Li Po felt dizzy for a while, but fortunately, what Xuanzang said were simple principles in Buddhist scriptures. This was for the purpose of promoting Buddhism, so he didn't understand. He was very considerate of the emperor.
Of course, Li Po didn't ask him to come to Tai Chi Hall to discuss scriptures and Dharma.
"Is this really the case? Buddhism is indeed profound and profound, but I have never seen many monks who live in poverty and enjoy Taoism. On the contrary, there are some demonic monks from the south who dare to deceive people's hearts and make people call themselves emperors.
What I want to know is, are you Buddhists cultivating yourselves, or is there someone who can clean up the door?"
Xuanzang was silent, and after a long time he said: "Buddha said that all living beings are equal. As long as everyone worships the Buddha and practices, he will have his own destiny..."
Li Po interrupted him with a smile, "So, Buddhism can't control its own monks?"
Xuanzang smiled bitterly and nodded. He could not refute this point in any case. Buddhism has never been a powerful organization, and there is no such figure as a martial arts leader.
There are still a lot of disputes among the major temples due to different methods of practice. No one can say what is right. Whether they are powerful depends on the number of believers, the distance from the government, the number of powerful people who grant credit, and other factors.
With the development of Buddhism to this day, there are many schools of thought, but they are generally represented by Fahua Sect, Pure Land Sect, and Zen sects. As for their characteristics, it goes without saying that they are essentially about the understanding of teachings.
As well as schools that arise from different missionary priorities.
The ultimate goal is actually just one, to figure out how to become a Buddha and become an ancestor. As for guiding people to do good, leading believers to the Paradise of Paradise in the West, or sending them into reincarnation, these are all means of preaching.
Without these, people would not believe in Buddha. The methods of other religions are generally similar, and they all sound good, but in fact they only consider human nature.
Arousing the desires (harmony) in your heart and guiding them is religion.
What people yearn for is to turn their thoughts into reality, but you may be thinking too much, so people with strong hearts will not be confused by religion. Such people will not be able to join any sect.
Pictured.
…………
Since there are factions, it means that the monks at this time are often in internal strife, let alone those fake monks who cheat and kidnap.
In fact, Li Po knew very well, but he just set a trap in his words.
If you say you can control it, then you are interfering with the functions of the government and competing with the court for power. So what do you want to do?
And if you say you can't control that much, then what do the so-called eminent monks and big temples among you do? After a long time of quarrel, it's none of your business if the monks commit evil, right? You want the court to ask the Buddha
?
Xuanzang was silent again. He had a feeling that there was no excuse to inflict a crime, and finally there was some fear in his heart. Why did His Majesty the Emperor say this to him? Did he want to harm Buddhism?
Thinking about it, it didn't seem like it, so he said: "Your Majesty is so sage and wise, seeing that all the people can live and work in peace and contentment, can't you be compassionate and give me a pure land in Buddhism?"
Furthermore, there are one or two scoundrels in Buddhism, just like there are corrupt people in the government. It is common sense in this world that we can just clean it up from time to time. Why should we act recklessly and hold innocent people accountable?"
Li Po smiled and said, "This is sophistry. The so-called embankment of a thousand miles collapses with the nests of ants. A room with a hundred feet burns with smoke from the cracks. If you can't prevent the slightest change, how can you achieve success?"
Telling you this is actually very useless..."
Hearing this, Xuanzang raised his head and looked at the emperor, his face turned a little red, because the words hidden in these light words were full of contempt, which is almost telling you clearly.
You monks can just fiddle with some scriptures, but you can't accomplish anything important. Talking to you about great principles is just a waste of time.
If you can't even figure out Buddhism's own affairs, let alone control them, what's the point of using it?
And a sophistical remark really touched the monk's pain point. The monk is very particular about speaking lotus flowers. In layman's terms, it means that the monk likes to talk.
The monk finally got angry, but he was facing the king of a country, but he couldn't get angry. He could only suppress it silently with his profound Buddhist teachings.
After a few words, Li Po stopped talking nonsense and said: "Okay, let's not talk about those gossips and let you come to Chang'an with us. It has been so long. Do you think clearly why?"
This did not trouble Xuanzang, he managed to swallow his breath, nodded gently and said: "His Majesty promised Baima Temple to Zen Master Huizhen that monks are like common people and must be controlled by the government.
The poor monk and the Zen master have discussed it. Your Majesty ordered the poor monk to accompany him to Chang'an for this reason?"
Li Po said with satisfaction: "I originally had this intention. I saw in Luoyang that you are young, very adaptable, and come from an aristocratic family, and you know the principles of the world. You have also been in many big temples, and you know many eminent monks.
That’s why I want you to help me, so that the monks can have some pure land to practice without disturbing outsiders..."
Having said this, Li Po couldn't help but feel happy, and then quickly adjusted his expression and continued: "It's just that I also know that nothing can be mutually exclusive..."
The conversation changed very quickly, and Xuanzang was also a little stunned. Did I say I didn't want to? Why can't we force each other? It's something that can bring benefits to the monks in the world, and this is what a poor monk wants.
Li Po doesn't care about his thoughts. Does the tool man have his own thoughts?
"I heard from Monk Huizhen that you want to go to Tianzhu to seek scriptures? Did I remember correctly?"
Xuanzang's heart was moved, and he immediately clasped his palms together and said: "Your Majesty still remembers... This is the great wish of the poor monk. Buddhism has been spread to Tianzhu for hundreds of years, but no one has been able to go to Tianzhu.
All virtuous people feel deeply regretful.
The poor monk has been studying the Buddha since he was a child, and when he consulted the scriptures, he often thought that since the Buddhism spread from India to the east, the scriptures and other books were all translated by predecessors, and the source of the Buddhism in India is often unclear. The Buddhism in India..."
Li Po waved his hand and interrupted him, "I don't want to debate Buddhism with you. Needless to say, since it is a big wish, how about I grant it to you and allow you to take a trip to Tianzhu?"
Xuanzang was overjoyed and worshiped devoutly: "Your Majesty, this poor monk has a great opportunity..."
Li Po laughed and said, "We still don't know what kind of opportunity it is. It's a long way to Tianzhu. You should go back and make preparations. Then I will have someone escort you west."
But I want to advise you, you are a Tang Dynasty person, and Buddhism is spread in Tianzhu in the Central Plains. At first glance, it is a good thing, leading people to do good. There are not too many such methods.
But after thinking about what happened later, you also know clearly that there is a Buddhist who disturbs the original law in China.
So, what are the monks in Tianzhu doing? I need you to help me take a look. Especially the situation in Tianzhu country. You need to investigate more. Why is Buddhism so chaotic in the Central Plains? Tianzhu is fine.