him, the monk Zanluo. He is fundamentally an incarnation of the Kinnara Bodhisattva!"

At this moment, all the puzzle pieces clicked together in everyone's minds. No wonder a mere monk could possess a golden body. No wonder he could plunge an entire city into a nightmare. After all, this was a Bodhisattva, a being who possessed what could be considered the supreme fruit of Buddhism!

However, those skilled at reading the room had already sensed that something was amiss. If a Bodhisattva had already manifested here, why would Venerable Kashyapa, the foremost figure before the Buddha, be sent down to the mortal realm separately?

Then, they heard Zanluo's voice ring out, "To think that Shakyamuni actually sent you out, Kashyapa!"

"Tell me, did he ever consider that this city, where he once preached, would end up in such a state? Shrouded in karma, overflowing with monstrous resentment?"

Venerable Kashyapa chanted a Buddhist moniker. "Amitābha! Bodhisattva, you are clinging to appearances! There is no sign of self, no sign of others, no sign of sentient beings, and no sign of lifespan! The World-Honored One is naturally capable of seeing this, and the World-Honored One naturally has his own course of action!"

"The World-Honored One's course of action? Is it like Dipankara, seeking only temporary peace instead of the true self?" Zanluo mocked loudly. "That truly fits his nature perfectly!"

"Shituling lies at the foot of Mount Sumeru, a place where unburied corpses and scattered bones stretch as far as the eye can see. Yet, compared to this city, even Shituling could be considered a land of virtue. What? Did he send you here today to stop me?"

"Indeed!" Kashyapa declared. "Kinnara Bodhisattva, your methods are far too extreme. There should still be virtuous persons remaining in this city! Furthermore, your actions do not align with the true meaning of Buddhism; they are the deeds of an evil demon!"

"The sea of suffering is boundless, but the shore is just behind you. Please turn back, Bodhisattva!"

"Turn back? Turn back to what? Do you want me to forgive them? Or are you planning to come down here yourself and spiritually redeem them?" Zanluo scoffed dismissively. "Chaotic times call for heavy laws, and a chaotic world requires severe punishments! Without such deterrence, how can the people here truly turn their hearts toward the path of self-awareness?"

"Venerable Kashyapa, will you return on your own, or shall I send you back myself?"

These borderline threatening words caused Kashyapa's incomparably colossal form to stiffen slightly. Then, he slowly shook his head. "If that is the case, then pretend I never came here! But Kinnara Bodhisattva, all composite things are like a dream, a lightning flash. All phenomena are empty in nature, neither born nor destroyed, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing..."

"You have strayed into the demonic path!"

"What demonic path? Who said so? Shakyamuni?" Zanluo lowered his head and waved his hand, seemingly unbothered by the accusation. "If so, then let him come here himself. Otherwise, I will continue to walk my own path!"

Their conversation ended, and the massive phantom dissipated. It appeared that Venerable Kashyapa truly had no intention of clashing with Kinnara. However, this left the outside observers, especially that Venerable Elder, extremely dissatisfied!

"What is the meaning of this? Ah? Our realm is just being abandoned like this? Isn't the Buddha our God? Why would he abandon us?"

In the parliament, a member of the opposition party spoke up faintly, "Perhaps it is because we were the first to abandon Buddhism?"

The crowd fell into a heavy silence, unsure of what to say. They could only watch the Venerable Elder continue his impotent rage!

Meanwhile, Zanluo strolled leisurely, arriving beside the Asura.

After enduring the Sanskrit Chant, this Asura had long lost its self-consciousness. Its soul had essentially been suppressed, turning it into a walking corpse.

Zanluo paid this no mind. Instead, he waved his hand, causing the Asura's body—which had become a ferocious monster—to reform behind him into a great demon, serving as one of his guardians.

"From today onward, you are the gatekeeper of this city. If anyone can surpass you, they shall be permitted passage through the city!"

As his words fell, the Asura was awakened. It slowly lowered its head, sweeping its gaze across the city, before flying high into the sky. Hovering above the void, it became the 'Dao Guardian' of the city.

With that, anyone who still harbored thoughts of causing trouble in this city instantly had their ambitions extinguished.

Having such a Transcendent hovering overhead was like the Sword of Damocles dangling above everyone's heads!

At this time, Zanluo had already approached Sur. Facing the man before him, he spoke softly.

"Because of your kindness, I will release one-third of the people in this city—those with the lightest sins. They shall all be the fruits of your virtue! With this, will you enter my monastic order and become a Dharma-protecting attendant?"

Hearing this, Sur looked stunned, but he quickly shook his head. "Venerable, entering the order is not my wish. I only want my son to depart without so much pain..."

Sur had also witnessed Zanluo's conversation with the massive monk phantom. He could guess that this figure was likely the 'God' of the Buddhist monks, which brought a slight measure of peace to his heart.

However, this pure kindness that demanded absolutely no reward aligned even more perfectly with Zanluo's definition of virtue!

"Of course, this is your reward!"

Zanluo declared. He tapped his finger lightly, and the illusory soul transformed into a tangible body, appearing right beside Sur. "You have seven days. I will keep him here for seven days! In seven days, you will give me your answer!"

"Thank you!" Sur fell to his knees, kowtowing deeply to Zanluo, before taking his son's hand and slowly walking away.

Under the watchful gaze of countless camera lenses and Drones, Zanluo slowly sat cross-legged on the ground and began his work.

He brought out his Wooden Fish and began to strike it!

"One-third shall be forgiven, and so, they awaken!"

"Tok!" The Wooden Fish echoed. One-third of the people in the city snapped their eyes open in terror, as if they had just jolted awake from a nightmare!

"The remaining two-thirds shall fall eternally into the plague-ridden prison of Shituling, remaining there until they give birth to a virtuous heart!"

"Tok!" The Wooden Fish resounded again. The remaining two-thirds of the populace opened their eyes, devoid of any expression. After exchanging vacant glances, they slowly began to march outward.

"Your minds shall endure spiritual torment, while your bodies shall suffer the toils of servitude. Let your physical forms build temples and sculpt Buddha statues outside the city! Consider it penance for your sins!"

Thus, amidst the rhythmic strikes of the Wooden Fish, countless people marched out like walking corpses, gathering outside the city to form the final tableau of this campaign!

Beyond the screens, everyone watching turned pale, their pupils shrinking in sheer horror. "Is this... the power of Buddhism?"

The terror of having both one's body and soul utterly controlled was enough to guarantee that no one would sleep peacefully again!