At that time, Xuanzang was just one of the many monks in Chang'an City. Although he had some fame, he was far behind those virtuous and eminent monks, so he did not receive preferential treatment. At that time, when the Tang Dynasty was at war with the Turks, he could only secretly Climb the levels.
Unexpectedly, he is now the number one person in Buddhism...
His Majesty Li Er even thought to himself that it was a good thing that Wei Zheng, an old guy, was dead, otherwise he would have been banging the table to take down Xuanzang and punish him for violating the law and leaving the country privately. Look at how the people of Chang'an are treated now Xuanzang was so enthusiastic about his return that once he went to Suo Na to punish his crimes, half of Chang'an would probably riot...
Li Ji, who had always been silent and silent, coughed and said: "Now that Xuanzang has returned to Beijing, he has brought a large number of Buddhist scriptures with him. For those Buddhist believers, he has returned with great honor, and it is bound to cause a stir within Buddhism. A wave of turmoil will form a wave of converts to Buddhism even among people who originally did not believe in it. Whether this trend is good or bad, it will promote the prosperity and stability of the Tang Dynasty, or it will cause hidden dangers. There must be some A clear charter.”
If it has a promoting effect, the imperial court will naturally let it go.
But if there are hidden dangers, then intervention must be carried out. Not to mention the popular belief, the Tang Empire at this moment has the strength and confidence to attack all enemies who cause hidden dangers to the empire's security.
The ministers and ministers were a little silent. No one could see this kind of thing too clearly. If it offended countless Buddhist believers, the consequences would be endless.
The best of these people are well-informed and know that so-called faith is just a means of rule. However, the fanaticism of faith is a double-edged sword. Being able to tightly control it in the hands of the ruling class is the stability of the world. With the help of others, on the contrary, it is very likely to turn into a hidden danger that subverts the foundation of the empire and must be eradicated.
Therefore, we must make targeted arrangements before the trend of Buddhism takes shape. Otherwise, when the trend takes shape and becomes powerful, and we want to intervene arbitrarily, the manpower and material resources required will be many times greater, and the price paid will be even more unbearable. .
Everyone weighed and thought in their minds for a while without saying a word. Changsun Wuji said: "Fang Shaobao is a handsome young man. He is extremely talented. He has traveled all over the world and has seen a lot. I wonder if you have any opinions on this matter? Why don't you tell me? , so that the ministers and ministers can weigh the pros and cons and correct any mistakes."
It sounds like you are caring for the younger generation, encouraging them to speak enthusiastically, and don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing. If there are mistakes, everyone will help correct them and give them guidance.
But everyone knows that once there are flaws in Fang Jun's words, Changsun Wuji will definitely catch them and hold on to them, or even amplify them, damaging Fang Jun's reputation.
Smart people should pretend to be cowardly at this time, and the most appropriate thing to do is to say nothing.
However, everyone knows that Fang Jun is a stick. Faced with such a straightforward attack from Changsun Wuji, how can he avoid fighting?
As expected, Fang Jun raised his thick eyebrows, thought for a moment, and then said slowly: "Since Duke Zhao has this intention, I will just say a few words and briefly express my humble opinion... The teachings of Buddhism are generally to persuade people to do good. Be humble and forbearing, sow such causes, reap such fruits, use the causes in this world to cultivate the results in the next life. Therefore, in general, Buddhism is conducive to the stability of the world. However, Buddhism is a foreign sect after all. Although it has multiplied in China for hundreds of years, Its scriptures and teachings contain too many foreign customs. Even if there are many improvements, it may already become an opportunity for people with ulterior motives to take advantage of it. All dynasties have realized this, so they have the ability to manage the property of monks and temples. Yamen, but the lower officials think this is far from enough."
Seeing all the prime ministers and ministers looking at him with burning eyes, Fang Jun straightened his waist and continued: "In the past, most of the yamen that managed Buddhism in the imperial court were established under the Ministry of Rites. For example, now, the yamen that manage Buddhism are under the Ministry of Rites."
The Ancestral Temple Department, headed by a doctor from the Ancestral Ministry, has too few powers and responsibilities, and the personnel structure is not refined enough, making it difficult to manage the growing number of Buddhist believers. Therefore, the official suggested that a special agency be added to take charge of the world's sects, and a system be formulated.
We should set up detailed rules for dinner and restrict and supervise these sects, and we must not let them go and do whatever they want."
Everyone nodded, Changsun Wuji frowned and asked: "How to supervise?"
Fang Jun brought out the experience of later generations and said calmly: "Everything in the world is not a royal land. As long as it is on the territory of the Tang Dynasty, it must obey the laws of the Tang Dynasty. For example, Buddhists are restricted from gathering without authorization. Buddhism gathers believers at every turn.
Proclaiming the Dharma gives those with evil intentions an opportunity to gather people and confuse people. Once there are natural disasters or man-made disasters, it is easy to incite people's hearts and coerce them. If there are no restrictions, chaos will definitely happen. Therefore, the establishment of
A yamen dedicated to management is a top priority."
Everyone nodded slightly in agreement.
The teachings of Buddhism are good, but there is no guarantee that someone will read the scriptures incorrectly...
Since Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han Dynasty, it has encountered two large-scale "Buddhist extermination" incidents. One was Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Tuoba Tao, and the other was Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Yong. Both of these two monarchs were considered to be talented and strategic.
, why have you reached the point of intolerance towards Buddhism?
There is a reason for this.
First of all, Buddhism destroyed the national economy. At first, Buddhists did not gather property or buy real estate. They preached doctrines with one monk and one alms bowl, and lived by alms. Their spirit was pure and their ambitions were high. But later, they gathered land and property, and their houses were filled with jewelry. The people once
There are proverbs, "If you don't read the Avatamsaka Sutra, you won't know the Buddha's wealth." "If you don't read the Jialanji, you won't know the Buddha's waste." Temples occupy a large amount of land and wealth, but they don't pay taxes. The more temples there are, the less fiscal revenue, and even
Openly issuing "usury money" has ruined the national finances...
Furthermore, Buddhism does not perform corvee service, let alone military service. Buddhist disciples consider themselves outsiders and do not care about worldly affairs. As a result, more and more monks are becoming monks, and the imperial court cannot recruit soldiers for war.
A particularly important point is the struggle with local sects. This is the so-called "literati despise each other and colleagues are jealous of each other".
Before the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Buddhism and Taoism criticized each other. Buddhism believed that Taoism was the result of Sakyamuni's disciples coming to the East and being reincarnated as Lao Tzu. However, Taoism said that Lao Tzu left Hangu in the west and went to Tianzhu, and Buddhism was the result. So Buddhism is
Taoist disciples...
Although Taoism is no longer as prosperous as it once was, it has always adhered to the "high-level line" and "elite line". The people do not pay much attention to it, but most of the people at the top of society are Taoist disciples. Behind these two almost devastating "Buddhist extermination incidents",
It is hard to guarantee that there will be no Taoists adding fuel to the flames.
The most important point is that Buddhists believe that monks are outsiders. Their six pure roots cut off the world of mortals. They don’t even recognize their parents, and they should not be under the jurisdiction of the emperor. They only need to worship the Buddha...
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, an eminent monk even wrote an article about the reasons for not respecting the emperor, which spread throughout the world, making the emperors, generals and ministers very unhappy. The ancient Chinese people believed that the most correct idea in their bones was to be loyal to the emperor and patriotism.
You don't support your parents, you don't have children, and now you don't even submit to the emperor's control. How do you want to go to heaven?
Everything in the world is the king's land, and the land beside the land is the king's ministers. This is the essence of Chinese culture and the philosophy pursued by the entire ruling class. If a small sect dares to challenge the emperor, which emperor can tolerate it?
I'll be sorry if I don't destroy you.
The so-called "Buddhism prospered in the prosperous times, and was hidden in Daomen Mountain. In troubled times, the Bodhisattva did not come to the world, and the old king carried his sword to save the vicissitudes of life." This is recognized by most elites nowadays. The current prosperous times are the time for Buddhism to prosper, and with Xuanzang
Ever since Tianzhu returned home with great reputation after seeking the true scriptures, it is conceivable that Buddhism will prosper like a raging fire cooking oil in the coming period.
What will happen if it is not controlled?
Changsun Wuji was the most knowledgeable person in the court. After hearing Fang Jun's words, he weighed it and felt that there was no loophole to attack, so he could only give up in a depressed manner.
It's extremely stupid to find faults in one's bones. Changsun Wuji doesn't want to be slapped in the face by Fang Jun...
The Li and Tang dynasties respected Lao Tzu as their ancestor, and naturally respected Taoism as the state religion. However, the influence of Taoism currently only exists at the top of society, and ordinary people do not have a deep understanding of it. After all, the essence of Taoism requires a high level of cultural literacy to understand, and it is far away.
It is far less "approachable" and easy to understand than Buddhism.
This is already the case now. If Xuanzang's trend spreads, Buddhism will be promoted to an unprecedented level, and Taoism will be increasingly suppressed.
This is something His Majesty Li Er absolutely does not want to see.