hsntnovel Chapter 1671 Li Shen's Warning
Chapter 1671 Li Shen's Warning
The Unobstructed Assembly is a Buddhist conference held every five years, with dialectics and charity as its main content.
When Li Shen first heard this name, the first thing that came to his mind was an unhealthy image.
There is no blockage or hindrance in the meeting.
Later, after learning more about it, I realized that it was not the same as the Wuzhe Conference that I had attended before.
This made Li Shen somewhat disappointed.
The Unobstructed Assembly is a grand gathering for making good connections, and it advocates treating everyone equally regardless of their status, whether they are monks or laymen, wise or foolish, good or evil.
The contents include a grand fasting meeting for giving alms to monks and laymen, which is inclusive and unobstructed. ?6?8
The earliest initiator of the Unobstructed Assembly was King Harsha. When Xuanzang was in India, he participated in the sixth Unobstructed Assembly.
The participants of the Wuzhe Assembly mainly include monks, legitimate sons of lay families, and devout men and women, and it lasts for seventy-five days.
It is a grand event with a huge scale and a large number of people. All the famous monks in the Tang Dynasty will gather here.
Believers from all over the country will also go there after hearing the news.
According to Li Shen, most of the nobles in Chang'an City would also participate and donate money and materials.
There are tens of thousands of people every time, and that's because the market is too small, otherwise there might be hundreds of thousands of people.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, the Wuzhe Conference is held every five years. It is a grand event of our Buddhist sect. How can it be stopped just like that?
Moreover, our Wuzhe Assembly will also distribute some products to the poor people so that they can live a better life.
We are just studying Buddhism together, and we are not posing any threat to the court."
When Xuanzang heard that Li Shen did not allow the Wuzhe Conference to be held, he became a little anxious.
The Unobstructed Assembly is an important event in Buddhism.
"Amitabha, Your Highness Prince Ji, our Buddhist sect does not fight with the world, nor is it like those evil cults out there that obey the imperial court's orders.
Why does His Royal Highness Prince Ji want to disturb the peace of our Buddhist sect?"
Another monk behind Xuanzang was a little annoyed. Did King Ji have a grudge against their Buddhist sect?
"Who are you?" Li Shen asked with a frown.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, I am Shentai, and I am also a disciple of Master Xuanzang." Shentai replied.
"Oh, since there are no outsiders here, let me tell Master Xuanzang the truth."
Li Shen moved his butt to make himself more comfortable, then picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Master Xuanzang, you should know that our Central Plains Dynasty has always respected the emperor since ancient times.
This is inconsistent with Indian thought.
India was divided into five kingdoms, and every king was first and foremost a Christian. They gave themselves nice-sounding names, either being the incarnation of someone or the son of a god.
They used Buddhism and Brahmanism as their beliefs to achieve their goal of controlling the people of the country.
This King calls it a religious state.
And I, the King of the Central Plains Dynasty, call it an imperial state.
I wonder if Master Xuanzang understands what I said."
Li Shen held the teacup and drank his tea without even raising his eyelids. What he said was very clear.
He believed that Xuanzang and others could understand.
As expected, Xuanzang nodded.
"Amitabha, I understand."
"Well, I understand." Li Shen put down the teacup and said, "Since you understand, you should also know that some of your ideas will not work in our Tang Dynasty.
In other words, there is a huge conflict with our Central Plains Dynasty.
For example, the teachings of the Unobstructed Assembly that you convene treat everyone equally regardless of their status, whether they are monks or laymen, the wise or the foolish, the good or the evil.
This is not desirable for our Central Plains Dynasty.
In the Central Plains, we have the Five Relationships of Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Parents and Teachers.
We are taught to fear heaven and earth, be loyal to our country, be filial to our parents, and respect our teachers.
Taoism is a religion native to the Central Plains, and it doesn't dare to say that all beings are equal. How dare you, the Buddhist sect?"
What Li Shen hates most is the phrase "all beings are equal". It's too hypocritical. Everything in the world has good and bad, noble and humble, how can it be equal?
"This..." Xuanzang was a little speechless.
Yuance behind him bowed to Li Shen:
“Your Highness Prince Ji, I, the Buddha, am merciful and hope that everything in the world can be equal. This is a good thing.
All things and all living beings are equal, there is no distinction between high and low, there will be no oppression, people in the world will no longer suffer, and will return to bliss. "
"Tsk~~~" Li Shen sneered when he heard Yuance's words.
“I must say that your wish is good, but it is not realistic. The Taoist notion of equality among all beings is not as good as letting everything go with fate.
Regardless of status, why did King Harsha's family in India rule the country and not allow others to rule?
Why do all people have to respect him and serve him, when there are so many people under him who don’t have enough food to eat?
Why does the Buddha statue in the main hall ask you to kneel down, but he just sits there and looks at you with a smile?
Is this what you mean by no distinction between noble and humble, high and low?
Absolutely ridiculous.
In the past, the Sui Dynasty was tyrannical, and the people were displaced and living in poverty. It was Aweng and Aye who rose up in rebellion.
They built this empire for the sake of the people of the world, risking their lives, and countless others died on the road.
Today, our Great Tang is at peace all over the country, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and it is a prosperous time.
And then you let my Aye be equal to all living beings?
What was the meaning of our ancestors doing this?"
Li Shen's words were very sharp. I finally became a superior person again, and you keep telling me that everyone is equal. How can I accept this?
I must be superior to others, otherwise my father's work would be in vain.
Scholars study independently in order to make a name for themselves and bring honor to their family.
People work hard to make money so that they and their families can live a better life and become better people.
Li Shen's words left Xuanzang speechless, and none of the disciples behind him came out to debate.
There was no way. Li Shen mentioned the emperor. Who would dare to respond to such words? Who would dare to say that His Majesty should be equal to the people?
Isn't this simply seeking death?
We talk to you about ideals, and you talk to me about reality.
Li Shen took a sip of tea, calmed down, and spoke in a calmer tone:
"I'm sorry, I was a little impatient just now. In fact, I don't oppose your Buddhist teachings.
Buddhism can guide people to be good and resolve the hostility of the people, which is a good thing for the court.
It’s just that some things need to be changed to suit the situation of our Central Plains Dynasty. This can be regarded as adapting to local customs.
Master Xuanzang, do you think what I said is right?"
"Amitabha, Your Highness Prince Ji is right. I will consider it carefully."
Xuanzang bowed with a serious look on his face.
“It’s not a consideration, it’s a must-change.
Master Xuanzang, I sincerely admire your journey to India to seek Buddhist scriptures. I have even written a legend to praise your deeds.
Let more people in the Tang Dynasty know about your achievements, Master Xuanzang.
But you also have to know that our Tang Dynasty is actually very xenophobic. If you cannot get along with us, then the only way out is destruction.
This is also for the good of Buddhism."
(The thoughts in this article only represent Li Shen’s personal opinion and have nothing to do with the author.)