Chapter 914: Pure Bodhi
Chan Buddhism was the most unique, as it was deeply influenced by both Daoism and Confucianism. It had shed much of its primal wildness, instead acquiring the cultural characteristics of the Central Plains. Its doctrines shared common ground with Daoism and Confucianism. This was the very foundation of the unity of the Three Religions.
Due to this, when conflict between Buddhism and Daoism erupted, Chan Buddhism collapsed almost instantly. Seeing no chance of survival, it surrendered outright.
Pure Bodhi bore the same imprint of the Three Teachings, abandoning the short, thick form of the traditional Buddhist precept knife and taking on a slender and elongated form. Compared with the long swords of Fenglin, however, its blade was slightly broader.
Qi Xuansu read on to find Pure Bodhi’s detailed description.
Compared with Green Cloud, Pure Bodhi lacked razor sharpness and could not pierce the bodies of Pseudo-Immortals with ease. Compared with Purple Afterglow, it could not summon heavenly thunder to empower thunder techniques, nor could it merge with another blade to unleash boundless sword light.
In truth, the Heavenly Preceptor’s Twin Swords were of the type that had few variations yet wielded overwhelming might. It was straightforward, devoid of trickery.
Pure Bodhi was more akin to the Blood-Garbed Immortal Severing Sword, possessing multiple transformative powers.
“Pure” referred to a mind free of distractions, untroubled, and detached from afflictions.
Its first transformation allowed the wielder to enter a state of purity for a short time. By merely holding Pure Bodhi, one could keep the mind clear, banish all distracting thoughts, remain untouched by external influence, and dispel or resist illusions, soul-capturing techniques, confusion, and other negative effects.
“Bodhi” was a transliteration of a Buddhist Sanskrit term, meaning enlightenment and wisdom. It was the sudden clarity as if waking from a dream, a breakthrough into understanding, a flash of realization leading to transcendence.
Its second transformation was to enter the state of Bodhi itself. While holding Pure Bodhi, one could suddenly attain insight into the truths of all blade techniques, elevating one’s skill to a master’s level.
Chan Buddhism divided Bodhi into three kinds. Ultimate Reality Bodhi, the realization of true nature through understanding ultimate reality; Practical Wisdom Bodhi, the realization of wisdom aligned with truth; and Skillful Means Bodhi, the realization of freedom in guiding and transforming sentient beings.