Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Master Kongchan had entered the monastery and begun cultivating in early childhood. Buddhist doctrine and practice were deeply woven into his every word and deed.
Although he knew in his heart that everything Deaf Granny had said and done accorded with karmic cause and effect, he still could not resist addressing the evil ghosts.
“Namo Amitabha.”
“The sea of suffering is boundless, but the shore lies just behind you. Benefactors, why not lay down your butcher’s knives and become Buddhas where you stand?”
Deaf Granny grew so furious at Master Kongchan’s stubborn pedantry that she laughed.
“Old monk, if Buddhism accepts every kind of person, aren’t you afraid it will eventually become a haven for filth and corruption?!”
“Fine. Since that is what you want, this old woman will grant your wish!”
The old woman pointed, removing the barrier around the incense altar.
Hundreds upon hundreds of evil ghosts immediately stopped fighting. Their scarlet eyes fixed greedily on Elder Monk Kongchan.
Their gazes resembled those of sour, stinking old bachelors who stumbled upon a beautiful woman bathing in the wilderness.
They also resembled a widow who had slept alone for decades, only to find a strapping man suddenly dropped into her bed in the dead of night.
Dear readers, you may imagine that burning desire and anticipation for yourselves.
At the sight, Eighth Master Chang was so frightened that he placed the frozen noodle pot on his head like a steel helmet.
Then his tail swept Hua Jiunan, Chen Daji, and the others behind Deaf Granny while he hid at the very rear of the group.
Only his enormous head remained visible, watching the ghosts warily as he prepared to flee at any moment.
The horde surged toward Master Kongchan.
“Old monk, you just said you would deliver us into Buddhahood and end our suffering. Hurry up and do it!”
“Hurry! If you dare break your word, we’ll tear out your tendons, peel off your skin, and devour your flesh one mouthful at a time!”
Master Kongchan showed no fear before the multitude of evil ghosts. Instead, he assumed a solemn, dignified bearing and chanted the Buddha’s name.
“Namo Amitabha!”
“Benefactors, if you sincerely repent and relinquish all attachments, you may enter monastic life.”
“From that day forward, every affliction will fall away, and you may ascend directly to the Saha Pure Land and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss!”
The ghosts advanced one slow step at a time, their faces twisted savagely.
In the blink of an eye, they stood less than a meter from Master Kongchan.
Every one shouted desperately, fighting to be the first the old monk delivered.
Some bared their vicious natures and threatened him openly.
“Quit your fucking babble, old monk. I’ve already repented!”
“You stinking monk, it’s easy for you to talk when you aren’t the one suffering. Do you have any idea what kind of torment I’ve endured for the last several centuries?”
“Deliver me first! I truly can’t bear it anymore!”
Others put on pitiful faces and wept.
“Master, please deliver me first.”
“My husband suffered from an ailment and could not share my bed. That was the only reason I secretly took another man.”
“That man killed my husband entirely on his own. This woman truly knew nothing about it.”
“If Master delivers me, I will do anything you ask.”
After speaking, the female ghost adopted a seductive pose that suggested she was his for the taking.
Master Kongchan had been filled with compassion and sincerely wanted to help the evil ghosts, but the display inevitably left him disheartened.
“Namo Amitabha.”
“The Buddha delivers those with affinity. It appears the Benefactors still possess no affinity with Buddhism…”
“You dare toy with us, old monk?!”
The ghosts erupted into chaos and lunged at Master Kongchan with wild howls, as if desperate to tear him apart and devour him alive.
Only four who had sincerely repented remained where they stood.
Deaf Granny looked at the four ghosts and nodded inwardly. With one pointing finger, she drew them to her side.
The four happened to comprise one man, one woman, one elder, and one child.
Their delight was impossible to hide. They dropped to their knees and repeatedly knocked their foreheads against the ground.
“Thank you for your mercy, Old Immortal! Thank you for your mercy!”
Deaf Granny sighed softly.
“No person is a sage. Who can live without error? To recognize a fault and correct it is the greatest good.”
“After the four of you help subdue the evil ghosts tonight, you may receive incense offerings in this old woman’s shrine hall.”
The four ghosts grew even more ecstatic. They said nothing and simply continued kowtowing.
On the other side, Master Kongchan appeared not to see the horde revealing its ferocious nature.
He sat cross-legged, placed a wooden fish on his knees, and gently struck it.
Then he began reciting the *Sutra of the Divine Dharani of Great Sovereignty*.
“The unsurpassed, profound, subtle, wondrous Dharma is difficult to encounter even in hundreds of thousands of kalpas.”
“Now that I see, hear, receive, and uphold it, may I understand the Tathagata’s true meaning.”