Chapter 530: 530
Perfected Letian blushed and said, "I am actually not a pure Daoist . I became one midway in life, so there are things I do not know . Some time ago, I asked someone and learned something new . The disciples of the Three Pure Ones would usually sing 'Supreme Heavenly Lord' or Supreme Heavenly Lord of Primordial Unity' when greeting others . If they encountered believers who had met with mishaps, they would sing, 'Supreme Heavenly Lord of Primordial Unity and Hardship,' or 'Supreme Heavenly Lord of Primordial Unity and Salvation . ' This call for help is a way to move the benevolent Heavenly Lord of Primordial Unity, similar to Buddhism's Guan Yin Bodhisattva . We wish for the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Unity to save the unfortunate and rescue them from hardship . This kind of greeting has been used for many years .
"In the early eighties, a particular book critic celebrity would often use the words 'Immeasurable Buddha' when a Daoist character appeared . Later, at an institutional conference, the critic happened to be grouped with a Buddhist master . The master suggested to him that Daoists should not use the word 'Buddha' . Therefore, 'Immeasurable Buddha' did not suit Daoists as a pet phrase . For his book reviews, the celebrity requested the master to think of a phrase that was similar to Buddhism's 'Amitabha' . The master was helpless, being a Buddhist . How was he to decide on a phrase for Daoism? However after giving it some thought, he realized that the critic was ultimately a worldly artist . He actually had little to do with Daoism . Therefore he informed the critic that Daoism honors deities with the term 'Heavenly Lord' . The critic drew parallels from the two terms, and thus the term 'Heavenly Lord of the Immeasurable' was produced .
"In the nineties, a few esteemed Daoist Masters passed away . The moment of their passing happened to coincide with society's new trends . Fresh Daoists sought the trends of society, so some people began using 'Heavenly Lord of the Immeasurable' . It slowly spread, and everyone felt that 'Heavenly Lord of the Immeasurable' was quite fashionable . Daoists soon started greeting each other in this manner at gatherings . Later, it became the default greeting which eventually spread to the south…
"Some people, like the former me, ended up randomly using it without even knowing of these origins . Now that I understand, I'm naturally not using it .
"In Daoism, we often use the words 'grand,' 'paramount,' 'supreme' to express the extreme supremacy of the Dao .
"'Immeasurable Temple' then becomes a phrase of blessing, wishing the other supreme blessings . Well, to put it simply, while others use Heavenly Lord of the Immeasurable, I feel like 'Immeasurable Temple' has a deeper meaning . To describe it fashionably, it sounds more awesome," chuckled Perfected Letian .
Fangzheng was instantly rendered speechless . The man was truly pure in heart, and he really spoke his mind . Fangzheng could not take offense at such child-like babble .
As the two conversed, they arrived in front of Perfected Letian's Daoist temple .
The so-called Daoist temple was made up of three grass-mud huts . A plaque which had the words 'One Letian Peaceful Temple' on it hung at the door . The words were written with forceful flair . Clearly the vigor in the calligrapher's strokes was forceful, magnanimous, and righteous .
When they entered the yard, facing them was a mud hut which had a plaque above it too . On it was written: Three Pure Ones Hall .
There were huts to this hut's left and right . There were also plaques hanging above those . On the left was written: 'Falling Leaves Indicate the Coming of Autumn,' while the right one had: 'Crouching Dragon Swamp . ' There was vegetation planted at the entrance, and although the entire Daoist temple only had a few straw huts, it had a wattle fence which made it look quite proper . It effused the charms of the Dao, making anyone who walked in feel especially comfortable .
With regards to this, Fangzheng could not help but be impressed with Perfected Letian . This was something Fangzheng knew he absolutely could not have achieved prior to the System's help! What seemed like a casual setup actually coincided with the rationale of Heaven and Earth . Thus, it could be seen that Perfected Letian was no fake Daoist . At the very least, his insights into nature were quite formidable .
However, the present Fangzheng had gained many insights from the Buddhist scriptures . He too would be capable of this much now . He wondered if he should decorate Mt . One Finger's summit when he returned .
Fangzheng brought his disciples into the Daoist temple with Letian .
Fan Qing fed the elder some water as he slowly awakened .
Fan Qing immediately recounted what had happened . He made clear his displeasure about the present environment they were in as well as Fangzheng's and Letian's attitudes towards them .
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