Xu Qingtong looked at the scripture before him but did not reach out to take it. His intuition told him that this scripture was anything but ordinary.
"The treasure you gave me last time saved me from danger many times, Senior, and I have yet to repay your great kindness. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve another such generous gift?"
Ksitigarbha smiled faintly and said, "This scripture is called the Wordless Heart Sutra. Only those who possess the power of faith can see its contents. As for how much you can see, that will depend on your fortune!"
Xu Qingtong bowed and asked, "Senior, forgive my impertinence, but I would like to know why you have helped me time and again."
"Where the scripture resides, there is a Buddha, with no notion of self, no notion of others, and no notion of sentient beings!"
Xu Qingtong felt as though he were lost in a thick fog, unable to understand what Ksitigarbha meant. Perhaps he meant that he was not helping Xu Qingtong in particular, but someone with an affinity for the Buddha!
Imitating Ksitigarbha's tone, Xu Qingtong said, "I am myself, I am not myself, and I shall be without self!"
"Haha, good! Good! You truly do have an affinity for our Buddha! This Wordless Heart Sutra is yours, young friend!" Ksitigarbha said with a delighted laugh.
Xu Qingtong thought, Even I don't know what I just said meant. How does that give me an affinity for the Buddha?
"Thank you for your generous gift, Senior!"
"Mm, you should head back soon. Unless you have business here, you had best not come to the Netherworld again. It will cause me a great deal of trouble!" Ksitigarbha said.
"Oh? What do you mean, Senior?"
"A living soul that