After the failure of the Journey to the West, Buddhism suffered from internal and external troubles, and its luck was greatly reduced.
All over Buddhism, people are in panic.
Many disciples already have thoughts of running away.
The current eastward journey was originally only led by Qin Ran, representing the forces of the Human Religion, and Heavenly Court was also involved. It was already paralyzed by the situation.
But now, Chanjiao, Difu, and Jiejiao have joined in.
For Buddhism, this is undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
Jie Ying cannot imagine how much the fortune of Buddhism (bhah) will be weakened by the combined forces of all parties if this move succeeds.
Maybe even the foundation of the West cannot be preserved, and Buddhism is even in danger of being exterminated.
This is a situation he never wants to see.
You must know that when the two brothers became saints, due to their weak heels, they were not as blessed with great luck as Sanqing and Nuwa.
Then he made forty-nine great wishes to the way of heaven.
Although he became a saint, he owed a huge amount of merit to heaven.
These merits must be repaid by Buddhist luck.
Originally, if the journey to the west was successful and Buddhism flourished, they would be able to repay these heavenly merits and completely stabilize the holy throne.
But now that the journey to the west has failed, Buddhism's luck has been greatly reduced, and it is far from possible to repay the karma of heaven. This is dangerous.
Once Buddhism dies, they will have to bear the boundless karma from heaven, and may be in danger of losing their holy status.
Jieyin looked towards the quasi causeway:
"Junior brother, what do you think we should do now?"
"To persuade Yuan Shi and jointly explain the teachings, Nuwa can also win over and find ways to curb the spread of Taoism."
Zhun Di pondered.
As for boycotting the Eastward Journey, it is completely unfeasible.
After all, behind the eastward journey, in addition to Qin Ran, there were also the saints of heaven such as Laozi, Tongtian, and Houtu.
Once Buddhism takes action, regardless of whether it will have any effect, at least it will directly face a strong counterattack.
According to the current situation of Buddhism, it is absolutely unbearable
Among the saints, only Yuanshi and Nuwa have the possibility to fight for it.
However, I feel like my hope is still a bit slim.
"Nu Wa has always ignored the affairs of the prehistoric times, and Yuan Shi has now intervened in the eastward journey. She must have made a clear deal with Qin Ran and all parties. It is a bit unrealistic to convince them."
Take the lead.
"This requires giving up some interests. Which one is bigger and which one is smaller? Senior brother should know clearly in his mind. After all, this is also the way to deal with the situation."
Quasi causeway.
Jieyin was silent and had to admit that Zhunti was telling the truth.
There are not many options left for Buddhism now.
Only by being ruthless and willing to sacrifice your interests can you ensure that everything will not be lost in the future.
…
Daleiyin Temple.
The Tathagata, with his majestic appearance, was sitting high on the lotus platform and was preaching the Dharma. Suddenly, flowers fell from the sky, golden lotuses appeared and disappeared, and boundless visions arose.
It is an extremely mysterious Buddhist teaching.
The Buddha and Bodhisattvas below were listening indifferently, and the scene was chaotic. At this time, Manjushri Bodhisattva suddenly exclaimed and his expression changed.
Tathagata, who was already very dissatisfied with this situation, immediately frowned and said displeasedly:
"Manjushri Bodhisattva, why do you exclaim in public?"
All the true Buddhas and Bodhisattvas suddenly looked surprised and looked at Manjushri Bodhisattva in confusion.
Anyway, Buddhism is such a mess, and everyone can understand how to just muddle along.
But you can't go too far. If the boss doesn't give you any face, do you still want to hang out?
Manjushri Bodhisattva quickly explained:
"Reporting to the Buddha, something happened over there in the Tang Dynasty?"
"Datang?"
Tathagata was directly confused by Manjushri Bodhisattva
Recently, the eastward journey has begun, and various forces have appeared one after another. He has been almost overwhelmed with work in Nishiga Niuzhou recently.
How can I have time to pay attention to the Tang Dynasty?
What's more, if something goes wrong in the Tang Dynasty, what does it have to do with Buddhism?
Manjushri explained:
"Buddha, yesterday at the court meeting, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty openly expressed his intention to demolish the temple and destroy the Buddha, but he was stopped by the officials."
"What?" "Bold!"
"That's unreasonable!"
Daleiyin Temple suddenly went into an uproar, and the faces of many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas changed.
Although Buddhism has declined, the situation is not that bad yet.
How come you are so close to destroying the Buddha in such a short time?
Tathagata quickly asked:
"Then why did the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty want to destroy the Buddha? What happened?"
"I don't know the specific situation. Ever since Tang Sanzang returned to the Tang Dynasty, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty's attitude towards Buddhism seemed to have suddenly changed. It only took a dozen days."
Manjushri Bodhisattva explained.
There were Buddhist spies in the Tang Dynasty, and he had just learned about this.
"Tang Sanzang? This matter has something to do with him?"
Tathagata asked with some confusion.
"There is some connection. It is said that after Tang Sanzang arrived at Lingshan, Buddha did not preach the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. The Emperor Tang felt that Buddhism did not abide by the previous agreement and was playing tricks on him, so he was so angry."
The Way of Manjusri Bodhisattva...
"Didn't Mahayana Buddhist scriptures be preached?"
Tathagata was a little confused.
Tang Sanzang didn't retrieve the scriptures. Why should you blame Buddhism if you go to him? This emperor is too stubborn. Does he really think that gods and Buddhas can be provoked at will?
And you really think that Buddhism doesn’t want to spread the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures? It’s just that Journey to the West failed, and it can’t spread even if it wants to.
Many true Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also feel unbelievable
After all, this reason is too far-fetched.
"Isn't there something else going on in this?"
Tathagata asked.
He knew that this matter would never be that simple.
After all, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty was an outstanding figure of his generation and an extremely intelligent person. There was no way he would go to war with Buddhism just for such a reason.
"I don't know for sure, but it is said that Tang Sanzang, after returning to the Tang Dynasty, did not meet the emperor of the Tang Dynasty at the medical clinic."
"But after the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty heard the news of his return, he ordered someone to tell him that Tang Sanzang was captured from the brothel and brought to the palace."
"On that day, all the civil and military officials in the dynasty were present. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty originally wanted to greet him and congratulate him on his return from Buddhist scriptures. Unexpectedly, he saw Tang Sanzang like this. He was furious because of this. After a few days, his attitude towards Buddhism took a turn for the worse."
Manjushri Bodhisattva said with a strange expression.
Tathagata couldn't help but have a headache, Tang Sanzang, Tang Sanzang again, could this guy be the bane of Buddhism? Why would trouble come every time he was mentioned?
What kind of sin did I commit in the first place to smoke such a stupid Fei Pingdi?
Many true Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can't help but have black lines on their heads.
How shameful.
Damn, this guy is really talented.
It’s okay for you to eat meat, drink alcohol, and visit brothels on the way to seek Buddhist scriptures. You’ve already returned to the Tang Dynasty and you’re still doing this.
It doesn't matter that he did this, he was actually caught on the spot by the guards and brought to Wu's house.
Doesn’t this just bring discredit on Buddhism’s face?
What would the civil and military officials of the dynasty think when they saw this? The Buddhist scripture collector personally selected by Guanyin Bodhisattva was actually such a thing!
Don't blame the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty who couldn't bear it, no one else could bear it.
Tathagata asked with a gloomy face:
"Then doesn't the King of Tang know that Tripitaka has been expelled from Buddhism?"
Manjushri Bodhisattva looked at Tathagata with a strange expression.
Damn it, what do you think?
The Buddhist scripture collectors were personally selected by the Buddhist sect, and Guanyin Bodhisattva also appeared.
Still at the Qiqi Water and Land Conference, he was quite impressive.
In order to show goodwill to Buddhism and express goodwill, the king of the Tang Dynasty even directly became a brother with this guy and named him the imperial younger brother of the Tang Dynasty. At the beginning of his westward journey, he led his civil and military officials to see him off in a majestic carriage with a shield.
I have high hopes for this guy to obtain the true scripture.
Now more than ten years have passed, but I have been waiting for such a thing.
Who is not angry when this happens?
Do you really think that it can be explained by the reason that Tang Sanzang has no connection with Buddhism?
What's more, up to now, Buddhism has not sent anyone to the Tang Dynasty, as Diu explained.
Tathagata also felt that his question was superfluous. He could only say that Tang Sanzang's operation was too sharp, and he had once again hacked the Buddhist sect, and he was caught off guard.
"It is indeed a shame for Buddhism that Sanzang of the Tang Dynasty did not abide by the rules and precepts and lingered in the place where fireworks were played."
"The Emperor of Tang was understandably angry about this.
"It's just that despite this, the Emperor of Tang Dynasty is not so disgusted with Buddhism. He has already reached the stage of destroying Buddhism."
The ancient Buddha of Ran Deng said from the side, "Not bad."
Many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas nodded.
Tang Sanzang did not obtain the true scriptures, did not abide by the rules and precepts, and was nostalgic for the brothel. This can only show that he was willing to fall, and he would not directly rise to the entire Buddhist sect.
There is definitely something else inside.
Manjushri Bodhisattva was moved in his heart and said:
"Buddha, in addition to Tang Sanzang's return, another major event has happened in the Tang Dynasty recently."
"whats the matter?"
Tathagata's eyes lit up and he asked quickly.
"For some unknown reason, Wei Zheng, a minister whom the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty had always relied on, was suddenly convicted and imprisoned.
"Wei Zheng?"
Tathagata was stunned for a moment and then came to his senses.
"Isn't he one of the chess pieces laid out by Buddhism at the beginning of the Journey to the West?"
Manjushri Bodhisattva nodded and said:
"Yes, he was the one who killed the Dragon King of Jinghe. Venerable Guanyin personally planned this matter."
Tathagata was shocked and thought of bad health.
Could it be that he already knew about Buddhism's plan to travel to the west and plot against the Emperor of Tang Dynasty?
But when I think about it carefully, it seems impossible.
After all, this matter was planned by Guanyin Bodhisattva and was extremely secretive. Except for some real Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Buddhism and some gods in heaven, no other gods and Buddhas knew about it.
Although Li Shimin was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he was only a mortal. How could he know?
Tathagata couldn't help but look at Guanyin Bodhisattva.
"Venerable Guanyin, what's going on?"
Many true Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also looked over at once, and Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly looked confused.
Why are you all looking at me? I just found out about this.
"For the record, Lord Buddha, after the journey to the West began, I no longer paid attention to the affairs of the Tang Dynasty. I don't know about this matter."
However, Guanyin Bodhisattva changed his mind and understood what the Tathagata was really asking, and hurriedly said:
"However, Wei Zheng is involved with Buddhism. When he was planning the plan, he made an agreement that if the matter succeeds, after his death, he will go to the underworld and become a judge."
"It should be impossible for him to leak the inside story of Journey to the West
In other words, Wei Zhengzhan is a Buddhist.
Working for Buddhism and keeping secrets will have a bright future, but once these secrets are revealed, he will offend the entire Buddhism.
It is impossible for the other party to measure clearly.
Tathagata suddenly couldn't help but become more confused and felt that this matter was unusual. The reason why the Tang emperor's attitude towards Buddhism changed significantly was most likely related to Wei Zheng.
But Wei Zheng really has no reason to betray Buddhism and leak secrets, so what is the problem?
The Tathagata couldn't help but close his eyes, and he started to count with his shield and waist.
The secret of heaven is in chaos, and nothing can be gained.
Tathagata was suddenly shocked. Could it be that this matter was related to that person again? Or maybe a saint took action?
After all, apart from saints, there are few people in the world who can isolate his deduction methods.
Tathagata's face became serious, he looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva and said:
"Venerable Guanyin, go to the Tang Dynasty immediately to find out the truth about the Tang King's change of attitude towards Buddhism. If necessary, explain it to him. Don't let him misunderstand Buddhism."
“Follow the Buddha’s decree.”
The hard work fell on his head again, Guanyin Bodhisattva sighed inwardly, turned around and left.
After Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva left, Tathagata also left the Great Thunder Sound Temple and headed for the Land of Ultimate Bliss. This matter was related to the foundation of Buddhism's destiny, and he had to report it to the two saints.
Tang Dynasty, Chang'an City.
After Guanyin Bodhisattva left Daleiyin Temple, he hurried here.
She knew in her heart that the reason why the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty's attitude towards Buddhism took a turn for the worse was probably because the other party knew part of the truth.
The key point of the matter lies in Wei Zheng, so Guanyin Bodhisattva came directly to Wei Zheng's mansion.
But the scene in front of her shocked her. Wei Zheng's mansion was banned. Not only Wei Zheng, but also everyone in his family was implicated and put in jail.
This shocked Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Wei Zheng was convicted, and everyone in his family was implicated. It seems that the crime was not light.
But how could things be like this?
After all, Wei Zheng was a man of noble destiny. He would still become a judge of the underworld after his death. How could he suddenly suffer such a bad fate?
Who is targeting Buddhism?
Guanyin Bodhisattva quickly started to calculate with his fingers, but found that the heavenly secrets were in chaos and unclear.
Guanyin Bodhisattva became even more frightened. "Could it be that the saint took action?"
"Maybe I should go and see Wei Zheng in prison, so that I can understand the whole story."
Thinking like this, the figure of Guanyin Bodhisattva disappeared directly from the place and came to the prison where Wei Zheng was imprisoned.
At this time, Wei Zheng was unkempt, his clothes were tattered, and he was in a miserable state. How could he still have the majesty and magnificence of an important official of the Tang Dynasty?
A piece of Buddha's light descended, and Wei Zheng raised his head and looked at the appearance of Guanyin Bodhisattva that suddenly appeared, and his face suddenly showed excitement.
"Bodhisattva, why are you here?"
But in a flash, he seemed to think of something again, and there was a hint of fear in his eyes.
Not long ago, the King of Tang Dynasty somehow found out about Buddhism's conspiracy against him. After some questioning, he told the truth.
Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly appeared this time? Is it because of this incident?
Looking at Wei Zheng in such an image, Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but show a complicated look on his face.
She did not expect that Wei Zheng, who was originally of noble status and prominent position, would fall to such a state in such a short period of time.
Could it be said that the King of Tang really knew the truth of the matter?