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Chapter 575
Chapter 575
Chapter 575
Chapter 575 Humans Are Hypocritical
After handing the lady her business card, Lilly reached the peak of the mountain within half an hour
The Temple of light stood before het, adorned with fresh paint, shining brightly. Next to the temple’s entrance was a table, upon which various sizes of incense sticks were placed Behind the table sat a man dressed in a yellow robe, serving as the caretaker.
Lilly felt a slight surprise upon visiting the temple for the first time.
Is this what a temple looks like?
At that moment, a young man who appeared to be a college student approached and asked, “How much do these cost?”
The man in the monk’s robe responded, “Are you seeking blessings for your family?”
The young man nodded.
The caretaker explained, “This is the Prayer Incense, priced at 299 dollars. We also have the Incense stick for sincerity priced at 999 dollars and the Filial Incense for 1799 dollars. It’s important to pray with utmost sincerity for the well-being of your family!”
A trace of embarrassment appeared on the young man’s face as he replied, “I’m just a student, and I don’t have that much money…”
The caretaker glanced at him and casually handed him the 299-dollar incense stick, saying, “Then take this one!”
The young man grew even more embarrassed and asked, “Don’t you have a cheaper option?”
This time, the caretaker paused in taking out the incense and looked to the side, saying. “Over there, three sticks for ten dollars. Help yourself.”
The young man quickly grabbed three incense sticks, scanned the QR code, made the payment, and left, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Lilly frowned and whispered to Blake, “Daddy, this doesn’t seem like a genuine temple.”
Buddhism, as well as other belief systems like Confucianism and Taoism, possessed deep heritage and wisdom. But the initial impression Lilly got from the Temple of Light before her did not seem to reflect
that
Lilly had initially intended to burn some incense as a sign of respect since they had arrived.
However, when Lilly wanted to pay her respects, she felt like the other party treated her as a fool.
Paying 1799 dollars for the biggest incense burner that costs 99.99 dollars
Blake suggested, “Let’s go inside and take a look.”
Lilly nodded and lost all interest in purchasing the incense.
Upon entering the temple, they saw five Buddha statues and thirty-three more statues, with five main halls, one pavilion, six sections, and ten subsidiary halls. The temple was truly splendid, with newly cast golden statues, creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere. However, it seemed more focused on wealth than
Humans Are Hypocritical
spiritual enlightenment.
Lilly suddenly recalled the questions asked by Jessie.
“Are they bad people?”
“Why d
“Why do the bad guys want the Gods to bless them?”
She began to grasp the underlying meaning.
What if the entities in front of them were not genuine gods?
In a hushed voice, Blake asked, “Lilly, can you sense his presence?”
Lilly responded, “I’m not sure. Let’s keep looking.”
The Light Hills Scenic Area required an admission fee, but visitors did not need to buy their tickets upon reaching the Temple of Light. Tourists were free to wander through the temple halls, choosing whether to worship the gods, burn incense, pray for blessings, or light lamps. There were also additional services available for special cases, such as transcendence, which required separate arrangements.
Furthermore, there were lottery drawings. Right outside the temple gate, on one of the descending steps, a “monk” in a yellow robe sat behind a table, conducting lottery draws and offering fortune-telling services. On the step below, there were individuals selling amulet jades, bracelets, and charms.
Lilly was astonished.
This did not feel like a temple but rather a business.
After thoroughly exploring the area outside, there was still no sign of King Libra.
Lilly held a coin in her hand, occasionally glancing at it, deep in thought.
“Not out there,” Lilly stated firmly.
Blake suggested, “Then let’s go inside.”
Previously, they had been wandering around the Temple of Light, merely glancing through the open doors of each worshiping hall without entering.
Lilly nodded.
They first made their way to the Thirty-three statues. The colors of each statue were vibrant, and even adorned with gold powder. The statues were towering, with four or five levels in the pavilion, and Avalokitesvara was among them. Looking up, the sight was magnificent, but Lilly could not sense any aura emanating from their eyes.
Continuing their exploration, they entered the Hall of Five Buddhas.
This place felt slightly different.
As Lilly walked through, she could not shake the feeling that a chilling gaze accompanied the smile on each Buddha’s face.
No matter which angle she looked from, it felt like their eyes were fixed on her.
Humans Are Hypocritical
“Daddy… Lilly quietly tugged at Blake’s clothes.
She focused on one of the Buddha statues.
The Buddha sat in a cross-legged position, wearing a gentle smile, and its downcast eyes seemed to be obserwng her silently.
The Grand Hall was the central and most important hall in the temple, housing the main Buddha statue.
Lilly could not shake the feeling that something was off with this particular Buddha.
Blake nodded, understanding her concerns.
He approached a monk and expressed his desire to make an offering to the Buddha.
“Please follow me, sir. To make an offering, you must establish a connection with the Buddha,” the monk instructed.
Blake asked, “How much does it cost?”
The monk looked at him with disdain and replied, “You don’t need to pay to pray to the Buddha. You just need to leave once you’re done.”
Blake was taken aback. Did this temple not want money?
But then he recalled that in Buddhism, Buddha statues could not be bought or sold, as it is considered a grave offense akin to buying and selling one’s parents.
A realization struck him, and he could not help but feel amused. So all those online sellers peddling Buddha statues, Buddhist jade, and scriptures… Did the consumers know that they were engaging in a “great transgression”? Can the items they purchased still bestow blessings?
Blake had to get blessings from the Buddha to create opportunities and time for Lilly. However, after following the procedures, they did manage to invite the Buddha they desired.
But…
“Sir, please accept the blessings and extend your charity to save countless sentient beings!” the monk said, pointing to a donation box on the table.
Blake, Cloud, and Lilly were speechless.
Ah, while praying to the Buddha did not require money, you could still “make a donation.” The more they donated, the more sincere you were, and they would receive more blessings.
At this point, Blake fully understood the problem that had eluded him before.
Why did King Libra hide in the temple? Despite being associated with evil, why did he seek refuge in at place adorned with a golden light?
It turned out that the temple he had chosen was not a genuine temple at all.
Thinking logically, one would never suspect that he would hide in a temple!
Blake placed the Buddha statue back in its original position and flatly stated, “Suddenly, I no longer want
Chapter 575 Humans Are Hypocritical
The monk was puzzled as confusion filled his eyes.
After all, no one who wanted the Buddha’s blessings had ever given up midway!
This was seen as a disrespectful act towards the Buddha!
The monk’s expression turned cold, but Blake’s expression was even colder as he questioned. “What about your business license? Which department oversees your operations? Do you pay taxes
according to regulations every year? Have you reported the prices here to the Price Bureau, and have all the Buddha- related transactions been approved?”
The monk was silent.
Cloud’s mouth twitched.
He was taken aback by the last question!
“Who are you?” the monk asked with a furrowed brow
Blake exclaimed, “I’m from the Market Supervision Bureau! Where is your abbot? Tell him to come out!”
Lilly was silent as she thought to herself.
Daddy has so many identities! Is this what they call wearing multiple hats?
“Let’s go, Lilly.” Seizing the opportunity provided by Blake’s “supervision, Cloud immediately led Lilly toward the Grand Hall.
Beneath the Grand Hall, a dark aura swirled around the base of the Buddha statue.
King Libra sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, absorbing the malevolent energy gathered around him.
After a long while, he opened his eyes, sensing the strengthening of his body, and a hint of satisfaction gleamed in his gaze.
“Heh… the world is truly intriguing”
Those who prayed to gods and Buddhas had no idea which gods and Buddhas they were actually praying
1.
Those who studied Buddhism and engage in Buddhist practices, none of them have truly learned the authentic teachings. They either lack self-discipline and can only chant prayers hypocritically, or they harbor wicked thoughts and exploit Buddhism as a business.
This place was truly the epitome of hypocrisy in the world….
People’s reverence for Gods and Buddhas could transform into a form of power known as willpower.
The cultivation of willpower was practiced by both gods and Buddhas. However, in a temple devoid of genuine reverence for the Buddha, where only calculations for Buddha-related business take place, the gathered energy is not that of sincere vows but rather of malevolence.
He greatly appreciated this type of situation, as it allowed him to regain his strength by seeking refuge
that would never occur to the young and naive Lilly!
Humans Are Hypocritical
It was like killing two birds with one stone!
Right as he pondered over this, a sudden loud noise echoed in his ears…
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