Chapter 649 The Past and Present Life of Nestorianism
The Tang Dynasty was an open and tolerant dynasty, which could accommodate everything in the world.
As long as it exists, it is reasonable and we will accept it.
Exotic headwear, makeup, and clothing colors all became the objects of imitation by women of the Tang Dynasty.
Those costumes, headgear, and makeup that were not surprising in foreign countries, after traveling across the ocean to the Tang Dynasty, became a nationally competitive fashion.
In terms of clothing, customs and customs, Datang never rejected new things, and even welcomed them. New things meant they were rare, which meant they could become the center of attention.
This is the self-confidence of a great country.
The source of confidence lies in the fact that the Tang Dynasty has an invincible army. These foreign and new things are not brought by the Tang Dynasty. They are prisoners of war who come to the Tang Dynasty in line with ropes. When the ladies see them, they feel
The headdress is good, the clothes are good, let’s learn from them.
The same goes for religion.
Under the enlightenment and tolerance of the Tang Dynasty, the people of the Tang Dynasty did not reject foreign religions.
For example, Buddhism is actually a foreign religion, but it is a very sensible person. After coming to the Tang Dynasty, it never put on airs and took the initiative to change the religious rules to cater to the people of the Tang Dynasty. It also created purposes such as reincarnation for good to cater to the rulers.
Therefore, Buddhism, a foreign religion, flourished in the Tang Dynasty and could compete with Taoism, the state religion.
Nestorianism is also a foreign religion, and its influence is not small.
In fact, in the early Tang Dynasty, there were not two but three major religions active in the Tang Dynasty, and Nestorianism was one of them.
Nestorianism is the predecessor of Christianity. It was born in the Assyrian Empire, which was later known as Syria. It has been more than two hundred years ago. Later, it was not tolerated by the Roman Church, so it fled to the Persian Empire. Under the protection of the Persian king, Nestorianism
, Manichaeism and Aojiao are collectively known as the three major religions in Central Asia.
Because of its great reputation in the Western Regions and its widespread followers, in the ninth year of Zhenguan, Nestorian messengers traveled across the Western Regions and came to the Tang Dynasty.
It has to be said that when Nestorian came to the Tang Dynasty, they started with a pair of extremely good cards, two kings plus four twos.
When the Nestorian religion first arrived in Chang'an, Li Shimin, along with the then prime minister Fang Xuanling and all civil and military officials, went out of the city to greet the envoy. Li Shimin was so pleased that he gave the Nestorian envoy a Chinese name, "Aluoben", which means
He is the "messenger sent by God."
Later, Li Shimin even approved the envoys to build the Daqin Temple in Yiningfang of Chang'an City. Twenty-one believers were allowed in the temple to develop believers in the Tang Dynasty and spread. The imperial court also allocated funds every year to help the development of Nestorianism.
When the emperor and the prime minister personally came out of the city to greet them, allocate land and funds, tolerantly allowed them to develop themselves, and even didn't mind them sharing the cakes of Taoism and Buddhism.
This hand of cards is good enough. As long as you gain a little energy, you may now be the biggest competitor of Buddhism and Taoism.
It's a pity that a good hand of cards was ruined by themselves. It was extremely bad.
Buddhism teaches people to be kind and to drive away evil spirits and eliminate disasters. Taoism teaches people to maintain health and longevity. If you take a medicine and have good luck, you may become a god.
Each of the two religions has its own purpose and style. No matter which one is heard in the ears of the people, does it sound a little bit emotional? This Bodhisattva can deal with it, this Laojun is worth paying attention to, and I will give you money to make a wish.
As for Nestorianism, their first step was wrong since they appeared in the Tang Dynasty.
They focus on developing the market of believers on businessmen.
Since Nestorianism was founded, including its subsequent development in Central Asia, most of their followers were local businessmen.
The merchants had money, so Nestorianism collected money from Christian merchants and used it to win over the people.
The purpose of Buddhism and Taoism is to benefit the people, but the purpose of Nestorianism is to develop the economy, which is referred to as "making money".
In terms of purpose, Nestorianism was inferior. However, the development process of Nestorianism in the Tang Dynasty included many shady and dirty methods, such as bribing low-level officials, using charlatanism to attract people, etc.
In the current Linde year, Nestorianism has been in the Tang Dynasty for decades, but the development of the sect is getting worse year by year.
The exclusion of Buddhism and Taoism is one of the reasons. Many officials have clearly seen the nature of Nestorianism and are disgusted with it. This is also one of the reasons. The bigger reason is that Nestorianism's methods of making money are becoming more and more disgraceful.
The people at the bottom also began to hate it.
At this moment, the young man and shopkeeper Wu downstairs were obviously having an unpleasant confrontation between the sect and the believers.
To join a sect, you have to pay money to the sect. Shopkeeper Wu is a follower of Nestorianism, but Nestorianism has increased its prices this month.
Inflation probably also exists in the world of Western gods.
After listening to Sun Congdong talk about the past and present life of Nestorianism, Li Qinzai's brows furrowed even deeper.
Foreign monks can recite sutras, but the prerequisite is that you do not disturb others by reciting sutras.
Downstairs, shopkeeper Wu was already a little angry: "I can't do this anymore, so quit!"
The young man smiled contemptuously: "Do you still remember the oath you took to join the Nestorian religion? Now that you have joined Nestorian Christianity, it is not easy to quit. You can come and leave at any time. Do you think that we, Nestorian Christians, are your patrons in a brothel?
"
Shopkeeper Wu also laughed: "Don't forget, this is the Tang Dynasty, a place where kings have their own laws!"
"Do you believe it or not, I can stop your brothel from opening without violating the king's laws?" The young man laughed wildly.
Shopkeeper Wu blushed but said nothing.
He knew that the young man was not a threat to him, but that the dirty tricks of the Chang'an market would indeed make it impossible for his brothel to continue operating.
They dare to do anything, throw excrement, release snakes, block doors, spread rumors, and many times the government can't do anything against them because they can't get any evidence.
Li Qinzai, who was upstairs, was holding on to the railing, his face growing colder.
"Can no one cure these bastards?" Li Qinzai asked.
Sun Congdong smiled bitterly and said: "No one can really cure it, unless the emperor speaks out and drives Nestorianism out of the Tang Dynasty completely."
"Who gave them the confidence?"
"The Marquis of Li County has rarely heard of Nestorianism. In fact, Nestorianism is also very smart. They not only win over businessmen and people, but they also have their followers in the court."
Li Qinzai was slightly moved: "In the court? What rank of officials are you?"
"From the youngest to the chief minister, to the oldest to the assistant minister, there are also some idle county men and county uncles who all joined Nestorianism after their meritorious deeds."
Li Qinzai said nothing and watched coldly as the confrontation downstairs became more and more intense.
Squinting at the young man at the head, Li Qinzai became more and more displeased.
Shopkeeper Wu was speechless and obviously planned to swallow his anger. The young man saw his thoughts from his expression and couldn't help but become more and more arrogant. He turned around and laughed before leaving.
"Shopkeeper Wu, at this time tomorrow, I will come again to withdraw money. I wish your business is prosperous and you are safe from illness and disaster, haha!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a black wine jar suddenly crashed down from upstairs, hitting the arrogant young man squarely on the head.
There was a crisp bang, and the young man screamed loudly, and blood suddenly gurgled out of his head. The young man was hit so hard that his brain was dizzy, and his body shook several times. Several accomplices behind him hurriedly supported him.
"Who? Who dares to plot against me?" The young man looked around with red eyes.
Everyone looked upstairs, only to see Li Qinzai leaning on the railing, staring at his hands blankly, muttering: "What the hell, my hands slipped..."
Sun Congdong, who was behind him, chuckled and praised: "Marquis Li County's hands are really accurate!"