Looking forward to the future, Ran Deng was even more determined and crossed the eight treasures lake.
On the other side, there were two innate plants. There are only ten innate plants in this world, only three were able to form consciousness despite their origin, and two of them were right in front of him.
The bitter bamboo that absorbs all suffering and the bodhi tree that could awaken wisdom of all creatures. Because of their unique connection with the mind, they were able to form intelligence, and their proximity made them two brothers that would help each other along the way for all eternity.
"Jieyin can absorb all suffering into his own body, he cultivates the dream law and creates a dream world where everyone can live in bliss. He is very fitting for the founder of Mahayana Buddhism.
Zhunti enlightens all life and is fitting to be the teacher of all life, his role as the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism is also good.
We really fit well together, I will be Theravada Buddhism, the leader of all those that seek their own enlightenment. My path will for those determined who seek their own chance and path. It seems the merit law will be better for the path of saviours and teachers of Mahayana and Vajrayana."
After thinking so much, he approached the bamboo and tree and sat cross legged in front of them. He took out his clear mind bell, then thought 'The Amitabha focuses on saving people into the pure land of Buddhism to escape from suffering, so it should be recited to Jieyin.
For Zhunti, the Lotus Sutra that focuses on enlightening all life and bringing them to the path of once circle, where every path leads to Buddhahood should do well. Both of them will be the core of the future Buddhism… as for my path, you have to have the four foundations of mindfulness, which are the mindfulness of body, soul, mind and dharma. The rest will be your own path.'
After thinking this, he began to ring the bell and create an area of clear mind, the started preaching the Amitabha Sutra to Jieyin and the Lotus Sutra to Zhunti.
Ran Deng spent tens of thousands of years preaching. As his understand deepened, his own treasures helped him refine his soul again and again until he reached the late stage of great golden immortal.
More time passed, even longer this time, until Ran Deng was very close to the perfection of the great golden immortal. Only then did Zhunti and Jieyin transform. They weren't like him, who had a fully functioning mind early on, they took a long time from forming the intelligence to nourishing it, to then absorb spiritual power for transformation.
On this day, both of them finally transformed. When they transformed, they took on a similar appearance to Ran Deng, but both of them looked much older. Jieyin looked like an old man suffering from back pain, he was slightly hunched forward, his smile seemed to hide all the pain.
Zhunti was also old, but instead he looked like a kind teacher who genuinely wanted to teach you and wishes you the best. They also wore cassocks, Jieyin in dark green and gold, while Zhunti was in a white and gold cassock.
They both bowed to Ran Deng who was still sitting "Thank you, senior, for giving us guidance!"
Ran Deng smiled, it seems at least these two knew gratitude.
He waved his hand, "There is no need for this. In fact, I felt that our fate is connected, and the laws contained in you are also close to mine, so I came here. Since we have a similar path and will walk together, just call me elder brother!"
The two agreed – even if he asked them to be their master, they would agree, an elder brother is fitting for them. Jieyin then bowed to Ran Deng "I greet the elder brother!" then he bowed to Zhunti "I greet third brother!"
Zhunti also bowed "I greet elder brother" and "I greet second brother!"
The three were all happy for this occasion. They had just acknowledged each other as brothers. This wasn't a simple promise, the karma involved in this is great and they would subtly feel affection and admiration for their brothers.
Ran Deng smiled and said "We three brothers have similar laws that we cultivate, both of you also reached the late stage of great golden immortal, so we should discuss the law and talk about our own path!
I will begin… my law is the Mind Law, it is to control the mind and be free from outer influence, to be my own self and to be supreme…"
The discussion continued for hundreds of years. When it was Jieyin's turn, he talked about insecurity "Elder brother… for me, the Emotions Law is close but not very fitting, my aspiration is to save all those suffering!"
Ran nodded and said "The emotions and mind law are in fact all focusing on different aspects of the being, of the human law. All laws are equal, even the human law that contains part of the mind and emotions law isn't above. There is one other law that fits your own description, it is the Dream Law.
It has a deep connection and influence over emotions. The Amitabha Sutra I preached to second brother talks about creating a pure land free of suffering. If second brother wants, he can cultivate the dream law and create a dream world where all life escape suffering."
Jieyin felt as if he gained enlightenment, he instantly bowed as thanks, then in this state, he used all his wisdom to connect the emotions law and transform it into the dream law, talked about his own process as he did so, giving the other two a perspective of all laws being connected.
When it was Zhunti's turn, he said "Brother, I feel that the wisdom law and enlightenment law are close to me. I don't know how to decide?"
Nodding once more, Ran Deng answered "In fact, the wisdom law focuses on awakening wisdom and giving everything intelligence, opening up the path of cultivation to them. Meanwhile, the enlightenment law is to guide all life towards enlightenment on their own path. However third brother decides is up to him."
Zhunti thought and then decided "Brother, my true body, the bodhi tree, contains both. Since my true body can grant wisdom, I should learn the enlightenment law and guide those that awakened wisdom with my enlightenment law!"
Ran Deng agreed and commented "There is an enlightenment tea tree among the ten innate plants, I have a subtle connection to it and can feel its existence in eastern continent. If we have the chance, we should go there and let brother learn the law."
"Thank you, elder brother!" then, Zhunti talked about his own experience of the Enlightenment law and deepened it as he discussed it with his brothers.