Stepping up one more level would place one among the likes of Your Majesty, Master Xuan Yin, Heavenly Master Zhang, Wu Xiankui... Given this, Mage, your cultivation must certainly be profound."
Bian Ji nodded, not overly modest on this point:
"Although I am not comparable to some Bodhisattvas, indeed, one might grudgingly say it is high."
Zhao Douan countered:
"If so, Mage, why are you still deluded by appearances?
At that vegetarian feast, you invited the elite of the Capital to hear your teachings, was it to help the powerful of the Capital escape the 'sea of suffering', or to foster good karma for Divine Dragon Temple? To collect donations?
Of course, you may not have come for those fortunes and honors, but in the end, you did these things for the temple's survival. Dare I ask, why are you still attached to the survival and prosperity of the temple? Isn't that attachment?"
Bian Ji opened his mouth to speak: "The poor monk is but for..."
Zhao Douan cut him off, continuing:
"Mage, you just asked me why I am obsessed with fame and wealth, not cultivating my character, claiming it to be great achievement.
That's strange, if your mind is empty and you do not see appearances, why then do you only see my pursuit of fame when you look at me?
You urge me to cultivate purity, yet you only see great achievement? Aren't all these 'appearances'?"
He pointed to the three bowls of water on the table:
"You look at me just as you look at this bowl of water. You view me based on what others say, if they call it a bowl, you think it's a bowl, if they say it's water, you see it as water... Isn't this an attachment to external appearances?"
Zhao Douan shook his head and sighed:
"Such a high Buddhist figure like yourself is full of external appearances, still needing to adhere to precepts, only offering me this vegetarian meal, avoiding meat and pungency... And you talk of a mind like a clear mirror?
I fear your mind's clear mirror has long been covered in dust. If even 'elevated figures' like you are still so, how can you make me believe that with advanced Buddhist cultivation, one's mind can be still as water?"
After pausing, he sighed deeply and shook his head:
"Mage, you said I have some resistance to Buddhism, that's exactly why. Today I have said much, please do not take offense, and finally, I would like to offer you a verse as my response."
He stopped, then slowly recited a famous line from the "Diamond Sutra", a supreme classic of past Buddhist scriptures:
"All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow; like dew or a flash of lightning; thus should we view them."
At that moment, the tea set on the table suddenly trembled, and violent ripples surged in the three bowls of water, with droplets splashing out.
Above and below the pavilion.
The customers dining there showed astonishment, watching the clinking cups and dishes, feeling the slightly trembling floor, their complexions changing.
Even the shopkeeper and the helpers downstairs were alarmed.
They thought that earthquakes were rare in the Capital.
Even if there were, the Heavenly Master Mansion would usually give at least a day's advance warning, so why did it happen without a sound?
Downstairs, guests near the entrance had already hurried out the door or dived under tables, their faces filled with fear.
A flock of black crows perched on the eaves took flight in fear, circling in the air, making unpleasant cries.
"It's wrong, only this building is shaking!"
Someone with sharp eyes saw everything outside calm and peaceful.
Upstairs, beside the table.
Bian Ji's face finally lost its serenity, lips tightly sealed, not uttering a word.
All conditioned phenomena are like a dream...
If we perceive that these phenomena are not what they appear, we will see the Tathagata...
Only he knew that this was not an earthquake, it was merely...
His own heart, that was moving.
When a strong individual's mind is disturbed, the ground upon which they stand may also waver.
Bian Ji closed his eyes and silently recited the Calming Spell, stabilizing his mind with Mana, and the trembling building also calmed down.
"I have been slightly unsteady; you must find it amusing, my Lord."
Bian Ji brought his hands together in a gesture of prayer, opening his eyes and regaining clarity.
Holy shit... I thought you were about to bring the building down... Are magicians of the world this terrifying? It clearly seemed like no magic was involved...
Zhao Douan took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself.
He heard Bian Ji calmly say:
"My Lord's views, the monk has taken to heart today."
Mistake to be corrected later.