"Master Fangzheng, I'll leave this matter to you," Yun said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, don't worry, this poor monk will handle the matters your Majesty has given you properly." Fang Zheng, who is already over eighty years old, said with a smile.
The task that Yun entrusted to him was, of course, to host the World Buddhist Conference. In fact, Yun had already decided to hold such an event more than ten years ago when he led his troops to the west and Tamerlane before the battle in Yiwu.
In this era, the influence of Buddhism in the East was still very strong. Although Tianfang Sect had established a firm foothold in the Western Regions, Buddhism was not completely defeated and continued to struggle with Tianfang Sect. There were not as few Buddhists in India as in later generations; let alone
Southeast Asian places such as Tijawa and Luzon Islands still have many Buddhists and few Tibetan believers. In addition to Tibet and other places completely controlled by Tibetan Buddhism, Han and Korea, Japan and other semi-Buddhist places, the entire East
, still mainly based on Buddhism.
In this case, Buddhism is of great use. As we all know, before the rise of modern nationalism, religion was the organization that could best unite the people. Yun could not use nationalism to unite the people for a while; even if he could, he would not use it.
It is not easy to unite Indians and Nanyangs with nationalism, not to mention making Indians whose appearance and skin color are completely different from Han people believe that they are the same nation. Therefore, Buddhism, which has great influence in the East, can only be used to unite Indians and Nanyang people.
Unity.
"Master Fangzheng, I have already told you all the other things. There are only two points that I would like to emphasize again: First, all the eminent monks who come to attend the meeting must agree to establish a Buddhist association to govern the world's monks. All monks must
Everyone must belong to the Buddhist Association, otherwise they will be false monks, and everyone will find them and punish them."
"Secondly, all monks must recognize Mount Emei in Sichuan, Mount Wutai in Shanxi and Mount Jiuhua in Anhui as the dojos of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva respectively, and select the recognized dojo of Guanyin Bodhisattva. I feel that since the Central Plains is commonly known as
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is Avalokitesvara of the South China Sea, so the monastery of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva should be located on Lantau Island at the estuary of the Pearl River. Lantau Island is located in the South China Sea, but not far from the mainland, and is a choke point for entering the Pearl River from the outside. It is convenient to locate it here
people to worship."
"Your Majesty, all the monks will not object to the first point, but it is not easy for them to agree to the second point." Fang Zheng said. The so-called Buddhist Association that governs the world's monks, even if it is established, is just an empty organization, and the Ming Dynasty will not
Will there be such an organization that can lead Buddhists all over the world? Everyone will obey on the surface and continue to do whatever they are supposed to do after they go back. At most, they just pay a few dollars a year and it won't have much impact.
But the second point is different. Buddhism in various places has been developing independently for so many years. It has already had its own Bodhisattva dojo. How can it be willing to admit that its own dojo is fake? This is not only a matter of reputation, but also a matter of reputation.
The road to money must never be compromised.
"There are not only these four Bodhisattvas in the world. There are also Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Sunlight Bodhisattva, Moonlight Bodhisattva and many other Bodhisattvas. Wouldn't it be enough to set up the dojos of these Bodhisattvas in other places?" Yun said with a smile: "The Central Plains are also
If they don’t monopolize it, they only occupy four Bodhisattva dojos, and the other Bodhisattvas are allowed to divide it among themselves.”
"I understand," Fang Zheng said. But he still had doubts in his mind: "Since we have to recognize so many Bodhisattvas, not just the four great Bodhisattvas, Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara, and Ksitigarbha, what's the use of doing so?"
?'
Of course it has its uses. This means that in addition to the most basic teachings, Buddhism around the world has a unified "holy place". Buddhists everywhere will know from monks that there are Bodhisattva's dojos in the distance, and some people will
Going to distant Bodhisattva temples to worship will increase the exchanges between Buddhists in different places, which will promote the unity of Buddhists all over the world, and the Ming Dynasty will also be able to use Buddhism to control foreign affairs more conveniently.
Of course, although eminent monks from all over the world may not be able to see Yun's purpose, they are not stupid. The Emperor of Ming Dynasty invited all eminent monks from all over the world to attend a meeting in Guangdong with great fanfare.
They will be willing to be used. So Yun also wants to give them benefits. "I will issue an edict. Starting from the first day of the first lunar month next year, all officials of the vassal states established by the Ming Dynasty in Nanyang must be Buddhists, and must be affiliated with the Buddhist Association.
The Buddhist temples recognized by the Buddhist Association must recognize the status of Buddhists; in the three governor-general offices of India, at least half of all officials must be Buddhists. They must also be recognized by the temples affiliated with the Buddhist Association to recognize the status of Buddhists. I will also pass the decree to each country and the people of each country.
The eminent monk can request the monarch to implement my imperial edict."
"With your Majesty's edict, things will be done." Fang Zheng said with a smile. This is tantamount to letting the monks monopolize the power of being an official. It is almost sharing the country with the monks. How could the monks not agree?
Hearing Fang Zheng say that things will be done, Yun also breathed a sigh of relief. Everything that needs to be explained has been explained. He thought about it and said: "It is only April now, and the conference will not be held until October. Master, these few months
Are you in Beijing or heading to Guangdong?"
"The poor monk will set off for Guangdong within three days." Fang Zheng said immediately.
"Guangdong is much hotter than Beijing. Master is already over eighty years old. I'm afraid he can't stand the summer weather in Guangdong. It's better to wait until the weather cools down in autumn before heading to Guangdong." Yun said.
"How can a poor monk dare to slack off when serving His Majesty?" Fang Zheng said again. Of course he would go to Guangdong immediately. Since the establishment of the Buddhist Association, whether it is called the Pope or the Patriarch, there must be a leader. The World Buddhist Association
The first leader must be famous throughout the ages, and of course he wants to compete for this position. What's more, he is already over eighty years old, and is the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, the largest temple in the Central Plains. He also used it in the Battle of Yiwu.
Mana', also contributed to Ming Dynasty's defeat of Tamerlane, and was fully qualified to get this position. Therefore, he had to rush to Guangdong early, discuss with eminent monks from all over the country before the meeting, and use various means to get them to support him. In order to communicate with people from all over the world
The eminent monk was able to communicate. He even found nine translators. He could speak all the languages of places with many Buddhists. He had already arrived in the capital and was waiting to set off.
"Master Fangzheng is so diligent in state affairs, so naturally I will not stop him. It is a long way from the capital to Guangdong, and there may be bandits harassing him, so I will send a team of soldiers to escort the master to Guangdong." Yundao said. Fangzheng's thoughts were in his heart.
I know Du Ming, but it is also good for Ming Dynasty for Fang Zheng to be the first pope of the Buddhist Church. Not only will he not stop it, but he will help.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Fang Zheng was overjoyed and quickly saluted to express his gratitude.
