Chương 18: Chapter 17: The Buddha’s Farewell
A soft breeze swept through the Sacred Land, rustling the leaves of the Bodhi trees that lined the grand plaza where nearly the entire populace had gathered. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow that illuminated the faces of the men, women, and children who had come to hear the words of the Rebellious Buddha. The air was thick with anticipation, yet tinged with an unspoken dread, for today was not like other days of celebration. Today, Surya, the Buddha who had restored their land, stood tall at the steps of the Grand Temple, ready to address his people once more.
Surya's presence commanded the attention of all, his serene expression and calm demeanour radiating a sense of purpose that none could ignore. His robes flowed in the wind like banners of light, and his eyes, deep and knowing, scanned the crowd with a sense of finality. There was something different in his gaze today—an unspoken resolve, as if he carried a burden known only to him.
"My beloved people," Surya began, his voice clear and resonant, cutting through the hushed whispers that rippled through the crowd. "I have watched you grow, seen you overcome the shadows that once plagued this land, and I have seen the light that now shines within each of you. It fills my heart with great joy to witness the peace you have built with your own hands. You have embraced the truth, lived by compassion, and risen above the lies that once bound you."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd, a mix of pride and unease. The people had come to rely on Surya, to look up to him as their guiding light. His words were always filled with wisdom, but today there was something in them that hinted at an impending change.
"But today," Surya continued, his tone taking on a more somber note, "I must announce something that may bring sorrow to your hearts. My time here, in the Sacred Land, has come to an end. I have done all that I can for this land, and now it is time for me to continue my journey. I must leave you."
Gasps echoed among the people, their expressions shifting from joyous to heartbroken. Children clung to their parents, their innocent eyes wide with disbelief, while the elders exchanged knowing, yet saddened, glances. Surya's words struck deep, for his presence had become a cornerstone of their newfound peace, and the thought of his departure felt like the loss of something irreplaceable.
Surya raised his hand, a gesture of calm that silenced the growing unease. "This land no longer needs my guidance," he explained, his voice steady and reassuring. "You have learned the path of truth and compassion. You have built this paradise not through my power, but through your own hearts and hands. You no longer need me to lead you, for you have become the masters of your own destinies."
A young man in the crowd, dressed in the simple robes of a farmer, whispered to his friend, "He's right, you know. We've grown so much since his return. We no longer live in fear." Others nodded in agreement, though the sorrow in their eyes was unmistakable.
Surya paused, letting his words settle before speaking again. "But my journey does not end here. There is a greater task that I must undertake, a quest that I have vowed to see through to the end. I have traveled this world for years, and I have seen the suffering that lies beyond these borders. The world is condemned, plagued by demons of sin and beings of falsehood. Greed, pride, and anger still haunt the hearts of many, and the path to true enlightenment is shrouded in darkness."
Surya's voice grew more resolute, echoing through the plaza like the toll of a great bell. "For this reason, I have promised my closest companions, Li Wei and Mei Lin, that I will join them on a journey unlike any other—to seek out and capture the Sutra of Liberation."
The name sparked a wave of chatter among the crowd, a ripple of curiosity and awe. An elderly monk, his face lined with the wisdom of years, turned to a young woman beside him. "The Sutra of Liberation," he explained, "is not just a scripture. It is a key, a gateway to the limitless potential of the human soul. It is said to hold the secrets of the universe, a power so great that it defies the constraints of all realms."
Another voice, that of a young scholar who had devoted his life to studying the ancient texts, chimed in. "The Sutra was locked away by beings of higher realms, gods and celestial guardians, fearful of what it could bring if it fell into mortal hands. They scattered it across the realms to keep it hidden, beyond the reach of those who seek it. For it is said that the Sutra unlocks the limiter within us all, the very reason why enlightenment remains out of reach for so many."
Surya nodded, acknowledging the whispers of understanding that rippled through the crowd. "The Sutra of Liberation is no mere legend," he continued, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if seeing far beyond the present moment. "It is the key to breaking the chains that bind us all—the chains of Samsara, the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. With the Sutra, the limitations imposed upon all beings can be lifted, and true freedom can be achieved. This is why I must go, for the path to enlightenment must be opened to all, not just a select few."
The people listened in rapt attention, the weight of Surya's mission sinking in. His journey was not one of glory or conquest, but of sacrifice and determination—a quest that could change the fate of all beings.
"Do not be afraid," Surya reassured them, his voice softening. "I have seen you grow. I have seen you thrive. You have learned the truth, and now there is more for you to learn on your own. You no longer need a leader, for you are your own rulers, your own guides. Continue to walk the path you have chosen, to live with kindness and wisdom. And remember, the teachings I have shared with you are not the end, but merely the beginning of your own journey towards enlightenment."
The crowd fell silent, absorbing his words. There were tears, but there was also a deep sense of gratitude and resolve. Surya's departure was not a loss, but a continuation of the path he had set them upon—a path that now extended far beyond the borders of their land.
A woman in the crowd, her face worn but her spirit unbroken, turned to her son and whispered, "We have learned so much. We will continue to grow, to build, and to share the light that Surya has given us." Her son nodded, his youthful eyes filled with determination.
Li Wei and Mei Lin, standing beside Surya, exchanged a look of unwavering loyalty. They knew the dangers that lay ahead, the trials that awaited them in their quest for the Sutra. But they also knew that there was no greater purpose than the one they had pledged their lives to.
Surya's final words rang out, resonating through the land like a mantra. "I leave you not in sorrow, but in hope. For the world is vast, and there are many realms yet to be healed. I go now to face the demons that still haunt this world, to seek the Sutra that will bring us all closer to the truth. But I leave knowing that you, my people, will continue to shine. For you are the Sacred Land of Buddha, and you are the embodiment of all that is good in this world."
With that, Surya turned, his robes billowing like the wings of a great bird about to take flight. The people watched as he began to walk away, not with the sadness of a departure, but with the pride of knowing that they were ready to stand on their own. The crowd parted, creating a path for him as he walked towards the horizon, Li Wei and Mei Lin at his side.
As they vanished from sight, the people of the Sacred Land stood tall, their hearts filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Surya's journey had been a blessing, a guiding light that had brought them from darkness into the dawn. Now, it was their turn to carry that light forward, to continue the legacy of the Rebellious Buddha and to build a world where enlightenment was not a distant dream, but a shared reality.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and as night fell, the Sacred Land of Buddha remained a place of hope, peace, and unending promise. And though Surya had departed, his spirit lingered in every corner, in every heart, a reminder that the path to freedom was always within reach, for those who dared to seek it.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực