"Buddha, the Enlightened One, why would he need incense offerings?" Fengyun stated succinctly, "Tao is the path of the cultivator, someone who is ever exploring the path ahead and cultivating oneself. What would he need incense for?"
"There is a common saying in the mortal world about Buddhas competing for a single stick of incense, probably because many Bodhisattvas and Arhats of the Buddhist sect perform miracles and heal the sick in front of people, becoming better known."
"Only the gods in the heavenly court need incense offerings."
Xu Si then asked, "Is the heavenly court Taoist or Buddhist?"
Fengyun replied, "It's neither Buddha nor Tao; it stands on its own. Whether it's the Three Pure Ones or the Buddha himself, they must bow in respect to the Jade Emperor, who is the supreme deity."
"However, in the heavenly court, aside from those in the mortal realm with merit and virtue, there are members from both Taoist and Buddhist sects in official positions."
