hsntnovel Chapter 1667 Li Shen worships Buddha
Chapter 1667 Li Shen worships Buddha
After listening to Wang Hongfu's words, Li Shen was thoughtful.
This Tang Monk now has such a great influence that even Monkey King’s influence is not as great as his.
"You think, with so many believers, will they donate a lot of things?"
The first thing Li Shen thought of was money. There was nothing he could do as he was going bankrupt.
The Prince Ji’s Mansion is so poor that they are almost begging for food.
"Your Highness, there should be a lot of money. Among those believers, there are many merchants and nobles, as well as many ladies from wealthy families."
Wang Hongfu thought about it and replied.
"Your Majesty, Hongfu Temple is not easy to move. Your Majesty thinks highly of Xuanzang. Hongfu Temple has no land, and all the monks rely on donations from believers.
This is authorized by His Majesty."
Wang Xuance knew what Prince Ji was going to do by looking at Li Shen's expression, and hurried out to advise him.
"Specially authorized? How can there be a special exception?" Li Shen was stunned.
"Your Majesty, Hongfu Temple was renovated when the Empress was ill. Later, Master Xuanzang returned from India.
Your Majesty's order to let Master Xuanzang translate scriptures at Hongfu Temple is of great significance."
Wang Xuance explained.
"Oh~~~ I see. Hongfu Temple must be very rich, with tens of thousands of believers. If they hold a ceremony several times a year, they will make a lot of money."
It’s a bit of a pity for Li Shen.
"Your Highness, if the place is spacious, there would probably be more than tens of thousands of people." Wang Hongfu said.
"What a pity. With so much money, who stipulated that temples don't have to pay taxes? This is outrageous." Li Shen beat his chest and stamped his feet.
"Your Majesty, this has been a rule for a hundred years, and the late emperor also clearly stipulated it in the law.
"Your Majesty, please don't do anything reckless." Wang Xuance was a little worried.
As a little prince, I love to rebel against the Tiangang and do some extraordinary things.
"Don't worry, I have grown up.
Shitou, inform everyone to go to Hongfu Temple to worship Buddha tomorrow. Um... send someone to inform Hongfu Temple.
I don't want to alarm others, so I will enter through the side door. I will need them to reserve an hour to stop the believers."
Li Shen gave an order to the stone. Although he had a high status as a prince, he was not happy at all sometimes.
Except for entering the palace, others had to avoid him wherever he went, so he didn't give himself any chance to show off and get embarrassed.
There is not even a sense of superiority.
There is no one around. Even if I take off my pants and poop in the street, no one will know. It’s meaningless.
He likes the feeling of being superior, especially in front of ordinary people. Isn't this the kind of cool writing he enjoys?
The matter was almost discussed, and Wang Xuance and Wang Hongfu got up to say goodbye. Wang Xuance was told to bring his family along tomorrow to join in the fun.
~~~~~~~~~
At about six o'clock the next day,
Li Shen got up early, took a bath and changed his clothes, as he was going to worship Buddha today.
Li Shen did not want to bathe at first, but the women at home forced him to do so, saying that he had to bathe and change clothes to pay homage to the Buddha.
Li Shen had no choice but to take a bath with everyone and put on a royal crown.
After the meal, two carriages escorted by fifty personal guards went to Hongfu Temple.
Hongfu Temple was rebuilt from the residence of Wang Junkuo, Duke of Peng, the Right General, and its area is quite large.
The carriage of Prince Ji's mansion was parked at the side door, where several monks were waiting.
Li Shen got off the carriage with his family and Wang Xuance's family, and the first thing he saw was Xuanzang standing at the front.
"Amitabha, I greet His Royal Highness Prince Ji, His Royal Highness the Princess, and all the donors."
Xuanzang and his men hurriedly came to Li Shen, put their hands together and performed a Buddhist salute.
"Hey~~? Don't call me a donor. I didn't ask for alms. I'm so poor now that I'm almost begging at the city gate. I don't have any money to give."
Li Shen didn't give any face at all and made his attitude clear first.
Li Shen sometimes wondered which expert came up with this name, "Shi" which means donor, alms, and charity.
Money is bound to be spent as soon as people meet. This is the most successful marketing case in ancient times.
The others looked helpless. Ever since Prince Ji knew he had no money, every word he spoke revolved around money.
Xuanzang did not change his mind after hearing Li Shen's impolite words. Instead, he smiled and said to Li Shen:
"Your Highness Prince Ji, what are you talking about? Everyone in the Tang Dynasty knows that Prince Ji's mansion is as rich as a country and has strong financial resources.
His Royal Highness Prince Ji is the richest man among the people."
Damn, who said that? How dare you slander yourself like that?
I am so poor now. Rumors are really as fierce as tigers.
"Okay, stop talking nonsense. Anyway, I came here with my princess to worship Buddha, and I didn't bring any money.
If you still have hope, I will have to stay here and become a monk from now on, taking refuge in the Buddha."
Li Shen waved his hands, as if to tell them that no one should ask him for money.
"Haha, I dare not, and your majesty will not agree.
Your Highness Prince Ji, Your Highness Princess, please come in."
Xuanzang laughed, stepped aside and invited Li Shen to come in.
He didn't dare to provoke Li Shen. This little prince had no bottom line.
If it hadn't been for His Majesty's presence last time, I would have probably lost my head long ago, and would have been charged with treason.
This caused him, who had boundless Buddhist knowledge, to feel fear towards the young prince King Ji.
It is possible for one person to influence the Buddhism and Taoism in the entire Tang Dynasty. What a huge influence this is.
Li Shen didn't know what Xuanzang was thinking, he only knew what he was thinking in his heart.
He would never give a penny.
Holding Lu Dingniang's hand, Li Shen walked in slowly.
Xuanzang led Li Shen and his party all the way to the main hall.
There was no one here at the moment. They must have made preparations in advance to keep other people out.
As you enter the main hall, you will see a Buddha statue over ten feet tall facing you, and there are some slightly shorter Buddha statues around it.
Li Shen basically doesn't recognize any of them.
When he arrived in front of the Buddha statue, Li Shen looked up at it, with kind eyes and a smile on his face, and clasped his hands together in a Buddhist salute.
It gives people two feelings of solemnity and peace.
Worshiping Buddha requires a ritual. Xuanzang personally lit the incense for Li Shen and Lu Dingniang, and then handed it to them with both hands.
Lu Dingniang and the others all held incense sticks, waved them first, then knelt on the cushions and prayed devoutly, expressing their wishes.
Only Li Shen was standing there. Yes, Li Shen did not kneel down.
He didn't believe in Buddhism, so he felt that it would be a deception if he knelt down and made a wish.
I haven't done anything immoral, so there's no need to try to absolve myself of any sins.
I am not one of those unscrupulous businessmen and nobles.
He simply bowed three times respectfully, then handed the incense to Xuanzang, who inserted the incense into the incense burner.
At this moment, Lu Dingniang and others also kowtowed three times and inserted the incense into the incense burner.
"My lady, you continue to worship Buddha with them. I have some questions that Master Xuanzang needs to answer. I will be back soon."
Li Shen helped Lu Dingniang up and said in a relaxed manner.
"My dear, if you have something to do, you can go ahead and do it. I will go to other places with them." Lu Dingniang nodded in agreement.
Li Shen then turned around and looked at Xuanzang with a smile and said:
"Master Xuanzang, I have many doubts. I wonder if you can find a place to answer them for me."
(I wanted to say something, but I forgot.
Today is Laba Festival, everyone remember to eat Laba porridge, it will bring you good fortune, longevity, many children and grandchildren, wealth and many wives.