Chapter 4765 Self-Contradiction

Chapter 4765 Self-Contradiction
Fang Jun sneered and said disapprovingly: "Who can you blame? If you enter the Buddhist sect, you should cut off all six senses and let the four elements be empty. But you are greedy for the secular world and fall into the red dust, staining your monk's robes with dust. In the end, you can't wipe it off, and the dust seals your heart, but you still blame others. Why bother?"

Therefore, Buddhism is actually divided now. A small number of people regard "Buddha nature" as the truth and the ultimate meaning of their lifelong pursuit, while most people only regard "Buddha" as a means or a tool to make a profit.

The two sides are seen as one, but in reality they are completely different.

When Buddhists began to covet worldly power, it meant that they had deviated from the original intention of "Buddha". This so-called "Buddha" had long been used by those who were blinded by greed as a tool to seize worldly power. What they believed in was not "Buddha" or "renouncing the world", but the prosperous and noisy world.

Xuanzang was silent for a moment and shook his head: "Buddha nature lies in 'enlightenment', and the root of 'enlightenment' lies in 'knowing'. If you don't even know what Buddha nature is, how can you talk about 'enlightenment'? So it is not the case that everyone who believes in Buddhism can gain insight into the great way. The so-called 'Buddha is in the heart' and 'everyone can be a Buddha' are actually just false words. The Buddha said that all beings are equal, but this is not true."

He looked at Fang Jun, his clear eyes were somewhat profound, and his tone was leisurely: "Some people are born with knowledge, some are dull and clumsy, some are wholeheartedly good, and some do many evil things. People are different, so some people can concentrate on meditation to ask the truth, and their spiritual level transcends all worldly pursuits, while some people can only roll around in the world of red dust and suffer hardships but cannot escape. Buddha saves all living beings, but only those who are predestined to be saved."

Who is the destined one?

Naturally, they are those who are proficient in Buddhism and have great aspirations.

The rest are naturally people without destiny.

What to do with those who are not destined to be together?
They can only reincarnate back and forth in the mud of the human world, no different from animals.

However, Buddha’s nature is inherently good. Not only should Buddhas save those who are predestined to be saved, but they should also not discriminate against those who are not predestined to be saved. Therefore, those who are predestined to be saved can stand in a quiet place to study Buddhism and gain insight into the great way, while those who are not predestined to be saved can use all means to pursue fame and fortune and accumulate money, which is understandable.

Fang Jun was surprised and asked, "Master, you are deeply troubled and your mind is in disarray, so why do you think those laymen are right?"

Xuanzang said, "I am a human, not a Buddha. My annoyance is just a temporary feeling. It is fine to talk to an old friend and feel relieved. But those people who have no affinity with me are also doing what they want, and there is nothing wrong with that. My annoyance and those people's scheming can coexist. What's wrong with that?"

Fang Jun pondered for a moment before he understood what Xuanzang meant: I am upset about myself, but what they are doing is what they should do from their standpoint, and I will not force them not to do what they should do just because I am upset...

Fang Jun felt that his realm was shallow and he didn't understand how Xuanzang's thinking was different from that of an ostrich. He could only sigh that he was indeed a great monk and was different from normal people.

"Master, you have a broad vision and a broad mind. If you know the reason, why do you bother others?"

"I have already said that I am just a mortal, not a Buddha who has reached the state of great freedom. I have to experience birth, old age, sickness, death, love, separation, hatred, reunion, and failure to obtain what I desire. However, my state is improving, and perhaps one day I will be able to reach the state of great compassion."

Fang Jun did not understand Buddhism. He did not even know the specific differences between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism. However, he felt that the logic behind them seemed difficult to explain.

For example, what is the state of great compassion mentioned by Xuanzang?
It is to "generate great compassion, regard all living beings as suffering, and vow to save all living beings". But since it is a "vow", it means "having something to ask for". Since there is "something to ask for", naturally there will be "nothing to get". If there is "nothing to get", then "meeting with enemies and those you hate", "separation from loved ones" and so on will follow one after another and it will be difficult to get rid of.

Isn’t it contradictory to say that “Buddha nature is empty” on the one hand and have “great compassion” on the other?
……

When Cen Changqian stepped into the temple gate, the melodious bell sound stopped and the monks who were doing evening classes in the courtyard stood up and left one after another. People were crowded together. Although everyone was silent, the gathering of so many monks did not have the solemnity and piety of the past, but a bit of busyness, chaos and vulgarity.

Looking at the monk who hurried over to greet him, Cen Changqian asked, "How many monks are there in the temple now?"

The monk in charge of reception saw that Cen Changqian was accompanied by a team of elite soldiers but did not dare to stop them. He looked a little worried and said, "There are already more than 3,000 people, and there are also pilgrims from all over the place. There is no room available in the temple. The disciples of our temple even have to give up their rooms and live in the firewood room temporarily. In the past, there were also overcrowded houses during various festivals and celebrations every year, but we could relocate them to other temples in the city for temporary residence. But now there is no room available in any temple in Guanzhong. What can we do?"

The Buddhists value tranquility and self-restraint, and are not in conflict with the world. They prefer to sit back and collect money by means of lending, leasing, etc., and accepting incense money from pilgrims is not the most important income. Although people cannot live without money, the current overcrowded atmosphere is not what the Buddhists like. How can this be the best Buddhist temple in the world? It is even more lively than the East and West Markets.

The key is that when there are too many people, things become complicated and there will always be some troubles that make people anxious...

Cen Changqian walked with his hands behind his back, stopped at the mountain gate, and said calmly: "Where is the monk who was accused of molestation just now? Please hand him over. I want to take him back for a detailed investigation and settle this matter as soon as possible, so that your temple can be cleared of all charges."

The monk in charge of reception looked embarrassed and said, "I am not trying to evade you, but if you want to take the monks of this temple away, you must get the approval of the abbot."

"The Jinwu Guards are under the Emperor's orders to control the capital. They have the power to enforce the law no matter who is involved. Can Da Ci'en Temple disobey the Emperor's orders and ignore the laws of the Tang Dynasty? No one can stop the Jinwu Guards from arresting people. However, Da Ci'en Temple is a royal temple, so we can give them some necessary respect. You can go and ask for instructions. But no matter what your temple wishes, I must take the people away."

The monk Zhike was helpless. The chief officer of the Zuo Jinwu Guard in front of him was powerful and aggressive, but he was Cen Wenben's nephew, Fang Jun's student, and now the chief officer of an army. He was indeed qualified to be so tough.

The young man was full of vigor and pride. The monk in charge of reception confirmed that if he dared to refuse, he would lead his troops into the temple to arrest people...

"Please wait here for a moment, I will be back soon."

Feeling unhappy, he didn't even bother to ask Cen Changqian to sit down and have a cup of tea. He just let Cen Changqian stand beside the stone steps inside the mountain gate and left in a hurry.

Cen Changqian didn't care. He turned around and glanced at the soldiers standing behind him. They were fully armored and in neat uniforms. Each of them stood with his hands behind his back, chest puffed out, and head raised with a solemn look. They displayed the mighty, domineering and strict discipline of the Tang Dynasty soldiers to the fullest, and he was very satisfied.

The monk in charge of reception walked quickly to the Sutra Translation Hall. When he entered, he saw Xuanzang sitting opposite Fang Jun drinking tea, seemingly discussing some issues in Buddhism. He said respectfully, "Cen Changqian, the chief officer of the Left Jinwu Guard, requests that the monk involved be brought in for a detailed investigation. This is related to the reputation of the Da Ci'en Temple, so I dare not take the initiative. I beg the abbot to give instructions."

Xuanzang was explaining the difference between Mahayana and Hinayana to Fang Jun, using it to resolve Fang Jun's question about "Buddhism being self-contradictory". He seemed to want to enlighten this "stubborn stone" with his lifelong learning. But now that he was interrupted, he lost interest in talking and waved his hand helplessly: "Let him take it away. If those monks were wrongly accused, the reputation of Da Ci'en Temple cannot be ruined by anyone who wants to. If they really did something unforgivable, what reputation can Da Ci'en Temple have?"

The monk in charge of reception replied, "I will obey your orders, Master."

Watching the monk walking out quickly, Xuanzang shook his head and said calmly, "The stars move, spring brings prosperity, autumn brings harvest, and even life, death, extinction, and nirvana, everything operates within the rules without exception. The world should be like this too. When the rules are established, everyone will do their job and fulfill their destiny, and naturally the world will be united. However, it seems that no one understands this truth."

"Master, you are wrong. You seem to have some misunderstanding about the establishment of rules. Rules are set for those who do not follow the rules. If everyone follows the rules, what is the point of having rules?"

Xuanzang was stunned for a moment, then praised: "What a profound statement!"

*****
The 108 wards in Chang'an City were designed and built in the pattern of a military fortress, with tall walls between the wards. If foreign enemies invaded, not only could each ward serve as an isolated military unit, but they could also work together to resist the foreign enemies.

The planning and design within the block are also similar. Each block has two streets running east-west and north-south through the entire block, which is convenient for the deployment of troops and transportation of supplies during wartime. The two streets will intersect in the middle of each block to form a crossroads.

The Wei family residence is located in the northeast corner of Jinchangfang.

Lai Ji led the yamen runners to the gate of the Wei family, respectfully handed over his name card, and told the gatekeeper: "I am Lai Ji, the magistrate of Wannian County. I have always been friendly with your family. Although I am here on official business today, I do not want to break into your house. Please hand over all the members of the caravan that passed by the Da Ci'en Temple this evening. I apologize."

He was a man who valued friendship, and thinking of the past friendship between the Lai and Wei families, he kept a low profile.

His attitude was humble, but the doorman did not dare to neglect him. Although the Wannian County Magistrate was only a fifth-rank official and Jingzhao Wei family did not take him seriously, Wannian County was the Jing County and most of the Wei family's industries were under its jurisdiction. Now that the parents of a county magistrate had come to visit, he naturally put on a smile and invited Ji to enter the room for tea and wait for a while, and then he quickly walked into the mansion to report.

Soon, the doorman returned, bowed and said with a smile: "The master is very happy to hear that an old friend has come to visit. Please come in and have a chat."

Lai Ji happily entered.

Although he never gave up on himself after the family's decline and always strived to be the best, Lai Ji still felt content and proud of the courtesy shown by the Jingzhao Wei family.

Who among those who can be "invited" into the Jingzhao Wei family is not a successful or promising person? This recognition from a top family warms the heart of Lai Ji, who has experienced hardships.