Super Soldier in the City-Chapter 1393 - 1442 Buddhist Mantra

Li Yifei did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose, which made the White-Browed Old Monk feel more at ease. Otherwise, he would have quite a few concerns about the intense aura emanating from Li Yifei.

In another world higher than the secular one, it is not calm and peaceful. On the contrary, even the Shaolin Temple frequently receives visits from mischievous beings, and the existence of the White-Browed Old Monk is precisely for this reason.

Therefore, when Li Yifei appeared, the White-Browed Old Monk sensed it, especially as he automatically exuded a powerful aura. The White-Browed Old Monk became more cautious. After all, in this era, experts at the Innate Realm are quite rare, and it’s only natural to take them seriously. When someone like this openly visits during the day, it would be improper for the Shaolin Temple not to have a skilled person to receive him.

For all these reasons, Li Yifei is now sitting in front of the old monk.

The White-Browed Old Monk regained his composure and said, "Amitabha, since the benefactor wishes to inquire about Buddhist Mantras, it is natural for this old monk to speak with no reserve. However, these Buddhist Mantras are divided into many types. I wonder which kind of mantra the benefactor is inquiring about."

Li Yifei grinned slightly. The other party being so agreeable was unexpected, but it was not hard to understand. He wasn’t here to cause trouble, and besides, his cultivation was evident, so it was normal for the other party to have a good attitude. Upon hearing this, Li Yifei said, "To be honest, Master, I actually don’t know much about Buddhism, but due to some circumstances, I need to understand it. So I thought of the Shaolin Temple and came to you, Master."

"In that case, I will speak more, and the benefactor may choose."

"Very well, thank you for your trouble, Master."

The White-Browed Old Monk shook his head, internally even more shocked at Li Yifei’s age. He seemed to be less than thirty or even younger, and yet was already at the Innate Realm, which is extremely rare, and more significantly, Li Yifei possessed maturity beyond his years.

"Buddhist Mantras come in forms of one syllable, three syllables, six syllables, eight syllables, and even more. If I were to explain them all, it would take three days and nights. But what the secular world knows more about are the six-syllable and eight-syllable ones. The eight-syllable mantra is as follows: Om Ah Mi La Hou Ka Jia La He. These eight sounds are recorded in the ’Eight-Syllable Dharani Rituals.’ If one seeks blessings and auspicious positions, they should inscribe the word ’Shi.’ If one wishes to dispel calamities and eliminate seven types of disasters, they should write the word ’Man Mu.’ If one seeks to subdue malicious people and cause them to abandon evil thoughts, write the word ’Da Mu.’ To extinguish or break the malevolent intentions of those who do not believe in Buddhism such as butchers, hunters, and those of opposing beliefs, write the word ’Shi Ze.’ In ancient times, following these teachings, during the practice of enhancement methods, one would add the word ’Shi’ at the end; in the disaster dispelling method, add ’Man Mu’; in the respectful love method, add ’Da Mu’; in the subduing method, add ’Shi Ze.’ The three forms are the lion’s head or lion’s mouth, symbolizing the crushing of evil deeds and severe obstacles. The mantra is ’Om Ah Wei La Hou Ka Zuo Luo.’

The six-syllable mantra is the Avalokitesvara Mantra, pronounced as Om Mani Padme Hum, the Incantation of the White-Robed Great Being: ’Namo Great Compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (chanted three times with three bows). Namo Buddha, Namo Dharma, Namo Sangha, Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Saving Suffering and Calamity. Tathedha, Om. Kala Vadha, Kala Vadha; Kuhara Vadha; Raga Vadha, Raga Vadha, Svaha. Heavenly Deities, Earthly Deities, People Separate from Calamities, Calamities Separate from the Body, All Disasters Transform into Dust. Namo Maha Prajna Paramita.’

Li Yifei listened to the White-Browed Old Monk’s teachings and felt dizzy because he could hardly understand anything. But hearing the eight-syllable and six-syllable mantras from the old monk’s mouth, he felt a sense of tranquility.

"The eight-syllable mantra is a Buddhist Mantra, and there are many such mantras, such as the Rebirth Mantra, Medicine Buddha Mantra, Prosperity Mantra, Heart Sutra Mantra, Karmic Extinction Mantra, Amitabha Heart Mantra, Longevity Buddha Heart Mantra, Marichi Goddess Mantra, Moonlight Bodhisattva Mantra, Sunlight Bodhisattva Mantra, and so on. Most Buddhist Mantras are in Sanskrit, so the pronunciation is often esoteric and requires long-term practice and recitation to master. The six-syllable mantra, Om, Mani, Padme, Hum, belongs to the Buddhist Esoteric Path Lotus Section, originally sung by Padmasambhava wishing to be reborn in the heavenly realm. ’Om’ represents the Buddha mind, and when reciting this syllable, the body, speech, and mind must be in harmony. ’Mani’ is Sanskrit for ’mind room,’ ’Padme’ means ’lotus,’ and ’Hum’ represents the Vajra heart. Relying on the power of the Buddha, one can attain enlightenment."

"A human body has three treasures: essence, energy, and spirit. The three sounds representing essence, energy, and spirit are ’Hum,’ ’Ha,’ and ’Hei.’ ’Hum’ represents essence, ’Ha’ represents energy, and ’Hei’ represents spirit. Regular practice of these three sounds can lead to abundant spirit, smooth internal energy, and consequently powerful vocalization, making other voices easier and more at ease. Phonetics has orders, forwards being the proper sounds, backwards being the variations. The six-syllable mantra is all proper sounds. Proper sounds are generally mild and suitable for either supplementation or drainage. Each of the unique six-syllable mantras has different effects."

Li Yifei kept nodding, not focusing on anything else. As soon as he heard the monk speak of the mantras, he felt a clear mind, knowing these Buddhist Mantras indeed had an impact.

The White-Browed Old Monk saw Li Yifei listening intently and continued to talk for a while, then stopped to allow Li Yifei to digest and comprehend. The two conversed, with occasional questions, for over an hour without any movement. The White-Browed Old Monk did not drink water.

Li Yifei pressed his hands together, bowing in gratitude. The White-Browed Old Monk did not mention the Linguist throughout, but Li Yifei had already understood.

"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I have come to understand. Buddhist Mantras and Buddhist Incantations focus on the sound, which is the incantation, the one, the two, everything, all things, the command, the gain, and also the giving. My search for the Linguist relates to words, another kind of power, and is not the same as Buddhist Mantras."

The White-Browed Old Monk nodded and smiled with half-closed eyes, saying, "The benefactor has high perceptiveness. Buddhist Incantations are indeed not the same as the Linguist. Sanskrit is for sound, while the Linguist is an indigenous force born from Huaxia, the power of words. It is hard to say which is higher or lower, and it’s impossible to compare, but one point is clear: words are meant to be recognized and pronounced. People can’t just talk without recording, which is why writing is necessary. Without writing, millennia-old Buddhist Scriptures could not have been passed down."

Li Yifei kept nodding, bowing, and said, "I understand, thank you, Master. Then, one last question. Does Master know the whereabouts of the Linguist?"

The White-Browed Old Monk calmly shook his head and said, "Although this place is where the Saint Cang Jie is buried, the Linguist is not here. At least, I have never felt the presence of the Linguist."

Li Yifei was slightly disappointed but not too much, as he had been mentally prepared. He asked, "Does Master mean that there is still a Linguist in this world, just not here?"

The White-Browed Old Monk offered a faint smile, a profound expression appearing on his face, and said, "Why is there no Linguist amongst the countless monks in the world? You and I can write, use words, read words, so why is there no Linguist?"

Though the answer made sense, it was like saying nothing... Li Yifei grinned slightly but still nodded, saying, "Alright, I am determined to find the Linguist."

"Benefactor, allow this old monk to offer you some words."

"Please, Master."

"Do not force, do not pursue aimlessly."

Li Yifei gave a wry smile, raised his eyebrows, and said, "Master, this is like saying nothing at all. This is not obsession, but something I must do for myself and my family. Rest assured, I will not descend into madness."

The White-Browed Old Monk chanted the Buddha’s name and said, "It’s good that the benefactor understands my meaning. Let everything follow its natural course. Buddhism speaks of the law of cause and effect. You sitting here is cause and effect, and you finding the Linguist is also cause and effect."

There wasn’t much left to discuss, so Li Yifei prepared to take his leave.

The White-Browed Old Monk did not urge him to stay but instead got up to see Li Yifei out. With his hands pressed together, the White-Browed Old Monk said again, "I wish the benefactor will soon find what you are looking for and meet the Linguist."

"Thank you for your kind words, master. Farewell for now."

Watching Li Yifei leave, the White-Browed Old Monk remained still for a long time until the disciple who had led the way earlier came over. Only then did the White-Browed Old Monk say calmly, "Fortunately, this person came to the temple without ill intent; otherwise, with this person’s abilities, we would not be spared!"

The disciple asked in confusion, "Master, is this person so formidable?"

The White-Browed Old Monk said, "This person is filled with intense energy, carrying heavy karma from killing, but strangely, that’s where the peculiarity lies. Despite being full of killing aura, he enters the Buddha’s Holy Land without any discomfort, remaining calm, and though he carries much sorrow in his heart, he shows no impatience. Indeed, it is bizarre."

The disciple shook his head repeatedly and said, "That’s not right. I didn’t sense any aura of killing. When I received him earlier, I even saw him smiling at the Buddha statue."

The White-Browed Old Monk chuckled and said, "You couldn’t see it because you don’t have Buddha in your heart. With Buddha in your heart, naturally, you can see it."

The disciple immediately complained, "Master, I have been practicing with you for twenty years; how could I be without Buddha in my heart? If you say that, I’ll have to find a crack to hide in. How much lack of enlightenment must I have to be without Buddha in my heart after twenty years."

The White-Browed Old Monk deliberately pointed mysteriously ahead and said, "This Buddha is not that Buddha. Although Buddha is one, Buddha is a thousand people. My Buddha is not your Buddha, and your Buddha is not my Buddha, so what I meant was, you do not have my Buddha in your heart."

The disciple listened in confusion and quickly followed his master, asking, "Then how can I learn master’s Buddha?"

"Want to learn?"

"I have been devoted to Buddha for twenty years without changing, naturally I want to learn."

"Very well, in that case, as your master, I cannot keep secrets. You shall come with me!"

"That’s wonderful, master, but where are we going?"

"To the dining hall!"

"Hmm? Ah? Why go to the dining hall to learn Buddha?"

"Because your master is hungry and thirsty!"

"But what does this have to do with learning Buddha?"

"If you can’t take care of yourself, what Buddha are you learning? Want to learn? Eat first."

"But our precepts say not to eat after noon..."

The White-Browed Old Monk pointed at the disciple and said, "Humans are future Buddhas, Buddhas are past people, I was just as naive as you!"

The disciple still didn’t understand and said, "Master, what does this reconcile?"

"I meant to say you are too naive. When I was young, I foolishly adhered to the precept of not eating after noon. Later, I no longer believed in it."

"Why?"

"Because one day I saw the old abbot come out in the middle of the night looking for food while muttering ’I’m starving to death!’"

Disciple: "..."

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦