Religion is not necessary for the development of the entire society. Because religion is not born with the birth of this society, religion is only a phased product of society.
Another very important point is that human spiritual and cultural needs are always changing, and modern information is like a huge amount. No matter which religion it is, as long as it puts forward a belief goal, it cannot be easily removed.
Change, and such a faith goal that never changes cannot keep up with the pace of development of human society and cannot meet the needs of the human spirit.
Therefore, when society develops to a certain stage and humans no longer need the role and function of religion, religion will disappear. A simple example is the totem belief of ancient ancestors.
Totems are undoubtedly the most sacred things for tribes, but in later generations they have become relics. Only artists and historians are interested in them, and they do not have any mysterious power.
However, in Fei Qian's era, the speed of information dissemination was still very slow. The slow pace and long-term subtle organizational structure of religion was still very suitable for the environment of the Han Dynasty.
In fact, the entire system of Confucianism is considered very good, and there should be corresponding bonuses in terms of education and dissemination of knowledge, but the relationship between Confucianism and the Han Dynasty court is still too close.
The White Tiger Viewing Meeting held by Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty basically confirmed the dominance of Confucianism as an orthodox sect in the Han Dynasty. Confucian disciples rearranged the scriptures through modern scriptures and changed the interpretation of the scriptures to adapt to the new changes and requirements of the Han Dynasty court, thus obtaining
With the support of the emperor, he used Confucian-educated gentry children and local right-wingers to rule administratively.
It is precisely because of this that Confucianism has flourished forever and has become an evergreen tree in the land of China. Even if later dynasties consciously targeted it, it is still easy to cause whether they appoint Wang Anshi or Sima Guang. Although people do not
It’s the same, but it’s all Confucianism.
As the saying goes, once you enter Confucianism, you will find enemies on the road to political power. If Confucianism is deeply involved with political power, problems that are too big to be solved will inevitably arise.
As for Buddhism, monks appeared in the Han Dynasty, but due to doctrinal issues, there is no market for Buddhism in the current period. Moreover, Buddhism is too buddha-natured, and everything is just left to chance. If nothing else, just look at those pure and simple people in later generations.
Whether the Buddhist country is doing well or not, Fei Qian can already make a choice.
As for Christianity or Christianity?
From an exclusive perspective, this type of Unitarian sect is very suitable for aggression. They often say that if you don't believe it, you will go to hell in the future, or simply teach people to go to hell now.
It is indeed very suitable for conquest, but it is not conducive to rule and can easily intensify conflicts...
Therefore, after much thought, Fei Qian finally chose Taoism first.
Perhaps Zuo Ci is an opportunity, but more importantly, Taoism is more complex than Buddhism and more technologically advanced. The alchemists, the predecessors of Taoist priests, were chemists, doctors, and even social psychologists in ancient times.
.
The source of traditional Chinese medicine is the alchemist.
The source of the chemical industry is also the alchemist.
It's just that these alchemists ultimately used their power in the wrong direction...
The surrounding Hu people all have their own innate religion, but it is basically primitive worship. Most of them do not have any established scriptures and teachings. They also have their own gods, such as Changshengtian, Baishi God, and some strange ones.
Biology, and so on and so forth.
Although these barbarian people believe in different gods, they all belong to tribal religions, or they can be called regional religions, which are a religious system within a small scope. Without the tribe or this area, there is nothing.
Neither is it nor is it accepted by other tribes.
Now, the Taoism and Confucianism of the Han Dynasty that Fei Qian has come into contact with can only be called national religions, because these two sects are too closely related to Chinese customs and concepts, so although they are not exclusive, they want to be passed on to other people.
Regions often have different cultural levels and cultural customs, making it difficult to spread successfully.
In other words, it is easy to get acclimatized.
In order to spread to the outside world, in addition to having missionaries, it also needs a religious system that is more advanced than regional religions and has considerable appeal. This is exactly what Taoism currently lacks.
"The Tao can be Tao, but it is very Tao. The name can be named, but it is very famous."
Without explanation, most people won’t understand it at all, let alone accept it.
So when Fei Qian looked at Zuo Ci, his eyes became extremely complicated, making Zuo Ci a little uneasy.
The banquet was invited, the food was eaten, and the wine was drunk, so naturally it was time to talk about some serious business...
Fei Qian pondered for a long time and then said: "Zhen Zhenren, may I ask why you prospered and why you failed?"
Zuo Ci's eyelids twitched. He lowered his head and thought silently. It took a long time before he said word by word: "...Tao, prosperity with Tao, defeat with Tao..."
Fei Qian clapped his hands lightly and praised: "Zhenren Zuo has mastered the Tao..."
Taoism actually had no enemies at the beginning, and its enemy was only himself.
Taoism is one of China's native sects, with "Tao" as its highest belief. Taoism is based on the concept of worshiping ghosts and gods in ancient China, based on the theoretical basis of Huang Lao Taoist thought, and inherited the immortal alchemy since the Warring States Period. Overall, it is a
The main purpose of the polytheistic religious system is to pursue immortality, attain enlightenment, become an immortal, and save the world and save people.
When Zuo Ci heard that Fei Qian asked such words, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised. Now, although Zuo Ci said that yesterday's pretentiousness was exposed by Fei Qian, the county magistrates and generals he has met in recent years also have
There are quite a few, but basically they are either asking for prescriptions, complaining about their troubles, or even seeking immortality. However, people like Fei Qian are the first to directly point to the central idea of Taoism and inquire about the essence of Taoism...
Zuo Ci looked at Fei Qian and said with some uncertainty: "Is it possible that the general also worships Tianzun?"
Fei Qian smiled and shook his head slightly. It was always difficult to say that I just didn't believe in God in front of my face, so he said in vague words: "The offering is just a ritual, and the God is at his own mercy."
When Zuo Ci heard this, his eyes immediately lit up. He repeated it in a murmur, and couldn't help but put up his palms and praise Tianzun, praising: "The general is indeed wise, and his words have profound meaning... Well, the offering is just a ceremony, Tianzun is at ease in the heart...
...Well, goodness, great goodness, deep meaning of 'Tao follows nature'..."
oh?
What do I mean by what I said?
Okay.
Fei Qian blinked and could only smile. In fact, isn't this a technique used by almost all religions in later generations? It's like "God is with you" in Western religions and "Everyone can succeed" in Buddhism.
"Buddha", don't they all mean the same thing?
Fei Qian waited until Zuo Ci calmed down a little, then said: "If you want to know the way, there is only one way. Is Master Zuo willing to be a person who knows the way?"
Zuo Ci was stunned for a moment and remained silent.
This is a major problem in Taoism, and it is also a very big obstacle in the spread of Taoism. There are too many gods in Taoism, so many that even people in Taoism don’t know what they are, such as Shang Shang Taiyi Jun and Wuji Taijun.
Lord Shangyuan, Father of the East King, Queen Mother of the West, etc., each has a detailed description to ensure authenticity and credibility. But the problem is that when the people do not even recognize the words, can they distinguish so many divine monarchs?
If "three establishments" are the dream of most people who study Confucian classics, then founding a religion is naturally the basic wish of religious people. At the worst, they will regard spreading teachings as a part of their lives.
Therefore, when Fei Qian said the words "Ming Dao", Zuo Ci's heart couldn't help but beat violently. At his level, his understanding of Taoism was beyond that of ordinary Taoists, so for Taoism
The disadvantages are also clearer, but although Zuo Ci understands it, he can't think of any solution, just like being in the mountains, knowing the depth of the clouds, but not knowing the depth...
"May I ask, General, why you know the way?" Zuo Ci did not immediately agree happily. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, stared at Fei Qian closely, and asked every word.
Since Fei Qian proposed to "understand the Tao", there must be a certain method, or even a moral principle that can create a new school. Otherwise, it will just be lip service and talk, and cannot be truly implemented.
At this moment, Zuo Ci was even more nervous than Fei Qian, because in his heart he actually hoped that Fei Qian could come up with some brand-new theories to resolve his long-standing doubts...
"The difficulty in Tao means that immortality cannot be achieved..." Fei Qian nodded and said lightly, "I wonder if Zuo Zhenren thinks so?"
At the beginning, Taoism put forward the concept of immortality in order to firmly grasp the hearts of the ruling class, or to borrow human beings' fear of death, and at the same time to comply with the requirements of the ruling class. However, this theory of immortality became the foundation of Taoism.
The rise of Taoism has also become an obstacle to Taoism.
Because this is too easy to prove to be false, even if there are other excuses to cover up the repairs, the ruthless reality always slaps you in the face again and again...
The first person to be beaten in the face was naturally Qin Shihuang.
It is precisely because of this that once the ruling class finds out that it has been deceived, Xu Fu will not be responsible for the monstrous anger that escaped...
Zuo Ci remained silent for a long time, then nodded slowly, as if the bones in his neck were rusty, it was difficult and painful, and said: "May I ask the general how to solve it?"
This is the fundamental doctrine of Taoism, and Zuo Ci is also troubled by this. Overturning the theory of immortality also overturns the foundation of Taoism. However, this immortality is indeed a huge insurmountable gap in front of us.
In this regard, Buddhism and Western sects analyze the shortcomings of Taoism, do not shy away from death in this life, and greatly exaggerate the blessings of the next life or eternal life after death, so as to avoid this practical problem.
Under Zuo Ci's expectant gaze, Fei Qian said slowly: "This matter is difficult to say and easy to say. It just depends on how Zuo Zhenren is willing to choose..."
Zuo Ci took a long breath and remained silent.
Zuo Ci knew what Feiqian meant, but it was difficult to make this decision.
Originally, Zuo Ci came to Pingyang to use some tricks to fool Fei Qian, and then get some benefits from Fei Qian, and pretend to be Zuo Xianren in a cool and unrestrained manner, but Fei Qian saw through it.
Therefore, from Zuo Xianren, he was downgraded to Zuo Zhenren, which is equivalent to the status of a retainer. In later generations, it is the so-called ordinary consultant level of the company. And now when Fei Qian said such a sentence, it also meant this
If Zuo Ci really wants to know what kind of strategies Fei Qian has, he must treat Fei Qian as his master and change from a retainer to a subordinate.
Relatively speaking, retainers, or guest generals, are relatively free and do not have so many restrictions. Even if Zuo Ci becomes unhappy for a moment, he can leave at any time, just like Guan Yu left Cao Cao and Liu Bei left Yuan Shao.
, there is no issue of betrayal.
But once you express your respect for him as the leader, it is different. Anyone who betrays the leader will undoubtedly be labeled as a traitor. From now on, wherever he goes, he will be looked down upon with contempt.
Zuo Ci's eyebrows kept beating. After a long time, the pursuit of Taoist teachings finally overwhelmed everything. He left the table and bowed down with some helplessness, saying: "If the general can teach you without mercy, enlighten the way to relieve the poor, the poor... Ci is willing to help."
The general drove..."
Fei Qian hurriedly stepped forward, helped Zuo Ci up, and then asked Zuo Ci to sit down again. Fang said, "Don't worry about Yuan Zang. Someone will definitely help Yuan Fang here, establish a sect, and Guangdao Sect..." It wasn't Fei Qian.
There is a subconscious intention to embarrass Zuo Ci, but there must be such a distinction between priority, otherwise when Zuo Ci has more people in the later period and loses this name, it will inevitably be difficult to control.
Zuo Ci raised his palms, originally wanting to bow his head, but halfway through, he changed his hands and said, "...Please give me some advice, General..."
"Since immortality is unattainable..." Fei Qian nodded and said word by word, "I will change it to a transcendent life!"
"...super...sheng..." Zuo Ci was stunned, then murmured and repeated.
The current Taoism, in addition to lamenting the shortness of life and using immortality as a bait to avoid the Chinese people's fear of being a ghost after death, has no corresponding remedies for the shortcomings and regrets caused at each stage of life, let alone talking about the afterlife.
situation, so it is not very attractive.
Buddhism is about doing good deeds to eliminate karma, Christianity is also selling indulgences, no matter what, they all give people some psychological sustenance when they encounter regrets and regrets, while Taoism is a rigid "let nature take its course"...
…
Especially regarding life and death, "Buddha advocates no life, Tao seeks immortality." Although immortality is a vision born from people's natural desire to live and fear death, it is a religious doctrine and can easily be falsified from both logic and experience.
: Logically speaking, since there is life, there is no reason for immortality; judging from empirical facts, there is no immortal person throughout the ages. Taoism’s theory of immortality, especially physical immortality, has always been refuted and criticized by other opposing sects.
Therefore, the doctrine of "immortality" must be reformed. If it is not reformed, it means setting a huge target, and there are not many means to fight back when others attack...
"...Superbirth, superbirth!" Zuo Ci murmured and repeated, a smooth smile slowly appeared on his face, and then the smile spread, and he looked up to the sky and laughed, "Superbirth! That's it! The remaining body has been shed.
, Reshape the Immortal Body! That's right! Hahaha... When you conquer the golden elixir avenue, it is the beginning of transcendence! You can enjoy the life span of heaven and earth! You can travel to the Nine Netherworlds of the Clouds! Hahaha..."
