After listening to Shalpa Khutughtu's teachings, Sultan was completely convinced and decided to convert to the Sakya School.
However, he still had concerns, saying to the Great Monk: "Master, I wish to convert to the Sakya School, but the surrounding tribes all believe in Gelug Sect, so it is not suitable to publicize it, lest it attract attacks from various tribes."
Could you secretly accept me as a disciple?"
Shalpa Khutughtu was overjoyed; his trip to Oirat finally yielded results. The Huit Tribe is now a strong tribe in Oirat. Although accepting their Great Taiji as a disciple cannot be made public, it is ultimately a strong ally gained for his school and for Lin Dan Khan.
He immediately said with a chuckle: "amitabha, this old monk has a connection with the Great Taiji. Today, I will perform the initiation for the Great Taiji."
Accepting disciples must be done early, lest the person regret it later. The Great Monk was well-versed in this.
Initiation is one of the important rituals of Esoteric Buddhism, said to be related to the tradition of the India royal family, where the eldest son of India must undergo initiation to confirm his status in the royal family.
Practitioners of Esoteric Buddhism are only considered officially initiated after taking refuge and receiving initiation.
This ritual is quite important. All sentient beings possess Buddha-nature. When Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment back then, he said: "Wonderful! Wonderful! All sentient beings possess the Tathagata's wisdom and virtuous appearance, but due to deluded thoughts and attachments, they cannot realize it."
This Buddha-nature is called "Tathagata-garbha." The wonderful use of initiation lies in developing this Buddha-nature and guiding ordinary beings to the shore of liberation.
There are many types of initiation, generally divided into connection initiation and dharma transmission initiation.
The one the Great Monk performed for Sultan was a connection initiation, specifically given to those who are just entering the path, also known as "Vase Initiation."
Sultan bathed seriously, dressed solemnly, and knelt reverently before a black mandala.
Shalpa Khutughtu held a vase containing holy water and slowly walked over.
This ritual must be performed by a Vajra Master, and Shalpa Great Monk naturally had this qualification.
He slowly sprinkled the holy water onto Sultan's head, and then used a "Bumpa" (a bowl made from a human skull) filled with qingke wine for Sultan to drink.
The young Great Taiji swore to the benevolent Great Monk: "I vow to practice Esoteric Dharma and never speak of it to outsiders, otherwise I will suffer the Buddha's punishment."
After the ritual was completed, under the guidance of his Master, according to his own circumstances (capacity), the Master taught him how to draw the yidam and the altar (i.e., mandala), and he began to practice facing the Buddha statue.
From then on, the world had one less young Sultan of the Gelug Sect and one more young Sultan of the Sakya School.
Having taken a Master, he had to show his Master some respect.
He decided to build a temple for his Master, donate one hundred households of subjects as shabinar for the temple, and also donate a certain number of cattle, sheep, and horses.
However, this temple could not be built within Oirat territory, lest it cause dissatisfaction among other tribes.
He thought of the newly conquered Turpan and Hami areas. These places all believe in Islam. If Buddhism could be spread, it would also be a check on the influence of Islam.
Especially the Qarā Hūj in Hami, who were originally Mongols, of the same origin as the Dzungar and Dörbet, and he had always been uneasy about them.
If they were made to believe in Sakya, there would be a rift between them and the Gelug-believing Dzungar and Dörbet, making them easier to control."
Thinking of this, he clasped his hands together and bowed to Shalpa Khutughtu, saying: "Master, I wish to build a temple for you in Hami, and offer one hundred households of shabinar, allocate pasture land as jisa for the temple, and also offer three hundred cattle, five hundred horses, and three thousand sheep."
Just please do not announce that this is my doing, only say it is a donation from believers.
When the time is right, I will publicly announce my conversion to Sakya."
"amitabha," the Great Monk chanted a Buddha's name, which meant tacit approval.
Sultan also secretly ordered the Prefects of Hami and Turpan to support the Great Monk's missionary work, and secretly wrote a letter to Taiji Abah Huo Zhe of the Qarā Hūj in Hami, asking his tribe to convert to Sakya.
Although he had granted Abah Huo Zhe the official position of Zaisang and allowed it to be hereditary, he did not trust him.
This time was a test; if he refused, he would send troops to conquer him.
Abah Huo Zhe agreed obediently.
Originally, they believed in Gelug, then the King of Hami asked them to convert to Islam, so they believed in Islam. Now the Great Taiji asked them to believe in Sakya, so they would obey.
For small tribes, survival is the most important thing; belief or non-belief does not matter much.
Seeing that everything went smoothly, Sultan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Next, it was to give Lin Dan Khan certain support and show goodwill to the Chahar, in order to obtain the three great treasures of Mongol in the future: the Imperial Seal, the Mahakala Golden Buddha, and the Golden Kanjur. Of course, there was also a more important treasure: the subjects of Chahar.
In his eyes, subjects were more important treasures than the Imperial Seal.
He summoned Nanchu and others and said with a smile: "Please go back and report to the Great Khan that I only obey the direct descendants of Genghis Khan, and the Huit Tribe will always be loyal subjects of the Great Khan."
"Thank you, Great Taiji," Nanchu thanked him respectfully but remained unmoved. As the nominal co-ruler of all Mongol, many tribes claimed allegiance to Lin Dan Khan, but the actual aid given was little; he was already somewhat numb.
"Cough," perhaps feeling that just talking lacked sincerity, Sultan coughed and slowly said: "I also have a small gift here to offer to the Great Khan: fifty thousand catties of grain, one thousand cattle, one thousand horses, six thousand sheep, one hundred firearms, three hundred knives, three hundred bows and arrows, two thousand spears, and one hundred sets of armor."
At first, Nanchu didn't take it seriously, but as he listened, his eyes widened, and he swallowed hard, "Oh my, thank you, Great Taiji! This is truly sending charcoal in the snow! The Great Khan will definitely not forget your help!"
Indeed, the current Lin Dan Khan was nearing the end of his rope, and these supplies were enough to give the Chahar a respite.
"amitabha, Great Taiji, this old monk must also return to qinghai province. Now that the Great Khan is in danger, as the State Preceptor, I must stay by the Great Khan's side," Shalpa Khutughtu said clearly.
On the surface, this was called being loyal and righteous, but in reality, he was afraid that Nanchu would steal his credit.
After all, Lin Dan Khan was the Great Khan of all Mongol, and in the Great Monk's heart, he was still a little more important than Sultan.
Sultan was moved. His Master was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness and was responsible!
But why do some historical records say that after Lin Dan Khan's defeat, he surrendered to the Manchu Qing with golden Buddha statues and scriptures?
He asked: "Master, if you leave, who will spread the Dharma in Oirat?
And who will teach the scriptures to your disciple?"
"amitabha, Bandida Gushi and Ananda Gushi are both greatly talented and can stay in Oirat to spread the Dharma," the Great Monk recommended two virtuous individuals.
Sultan was overjoyed. He knew that both of them were famous scholars and great talents from Chahar. He immediately granted Bandida Gushi the position of Langzhong (Doctor) of the Ministry of Works and Ananda Gushi the position of Censor.
Shalpa Khutughtu, Nanchu, and others set off on the journey back to the Great Grassland. Lin Dan Khan was anxiously awaiting their news.
Sultan personally escorted them thirty li (approx. 15 km) to show respect to his Master.
The Great Monk was very moved and spoke a Zen phrase, "amitabha, Great Taiji, please return. Spring goes and autumn comes; there will eventually be karmic connections."
"Master," Sultan suddenly walked closer to his side and whispered: "If the Great Khan cannot withstand the jin dynasty's attack, please be sure to persuade the Great Khan to come to Oirat."
I will definitely welcome the Great Khan and you with open arms!"
Shalpa Khutughtu was stunned for a moment, and finally nodded slowly.
