Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Buddha’s mercy.”

Amidst the many Buddha statues ahead, a small clay Buddha suddenly transformed into a living, breathing child and then leaped down from the altar with a cheerful “heave-ho.”

The child was dressed in a blue-green robe, with a large string of prayer beads around his neck. His round belly was exposed, and his head and face were both plump and round, making him look incredibly adorable.

To be honest, looking at this child, Xu Ming was instantly reminded of the “Maitreya Buddha” from a game he played in his past life. The resemblance was uncanny—this little monk seemed like he had walked straight out of the game.

Inside the temple, everyone watched the child warily, not daring to say a word. Some even quietly reached for their weapons.

Though this child appeared harmless, no one dared to underestimate him.

After all, anyone who could appear in a place like this was unlikely to be ordinary.

“There’s no need to be so tense,” the child pressed his hands together in a gesture of greeting. “This little monk’s name is Maitreya. Honored guests, you have come to visit, yet I failed to welcome you in advance. Please forgive me.”

“Well, damn, he really is Maitreya,” Xu Ming blurted out instinctively.

“You know him?” Shi Xin turned her head and asked Xu Ming.

Hearing Shi Xin’s question, Xu Ming was genuinely surprised. “Wait, you don’t know him? Your Buddhism doesn’t have Maitreya Buddha? Or should I say… Maitreya Bodhisattva?”

“No,” Shi Xin shook her head.

Xu Ming: “…”

Xu Ming already knew that Buddhism in this world differed quite a bit from the Buddhism on Blue Star.

But he hadn’t expected the difference to be this drastic.

This world didn’t even have Maitreya Buddha?

No, not didn’t have.

Rather, it hadn’t been recorded yet.

Because Maitreya Buddha had already appeared—right in front of him.

“Who is Maitreya?”

Seeing Xu Ming’s silence, Shi Xin tugged at his sleeve.

Lowering his voice, Xu Ming explained to Shi Xin, “Back in my homeland, there are many different Buddhist traditions. Among them, some categorize Buddhas based on space, known as the ‘Three Buddhas Across Space,’ while others categorize them based on time, called the ‘Three Buddhas Across Time.'”

“I know about that,” Shi Xin nodded, her voice directly transmitting into Xu Ming’s mind.

“The Three Buddhas Across Space refer to the central Shakyamuni Buddha, the eastern Medicine Buddha, and the western Amitabha Buddha. The Buddha we in the Western Regions revere is Amitabha Buddha.”

Xu Ming asked, “Then tell me, how does your Buddhism define the Three Buddhas Across Time?”

He wanted to verify whether the Three Buddhas Across Time in this world were the same as those on Blue Star.

Shi Xin continued,

“The Eastern Medicine Buddha governs the Pure Lapis Lazuli World of the East. He is accompanied by two attendants, Sunlight Bodhisattva and Moonlight Bodhisattva, collectively known as the Three Saints of the East. People pray to the Medicine Buddha mainly for blessings in the present life—he protects against misfortunes, extends lifespan, and heals illnesses. Many elderly and sick people worship him, seeking health and longevity.

Shakyamuni Buddha governs the Central Saha World. He is attended by the ‘Great Wisdom’ Manjushri Bodhisattva and the ‘Great Action’ Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, known together as the Three Saints of the Avatamsaka. He is the teacher of this world and the founder of Buddhism.

Amitabha Buddha governs the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. His attendants are the ‘Great Courage’ Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and the ‘Great Compassion’ Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, collectively known as the Three Saints of the West. People pray to Amitabha Buddha primarily for liberation after death—he is believed to guide souls to the Pure Land, freeing them from the suffering of reincarnation. For this reason, he is also called the ‘Welcoming Buddha.’ Because his lifespan and radiance are immeasurable, he is also known as the ‘Buddha of Infinite Life’ and the ‘Buddha of Infinite Light.’

There is also an alternative belief that the Three Buddhas Across Space are actually the same Buddha, who manifests in different forms to save sentient beings.”

As he listened to Shi Xin’s explanation, Xu Ming fell into deep thought.

Because in this world, the concept of the Three Buddhas Across Space was almost exactly the same as on Blue Star.

“Xu Ming, what are the Three Buddhas Across Time?” Shi Xin tugged at Xu Ming’s sleeve, full of curiosity. “You haven’t answered me yet.”

Xu Ming slowly began to explain, “The Three Buddhas Across Time refer to Dipankara Buddha, who represents the past; Shakyamuni Buddha, who represents the present; and Maitreya Buddha, who represents the future.

Dipankara Buddha was the Buddha of the past, during the Zhuangyan Kalpa. He was the Buddha before Shakyamuni and once prophesied that Shakyamuni would attain Buddhahood in the future. He was the one who granted Shakyamuni his confirmation of future enlightenment, and many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were once his disciples.

Shakyamuni Buddha is the fourth Buddha of the Bhadra Kalpa. Alongside his attendants, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, he guides all beings in the Saha world with the Dharma.

Maitreya Buddha is the future Buddha, the fifth Buddha of the Bhadra Kalpa. His era has yet to arrive, and for now, he remains in the Tusita Heaven as a Bodhisattva.

According to Mahayana Buddhism, anyone can attain Buddhahood. The Buddhas will guide all beings, helping them transcend the cycle of reincarnation and achieve enlightenment.”

“Shakyamuni Buddha is also part of the Three Buddhas Across Time?” Shi Xin’s thirst for Buddhist knowledge was insatiable. “Is there a difference between the two Shakyamuni Buddhas, or are they the same?”

“I don’t know either,” Xu Ming shrugged.

He couldn’t exactly say, “I learned all this from scrolling through short videos.” In his past life, he was just a university student—not a monk.

“Then what is Mahayana Buddhism?” Shi Xin asked, having just heard Xu Ming mention it.

“Mahayana Buddhism… that’s not something I can explain in a short time. And to be honest, I don’t know much about it either—I wasn’t a monk back in my homeland,” Xu Ming replied. “Maybe in the future, I can tell you what I know.”

“Alright…”

Not getting an answer about Mahayana Buddhism, Shi Xin lowered her head slightly, a hint of disappointment in her expression.

Shi Xin was certain that Xu Ming’s homeland must have profound and brilliant Buddhist teachings.

She really wanted to see Xu Ming’s homeland one day. But Xu Ming said that he might never be able to return there again.

Just where was Xu Ming’s homeland?

“You seem to recognize me, Benefactor?”

Even though Xu Ming and Shi Xin were speaking softly—so much so that they even set up a small barrier to prevent others from overhearing—Maitreya still heard them.

Following Maitreya’s gaze, everyone turned to look at Xu Ming.

But Maitreya didn’t wait for Xu Ming to answer. Instead, he reached out his chubby little hand, as if he were calculating something.

In the end, he simply smiled.

“Strange, strange. Benefactor is truly strange.

But also, not strange.

This world is as it should be. Who can truly see through the workings of Heaven?”