Visualization
Li Qi's thoughts were very simple.
Since we're here, we should at least test the waters, whether it's Monk Jingmo or someone else.
He was already quite displeased that Monk Jingmo had come to see Old Ma without permission, so he might as well bring him along as a witness and let him see things clearly.
Besides, Amitabha Buddha is a well-known benevolent Buddha who Salvation of all beings, and his reputation is quite good. He wouldn't necessarily kill himself, would he? The safety level should be guaranteed.
So why not give it a try and see what this Visualization Diagram is all about?
Unexpectedly, the Monk Jingmo instead began to persuade Li Qi. He put his hands together and said, "This matter arose because of me. Although I don't know why Amitabha Buddha's blessing appeared, it was caused by me after all. I will not shirk my responsibility for this cause and effect. If you need my help, please feel free to ask me, Benefactor Li or Benefactor Ma."
"This humble monk also knows that this matter is strange. Normally, Amitabha Buddha would not use the means of bestowing blessings in pursuit of the enlightenment of all beings. He has always pursued the self-awakening and self-salvation of all beings, and would never bestow such meaningless 'blessings'. Blessings bestowed at will are not true blessings, but rather temptations from demons."
"Therefore, as Buddha Child, I also have the obligation to seek the truth. However, I am just a puppet after all, with dull thinking and rigid ideas. I am good at doing things, but thinking about these things is not my forte. I can only ask you to do more for me, young master."
Monk Jingmo looked at Li Qi calmly.
"Very well, but Master, how did you determine that this was a blessing from Amitabha Buddha and that there was no other entity disguising it?" Li Qi asked.
"The Buddhist aura within it cannot be faked, just like the aura of the sorcerer god you sensed. Can such a thing be faked?" Monk Jingmo asked rhetorically.
Li Qi nodded slightly, acknowledging the words of the Buddha Child before him.
Some anger simply cannot be faked.
"Alright, since that's the case, let's see what this Visualization Diagram represents. Old Ma can't see, so you and I will do the visualization ourselves, shall we?" Li Qi looked at Monk Jingmo.
He felt that if there was a trap, then the Monk Jingmo would also be implicated. So he might as well let the other party come along, since there was no way to cheat when visualizing these Visualization Diagram.
Li Qi could easily see through any tricks someone used to try and break free from visualization.
However, Li Qi saw that Monk Jingmo nodded without any hesitation and said directly, "That's how it should be. Then this humble monk will go ahead and study it."
As he spoke, he directly observed the Visualization Diagram and entered into deep thought, beginning to ponder the image. At the same time, strange phenomena arose around him.
As he directly entered the state of visualization, five-colored light suddenly emanated from his body, covering the sky like a canopy, illuminating all beings. Music rained down from the heavens, with four kinds of flowers. The music was bright and vibrating in the sky, while the flowers were scattered all over the ground. Flowing light and flames intertwined high and low, and he saw the shadow of a palace amidst heavy clouds. Two statues stood upright, and the four divine kings and their thrones rose up at the same time, supported by smoke and fire, and suddenly ascended into the distance.
He actually entered a state of enlightenment directly, and many strange phenomena appeared around him, which was enough to prove that this Monk Jingmo was not ambiguous at all and was truly immersed in it wholeheartedly.
Seeing the other party's behavior, Li Qi could no longer be suspicious. He observed for a while and found that Monk Jingmo had no wariness of him. It seemed that he really just felt that this matter was related to him, so he devoted himself to it and wanted to solve the problem.
Unable to find any flaws, Li Qi had no choice but to sit down and begin Visualization Diagram on the Old Ma's body.
As soon as he entered the meditative state, Li Qi was instantly immersed in it.
It seemed as if an old monk was chanting Buddhist Scriptures in his ear.
The source of the mind is inherently pure; however, when the mind is swayed by external circumstances, delusive thoughts arise.
The scriptures, originating from Shakyamuni, were translated by Kumarajiva from Shravasti, providing a detailed account of the language and writing system. The teachings of Buddhism were widely disseminated, providing a comprehensive overview of their origins and development. Truly, it is the precious torch of Zen and the golden rope of enlightenment. However, its subtle words are so profound that those who recite it cannot fathom its meaning, and its abstruse implications are so deep that those who try to understand it cannot fathom its depths.
If one does not delve into old commentaries, synthesize various schools of thought, refer to the merits and demerits of different schools, and reconcile the similarities and differences in their meanings, then even if one recites ten thousand times and reads ten thousand books, it will still be difficult to attain samadhi and enter samadhi.
Therefore, I have long been fond of Zen and its teachings, but my dull faculties have not yet been transformed. In my spare time, I have been studying this painting for many years. I have seen that this painting was compiled by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, and its explanations are thorough and its interpretations endless.
Li Qi suddenly felt as if a vast cloud was rising before his eyes, obscuring his vision; as if a precious mirror was covered in dust, obscuring its brilliance.
If one follows these causes and conditions and falls into illusion, how can one return from delusion to truth?
Only the Tathagata, with unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, made a compassionate vow, pitying the delusion of the mortal world and mindful of the ignorance of sentient beings, and thus expounded this sutra, greatly opening up expedient means. This enables them to untangle themselves from attachment and bondage, to cleanse themselves of defilement and leave behind the dust of the world, to escape the path of birth and death, and to reach the shore of Bodhi; to transform delusion into wisdom, and to dispel darkness into light.
Then, what appeared before him was the truth of the Visualization Diagram.
The Visualization Diagram depicts a dialogue between a true dragon and a Bodhisattva.
This dragon, burdened by accumulated calamities, was retributed for being born blind. When the Bodhi Tree came from Mount Samantabhadra, intending to reach the Bodhi tree, he stopped beside a hut on the way. Suddenly, the dragon's eyes opened, and it saw the Bodhisattva approaching the Buddha tree. The dragon said to the Bodhisattva, "You will soon attain perfect enlightenment. My eyes have been blind for a long time. Whenever a Buddha appears in the world, my eyes will immediately clear. In this Bhadrakalpa, when the three Buddhas of the past appeared in the world, I already had clear vision. Now that you have arrived here, my eyes have suddenly opened, therefore I know that you will become a Buddha."
Then, the Dragon King of Medicine, Rabhadhatu, created the Pond, which was over a hundred paces in circumference. Its water was clear, and lotuses of various colors bloomed in vibrant hues. The clear, rushing water gurgled and swam, and dragons, fish, and other aquatic creatures swam and burrowed in their depths. Four-colored lotuses filled the clear pool. A hundred kinds of fruits flourished, each with its own unique color, and the forest and marshland reflected each other, making it a truly enjoyable place to visit. Beside it stood a monastery, long since deserted by monks.
This dragon was the same one who destroyed the monk Pratava tree during the time of the Kasyapa Kassapa. Therefore, in that land today, when people pray for rain or clear skies, they always go to the pond with the monks, snap their fingers to comfort them, and their wishes are always fulfilled.
At the same time, the scene before his eyes became more and more real and lifelike.
The details on the true dragon—its scales, bloodline, fur, skin, and even the rhythm emanating from its every movement—became increasingly vivid, allowing one to deduce the source of its power.
Li Qi couldn't help but stand up and begin to simulate the movements of a real dragon with his human body, and a certain rhythm reappeared on his body.
But as he threw the punch, he suddenly felt a tremendous force surge through his spine, but his body was too weak to withstand it, and the sound of bones cracking followed.
Li Qi groaned and collapsed to the ground, forced to awaken from his meditative state.
"My body doesn't fit the dragon's body, and forcibly simulating this operation has backfired," Li Qi immediately muttered to himself, analyzing the reason.
The injury wasn't serious; it was just a broken bone from the spine to the arm, which would heal in a few seconds for a seventh-rank body.
As long as it's not Dao injury, it's all fine. Even growing a new arm wouldn't be difficult.
However, he also realized that he had begun to touch upon the Cultivation Method hidden within the Visualization Diagram.
It is indeed a true dragon's Cultivation Method, a method that combines the body of a true dragon with the True Intention of Buddhism, and it also has a certain strengthening effect on the body. For Old Ma... this is simply tailor-made for him.
Li Qi glanced at the Monk Jingmo beside him and found that the mechanical monk was also moving his body. Every move he made was like a dragon soaring through the sky. His puppet body was extremely strong, much stronger than Li Qi's small body. When he moved according to the divine will in the Visualization Diagram, he was able to withstand the heavy pressure.
Furthermore, what the Monk Jingmo comprehended was not purely the qualities of a true dragon; the qualities of a bodhisattva, which correspond to a true dragon, also seemed to be within the scope of his contemplation. Therefore, the results he obtained Great One as those of Li Qi.
Since that's the case...
Li Qi nodded slightly, sat down, and then immersed himself in the Visualization Diagram once again.
Then, instead of moving his body, he began to deduce the various methods in the Visualization Diagram through 'imagination', observing every detail of the true dragon's form.
Without physical coordination, relying solely on imagination will slow down the progress; after all, hands-on learning is the best approach.
However, Li Qi's body couldn't withstand this domineering Cultivation Method. Just practicing it was enough to shatter his bones and break his tendons, so he could only rely on his imagination. Fortunately, Li Qi's mind was quite sharp, and he didn't fall too far behind in his progress.
Monk Jingmo and Li Qi each tried to decipher the hidden Cultivation Method in the Visualization Diagram by Visualization Diagram the dragon's form.
Li Qi made his deductions little by little, Monk Jingmo also made progress step by step. The two began to try to understand every detail of the Visualization Diagram, from the Bodhisattva's expression and the divine light emanating from it, to the aura of the true dragon, and then to all the surrounding scenery.
The Dragon Pool is clear and bright, its volume never increasing or decreasing. Yet, it is shrouded in wind and rain, thunder and lightning, fires and smoke, and sand and rocks.
Furthermore, the Bodhisattva's divine light roamed freely, his mind wandering in the true realm, exploring the inner and outer scriptures, delving into the profound and subtle, his divine light shining brightly, his miraculous powers manifesting themselves.
As the day passed, Li Qi and the Monk Jingmo opened their eyes almost simultaneously.
"How much have you realized, benefactor?" asked the Monk Jingmo.
"Half," Li Qi replied.
"I have also grasped half of it, so... can the Dragon Dharma and the Buddha Dharma be combined into one?" Monk Jingmo asked again.
"Give it a try?" Li Qi didn't know the answer either, so he could only offer this suggestion.
Monk Jingmo nodded. "Then let's give it a try."
Old Ma had been lying down with the Visualization Diagram on his back exposed, stood up. He hadn't dared to move at all, afraid that his movement would interrupt the two men's visualization process.
Judging from their current appearance, it seems they've achieved some results?
But Li Qi and the Monk Jingmo ignored him and sat facing each other, beginning to talk to each other.
Li Qi: "The Dharma does not arise in isolation. Who will name it? The verse says: Great Dharma King Maha, without shortness or length, originally neither black nor white, everywhere appearing blue and yellow. White hair sees the morning glory, forest withers with the evening frost. Why is thunder so urgent? Lightning is not light either. Even mortals and saints find it hard to fathom, how can dragons and gods measure it? People of ancient and modern times do not recognize it, so it is temporarily named Vajra."
Monk Jingmo continued, "Wisdom is the skillful means to break through all afflictions and transform them into wondrous uses. Paramita is a Sanskrit word meaning to reach the Other Shore. Not being attached to any appearances is called the Other Shore. If one is attached to any appearances, it is called this shore. It is also said that when the mind is deluded, it is this shore; when the mind is enlightened, it Other Shore. The sutra is the path, the way to see one's true nature."
Li Qi further stated. "There are dragons dwelling in palaces, and they can raise clouds. When people look up, they see palaces that are Gandharva cities. Gandharva cities are Gandharvas. The residual energy of the sea dragons and mirages manifests, and the pavilions that people see suddenly disappear. This breaks the delusions of sentient beings who cling to the five aggregates and physical body as real."
Upon hearing this Monk Jingmo nodded and continued, "Originally, there was one pure essence, which was divided into six aggregates. This pure essence is the one mind. The six aggregates are the six senses, each associated with its own sense objects: the eye with form, the ear with sound, the nose with smell, the tongue with taste, the body with touch, and the mind with dharma. From this arise the six consciousnesses, forming the eighteen realms. If one understands that the eighteen realms are without substance, that everything is empty, then one can bind the six aggregates into one pure essence. This is the enlightened one. Only the true mind remains, utterly pure. Subhuti, a Bodhisattva should give alms in this way, without clinging to appearances."
Li Qi continued, "Under the dragon's chin, they contend for the pearl. Opening the wondrous gate of the ancient sages, later learners have a path to advance. Opening a single thread, when speaking, the entire Dharma body is revealed; when silent, the true nature is revealed; when moving, a crane is like a wisp of cloud; when still, mountains stand tall. Taking a step is like an elephant king looking back; taking a step back is like a lion groaning. When the Dharma King's decrees are carried out, one can be free in the Dharma."
Li Qi spoke of dragons, and Jingmo spoke of Buddhas.
The two of them spoke in unison, each saying half of what the other had gleaned from the Visualization Diagram, trying to piece together what they had learned from it.
However, as they exchanged their words, Old Ma, who was standing nearby, suddenly sensed... a certain force.
A power that suits him.
He became engrossed in the conversation between Li Qi and the Monk Jingmo. He was only a ninth-rank official, so the questions and answers between the two seventh-rank officials were already profound enough for him.
He began to feel and comprehend a kind of divine power emanating from the blood within his body.
Unconsciously, Old Ma followed the power of the 'True Dragon' and began to circulate the blood in his body, while also taking Buddhist teachings as his guide.
Unbeknownst to him, amidst the conversation between the two seventh-rank officials, Old Ma felt himself becoming increasingly drowsy, yet at the same time, he was becoming more and more lucid.
"Drowsy" refers to his increasingly dulled perception of the outside world, to the point that he seems to be asleep and unable to feel anything in the world.
Being clear-headed means that he has gained a greater and clearer understanding of his body, the circulation of his blood, the movement of his muscles, and the coordination of various energies.
This is an extremely profound Cultivation Method.
Although Old Ma did not see the Visualization Diagram on his back, through the conversation between Li Qi and Monk Jingmo, he seemed to vaguely see the appearance of the real dragon.
When the true dragon arrives, its Dragon Qi surges, even detaching itself from the plains, whether in fields, flatlands, or lake shores, faintly rumbling, its spiritual light barely visible, like the so-called dark moon sinking into the river, its light reflected in the shadow, horizontal lines, round and curved.
Old Ma seemed to sense it, to sense that 'perfection'.
An indescribable perfection, every movement, every stretch of its head and retraction of its tail, the dragon's back is like a vast mountain range, its head standing tall and facing the azure sky.
Li Qi suddenly stopped speaking and looked at the Monk Jingmo.
Monk Jingmo also stopped, put his hands together, and waited for Li Qi's choice.
Li Qi closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then said, "When the dragon appears, it will be auspicious."
As the ancients said:
When the dragon appears, a rain is offered; the gods come to pay homage.
The sacrificial animals were of excellent quality and possessed a majestic and awe-inspiring power.
In all sacrifices, the first offering is made to the suburbs when the hibernating insects awaken, and the second offering is made to the rain when the dragon appears. The Azure Dragon, which resides in the constellation of the night, appears in the east at dusk, signifying the beginning of the flourishing of all things, which await rain to grow. Therefore, sacrifices are made to Heaven to pray for abundant rain for the hundred grains.
Li Qi, you must use the rituals for worshipping a true dragon to sacrifice to the Old Ma at this moment!
This laid a solid foundation for Old Ma!
That's right, Li Qi wants to Dragon Transformation Old Ma into a dragon.
Dragon Steed? No, it will become Demon Dragon!