After Yunhu finished speaking, I became interested.
Chanting scriptures, I had listened to my grandmother chant scriptures since I was a child.
Thinking back to how, before I joined, I had scared away ghosts by reciting the Diamond Sutra.
I had some expectations for this challenge.
Old Mo was concerned about the reward:
"Yunlong, Yunhu, what is the reward?"
Upon hearing about the reward, the two became serious.
Yunlong said excitedly:
"The reward is quite impressive!"
"Indeed, it's a secret tantric Dharma artifact from Shaolin.
And it's the sixty-four Buddha patterns, Vajra Demon Subduing Pestle, used by the previous abbot of Shaolin, Zen Master Wuchen."
This statement made a few of us move.
Since ancient times, Buddhism and Taoism have been of the same family.
One could imagine the power of a Dharma artifact like the Vajra Demon Subduing Pestle used by the abbot of Shaolin.
No wonder so many people were gathered here.
It seemed everyone was drawn by this reward.
"Old Qin, we must try this challenge!"
Old Mo spoke, and I nodded in agreement.
Xia Qiuxi and Chen Yao also looked eager to try.
Then, we began to squeeze our way in.
Before the challenge area, an old monk sat cross-legged to the side.
Upon closer inspection, it was the kind-faced "Master Jingxin" whom we had seen when we arrived.
Behind the master stood a young novice monk.
With his hands clasped, he remained motionless.
From time to time, he introduced the rules to the surrounding people.
Besides that, to the left and front of Master Jingxin, stood a crystal Buddha.
The crystal Buddha was crystal clear and majestic.
Just a glance at it, and it brought an indescribable sense of peace.
This crystal Buddha was undoubtedly a precious Buddhist treasure.
It must have been bathed in the chanting of Buddhist scriptures for a long time, truly opening its "Buddha nature."
In front of the crystal Buddha was the reward, the Vajra Demon Subduing Pestle.
It was grayish-brown, shaped like a cylindrical cone.
Not very sharp, but covered with Buddhist tantric patterns, a rare Buddhist Dharma treasure.
This item was extremely useful against special types of malevolent spirits.
For example, special evil spirits like Buddhist demons and Buddhist ghosts.
If this artifact could be obtained, it would be another powerful tool for exorcism.
Besides these, there was a prayer mat in front, and before the mat was a scripture book.
A disciple from Longhu Mountain was currently attempting the challenge.
He was stuttering as he chanted the Great Compassion Mantra;
Namo Ratna Trayaya, Nama Arya.
Nama, Nama Arya, Nama.
Avalokitesvara, Avalokitesvara, forget it, I give up...
He only managed a few sentences before the Longhu Mountain disciple directly gave up.
A round of boos came from the surroundings.
"I'll try, I'll try."
"Namo Ratna Trayaya.
Namo Arya, no, no, brother, how do you read this character?"
The onlookers were immediately amused.
They laughed heartily from the side.
But I knew very well that the Great Compassion Mantra was genuinely difficult to recite, and many characters were obscure.
The pronunciation was also difficult and awkward.
The result was regrettable; the challenge failed.
More than a dozen people tried one after another, and without exception, none succeeded.
Although they were eager for the reward, the challenge was truly difficult.
Some, even though they recited the Buddhist scriptures completely, it was useless.
The crystal Buddha showed no reaction at all.
At this point, someone raised a question:
"Master Jingxin, several fellow Daoists have already recited the Great Compassion Mantra.
The crystal Buddha showed no reaction, can this challenge make the crystal Buddha emit light?"
"Yes? Isn't this challenge a hoax!"
"I think that crystal Buddha won't light up at all! After all, Zen is too ethereal."
"..."
Several young Daoists who failed the challenge were complaining.
Master Jingxin did not say a word, nor did he open his eyes.
Only the young novice monk beside him spoke to explain:
"Benefactor, please do not speak carelessly.
If one encounters a person with Buddha nature.
And recites this scripture, Zen will emerge.
The crystal Buddha will naturally emit Buddha light."
A young fellow disciple remained unconvinced and spoke again:
"Anyone can say anything, you try reciting it.
If none of you can do it, then this challenge is definitely a hoax..."
"That's right, Shaolin is just putting on a show, they don't want anyone to succeed."
"Indeed, look at other sects.
They give rewards for simple challenges, but this challenge of yours looks like a scam."
"..."
Many people in the surroundings started to egg them on, questioning Shaolin's challenge.
As a result, the little monk narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly began to chant the Great Compassion Mantra;
"Namo Ratna Trayaya.
Namo Arya, Avalokiteśvara, Śakrapāṇi..."
His voice was not loud, but very clear.
Each character seemed to be imprinted in the mind and heart, giving a strange sense of etherealness.
And, what was even more magical, happened.
The crystal Buddha, which had seemed unresponsive before, suddenly showed a swastika symbol on its chest, emitting a faint golden halo.
"Holy cow, it's lighting up, it's lighting up!"
"It really lights up!"
"My goodness, Shaolin didn't lie!"
"Wow, this is real, there's really Zen here?"
"..."
Dozens of people around were astonished.
Then, the old monk Jingxin, who was sitting inside, slowly spoke:
"Kongming."
As the old monk spoke, the little monk chanting scriptures stopped.
The crystal Buddha's halo then disappeared.
Monk Kongming bowed slightly to the old monk Jingxin:
"Uncle-Master!"
Old Monk Jingxin did not open his eyes, and continued to speak in his low, hoarse voice, slowly:
"Anger, with its attendant suffering, is characterized by aversion, and it obstructs equanimity, stability, and is the basis of evil deeds. Well said, well said."
Upon hearing this, Kongming immediately recited:
"Namo Amitabha, Uncle-Master's teachings are correct. Kongming has committed the offense of anger. Well said, well said!"
After speaking, Kongming stopped chanting and continued to stand beside.
I watched this unfold and found it quite interesting.
This was a high monk.
This young monk was definitely someone with Buddha dharma...