Chapter 160 Debating the equality of all living beings, debating inaction and governing
Being 'educated' by someone who seemed to be the same age as him, as the number one genius of the younger generation in the Taoist sect, Jiang Chenshui still felt a little aggrieved.
However, it was frustrating to feel aggrieved, but Jiang Chaoge's words did wake him up.
Jiang Chenshui woke up.
If you really use Buddhist methods to retaliate, you will only lose your success and make people around you laugh.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Chenshui nodded towards Jiang Chaoge, said 'Thank you, uncle' with his eyes, and then slowly spoke.
"I heard that there is a saying in Buddhism that says, 'The sea of suffering has no limit, but once you turn around, you will find shore.' So, I would like to ask a murderous demon who, after killing hundreds of people, suddenly had an epiphany and decided to put down the butcher's knife. Would you like to ask the Buddha?
Transform this demon?"
When Kongshan heard this, he laughed: "It seems that Taoist Jiang has indeed studied my Buddhist method. Since Taoist Jiang has said it, this demon has put down his butcher's knife, so he will naturally be transformed."
"Okay, then may I ask how the Buddha will transform after hundreds of people were slaughtered by the demon?" Jiang Chenshui asked again.
"Of course it is through Buddhist scriptures." Kongshan replied with a smile: "This is also the purpose of my Buddhism. I will never give up on anyone, even if they are dead."
This answer can be described as dripping.
When the people around me listened, they couldn't find anything to refute.
When you are alive, you will be transformed, and when you are dead, you will be transcended. There is nothing wrong with it!
However, Jiang Chenshui laughed at this moment: "Don't ask about good or evil, don't ask about fault, as long as you put down the butcher knife, you can become a Buddha immediately. This is the Dharma of Buddhism, right?"
"That's naturally the case." Kong Shan affirmed.
"So, what if this demon slaughters a hundred 'Buddhas' who have laid down their butcher's sword? Will the Buddha continue to save him?" Jiang Chenshui's tone was fierce.
"This..." Kongshan's expression finally changed.
He seems to be thinking about how to answer?
Jiang Chenshui did not urge him, but patiently waited for his answer.
The surrounding Jixia students and clan disciples also began to discuss again.
"If you kill a hundred Buddhas, then you are a peerless devil? Such a person should be burned to death!"
"Yes, this kind of person will definitely not be able to transform."
"That's right, it definitely can't be transformed."
Everyone's answer was basically the same.
Luo Yu looked at the old man again at this time: "Teacher, what do you think?"
"Buddhism emphasizes the equality of all living beings. Since killing ordinary people can lead to transformation, then killing Buddha... should also be possible, as long as he really puts down the butcher knife." The old man pondered for a moment and then replied.
"Is that so?" Although Luo Yu didn't seem to understand, she still nodded.
Kongshan seemed to have finally made up his mind at this time, gritted his teeth and said: "As long as there is still a trace of kindness in your heart, you can transform!"
"Hahaha." Jiang Chenshui laughed: "It's true that a person with a kind thought in his heart can be transformed. It turns out that Buddhist disciples are all such 'evil people'. So, according to your statement, even if he kills the Buddha, he will be able to transform."
If you can become a Buddha, then why do we still need to practice Buddhism and become a Buddha immediately? What is the use of this Buddha? Why do you want to pursue the Buddha and why do you want to become a Buddha?"
"!
!" Kongshan's eyes suddenly widened.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with his answer, because, according to Buddhist teachings, no matter how much good or evil you had before, as long as you put down the butcher's knife, you can transform into a Buddha.
However, just as Jiang Chenshui said...
If the other party can become a Buddha after killing the Buddha...then what is the use of the Buddha?
What is the Buddha I pursue?
Kongshan felt that for the first time in his heart, he began to question "becoming a Buddha". He even had a feeling that there was nothing left to cultivate in this Buddha?
After Jiang Chenshui saw Kongshan's silence, he knew that the opportunity had come, and immediately said: "If you become a Buddha, you still have to be killed by others, and if Buddhism wants to convert people who kill Buddhas into Buddhas, then what will happen to this world?"
Aren't there no rules at all?
So, how to distinguish between good and evil? If there is no good and evil in this world, wouldn't it become a primitive society? Everyone can kill people, everyone can kill Buddha, because as long as one day he can put down the butcher knife, he will
Can all sins be eliminated and one can become a Buddha?"
"No, that's not the case!" Kong Shan shook his head fiercely: "If there are really such heinous people as you said, then they are no longer human beings, but demons. How can they all transform into Buddhas?"
"Really? But doesn't your Buddhist teaching say that all living beings are equal? Doesn't it say that everyone can become a Buddha? Are demons not living beings?"
"This...this..." Kongshan's heart was completely confused.
He didn't know how to argue.
Because now he is completely in a contradiction and has somewhat lost his respect for Buddhism.
The surrounding Jixia students and clan disciples also felt this problem.
No distinction between good and evil.
No distinction between right and wrong.
Anyone can become a Buddha. Is this the Dharma?
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded.
"Amitabha, Kongshan, you have already achieved the image." The one who spoke was Samantabhadra who was sitting at the top of the lecture platform: "This world is inherently contradictory. The purpose of Buddhism is to save all living beings, but, really
It is too difficult to do this, so this is why we study and study Buddhism."
"That's right!" Kong Shan suddenly woke up: "The Bodhisattva is right. It is because the world is in contradiction that we should study Buddhism more!"
After he finished speaking, he was ready to continue arguing.
However, Puxian seemed not to be prepared to give him this opportunity again.
The Buddha beads in his hand moved and he said: "Okay, Kongshan, you can go back to the Western Region. Since I have spoken, you will be defeated in this first battle. Your Dharma is not profound enough. When you return to the Great Leiyin Temple
, you can go into seclusion for three years."
"Yes, Bodhisattva!" Kong Shan nodded, and then took a deep look at Jiang Chenshui: "Chief Jiang defeated me in the argument, but he did not defeat the Dharma. Although I lost, it was because I did not study the Dharma enough.
"Shen, I will go back to Daleiyin Temple to practice hard and say goodbye."
After saying that, Kong Shan strode away and headed west.
When everyone in the Taoist sect saw this scene, they all laughed heartily.
Although Jiang Chenshui lost the first question, he directly defeated Kongshan in the second question, and he still defeated Kongshan with the argument of 'Buddhism'.
This can be said to be rare!
The other Jixia students and clan disciples around also nodded.
"This Jiang Chenguo is indeed worthy of being the number one genius among the younger generation of the Taoist sect. With just a few words, Monk Kongshan was able to admit defeat. How amazing!"
"Yes, I heard that he has reached the Fourth Realm, which is really good!"
"The Taoist sect also has geniuses. It's really uncertain who will win and who will lose in this debate."
Everyone began to look forward to Jiang Chenshui.
Jiang Chenshui took a deep look at Jiang Chaoge, who was sitting next to Wu Lingzi, because if Jiang Chaoge hadn't reminded him loudly, he might not have been able to break Kong Shan's 'Buddha's Heart' so easily.
Jiang Chaoge smiled at Jiang Chenshui and said back: "Jingxin, this is just the beginning!"
"Yes, my nephew understands!" Jiang Chenshui replied in his heart.
…
The first level ended with the defeat of Buddhism.
During the whole process, neither Emperor Pingle nor the Queen Mother said a word.
Representatives of other schools of thought also did not speak too much, only Luo Yu kept pestering her teacher for discussion.
As for Jiang Yuer, he was sitting upright in the crowd, not conspicuous at all.
Only Jiang Chaoge, the 'onlooker', was looking at Jiang Chenshui.
And then, the first person finally walked out of the pulpit.
This person's skin looked a little dry, and he was wearing a torn cassock. He looked to be over fifty years old, and he seemed to be blown over by the wind when he walked.
After he walked out of the lecture platform, he clasped his hands towards Jiang Chenshui and said, "Amitabha, poor monk Baoqing, would like to ask Taoist Master Jiang a few words."
"Master, please give me some advice." Jiang Chenshui put away his thoughts and replied in a deep voice.
"I heard that Taoism emphasizes 'governing by doing nothing', but I don't know if that's right?" Bao Qing asked.
"Um."
"Then may I ask, what is inaction?"
When Jiang Chenshui heard this question, he naturally had no doubts and immediately answered: "Water is good for all things without fighting. It is what everyone dislikes, so it is close to the Tao." Water is close to the "Tao", that is, close to the "inaction".
environment, and water is "good for all things", this is actually a kind of "doing", but "not fighting" makes people not feel the meaning of their existence, which is "inaction".
"Not fighting means doing nothing?" Bao Qing asked again.
"Yes, but doing nothing does not mean not doing anything, but taking advantage of the situation, not forcing, not taking credit, and not being arrogant."
"I understand, so when inaction is applied to state affairs, how should we act?"
"This is very simple. As long as the rulers do what they should do and let the people develop and live better and better lives, it will be fine if the rulers' presence is not felt."
"Haha, is this the state religion established by the Qin Dynasty?" Baoqing finally sneered after hearing this: "The rulers have done what they should do, and the people have developed and their lives are getting better and better. However,
What the rulers do cannot be known to the people?
So, how do rulers gain prestige and popularity? Will people still respect a ruler without prestige? I heard that both Confucianism and Legalism have the theory of "luck", but what is the origin of this luck?
If I remember correctly, it is public opinion and the will of the people, right?"
When Bao Qing said this, he did not give Jiang Chenshui a chance to continue speaking, but continued: "If Da Qin wants to establish a country in the long run, it needs to accumulate national destiny, and this national destiny naturally means that all people will worship, respect the king, and submit to the ruler.
, if there is no respect and surrender, how can the national destiny of Da Qin last long?
I always thought that Da Qin established Taoism as the state religion because its Taoism was recognized by the monarch of Da Qin, but now it seems that this is not the case? I really don’t know if this Taoism’s inaction rule can really make Da Qin
To make the country prosperous, or to let the Taoist sect prosper on its own?"
"..." Jiang Chenshui.
This old monk obviously didn't really come to 'defend the law', but was just trying to provoke him.
But it happened that Emperor Pingle and the Queen Mother were both present today.
Jiang Chenshui knew very well that if there were problems with his answers, or if Emperor Pingle and the Queen Mother were dissatisfied, then the result would be more than just a matter of success or failure in a debate.
"Why, Taoist Master Jiang can't answer it?" Bao Qing said with a slight smile: "Doesn't Taoism emphasize inaction? As the youngest genius of Taoism, you should keep your Taoist heart and not be influenced by the outside world, even if you
The Taoist sect’s rule of inaction is contrary to the rulers, so you should firmly follow the rule of inaction!”
"Baoqing, you..." Jiang Chenshui's face looked extremely ugly.
Huo Lingzi stood up immediately!
Just as he was about to speak, a hand suddenly pressed him down.
"No!" Feng Lingzi shook his head hurriedly: "If we take action, then Jiang Chenshui will lose, just like Kong Shan had to admit defeat when Pu Xian opened his mouth just now. Don't be fooled!"
"But, this old bald donkey is obviously setting up a trap for Jiang Chen!" Huo Lingzi was very unhappy: "How is this a debate? This is obviously a estrangement and a debate between hearts!"
"Whether it's a estrangement or a debate, Jiang Chenshui has to bear it himself." Fenglingzi said calmly.
Huo Lingzi still seemed a little dissatisfied.
However, when his eyes saw the person sitting next to Fenglingzi, he finally endured it and sat back on the futon.
Jiang Chaoge has been watching this scene silently. The person sitting next to Fenglingzi is 'Jin Lingzi'.
"God's Coming"
An old man who is the oldest and most virtuous.
But so far, he has not spoken.
But the surrounding Jixia students and clan disciples spoke one after another.
"That makes sense. Taoism's rule of inaction is indeed not suitable for Qin's rule."
"In this case, it seems a little inappropriate to establish Taoism as the state religion?"
"Who suggested that Taoism be established as a state religion? It seems... Jiang Yu'er, right?"
"..."
Suddenly, everyone's eyes unconsciously turned to Jiang Yu'er sitting in the crowd.
And, it's more than that.
Including the Queen Mother, who had been silent until now, also spoke at this time: "Emperor, what do you think of the debate between Buddhism and Taoism just now?"
This is a direct question to Emperor Pingle.
Emperor Pingle could only reply: "I don't dare to comment lightly until the results are obtained."
"Okay, let's wait for the result." The Queen Mother replied through the bead curtain.
…
Such a sound naturally fell into Jiang Chenshui's ears.
Jiang Chenshui, who didn't know how to answer at first, became even more confused.
It's not that he can't answer, it's not that he can't answer the question, but that his answer will definitely offend the current ruler.
In this case, will anyone still support Taoism being established as the state religion?
It was impossible for Jiang Chenshui to make the rulers feel that it was a wrong decision to establish Taoism as the state religion because of one of his victories. In this case, wouldn't the Taoism's hundreds of years of efforts be in vain?
"This old monk has really sinister intentions!
!" Jiang Chenshui's teeth were almost broken.
However, he had no choice.
Because the purpose of Buddhism coming from the Western Regions this time was to 'preach the Dharma', or, in a certain sense, it was for Taoism.
It is not an accident that Buddhism wants to seize the position of the state religion of Qin...