The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 313 - 274: Mahasthamaprapta of Courageous and Diligent Progress

Chapter 313: Chapter 274: Mahasthamaprapta of Courageous and Diligent Progress

Behold, as the forces of Buddhism and Daoism once again arrayed themselves on Mount Meru, ready for a minor skirmish. Out stepped the Pure Yang True Man, Lu Dongbin, leading the Complete Truth disciples to unfold the Seven Stars Sword Array.

From the Buddhist Sect came Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, who, instead of uttering much, directly leaped into the sword formation. But the moment he entered, he couldn’t help but be taken aback.

What did this sword formation look like? One could see:

A mass of murderous aura, positioned like squads of armored cavalry; colors swirling chaotically, a thousand spears with banners, brilliant and red. Halberds lined up neatly, fluttering leopard tails trimmed in golden threads; the chilling edge of weapons, upright Pure Snow Blades ready to slay tigers and dragons. The closely packed steel points, like a sea of large and small crystal bowls; the poised long spears, akin to thousands of slender icy tails. The distant call of the painted horn, as if echoing from prisons beneath the Eastern Sea; the jingling bells, reminiscent of iron-steeds panting under the eaves. The longbow releasing arrows, as the crossbow darts fly like teal ducks.

Inside this sword array was a world unto itself, a battlefield akin to one of iron and steel: The war drums sounded as if fierce rain hammered the earth; the cries of killing shook the heavens, turning seas turbulent, and even ghosts and deities despaired; an ominous aura prevailed, as a patch of blood-red cloud obscured the sun.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva whispered in awe, "What an astonishing sword array! Truly remarkable! Lu Dongbin, indeed a reincarnation of the Great Emperor Donghua, has used the power of a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer to create such a formidable sword formation! Within this formation, the murderous aura and sword Qi are endless, evolving into an ancient battlefield, daunting to the heart. Seven figures hidden among thousands of troops, striking suddenly, they could claim the head of a general in the blink of an eye. Truly formidable, formidable indeed!"

Being one of the most esteemed among the Bodhisattvas Ru Yun, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva had seen innumerable grand spectacles and yet, the sword array before him still elicited a sense of trepidation in his heart.

To onlookers, it appeared as if the seven disciples of the Complete Truth Sect, wielding Divine Edges, formed the Big Dipper constellation, each one gripping a sword technique, aligning themselves like the stars Alkaid, Polaris, and Mizar. Trapped at the center was Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, with the seven constantly moving about. Using Lu Chunyang as the pivotal center of the formation, they brandished their swords, unleashing sword Qi, murderous aura, and sharpness. The swords pounded the ground now and then, emitting the sounds of armored cavalry and shaking the spirit.

"Although the Great Emperor Donghua has reincarnated and begun cultivation anew, his innate talent has not diminished in the slightest! With this sword array in place, it captures experts at the Law Realm without any effort. However, the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva is indeed at the perfect level of the Ten Grounds, his spirit almost achieving the Buddha’s fruit position. The battle between them could go either way." The Great Emperor Zhenwu watched intently, his cultivation penetrating the heavens, naturally perceiving the profound intricacies of the sword array with just a glance.

The seven from the Complete Truth Sect were concealed within an evolved ancient battlefield, beneath waving banners and amidst an arsenal of weapons, their battle cries thundering through the Nine Heavens, but Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was utterly unable to discern their concealed locations.

True Person Zhang Boduan suddenly burst forth from the battle array, thrusting with his sword at Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, who turned in defense, already aware of the threat. With a mighty shout, the Buddhist Lion’s Roar vibrated forth, conjuring Divine Skills. His fists, like Divine Dragons leaving their cave and Subduing Dragons and Tigers, acted in a mere instant.

"Bang!"

Zhang Boduan was met by Mahasthamaprapta with a clash. Neither was willing to relent; the former drawing upon the great magical power from the sword array, while the latter harnessed the Heavenly Dao Laws, integrating them with Divine Skills in a manner both overbearing and mighty!

"Be careful!" A soft cry rang out, and two more Complete Truth disciples leaped from the formation, fierce as flood dragons leaving their island, attacking ferociously.

Zhang Boduan moved agilely, his sword Qi boiling over, striking several vital points on Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s body. If struck, the combination of sword Qi and murderous aura would seep in, causing his True Qi to completely collapse within, rendering him powerless as a trussed chicken.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, also known as Mahabhadrapala Bodhisattva, naturally exuded tyrannical might. His magical combat bore resemblance to that of Mahoraga and Guanyin, with Guanyin being referred to as "Brave Man Guanyin" among the Buddhist circles, known for his own formidable prowess in battle. Had it not been for spreading the Buddhist Law, Guanyin would not have taken on a female form – after all, a goddess appears more compassionate.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva traditionally portrayed himself holding a Lotus, and with a flick of his arm, a lotus appeared in his hand. This lotus contained infinite profound secrets, embodying various transformations, the result of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva having refined Magical Treasures and Divine Skills into one. When employed, the lotus adapted myriad forms, inscrutable in its permutations.

"Go!"

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva released the lotus, which fell and transformed. The lotus seeds turned into Divine Thunders that exploded thunderously.

The Complete Truth disciples were caught off guard and blasted, spewing fresh blood and retreating back into the formation.

Seeing that Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was about to press the attack, Lu Dongbin immediately sprang forth, wielding the Pure Yang Sword, evolving endless swordsmanship contained within the Pure Yang Great Dao to block the Bodhisattva.

"Infinite Prajna resides within the heart!" Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva let out a slight smile, forming a spell, and the lotus returned to his hand. With a gentle release, the lotus disassembled, morphing into various weapons like swords, spears, sabers, halberds, axes, hooks, clubs, staves, maces, whips, and the eighteen types of armament, all descending upon Lu Dongbin.

Lu Dongbin was instantly shocked, not expecting the Bodhisattva to have cultivated to a state of "Infinite Prajna," which signifies "Subtle Wisdom," a term of profound significance within Buddhism, though "wisdom" hardly encapsulates its entirety, hence the phonetic "Prajna." This represents a supremely high state of Buddhist cultivation, one that even many Buddhas haven’t attained. A single thought breeds infinite wisdom, a multitude of worlds; creating and dissolving realms both vast and minute, boundlessly subtle.

"Infinite Prajna, evolving eternity; freedom at my will, Dharma birthed by thought!" Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva chuckled again, as more "Prajna" unfolded within the Sea of Consciousness.

Even the sword array began to be influenced by these waves of Divine Skills from Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, as he conjured every kind of Magical Treasure, an infinite expanse of cosmos, everything small and grand, bearing down. Lu Dongbin suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure, as if Mount Tai itself were descending upon him, immobilizing him, threatening to break through.

Zhang Boduan let out a loud roar, exclaiming, "Prajna exists within my heart, and had I perfected Taoist teachings earlier, I would have already become an immortal!"

Zhang Boduan practiced dual cultivation of life and essence, cultivated both Buddhist and Taoist teachings, integrating them as one. He was extremely proficient in Buddhist teachings. With a loud shout, he operated his method to break Prajna with Prajna itself.

Yet, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva laughed and said, "There is no form of self, no form of person, no form of living beings, and no form of life span. Without form and without thought, all is emptiness!"

Suddenly, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s figure disappeared from within the sword array, astonishing the seven disciples of Complete Truth. Lu Dongbin, after all, had seen and known much. Seeing how Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva remained calm and composed, and after reciting a certain oral spell, vanished without a trace, he knew that this person had cultivated to the extent where the law originated from the mind.

Each individual has their own path, which cannot be forced. The Mahoraga used his physical body in grand and forthright combat, conquering all directions; Bodhisattva Guanyin was unparalleled in bravery, dominating with supernatural powers; Ksitigarbha King practiced patience and immovability, silent and serene; Mahasthamaprapta manifested laws from mind, possessing infinite Prajna and capable of numerous transformations. In his Buddhist cultivation, Mahasthamaprapta had reached a frightening level of mastery. With a single thought, he could understand the logic of Buddhism, nearly achieving Buddhahood.

"This person’s mastery of Buddhist teachings is extremely profound, his understanding pervading both heaven and man. He has comprehended formlessness, and now his form can’t be found anywhere in the world! Be careful, lest he launches a surprise attack!" shouted Lu Dongbin. Taking Zhang Boduan as their leader, the remaining five immediately wielded their long swords, generating terrifying sword Qi that raged in defense against the now-invisible Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.

Suddenly, a beautiful sound carried through the air—it was Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva speaking: "Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form! I am everywhere!"

Myriad incarnations, like the falling of rain, descended, torn asunder by sword Qi, yet the true body remained hidden. Lu Dongbin felt as if struck by lightning, with a terrifying thought penetrating his sea of consciousness; in an instant, it seemed as if eons had passed, the universe had been born and perished, the elements of earth, water, wind, and fire had renewed, and heaven and earth merged, returning to Chaos.

The highest principle in Buddhism is "Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form." Buddhism is also known as the Emptiness Sect, and everyone must realize emptiness, yet in the end, they must also grasp the principle that emptiness is indeed form.

In the Heart Sutra imparted by Donghuang Taiyi that explains the concept of realizing emptiness, it says: "When Bodhisattva Guanyin was deeply practicing the Prajna-paramita, he saw that all five aggregates are empty, thus overcoming all suffering. Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness, emptiness does not differ from form; form is emptiness, and emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness are likewise like this."

In a single thought, he could be non-existent or exist in an instant; such is Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s ultimate supernatural power!

"Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s cultivation of Buddhist teachings is simply terrifying! Had he renounced his supernatural Daoist methods, he might have already become a saint on the spot!" exclaimed the Great Emperors of Heavenly Court, especially the Great Emperor Ziwei who loved to explore knowledge and could see through Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s level of cultivation at a glance.

Such a person, in the human world, would be someone who spent decades in study and became a saint overnight, the patriarch of an entire sect.

Tathagata showed a smiling face and said to the Medicine Buddha, "Who would have thought, Mahasthamaprapta is so diligent, truly ’no madness, no Buddha’! His understanding of Buddhist principles has cultivated to such an extent that with one thought, he can switch between form and emptiness; for him, the formations of Lu Dongbin and others might as well be non-existent."

Such a master, when dealing with formations, has a great advantage. In a single thought, he can switch between form and emptiness, formless and without shape; the moment you show a flaw, he will manifest and unleash his divine power—a thunderous strike!

Medicine Buddha brought his hands together and said, "He is also known as Mahabhadrapala, naturally brave and diligent! The Buddha Ancestor must control him well; in time, I fear he will become another Quasi-Saint powerhouse, let not the Daoist sect take him away."

Tathagata nodded in agreement, "Of course!"

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was a true Bodhisattva, not a false one. After the Middle Ancient Times’ great war, he returned to the Buddhist sect along with Zhunti and others, but he was controlled and brainwashed by Tathagata, just like Kong Xuan was before.

"No madness, no Buddha" does not imply that one must fall into the Demon Path to achieve Buddhahood; rather, this ’madness’ indicates ’delusion and determination,’ meaning without rigorous cultivation, one cannot become a Buddha! As Mahasthamaprapta is known as Mahabhadrapala, he is naturally brave and diligent, more determined than anyone else. Now revealing his supernatural powers, even saints find it quite astonishing.

Wukong couldn’t help but sigh, "If this person had my experiences and could integrate so closely with the Heavenly Dao, his achievements would be even more boundless! Mahasthamaprapta, Mahabhadrapala, truly formidable!"

With a powerful shout, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva revealed his true form and formed a Dragon-subduing Tiger-taming Dharma Seal with his hands, pressing it down forcefully!

"Boom!"

Mount Meru shook, and the Buddhist bells rang; his every action had already become a form of Zen—without affection, without propriety, neither Zen nor not-Zen, yet also both Zen and not-Zen—thus, every movement he made was Zen!

As for the outcome of the battle, please listen to the continuation in the next Chapter. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Starting Point (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)