The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 117 - 115: Dialogue between Equal to Heaven and the True Buddha Ancestor

Chapter 117: Chapter 115: Dialogue between Equal to Heaven and the True Buddha Ancestor

The Daoist Equal to Heaven arrived at the stone statue of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and upon soaring up for a closer look, he saw inside a monk who precisely resembled the Tathagata atop Mount Meru.

However, this figure within the statue was not six Zhang tall, but was of ordinary human height, with hands pressed together in prayer, and lacked the somber demeanor of the other Tathagata. This was a sensation of pity for the world and compassion for the people, a true Buddha intent on saving all beings! The Daoist Equal to Heaven confirmed almost immediately that this was the real Tathagata.

"I, the Daoist Equal to Heaven, pay my respects to Siddhartha Gautama Buddha Ancestor," the Daoist Equal to Heaven bowed and said.

The Siddhartha Gautama inside slowly opened his eyes and softly spoke, "I am Siddhartha Gautama Tathagata, greetings to you."

He seemed to be gravely injured; his breath was weak, as he had been nursing his wounds here for many years.

History had a blank during the Middle Ancient Period, unknown to anyone, and it had been erased by someone intentionally, possibly by the Three Pure Ones or two Saints of the Buddhist sect. This part of history likely concerned the Great War of the Middle Ancient Period, thus buried by the Saints to keep the war confidential and prevent panic among the populace.

According to what Merit Buddha had said, then this Siddhartha Gautama was the true one, while the one in Mount Meru was a counterfeit who emerged from nowhere. However, this counterfeit had enough strength to suppress the Two Saints of the West to such an extent that no one knew where they had fled to, and even the Three Pure Ones could not help but sign the Journey to the West agreement with him.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven asked, "Siddhartha Gautama Buddha Ancestor, do you know that atop Mount Meru there now appears another Tathagata who claims himself ’Namo Amitabha Buddha’? Do you know of this?"

The term "Namo," translated from Sanskrit to Chinese, signifies taking refuge. If this new figure had co-opted "Namo Amitabha Buddha," it should technically mean "Taking Refuge in Amitabha Buddha." However, these words on the Xia Dynasty Dragon Seal represented something else—great fear. And within Buddhism, the phrase "Amitabha Buddha" does not only refer to the Buddha manifested by the Guiding Taoist, but also embodies a spirit and doctrine similar to how some followers of the Daoist path might utter "Immeasurable Heavenly Lord." The term "Tathagata" represents "Buddha"; could a single leaf contain a Tathagata? Certainly not; "Tathagata," "Amitabha Buddha" also stood for a spirit and doctrine.

Siddhartha Gautama clearly had suffered considerable harm, appearing both frail and feeble in spirit, similar to Merit Buddha, and whispered, "This humble monk foresaw that Buddhism would face a tribulation, caused not by internal strife but by these enigmatic outsiders; even I cannot completely ascertain their origins."

Driven by curiosity, the Daoist Equal to Heaven inquired, "Since you participated in that great war during the Middle Ancient Period, who exactly were these formidable people? Even the Saints couldn’t gain an upper hand against them. Could this counterfeit Tathagata be one of their people?"

Siddhartha Gautama replied, "It’s very likely, though I am also unclear about this counterfeit Tathagata’s origins. Since he could subdue both the Two Saints of the West and the Three Pure Ones, he clearly possesses immense power. I cannot tell you about the Great War of Middle Antiquity—these people are too terrifying. Merely mentioning them might give them a premonition and lead them to discover our location. Should this place be exposed, all here would meet their calamity."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven felt a chill, thinking of the Tathagata, the Three Pure Ones,and even Wusheng, who was the senior disciple of Patriarch Subhuti, his own higher ranking martial sister—he couldn’t match any. What kind of terrifying beings could make the Saints fear so much?

He secretly activated the Swallowing Dragon Stele, scanning it across Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and the stele communicated immediately: "Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, first incarnated as Daoist Duobao, captured by Laojun, moved westward beyond Hangu Pass, and joined the Western Religion, later transforming into Duobao Tathagata. To propagate the Buddhist doctrine through the Dao, reincarnated as the Prince Gautama Siddhartha of Kapilavastu. At nineteen, troubled by the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, he renounced his throne, became a monk, and meditated under the Bodhi Tree, achieving enlightenment after five hundred years, ascending as the respectful ruler of the Buddhist sect, now the Buddha Tathagata."

The Swallowing Dragon Stele had revealed Siddhartha Gautama’s true history, affirming that this indeed was the real Tathagata.

"Siddhartha" is the name of his race, and "Muni," meaning benevolent, scholarly, enduring, and tranquil, refers to the saint of the Siddhartha tribe. His original name is Gautama Siddhartha.

Suddenly, Siddhartha Gautama said, "If you use this Swallowing Dragon Stele to check my origins, that’s fine, but be careful not to investigate these great figures, in case they discover and kill you. The Dragon Seal on the Swallowing Dragon Stele is heavenly bestowed, and those recognized by the stele are invariably those who carry the heavenly mandate and great fortunes."

The mana of Siddhartha Gautama was boundless; even though he was seriously injured, when the Daoist Equal to Heaven used the Swallowing Dragon Stele to examine his origins, he could still sense it, truly remarkable.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven gave a sheepish smile, put away the Swallowing Dragon Stele, and said, "I had to see if what Siddhartha Gautama Buddha Ancestor said was true. After all, among the Four Great Continents today, the power of Buddhism is growing, and I cannot take that risk."

Siddhartha Gautama laughed and said, "No worries, no worries! You can trust the people here."

Those here were all warriors for the Four Great Continents, severely wounded in the Great War of the Middle Ancient Period, they stayed here to recover by absorbing dragon qi and recuperating.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven asked, "Are the various Buddhas of Mount Meru and the ancient masters of Ancient Times all here?"

Siddhartha Gautama shook his head and slowly said, "Not so, not so! Some Buddhas and Bodhisattvas remain in Mount Meru, though it’s unknown if they have been harmed or are still deceived by that Tathagata. Many were lost in the ancient war of the Middle Ancient Period—countless among the Three Thousand Buddhas and Infinite Bodhisattvas perished, and several ancient masters also fell." He paused for a moment, "I don’t have much time, I need to rest quietly. Quickly tell me the recent happenings, so I may analyze and better understand the current situation."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven then said, "It’s about the events that took place in the last few centuries. At Flower-Fruit Mountain, a Stone Monkey was born, a remnant of when Goddess Nu Wa used multicolored stones to mend the heavens. The forces of both Buddhism and Daoism, perhaps not wishing for a direct conflict, centered their struggle around this celestial-born Stone Monkey and signed the Journey to the West agreement."

Daoist Equal to Heaven knew that Siddhartha Gautama Buddha was currently injured and needed to recuperate in silence, so he did not belabor the point, but simply spilled the matters and doubts like bamboo tubes releasing beans.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha frowned repeatedly upon hearing this and asked, "It seems this matter is no small concern; if this impostor Tathagata is altering the Buddhist doctrines and seizing incense offerings, there is undoubtedly a great terror brewing! The Eastern Land is where fortunes amass, the strongest of all the Four Great Continents. If the fortunes of the Eastern Land were destroyed, I fear..." He glanced at Daoist Equal to Heaven, "Did you say that the Stone Monkey is now suppressed beneath the mountain by this impostor Tathagata?"

"Indeed, the impostor Tathagata has used the Divine Skills of Buddha Land in Palm to suppress the Stone Monkey under Five Elements Mountain. Although the Stone Monkey has notable abilities, possessing the cultivation of a Great Luo Golden Immortal’s First Heaven and an Escape Technique called VLOOKUP(A1025,[1]Sheet1!$A:$B,2,0), which spans ninety thousand li in a single leap, it cannot escape from the Tathagata’s grasp," Daoist Equal to Heaven replied, "Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, do you have any idea about the impostor Tathagata’s strength?"

Siddhartha Gautama replied, "I also possess this Divine Skill, but you don’t understand just how vast the gap between a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal and a Great Luo Golden Immortal is, hence you can’t fathom it. Just based on this, I also cannot speak clearly of what kind of mana Tathagata possesses; Tathagata’s schemes are so deep, they truly make one feel they are profoundly mysterious. Effortlessly overpowering the Demon Monkey without showing any signs—I too cannot help but admire that!"

Tathagata’s cunning and high skills were evident, deterring countless individuals, and Buddhists further propagated the formidable nature of Buddha Ancestor because of this incident, boosting Tathagata’s reputation and accelerating the spread of Buddhism in the Eastern Land.

Daoist Equal to Heaven felt a chill in his heart; Siddhartha Gautama continued, "The impostor Tathagata has altered the Buddhist doctrines, spreading the Visualization Method Gate in the mortal world. Though the Visualization Method Gate is a splendid method of cultivation for us People of the Immortal Path, it is not quite the same for mortals. Thus, during my time, the Way of the Dao propagated in the mortal world did not include the Visualization Method; only abbots and some high monks were able to practice it."

Daoist Equal to Heaven had long known that the Visualization Method Gate was an excellent method of cultivation for People of the Immortal Path, since they generally possess strong willpower, capable of resisting various temptations and psychological damages during visualization. However, mortals are different— their thoughts are too chaotic, and their minds can’t stay calm. Practicing the Visualization Method Gate makes it easy for external evil demons to invade, leading to deviation into madness and mental disorder. Therefore, passing the Visualization Method Gate to mortals is limited only to some monks and high monks with strong willpower.

Daoist Equal to Heaven nodded in agreement, "Most people within the Buddhist sect nowadays are only superficially compassionate, and the doctrines propagated are frankly ridiculous! Buddha, when will you be able to emerge from seclusion?"

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha replied, "I do not know; it may be during the next great calamity of the cosmos, which I have already calculated and will soon arrive. This is a slaughter more terrifying than the Middle Ancient Period!"

Daoist Equal to Heaven had heard of this from Laojun and others as well, preparing himself mentally for this unprecedented slaughter.

Daoist Equal to Heaven asked, "Please teach me, Buddha, how should I deal with that Tathagata?"

Siddhartha Gautama replied, "Go with the flow, for now. These matters, I can’t say much about for fear of misleading you. Since you have come to understand so much, you must have your own plans."

Daoist Equal to Heaven bowed deeply, "Buddha, take good care of yourself. The Buddhist sect cannot do without you."

Siddhartha Gautama smiled and nodded, murmuring "Namo Amitabha Buddha," then slowly closed his eyes and sank into silence.

Daoist Equal to Heaven took a deep, cool breath, feeling his heart tangled like a mass of waterweed.

"Well, let it be, go with the flow, and do my best! For now, I’d better look around this Ruins properly, what secrets are still buried here," Daoist Equal to Heaven sighed, descending from in front of the Stone Statue and heading toward the rear temple.

Here, row after row of Stone Statues, all harboring great beings from ancient times, whose names Daoist Equal to Heaven still knew.

They were resting here in anticipation of that ancient slaughter.

Daoist Equal to Heaven thought secretly, "What exactly happened during the Middle Ancient War’s slaughter, who exactly were those people, could it be what my senior sister referred to as All Buddhas? This slaughter spares no one, I need to strengthen myself during this time, and then strategize against the Buddhist sect and stop Tathagata’s conspiracy."

Daoist Equal to Heaven walked slowly, past rows of majestic and formidable stone statues, all crafted by the ancient Hate-Heaven Clan.

Daoist Equal to Heaven reached the rear hall, facing a vast corridor leading to depths beyond.

To find out what happens next, please listen to the following episode.

PS: This book is not "Journey to the West Sequel"... so no Unnamed Buddha Ancestor to think about, I remember that TV show had an Unnamed who seemed to be transformed by the Gandharva of the Eight Divisions of Heavenly Dragons, right? Actually, a Gandharva does not have enough mana to cause such a big disturbance, so that plotline won’t appear in my book. Actually, the idea of "Swap Heaven and Earth" was something I came up with quite early on, but then a reader mentioned it suddenly... it turns out it was already thought of and even filmed.

Also, entering into the plot of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" now, the pressure is immense. Integrating two classic works without conflict and logically, this is a big challenge. Because Wukong is suppressed beneath Five Elements Mountain, the content unfolds around Daoist Equal to Heaven and Enlightenment Dao. Furthermore, everyone is welcome to actively discuss the plot of this book!