Maitreya Buddha was not angered by Yang Jian's words, instead, he chuckled twice, "General Yang Jian, you are mistaken. Although I'm drinking and eating meat now, I haven't let it interfere with anything I ought to do. On the contrary, it seems that those of you who do not abstain have been delayed a great deal by drinking and eating meat."
Yang Jian was taken aback by this remark.
"General Yang Jian," Maitreya Buddha continued, "even if you hadn't spoken up, I would have known what you're keeping inside your heart, but to lash out at others because of what's hidden in your heart—doesn't that seem somewhat unreasonable?"
Yang Jian was startled; he had not expected Maitreya Buddha to see through the thoughts in his heart.
"However, you needn't worry, I won't do anything to you because of your concerns," reassured Maitreya Buddha, "as long as you don't act inappropriately."