Zhou Tieyi, who was currently refining a Ghost Immortal while explaining the specific methods of cultivation, looked down. Amidst layers of thunder, he saw a cyan-gold Bodhisattva golden body. The figure held a precious bead, which emitted boundless light—perfect, translucent, and pure, like morning dew reflecting on blades of grass. It possessed the form of the Great Sun, yet it was not blinding.
This object was the Mani Bead, formed from the sarira left behind when the first presiding lecturer of Nanhua Temple entered Nirvana. It contained the merit and fruition of an entire lifetime of a Pratyekabuddha.
In Buddhism, a Pratyekabuddha is one who is born in an age without a Buddha. Through great wisdom, they attain self-enlightenment and reach Nirvana, becoming pure and undefiled, neither born nor dying. While this is a tremendous fruition, they only achieve self-enlightenment; they attain Nirvana and escape the sea of suffering, yet they lack the supreme perseverance and the supreme karmic connection to save all sentient beings from the sea of suffering. Thus, they are called "Self-Enlightened Ones" (Dujue), unlike the Buddha who possesses supreme, perfect enlightenment and can enlighten others, leading all living beings out of the sea of suffering.
Chapter 526