Even after the subsequent division of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist teachings, some of the scriptures within were vastly divergent, with contradictions everywhere, though all were meant to praise Shakyamuni and to narrate events and actions from it.
Yet, standing at different angles, some brothers with differing philosophies established their own sects, each creating branches of the Buddhist Sect."
Lu Ren suddenly understood; this was entirely Sakyamuni’s deliberate action!
"What was Shakyamuni’s behavior at the time?"
Upon hearing Lu Ren’s question, Subodhi showed a peculiar expression on his face.
"He was stirring the pot everywhere."
Lu Ren was stunned for a moment, not immediately reacting.
"Yes, when the disciples had disagreements, Shakyamuni did not mediate but instead fanned the flames and later ruthlessly belittled everyone, claiming he could casually pluck the sun, moon, and stars, and that only he existed in this world.
Some brothers even fought fiercely over this, with no resolution in sight."
Lu Ren subconsciously entertained a thought.
How similar to those bosses on Earth who exploit and manipulate people everywhere.
He didn’t see himself as human at all.
Lu Ren pondered once more, knowing that with Sakyamuni’s incredibly high realm strength, these actions were definitely not baseless.
"Have you ever thought about why Shakyamuni would do this?"
Hearing this, Subodhi said, "Of course, I’ve thought about it, how could I not have? I have even discussed it countless times with Ksitigarbha.
Shakyamuni was deliberately dividing us so that each could establish their own sect. But why he did so, especially after knowing Shakyamuni and the Old man embarked on an ancient path to seek the source of mythology and seek immortality, I still have doubts."
Seeing that Lu Ren was no longer asking anything, Subodhi couldn’t help but speak up: "Fellow Taoist Lu, could you lend me the Future Buddha True Scripture to have a look? In return, I can tell you the whereabouts of the Past Maitreya True Scripture."
Lu Ren’s expression shifted slightly: "There’s also the Past Maitreya True Scripture?"
"Past, present, and future, they are interconnected and interlinked."
Subodhi said earnestly: "Back then, Sakyamuni obtained a true skill from an extremely ancient stone slab, and after comprehending it, split it into three: past, present, future. They are interconnected and influence each other."
Curiously, Lu Ren asked, "If one masters all three True Scriptures, what would be the result?"
"I don’t know." Subodhi shook his head slightly and said, "Besides Sakyamuni, who has cultivated them, people throughout the ages who acquired the three True Scriptures, no matter how gifted, still couldn’t comprehend them. Mastering just one and reaching profound heights is already quite remarkable, and through it, one can achieve the Tathagata Path Fruit and earn the title of World Honored One."
The present Real Buddha True Scripture speaks of true divine techniques, wherein lies the state of ’I am the Tathagata,’ possessing unimaginable power when wielded, and from it, countless divine strokes can be derived.
The Past Buddha True Scripture emphasizes borrowing power from one’s future self, thereby exponentially enhancing one’s power realm, achieving a god-like state with overwhelming suppressive power.
So what does the Past Maitreya True Scripture involve?
When Lu Ren posed this question to Subodhi, Subodhi replied, "It allows one’s physique and spirit to remain at a preceding moment, without damage, without loss, and without decay. It is the Power of Immortality we all seek, the true force when delving deeply and pursuing the Longevity True Method.
This True Scripture is the most mysterious existence, appearing in the world only three or four times throughout history."
"And you still know?"
Despite hearing all this, Lu Ren remained skeptical, not swayed by Subodhi’s recount.
Subodhi chuckled, "Before Shakyamuni went far away, Shakyamuni and the Old man discoursed on Tao, and when discussing the ways to immortality and permanence, once mentioned it amidst their enthusiasm."
Leaving the Inner Realm, Lu Ren furrowed his brows deeply; he had already gathered the information he wanted from Subodhi.
Positioned between dimensions.
This implies that Shakyamuni, who held high skill and power, possessing the ability to create, found a dimensional rift amidst the myriad worlds and cast the Past Maitreya True Scripture into it.
Why cast it away, couldn’t he have safeguarded it himself?
Although his mind was filled with countless thoughts and unsolved mysteries he wanted to unravel, Lu Ren also understood that to achieve the truth and explore the unknown, his strength must advance in all things.
He continued to study the Future Buddha True Scripture diligently and attempted to construct his future deep within his consciousness.
What does the future version of himself look like?
Of course, towering the heavens and standing firm, shattering stars with fists and trampling down the sun and moon.
With hands grasping the sun and moon and plucking stars, none in the world like him!
After much contemplation, Lu Ren dismissed this extremely foolish idea, despite the fact that merging the Ten Lands True Scripture into the Real Buddha’s True Scripture. Orıginal content can be found at NoveI[F]ire.net
He had become quite proficient with the Future Buddha True Scripture.
In focused contemplation, a vague humanoid form could be fabricated deep within his sea of consciousness.
No, this is not the path I seek; if I truly follow the path that Shakyamuni has taken, then my future self will forever remain beneath Shakyamuni.
Even with the assistance of the system, constantly adding skill points, such a method leaves Lu Ren unimpressed.
He is not a reckless person, usually maintaining a cautious approach.
Moreover, the Future Buddha True Scripture is not limited to merely refining one’s future self or future Dharma Aspect.
It possesses considerably broad operational space within.
Therefore, what is the true form I wish to craft for my future self?
As Lu Ren immersed himself in the detailed study of the scripture, outside the Buddha statue, Long Jia and Xuanzang watched as the statue’s radiance quickly dimmed.
At this moment, the entire square in front of the Buddha statue was crowded with monks from the Mani Temple, all gazing at the statue with heavy expressions.
In recent days, they also learned that Lu Ren had entered the Shakyamuni Buddha Statue as a Buddha’s Son, receiving the acknowledgment of the items left behind by Shakyamuni.
Arhat Hall’s Dean Chen Xin couldn’t help stepping forward. This monk, with muscles knotted all over his body, holding a Crescent Shovel, was over two and a half meters tall, clearly walking the path of a Martial Monk.
In front of Long Jia, he was still as timid as a child.
"World Honored One, do you know why the Buddha statue is extinguishing? Seeing this, we all feel somewhat anxious."
"You are overly attached, Chen Xin." Long Jia said lightly, "Although Shakyamuni’s Dharma Aspect has the effect of gathering hearts and solidifying the monk’s mindset at Mani Temple, you should be diligent in practicing the Buddhist Dharma until even the Buddha resides in your heart."
Although he spoke these words, Long Jia himself felt uncertain, as the radiance of the Buddha statue was not emitted due to that ordinary small box left by Shakyamuni but from the golden body and relics left after the Rainbow Transformation of past high monks and virtuous figures following the establishment of the Buddhist Sect lineage.