"Your Majesty, since this Buddhist scripture is unrealistic and full of empty words, you can just destroy it. Why do you still need to convene a Dharma conference for this purpose?"
At this time, a minister suddenly said:
These words can be regarded as expressing the thoughts of the officials present, and this is exactly what they are confused about.
His Majesty held the Buddhist Dharma Conference with great fanfare, and strictly ordered all the civil and military officials of the entire court to attend, and the standards were so reduced.
However, the Buddhist scriptures taught in the venue were so flashy, full of loopholes and full of absurd remarks.
What is the purpose?
Is it just to read out this Buddhist sutra so that everyone can sit together and criticize it?
Li Shimin glanced at the other party with admiration and smiled.
"Good question."
"That's because there is something unusual about this Buddhist scripture."
After hearing this, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and other important officials in the court acted with their own intentions.
Unusual, what is unusual?
Yes, as I just said, in terms of style, this Buddhist sutra is indeed much higher than ordinary Buddhist sutras. As soon as it is opened, it raises its benefits to the level of universal salvation for all sentient beings.
But what's the use of being high-minded? It's just some false talk about destiny and reincarnation. It's okay to fool ordinary people, but it has no practical effect.
Could it be that what Your Majesty is talking about is not the content of these 743 Buddhist scriptures, but other aspects?
"Your Majesty, what are the shortcomings of this Buddhist scripture, Zhengtong?"
Changsun Wuji asked.
Li Shimin did not answer directly, but mentioned old things again:
"Do you still remember the journey to the west?"
"Of course I remember." The ministers responded one after another, and the king and ministers responded one after another.
Journey to the West is a big event, after all, it involves gods and Buddhas.
Everyone knows it, but what does this Buddhist scripture have to do with Journey to the West?
"Then do you know what the real purpose of Journey to the West is?"
Isn’t this asking knowingly?
Of course, the purpose of traveling to the west was to obtain the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures and spread the Tianyuan Buddhist scriptures throughout the Tang Dynasty.
The ministers became more and more confused and wondered why Li Shimin mentioned these irrelevant things. Fang Xuanling replied
"Of course it is to obtain the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. Guanyin Bodhisattva once appeared in the world and preached the Mahayana Buddhism, saying that this Dharma is the supreme holy scripture that can save all sentient beings from death and suffering. His Majesty wanted to obtain this scripture, so he agreed to start the journey to the West."
"But Your Majesty, what we are talking about now is this Buddhist scripture. Journey to the West seems to have nothing to do with this Buddhist scripture."
Li Shimin glanced at the entire audience and said slowly (cgc a):
"Of course there is a connection, because this Buddhist scripture is the legend of Zha celebrating the Buddha's lightness in feces."
The words suddenly exploded like thunder. The ministers felt their heads buzzing and subconsciously thought that they had heard the wrong words.
Mahayana Buddhist scriptures are the supreme grand ceremony of Buddhism, and Guanyin Bodhisattva personally came out to preach them in public.
And this Buddhist sutra makes no sense, how could it be a Mahayana sutra?
Fang Xuanling trembled and said in disbelief:
"What did your Majesty say? This scripture is a Mahayana Buddhist scripture?"
Li Shimin said solemnly:
"You all heard correctly. This scripture is the Mahayana Buddhist scripture mentioned by Guanyin Bodhisattva. The reason why I convened the Buddhist conference today is to study this scripture."
Hearing Li Shimin's tone of voice be so sure, he looked unquestionable.
All the ministers were collectively stunned and looked like they were going to kill the dog.
Especially those ministers who just said this scripture is nonsense.
His face turned pale with fright, and he wished he could get two big-eared men.
Is this actually a Mahayana Buddhist scripture? How could a Mahayana Buddhist scripture be so mediocre?
I have said that this Buddhist scripture is worthless. If those gods, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas knew about it, wouldn’t they go straight to the West?
Of course, not everyone believes it, and most ministers still have doubts about it.
Fang Xuanling calmed down and asked:
"Your Majesty says this is a Mahayana Buddhist sutra, how can you prove it?"
Some ministers also nodded.
"Everyone knows that this Mahayana Buddhist sutra is an undisclosed secret of Buddhism. It comes from the holy land of Lingshan Mountain. Tang Sanzang went through many hardships and dangers but failed to obtain it at Lingshan Mountain. Where did your majesty get it?"
"Your Majesty, this Mahayana Buddhist sutra is extraordinary. If it is not true, you cannot talk about it casually."
Li Shimin had already expected such a scene and said calmly:
"I am a noble person, how can I lie? This true scripture was taught to me by my consort, who was responsible for escorting Tang Sanzang when he went to the West to learn the scriptures."
"When he arrived at Lingshan Mountain, Tang Sanzang had dishonest intentions, so the Buddhist sect did not hand the scripture into his hands. However, the prince consort was a gift from heaven, and the immortal was reincarnated. How could the Buddhist sect dare to embarrass him? In the end, the scripture was obtained by him."
It was actually given by the consort! All the ministers were speechless.
This kind of rhetoric is really unreasonable.
You must know that the Prince Consort is innately sacred. When he was born, he caused endless visions and the purple energy traveled thousands of miles from the east.
When I was studying for Buddhist scriptures, I was personally chosen by Guanyin Bodhisattva.
It is reasonable for the other party to produce Buddhist scriptures.
But this way, things get a little weird.
We must know that when we first traveled to the west, Guanyin Bodhisattva personally appeared and praised this Mahayana Buddhist sutra so highly that it was unparalleled in the world.
But now the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures are here, and these old monks are all enlightened monks, so there will be no mistakes in translation.
The content in it is actually so ridiculous. Doesn’t that mean that the gods and Buddhas are deliberately deceiving them?
The entire Tang Dynasty and the people were alarmed. After more than ten years, what was retrieved turned out to be this kind of thing.
Isn't this obviously a scam?
And some of the things inside are also very dangerous, directly placing gods and Buddhas in the highest position to control people's thinking.
If this method spreads, where will the imperial power be transferred?
Of course, one cannot believe everything His Majesty says. After all, the other party is hostile to Buddhism.
However, this possibility is not too high, because if it is false, even if His Majesty is the emperor, he will not be able to withstand the anger of Buddhism, and the other party will not be able to make such an unwise move.
Seeing the pale faces of these ministers, Li Shimin laughed and said:
"My dear friends, the evaluation of this Buddhist scripture just now is very pertinent. I am really pleased that you are able to follow your own heart and speak frankly without fear of gods and Buddhas."
As soon as these words came out, the faces of the ministers present suddenly became more depressed, especially those who originally supported Buddhism.
This majesty is really shady. If only you had told me earlier that this was a Mahayana Buddhist sutra.
Even if I gave them ten courages, they wouldn't dare to belittle me like this.
How can this be a judgment of good or bad? This is simply life-threatening?
At this time, in the sky above Yanta Temple, Guanyin Bodhisattva and Manjushri Bodhisattva had already arrived.
Everything happening below can be seen clearly.
Guanyin Bodhisattva looked very ugly and said to Manjushri Bodhisattva:
"Venerable Manjusri, it's better to take action as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too late and things will get worse.",
Manjushri Bodhisattva showed a look of embarrassment on his face. He also wanted to complete the task as soon as possible, but he was afraid that there was some trap in it.
After all, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, no matter how illustrious his status, was just a mortal.
If he had no support, he would not believe that the other party would have the courage to provoke Buddhism.
Manjushri Bodhisattva said:
"The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty dared to do this. There must be an expert behind it, Venerable Guanyin. Have you found out any information before?"
"There is probably a great person behind it, but I don't know who he is."
Guanyin Bodhisattva shook his head and said.
She really didn't know, after all, there was too little information.
And the art of deduction doesn't work at all.
But let’s look at the sword that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty obtained not long ago.
The person standing behind the other party was at least a person of Hong Sa Qingneng’s level.
But naturally she couldn't reveal too much to Manjushri Bodhisattva.
Otherwise, the other party may not even have the courage to come forward.
When Manjushri Bodhisattva heard this, he hesitated even more.
It's not that he is timid, but that the current situation is too passive.
After the Journey to the East began, Buddhism suffered from internal and external troubles, and the teachings, heaven, and hell all united to target them.
There are also hidden variables in Journey to the West.
There are so many forces and no one is easy to provoke.
Who knows who is standing behind Li Shimin now?
If you come forward rashly, regardless of whether you have any merit, I am afraid that even you will be involved.
So we can't be cautious now.
When Guanyin saw this, she couldn't help being speechless for a while. Damn it, I was already cautious enough, but I didn't expect this guy to be even more cowardly than me.
There are just a group of mortals below, all of them are timid and do not dare to come forward.
In fact, it is not the fault of Manjushri Bodhisattva.
Since the Journey to the West Variables came out.
Everyone was frightened, and there was no one who was timid in the entire Leiyin Temple.
This time he was able to follow Guanyin to Nanzhan Buzhou, which was considered very courageous.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva deceived her conscience and said:
"Venerable Manjusri, although this Li Shimin is a human emperor, he is only a mere mortal. There is no danger for you to come forward this time."
"When the time comes to show off your body as a Bodhisattva, the other party will definitely not dare to be presumptuous, and all the civil and military officials will also be extremely respectful to you.
"You only need to give some guidance, cleanse the reputation of our Buddhist sect, establish our dignity, and retrieve the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, and then the celestial calendar will be completed."
"When you return to Daleiyin Temple, the Buddha will definitely look at you differently."
"Amitabha, what Venerable Guanyin said is right.
Manjusri Bodhisattva looks gentle on the outside, but in his heart he keeps complaining.
There's no danger, why don't you go?
Do you still have to work hard to travel back and forth?
However, Guanyin Bodhisattva has spoken for this reason.
If he doesn't show up anymore, he'll be a bit too much.
And if you don't do anything this time, it won't be easy to explain to Tathagata when you return to Dareiyin Temple.
After some consideration, Manjushri Bodhisattva decided to take action.
After all, among the many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, Guanyin Bodhisattva is considered a reputable and reliable teammate.
Even if something happens by then, the other party will definitely not be able to abandon him and ignore him.
"Your Majesty, even if this is the true Mahayana Buddhist scripture, for the future of the Tang Dynasty, we cannot offend the gods and Buddhas."
Fang Xuanling said.
Some ministers nodded and said:
"Yes, although this Mahayana Buddhist sutra is not as miraculous as what the Bodhisattva said, it is not without merit.
"Your Majesty, please think twice and expose this matter.
They naturally know in their hearts that if this is really a Mahayana Buddhist sutra, it is enough to show that Buddhism has bad intentions.
Journey to the West has been a conspiracy from the beginning.
Buddhism vainly hopes to spread the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures through this, control the minds of the people of the Tang Dynasty, and control the Tang Dynasty.
In a sense, this is a challenge to imperial power.
If Journey to the West is successful, the consequences will be disastrous.
Belief in Buddhism cannot make people have enough food and clothing, nor can it protect them from disasters and diseases.
Moreover, if more and more people convert to Buddhism and become addicted to their faith, it will reduce the country's labor force and reduce productivity.
In the end, not only will there be no benefit at all, but it will also plunge the entire country into poverty.
However, although Buddhism has sinister intentions, they cannot accuse them of this. Instead, they want to expose this matter as soon as possible.
After all, the power of gods and Buddhas is boundless and their supernatural powers are vast. How can ordinary people compete with them?
Looking at the many ministers who changed their words one after another.
Li Shimin suddenly turned pale. Although he had expected such a scene, he still couldn't help but feel angry.
What did the gods and Buddhas give you? Do you want to accept his words and speak like this?
You are afraid of gods and Buddhas, aren’t you afraid of me?
"I am sincere in my heart and want to seek Mahayana Buddhism to save the people of the Tang Dynasty from disasters and hardships. It is tolerable for Buddhism to tease me with such a ridiculous Buddhist scripture, but who can't tolerate it? This matter must not be let go easily.
Hearing the anger in Li Shimin's words, the audience fell silent.
None of the ministers dared to say another word.
They can understand Li Shimin's anger
After all, after all the hard work, it would be unbearable for even an ordinary person to end up being calculated like this, let alone an emperor?
However, they could only listen but did not dare to agree.
Li Shimin was a man who asked the emperor if he had luck, but they didn't.
If they were targeted by Buddhism, they would not be able to bear the price.
At this moment, a piece of Buddha light suddenly lit up in the sky, and the figure of Manjushri Bodhisattva suddenly appeared.
The ministers looked up and were a little confused when they saw the person shining with the holy Buddha's light in the sky.
Some knowledgeable people recognized this at a glance as Manjushri Bodhisattva of Buddhism.
While I was shocked, I secretly cried out that it was terrible,
Your Majesty must have just taken the lead in criticizing Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, which alarmed Buddhism.
Manjushri Bodhisattva must have come to punish sins this time.
Some of the ministers who had just criticized the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures were now pale, their legs were trembling, and they could no longer stand still.
Damn it, Your Majesty has been tricked now.
If Manjushri Bodhisattva gets angry, will he not be able to heal his waist?
At this time, Li Shimin was also shocked.
Although he knew that by criticizing Mahayana Buddhist scriptures and throwing dirty water on Buddhism, Buddhism would probably become restless and send people to come.
But that's just speculation.
Unexpectedly, someone from Buddhism really came, and it was Manjushri Bodhisattva who came.
This is one of the four great Bodhisattvas. In terms of personality, it is the same existence as Guancuo Bodhisattva.
This shows that Buddhism attaches great importance to this matter.
Of course, if it were normal, he might be a little panicked.
But at this time, he had the dragon-patterned sword given by Qin Ran in his hand, so he was naturally not afraid of gods and Buddhas. He looked at Manjushri Bodhisattva with an unchanging expression:
"Could it be that Manjushri Bodhisattva came to apologize on behalf of Buddhism?".
As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the venue.
The civil and military officials present were stunned.
They never expected that His Majesty would say such words.
Come here to apologize, isn't it clear that Buddhism is wrong?
It is equivalent to nailing Buddhism to the pillar of shame. Who can bear this?