Chapter 289

The Savior answered in this way.

"I take refuge in the Buddha..."

Devadatta clasped his hands together, feeling the Divinity light of the Savior, and tried to force himself to smile.

"The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha reside within each person's heart. The capacity for awakening is the Buddha; the path to awakening is the Dharma; and those who dedicate themselves to the Dharma are the Sangha. These three words reside within your heart, and within the hearts of all things in the world."

"I take refuge in the Dharma... I take refuge in the Sangha..."

Finally, the Savior closed his eyes.

Returning to the present, the Savior looked at his disciples and smiled slightly:

"With Yellow Brow, there's naturally nothing to worry about, Golden Cicada."

"What if... what if Yellow Brow accidentally dozes off and thinks of something strange that might cause something to happen to Dīpaṃkara? There's always a possibility."

"Hehe."

The Savior smiled again, "Then let me ask you this: why did you doze off during my sermon a few days ago?"

"This, this..."

"Waaah, I really want to see Dīpaṃkara!" Of course, Golden Cicada would never say such a thing in front of his master.

During the brainstorming session, Golden Cicada quickly explained with a 'serious' expression:

"Maybe, maybe I'm just missing a light to turn on..."

The Savior had many disciples, and Golden Cicada was able to rise to become the second disciple thanks to Kavia's help.

After all, she wasn't a person. She was just a Golden Cicada at first. By chance, she heard the Savior's teachings at the place where Siddhartha first gave his sermon. She followed him ever since. After who knows how many years, she was enlightened by the many teachings and was able to transform into a human body.

"From today onwards, your name will be Golden Cicada. Remember, treat the weak with kindness, and never abandon those in distress. Do you understand?"

"... Huh?"

Golden Cicada had just transformed into a human, clearly didn't understand what it meant. Then, in a daze, she was unknowingly called "Second Senior Sister" by the people around her. It wasn't until later that she learned that it was because Dīpaṃkara had said, "Golden Cicada has long listened to the Dharma and was already present when the Dharma was being preached. She is the second disciple of the Buddha."

And since their own master, the Buddha, did not deny it, things gradually remained as they were.

Upon learning this, Golden Cicada immediately went to Dipankara hoping to have her title revoked, because she was an ignorant being and could not compare with the many wise masters, so it would be better to have it removed.

Kavia looked at Golden Cicada with surprise, his expression resolute.

"You mean to say you're an idiot?"

Although Golden Cicada didn't understand what "idiot" meant, he still nodded frantically in agreement with Kavia's words.

Seeing her reaction, Kavia smiled and continued:

"Although you think you're a hopeless fool who always makes mistakes, Buddha doesn't make mistakes. Whether you're weak, foolish, or have gone astray, Buddha will guide you equally. So believe in yourself, believe in yourself as a disciple of Buddha, and I absolutely believe in you too."

In that instant, Golden Cicada felt his soul tremble and almost burst into tears.

"Today, Golden Cicada, I have something to tell you."

The Savior's sudden words shattered Golden Cicada's memories, startling him.

"Be your own light. More important than defeating others is defeating yourself. That victory belongs only to you, and no one can take it away, not even gods or Asura, whether in heaven or Hell."

"Thank you for your teachings, Master! I understand now Golden Cicada! I will definitely strive for victory!"

For some reason, Golden Cicada seemed very happy, and then he disappeared in a flash.

Looking at Golden Cicada in such a state, the Savior's smile remained unchanged.

For him, the Future was already in sight: his disciple Golden Cicada would become the Future Buddha— the Sandalwood Merit Buddha.

However, that Future is in the distant Future. If we must specify a timeframe, it is after thousands of cycles of reincarnation, after the complete end of the India Age of Gods of Bharata. In other words, the cycle of reincarnation will continue thousands of times, and the mysterious power will cycle through prosperity and decline thousands of times before finally reaching its true end in the Myriad Universes of Bharata.

Golden Cicada, the Sandalwood Merit Buddha, embarked on this path of Buddhahood in a land on the other side of the Himalayas Mountains after the complete end of the Age of Gods. Speaking of which, I almost forgot, the monkey-like Wu Zhiqi's true form would later be suppressed beneath the Himalayas Mountains...

The ancient and mysterious Age of Gods of India Age of Gods is remarkably isolated from the many Age of Gods around the world. Perhaps only in the final cycle of reincarnation will it have more contact with the surrounding Age of Gods, which is why the Himalayas, which should be the Holy Mountain of India, are relegated to another region.

That night.

Outside the Hut where Kavia was, Yellow Brow raised an eyebrow, looking at Golden Cicada was smiling with great joy, and asked with some displeasure:

What are you doing here?

"Senior Sister, today I followed Master's advice and carefully observed every tree in the Forest."

"Oh? So what?"

"And in every tree, I can see the likeness of the Dīpaṃkara."

"... hehe."

The yellow-haired, Yellow Brow girl was always annoyed by Golden Cicada, who loved to come and visit her master every day. She found her annoying and talkative, and more importantly, she could talk to her master until the end of time. In Yellow Brow's opinion, this was completely delaying important matters and hindering her master's cultivation.

Yellow Brow was abandoned by her parents not long after she was born. Then she happened to be born into this chaotic and dark age when Buddhism and the Dharma clashed. She was not of a high Caste, so she was easily subjected to suffering. However, after being encountered by Kavia, she was taken in as a virgin and a disciple.

The reason she was called Yellow Brow was because her eyebrows were yellow when Kavia took her in, hence the name. The reason she turned yellow- Yellow Brow was because she sometimes saw a yellow-haired woman at her master's door, so she changed her hair to a similar color.

"If there's nothing important, you should get some rest; it's getting late."

Although he was extremely annoyed with Golden Cicada, Yellow Brow still wore a very appropriate smile as he prepared to see Golden Cicada off.

"No, no, no, Senior Sister, please don't be in such a hurry. Why don't you let me go in and tell Dīpaṃkara what I've learned, and see if I can offer any different insights..."

"Boring."

Just as Yellow Brow was about to close the door, Golden Cicada glanced back at the way she had come, then her smile faded, and she calmly continued.

"Senior Sister, a few days ago you asked what the meaning of life is."

"Oh? You have Answer?"

As Golden Cicada expected, Yellow Brow, whose interest had been piqued, loosened his grip on the door.

"Naturally, it's about seeking the truth."

What is it really?

"The way in which all things operate, the fundamental law of the Universe."

Yellow Brow raised an eyebrow and picked a flower from the garden planted by Kavia. The petals were initially withered, but then they bloomed, becoming delicate and beautiful.

"Look at this flower, Golden Cicada. It has transformed into such wondrous forms simply because it followed its own nature."

As she spoke, she lowered her head, looking utterly captivated by the fragrance of the flowers.

"Every flower, when it blooms, releases a unique fragrance, the essence of its life, which it exudes in order to reproduce."

Feeling immensely pleased with himself, Yellow Brow released the flowers, letting them scatter in the gentle breeze:

"To fully savor this moment is the ultimate—"

The conversation suddenly stopped not because Golden Cicada had suddenly said something profound, but because he had vanished in an instant. Only then did Yellow Brow belatedly realize that he had been fooled by Golden Cicada again. That guy didn't care about winning or losing the debate with him at all; he had only said this to pique Huang Mei's interest and then find the right moment to run in.

"... Jin, cicada, son..."

Yellow Brow, who was guarding the door, gritted her teeth and growled. As it was her duty, she took it very seriously and naturally wouldn't rush in like Golden Cicada did out of Wrath. She could only stay outside the door and exude an atmosphere of Wrath.

At this moment, Yellow Brow had made up his mind that one day he would make Jin Golden Cicada know the consequences of daring to do such a thing!

The next day, Golden Cicada and Savior walked out of the Forest together to give their daily sermons.

For some reason, Golden Cicada seemed somewhat absent-minded today, as if he had been shocked by something, Savior did not ask any questions.

The two walked for a while, surrounded by bushes and thick fog, with fragrant Cyan lights floating on the light green grass.

The Creek Valley's shoulders gradually revealed their stern and unforgiving appearance. Nearby, the exposed shallows were tinged with Cyan by the faint light of the rising Rising Sun. On the Cyan riverbed, small round stones slept like sleeping gems.

Leaving the riverbank, we continued along the road. As the fog gradually dissipated and the sky cleared, the surrounding scenery became increasingly treacherous, and the trees became sparse. Soon, as if unable to withstand the blowing wind, the withered branches became more and more conspicuous.

The further you go along the road, the more desolate, cold, and dry the surroundings become.

Finally, approaching the open Great Gate, the two strode across; this was their destination Vaishali City.

As the dawn broke, the ridgelines of the mountains, shimmering with a pale purple glow, unfolded before the Savior's eyes, bringing a smile to his face.

"How enchanting is the scenery of Vaishali! Even the Temple seem to gleam..."

The Savior's words brought the somewhat lost Golden Cicada back to her senses. She was puzzled as to why her master was suddenly sighing about this.

"Golden Cicada, I need to rest in that temple for a while."

A few minutes later, after laying out a red mat for his master in the temple, Golden Cicada clasped his hands together and said to the Savior:

"Please rest here, Buddha. I'm going out to beg for alms."

The Savior nodded, then lay on his side on the red cushion, supporting his head with one hand, gazing at the ever-present sky, seemingly lost in some kind of contemplation.

Why are the birds so quiet...?

Golden Cicada was begging for food elsewhere in the city, looked at the birds that were sitting motionless and silent on the tree and was suddenly a little confused.

Logically speaking, the place where his master, himself, and the other monks had arrived shouldn't be so quiet, no matter what...

Just as Golden Cicada was so confused, suddenly, the world shook violently, as if an earthquake that had split the earth had occurred without any warning.

"Earthquake... Buddha, I hope my master is alright..."

Although such a disaster was actually unlikely to cause any harm to his master or himself, Golden Cicada still naturally became worried for a moment.

When Golden Cicada hurriedly returned to where the Savior was, he saw him still lying on his side as before, gazing at the sky, as if the earthquake had had no effect on him at all.

"The birds suddenly stopped chirping, everything became quiet, and then the earthquake struck..."

Golden Cicada, slightly out of breath, said quickly, "Is this an omen of some kind of disaster?"

Upon hearing this, the Savior stood up and patted the red carpet beside him.

"Golden Cicada, come here and sit down."

"You said, Tathagata."

"Originally, it was Ananda and I who came today, but now it is you."

The Savior smiled. "But whoever it may be, I have made my decision at this moment."

"... Decide?"

Then, Golden Cicada heard the words of the Savior. At first, she thought she had misheard, but then she felt a tremor run down her spine—

"Three months from now, I will enter Great Nirvana."

That is, Passing into Nirvana.

Golden Cicada (JPG)

Chapter 343 The Day Will Eventually Come.

"Birth predestines death."

The world seemed to fall silent.

Many monks, gods, or Rishi listened quietly to the Enlightened One speaking under the tree.

Even if I have attained enlightenment, my body has reached its limit, and I am standing at the end of this journey of life.

"Over the past eighty years, I have witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets, births and deaths."

This was three months after the Savior had told Golden Cicada that his moment of Parinirvana had arrived; it was the night of the last day.

During this time, countless people who heard the news rushed from all over Bharata, hoping to see the Enlightened One, Gautama Siddhartha, again. Since they had this inner longing, they also made countless pleas.

"No, did you hear our complaints? Did we fail to serve you well? Lord, how could you leave this world..."

"How could you, with your great compassion, abandon your Bhikkhu...?"

"Please have pity on us, have mercy on your disciples..."

The cries of supplication echoed after the words of the Savior.

"You all, come and see me."

The bright moon hangs in the sky; it is a crescent moon as slender as a fingertip.

The clouds, once dyed red by the setting sun, have vanished. The blue sky, a mixture of Cyan, azure, ultramarine, and purple, blends seamlessly with the white clouds. Scattered lights dot the Forest across the river, clustered together, yet the riverbank remains shrouded in darkness.

However, in such a scene, the Savior shines upon everything like a ray of sunlight. Therefore, all beings present, whether human or divine, subconsciously obey his words, suppressing all emotions on their faces and earnestly looking up at him.