NOVPUBChapter 1348: 635 Descending to the World_1 Chapter 1348: 635 Descending to the World_1 The plaza, capable of holding a thousand people, was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
The warm sunshine of spring cast a scorching glow, like the omniscient light of the Buddha, sprinkling on everyone’s heads.
Charlotte Aria suddenly felt dizzy, her body swaying.
Madam Aria noticed her condition, her brows slightly knitted, seemingly displeased at Charlotte Aria’s loss of composure at such an important occasion.
Yet, Charlotte Aria was filled with disbelief.
Was she hallucinating?
How could that person appear in such a setting?
...
What status did Master Kurong possess; Charlotte Aria had stayed at Madam Aria’s side for so many years to know it all too well.
Yet, what did she see?
Who was walking behind Master Kurong and beside his senior disciple, Oliver Williams if not Aubree Groove?
She was certain she hadn’t mistaken him.
The young lady wore a grey robe that was wide and baggy.
The round collar and wide sleeves accentuated her slender and tall figure, the sense of serious dignity hitting her face on.
With gusts brushing her sleeves, there seemed an aura of a celestial being possessing the essence of pureness, as though she could ride the wind and leave at the very next moment.
She wore a monk’s hat on her head.
Her facial features were plain, revealed bluntly yet possessing a simplicity and purity that no ink or watercolor could capture, inspiring awe at God’s creation.
She walked leisurely behind Master Kurong, shoulder to shoulder with Master Ichsan Groove who was hailed as the holy child of Buddhism.
Her pace was neither too fast nor too slow, her expressions calm and stable.
It appeared as if no person or thing in this world could raise waves in her heart.
Just one look at her and one could feel the goodness in the world.
The scene of the two walking together was too beautiful, but remembering the situation they were in, it was hard to bear.
Such a beauty, why have you chosen the path of Buddhism?
Isn’t it a waste of God’s gift?
Such unparalleled elegance should experience the secular world and such a life would undoubtedly be vibrant.
There are women in Buddhism, and many of the practicing laities nowadays are women too.
But no one ever thought they would see such a woman by the side of Master Kurong, who was young and beautiful.
For a moment, everyone was in a daze.
Not until she, poised and composed, took her seat behind Master Kurong and by the side of Master Ichsan Groove, everyone was awakened to the realization that it was not a hallucination.
The enchantments arising in everyone’s hearts vanished with Master Kurong’s next sermon.
With a silent remorseful chant of “Form is empty, emptiness is form”, everyone’s focus returned to the upcoming puja.
During the eight-hour-long puja, Charlotte Aria was absent-minded.
The environment made her not only feel tired, thirsty, and hungry, but also whenever one moved, it felt like committing a sin, rendering every second an anguish.
What made Charlotte Aria anxious was the appearance of Aubree Groove.
Didn’t she leave for Peterkids?
How did she suddenly appear in Lostswa?
Did she know that Anton Cook had woken up?
Why was she with Master Kurong?
The multitude of questions made it impossible for Charlotte Aria to calm down.
From time to time, she stared at Aubree Groove on the high platform.
From start to end, she didn’t move at all, as if she had entered into trance.
Her endurance alone was beyond ordinary people.
The moment the puja finally ended, Charlotte Aria could not wait any longer.
After instructing Corina, she chased after Aubree Groove.
However, before she could get near, a junior monk obstructed her.
The backyard was forbidden, and no outsiders were allowed to approach.
“Master,” Oliver Williams walked into Master Kurong’s room with a pot of tea.
“Today morning, the ancient lotus in the lotus pond bloomed.
As described by Master Keats Mercer in the ‘Lotus Scripture’, ‘As rare as an Udapalvara flower in the world of the Buddha, which comes infrequently, yet goes unnoticed by man.”
The Udapalvara was that very tree under the shade of which Kuna-contained Buddha had attained enlightenment.
The rumor was that the tree blossomed and bore fruit once in three thousand years.
When the Udapalvara bloomed, it signified the incarnation of Buddha.
Centuries ago, Master Keats Mercer went to India for scriptures, acquired a seed of Udapalvara on the sacred mountain, and planted it under the silt of the lotus pond in the temple.
Master Keats Mercer left a prophecy in his scripture.
And this prophecy was related to the rise and fall of Buddhism and the evolution of the world.
Now that the Udapalvara has blossomed, it signifies the incarnation of Buddha, which is indeed an unbelievable event.
The door outside was crowded with disciples of Buddhism seeking an audience with Master Kurong.
They naturally understood the secret of the Udapalvara flower from the scriptures.
It grew without roots, stems, leaves, or trees, but sprouted from the dry woods or silt.
It was an extremely rare and spiritual miracle in Buddhism.
Now that the Udapalvara suddenly bloomed, it was a significant event in Buddhism, indicating that Buddha was about to incarnate.
No one could sit still at this moment, and the only one able to control the situation was Master Kurong.
Master Kurong just smiled lightly, “Cause and nature are empty, and what is bound to come will come.”
He took off his ling robe and put on an ordinary robe, “Follow me to the Sutra Palace, and call your junior sister there as well.”
Oliver Williams withdrew and saw an old woman standing at the door.
He put his hands together and said, “Madam Dankworth.”
“May I ask Master Oliver Williams to deliver a message?
I need to see Master Kurong urgently.”
“Sorry, Madam Dankworth.
Master does not see outsiders during the puja.
Please forgive me.”
Without paying any heed to the embarrassed look on Charmaine’s face, he hurried off.
The Magead Temple arranged rooms for the laities who had come to attend the puja.
After hastily eating her lunch, Madam Aria waited anxiously under the light.
As she heard hurried footsteps outside, Madam Aria immediately rose to enquire, “Is Charlotte back?”
“Grandmother.” Charlotte Aria walked over.
“Charlotte.” Madam Aria held her hand, her expression complex.
Charlotte Aria found Madam Aria somewhat strange, as though she was afraid of her running away.
She had never noticed her grandmother caring for her so much before.
“During the puja at the Magead Temple these few days, it is crowded with people.
For your safety, you shouldn’t run around alone.
Even if you have to go out, have Corina accompany you.” Madam Aria earnestly reminded.
Charlotte Aria wanted to say she had seen Aubree Groove, but she swallowed the words upon reaching her lips.
She instinctively glanced at the obedient Corina standing behind Madam Aria, pursed her lips lightly, and said, “I understand.
It’s getting late, grandmother.
You should rest earlier.” 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
——
The rumor of the Buddha’s incarnation spread far and wide during these three days, and Charlotte Aria, even if she wanted to, could not avoid hearing it.
She sought a well-informed junior monk from the kitchen and found out the general gist in exchange for a bag of dried fruit.
“The rumor is, when the Udapalvara blossoms, the Buddha descends to earth.
My senior brother told me this, and I don’t know much else.”
“Buddha?” Charlotte Aria scoffed.
This was utter ignorance and backwardness.
It was amazing that people believed this lie.
The junior monk, seemingly picking up on the disdain of the young lady standing in front of him, retorted indignantly, “The Buddha possesses a great spirit.
When he descends onto earth, he will change the world.”
Charlotte Aria felt this was laughable.
Why was she fussing over such a foolish issue?
”
