Chapter 756: Refuting the Heavenly Demon

Li Qi looked at Sariputra in front of him; though he appeared humble now, that was a later development.

Many years ago, Sariputra was just as arrogant, believing no one in this Universe could match his wisdom.

But after meeting Ashvajit, under the guidance of this venerable one, he met the Buddha.

When the Buddha expounded the Buddha-Dharma to him, the knowledge revealed before him was like a cataclysm, like sunlight tearing through all gloom, or like lightning piercing the dark sky; Sariputra's eyes were instantly filled with light, and the clouds of doubt accumulated in his heart about the Universe dispersed.

He had come to know that the physical body is impermanent and cannot last forever, and that all Mortals in the world, due to their ignorance, fall into the twelve links of dependent origination and cycle through Rebirth.

The existence of humans stems from love and attachment; from birth to old age, from old age to sickness, from sickness to death, and from death to sorrow and weeping, experiencing immeasurable suffering.

Since Sariputra knew that love and attachment were the root of Rebirth, he contemplated his own body and others' bodies, constantly meditating on the impurities within the body—pus, saliva, heat and cold, foul odors—to prevent its decay.

Once the physical body decays, its flesh becomes food for worms, its bones dismembered, turning into ashes and dust, which is 'death'.

Thus, he pressed his palms together and recited, "When my body dies, it will also be like this; I should not rely on my body's beauty to adorn it or become arrogant.

I should remember impermanence; if one practices generosity and good deeds without self-aggrandizement or flowery speech, one will not fail."

Sariputra became a disciple of the Buddha, believing he had truly found his Dao.

The Buddha was also delighted, feeling that the truth he had realized finally had someone truly capable of accepting it; Sariputra also felt he had met a true teacher.

When Sariputra joined the Buddhist order, many Bodhisattvas praised him, the Three Thousand Great Chiliocosms trembled for him, bright light illuminated the ten directions, dry withered trees bore flowers and fruits, dried up streams flowed with clear springs, konghou instruments played themselves, and jewelry and pearl rings naturally emitted crisp sounds.

With just one sermon, Sariputra instantly attained the seventh rank, Buddha-light surrounded his body, great wisdom manifested, and five-colored light emanated from his mouth, illuminating the Buddha-land.

This light then encircled his physical body and entered through the crown of his head.

This event spread his reputation, and thus, the world and even the Heavens came to know of Sariputra's existence, much like when Li Qi caused chaos in Chang'an, or when the Demonic Prince challenged all his peers across the world.

Li Qi's mind was filled with this information; he had already reviewed Sariputra's data from Chang Qiao, having compiled a lot, and thus had some understanding of Sariputra.

So, looking at the arriving Sariputra, Li Qi first returned the greeting, then went straight to the point.

Li Qi had a doubt that had been buried for quite some time.

He curiously asked Sariputra, "Venerable Sariputra, just recently, I personally witnessed your Dao Heart dim, your wisdom clouded, and your Dao Heart even entered the Demonic Dao.

How did you, after being devoured by the Nascent Heavenly Demon, instead Rebirth from the cocoon?"

Hearing Li Qi's question, Sariputra smiled and said, "If wisdom is clouded, is it no longer wisdom?"

He maintained his palms-together posture and said, "I once heard a story that might answer your benefactor's question."

Sariputra began to narrate: "There once was a wise man named Purna, who vowed that before attaining wisdom, he would not wear luxurious clothes, adorn himself with fragrant flowers, watch or listen to singing and dancing, nor would he ever engage in marital intimacy."

"Purna gave up his beloved, bade farewell to his parents and wife, and entered the mountains to study.

He wore grass clothing, endured hunger, cold, and hardship, vowing to learn and master ninety-six kinds of scriptures and treatises, otherwise he would not return to see all those he loved.

Purna spent half his life studying, eventually mastering all knowledge and treatises, and then returned to his hometown.

At that time, he carried a torch on his head and wore copper plates on his chest and abdomen, walking and telling others, 'I have attained wisdom!'"

"Then, a Bodhisattva told him, 'Foolish man, if you become arrogant with a little knowledge, it is like a blind person holding a candle; you can illuminate others, but you yourself cannot see the light.'"

"Upon hearing this, Purna suddenly realized, discarded the torch and removed the copper plates, prostrating himself respectfully, ashamed and repenting of his mistakes.

Due to his extensive learning, wisdom, and keen faculties, after awakening and further cultivation, he eradicated the defilements of the Three Realms and attained Arhatship."

This was a very ordinary story.

As Sariputra spoke, he looked at Li Qi, his smile fading, and with a solemn expression, he said to Li Qi, "When I was at the fifth rank, the world knew of my wisdom, believed I possessed great intelligence, and everywhere extolled my wisdom.

In that case, what was the difference between my actions and Purna's, who carried a torch on his head and wore copper plates on his chest and abdomen?"

Li Qi pondered, nodding slightly: "So... you allowed your wisdom to be clouded and your Dao Heart to enter the Demonic Dao, which was to discard the torch on your head and remove the copper plates, breaking and then establishing anew, using the power of the Nascent Heavenly Demon to Rebirth from the cocoon and attain liberation... Wait, did you do this because the Demonic Prince pointed this out?"

Li Qi suddenly realized something!

Sariputra was confident he could Rebirth, that the Nascent Heavenly Demon would absolutely not win.

Because he knew that his fifth-rank self was as absurd as Purna's situation, he actively chose to reincarnate and obscure his wisdom.

He firmly believed that obscuring wisdom was the true way to understand what 'wisdom' truly is.

But this made Li Qi feel something was amiss.

So, he asked, "Sariputra, you were inspired by the Demonic Prince, then used the tentacles of a Heavenly Demon as your 'cocoon' for gestation, and then entered the Demonic Dao to break and then establish anew.

Don't you think... this is too deeply entangled with the Demonic Dao?"

Sariputra bowed slightly and said, "Regarding this... I'm afraid I cannot tell you, benefactor.

You have shown me kindness, but I cannot say more, which is truly regrettable... However, this matter is indeed of great importance, concerning the Origin of Heavenly Demons, and I cannot elaborate, please forgive me."

His attitude startled Li Qi.

This implied that Sariputra knew exactly what the Heavenly Demon intended? No... Sariputra couldn't possibly know, which meant the Buddha knew.

The Buddha knew the Origin of Heavenly Demons and had told Sariputra, but Sariputra couldn't tell Li Qi.

Li Qi also knew his limits; he nodded, "The Demonic Dao is dangerous... you should be careful."

"I will keep that in mind," Sariputra said.

"However... although I cannot tell you about the Heavenly Demon, benefactor, you have shown me kindness, and I see that you, like me, are guided by wisdom.

I would like to discuss it with you, if I may?"

Although Sariputra spoke simply, Li Qi knew that the other party wanted to tell him what wisdom was, for his reference.

Li Qi's wisdom was not inferior; though he was not necessarily famed for wisdom, everyone who had met him knew that Li Qi's speed of thought and frequency of Epiphanies were quite astonishing.

Sariputra had also perceived this, and so he wanted to share his experience with Li Qi.

"I'd be glad to hear it," Li Qi did not decline; getting Sariputra's thoughts on wisdom would certainly be very useful.

Sariputra immediately nodded and began to speak.

"I observe, benefactor, that though you possess wisdom, you are still entangled by vexations.

Vexations and habitual tendencies are dust, and the illumination of wisdom can cleanse them; therefore, I can use the illumination of wisdom to sweep away all the dust of vexations in my heart."

"Wisdom, intelligence, and understanding of principles are gained by associating with enlightened teachers, with humility, diligence, and earnest study.

To escape the suffering of the three evil destinies and eight difficulties, and to seek all blessings, one should cultivate wisdom.

Through diligent study, possessing the power of wisdom, even if one falls into the evil paths due to past Karma, one can recognize past lives due to the power of wisdom, and thus, knowing past lives, one knows to correct the Demonic Dao and swiftly escape it."

"Those who achieve liberation through wisdom possess seven virtues: faith, diligence, precepts, shame, extensive learning, generosity, and concentration-wisdom.

Benefactor, your talent and knowledge are vast, unlike ordinary Mortals; this is because you have previously carefully guarded your body, speech, and mind, and single-mindedly cultivated wisdom.

Through the power of wisdom, you attain liberation, and can also use wisdom to teach others in the world."

"Good spiritual friends can guide us to arouse the Bodhi mind, abandon the Demonic Dao and correct ourselves, and move towards liberation.

Bodhisattva practitioners who wish to be free from suffering and attain liberation should associate with good spiritual friends, cultivate the true Dharma, let their wisdom be unhindered, and further teach others, thus accomplishing the Bodhisattva practice of benefiting oneself and others."

"To gain extensive learning and wisdom, one should associate with good spiritual friends, as the 'Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch' says: 'To guide and enable others to see their nature, all good Dharmas arise from good spiritual friends.'"

"Extensive learning clarifies one's will, and with clarity, wisdom increases.

With wisdom, one understands principles broadly, and one's actions in seeing and hearing the Dharma are secure.

Listening to and upholding the true Dharma can correct one's views, enlighten the mind, and increase wisdom."

"When the Buddha attained enlightenment, he once sighed, 'Wonderful! Wonderful! How can these sentient beings possess the wisdom of the Tathagata, yet are foolish, deluded, and do not know or see it?'

However, although Buddhahood is inherent, not everyone can perceive and illuminate the delusions and attachments in their hearts.

The Buddha-Dharma is in the world, not separate from worldly enlightenment; one must know that 'all realms are mind-only, all phenomena are consciousness-only,' and all external phenomena are merely manifestations of the mind—"

Sariputra spoke fluently, quoting scriptures and continuously expounding his understanding.

Various terms flowed out like water, accompanied by the exposition of the Dharma and the phenomena surrounding him, displaying the profound mysteries within to Li Qi.

But Li Qi's brows furrowed more and more as he listened.

He admitted that the wisdom Sariputra spoke of could guide cultivation, and he even included some methods to restrain the Demonic Dao, seemingly wanting to tell Li Qi how to resist the Demonic Dao with Buddha-Dharma.

But such wisdom, in Li Qi's view, was a bit... off.

These teachings and methods were too focused on 'self,' too focused on the 'inner mind;' all the things thought about and conceived were purely subjective inner matters.

If one were to continue down the path Sariputra described, then... wouldn't the ultimate destination also be the Demonic Dao?

But Li Qi did not say much, instead listening quietly until the end.

The other party's sermon was not yet finished, and Li Qi did not want to interrupt.

Besides, what if there were still profound words to come later?

He patiently continued to listen.

After a while, Sariputra finally said, "The World-Honored One, with unswerving concentration, once raised his hand and declared: 'Above the heavens and below the heavens, only I am supreme.'

To liberate sentient beings from birth, old age, sickness, and death, this is the eternal Dharma! It arises from the mind.

All the Heavens, all things in the world, are 'I' alone.

Prajna wisdom is the mother of all Buddhas; everything originates from it."

Upon hearing this, Li Qi immediately stood up: "Nonsense! Utter nonsense! Sariputra, have you been invaded by the Demonic Dao?! How can you utter such absurd words?!"

"How is it absurd?" Sariputra did not get angry, but instead asked Li Qi.

"'Above the heavens and below the heavens, only I am supreme,' 'all things in the world are 'I' alone'—what is this if not the words of a Heavenly Demon?!" Li Qi roared.

Of course, Li Qi would not be so shallow as to think this statement was the Buddha boasting; in reality, the 'I' in this statement refers to self-consciousness itself.

Sariputra's meaning was that the mind of sentient beings and the mind of the Buddha are non-dual and originally one.

Mind is Buddha, Buddha is mind; all sentient beings possess Buddha-nature, but are bound by the great net of Karma in the world, obscured by the greed, hatred, and ignorance in their own minds.

Their actions become like those of the deaf and blind; they have ears but cannot hear the true Dharma, eyes but cannot see the Tathagata, and their inherent nature is obscured, leading to their downfall.

And those who attain wisdom can forever be free from delusion and attachment, thus seeing the Tathagata within themselves, possessing vast wisdom, which is called the Buddha.

Therefore, this is the Origin of the 'mother of Buddhas'; Prajna wisdom is the ultimate wisdom, specifically referring to the wisdom that truly cognizes all phenomena and the Origin of all things, a method that eliminates the union of the perceiver and the perceived and leads to the Dao of liberation.

Prajna wisdom, or 'Prajna Paramita,' is the mother of all Buddhas, but this 'mother' does not refer to a parent, but is an allegory for the Buddha's noumenon, true suchness, and Prajna wisdom.

Because human mothers can bear children and procreate, Sariputra used it as a metaphor for the idea that 'wisdom can give birth to all Buddhas.'

Buddhas are born from the Dharma; Prajna Paramita can universally observe all Dharmas, distinguish reality, achieve everything, and accomplish everything.

Because of its great Karma, it is called the Mother; hence, 'wisdom' is the mother of Buddhas.

As long as one can attain Prajna wisdom within one's own mind, one can see the Tathagata within the mind.

This was the reason Li Qi couldn't help but stand up in a rage.

If so, what if what is seen in the mind is not the Tathagata, but a Heavenly Demon?

Moreover, how do you distinguish whether it is the Tathagata or a Heavenly Demon?

In this situation, is there any difference between Buddha and Demon? Heavenly Demons and Buddhas are both things of the mind, and all the Heavens, all things in the world, are 'I' alone.

In any case, is there any difference between this and a Heavenly Demon?

The answer is, there is no difference whatsoever.

Facing the enraged Li Qi, Sariputra remained unmoving.

Li Qi, however, was already preparing to act.

If Sariputra had already entered the Demonic Dao, then killing him now would be considered saving him.

However, Sariputra continued, "Thus have I heard: Simply purify the original mind, enable the six consciousnesses to emerge from the six sense-doors, and within the six sense-objects, be undefiled and unmixed, coming and going freely, unimpeded in their function.

This is Prajna Samadhi, self-liberation, contemplating the self-existent, seeing the Tathagata; everything arises from the mind, free and unhindered."

"That is, teach those sentient beings to cultivate the holy Dao, to be free from delusion; having been freed from delusion, they attain the immeasurable wisdom of the Tathagata, benefiting and bringing peace to all sentient beings.

Benefactor Li Qi, this is the tenth aspect of the Tathagata's mind; all Bodhisattva Mahasattvas should know this!"

With these words, the spell Li Qi had activated in his hand suddenly dissipated, and Li Qi's eyes widened sharply!

The Buddha—!

Oh, for goodness sake!

Li Qi had never even considered this possibility; his mind instantly burst into expletives, and shock overflowed from his expression.

The Buddha truly lives up to his name!

The Buddha, so effortlessly, refuted the very existence of Heavenly Demons!