Li Shimin and the others pricked up their ears as well. To them, Xiao Xie's words were precious wisdom, and they did not want to miss any of it.
"Although your Human World often says that one should not judge people by their appearance, how many can truly avoid doing so?"
Seeing Shi Feixuan deep in thought, Xiao Xie continued, "Think about it. If the Buddhas you worshipped all looked vicious and terrifying, or even like evil ghosts, how would believers dare to worship them?"
Li Shimin and the others unconsciously nodded at Xiao Xie's words.
Though some Buddhist statues in temples looked fierce and intimidating, most wore kind and benevolent expressions.
Moreover, believers naturally preferred kneeling before statues with compassionate faces. Very few would enjoy worshipping those that looked fierce and terrifying.
"Take the Guanyin Bodhisattva you worship, for example. His true form is actually male. Yet in order to spread Buddhist teachings, he has always appeared before the world in the form of a kind-faced woman."
Seeing that Shi Feixuan seemed to have gained some insight, Xiao Xie dropped another revelation.
Shi Feixuan was slightly stunned by Xiao Xie's words. As a disciple of Buddhism, she naturally knew this.
Before the Sui Dynasty, Guanyin statues were still male. The most obvious sign was the small mustache on Guanyin's statue.
However, because Guanyin was the giver of children, the image gradually became female later on.
"Great Master Guanyin was able to cast aside distinctions between men and women for the sake of spreading Buddhist teachings. He is a model for our generation. This disciple has learned much."
When Shi Feixuan spoke of Guanyin Bodhisattva, her eyes were filled with devotion. Then she respectfully bowed to Xiao Xie.
Previously, Shi Feixuan had always believed that her appearance was unimportant. But