Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 123 Please punish King Sixing

The next day was the eighth day of April in the second year of Taijian, Buddha's birthday. On this day, several eminent monks headed by "Master Zhizhe" gathered in front of Miaofa Temple. It was said that they were responding to His Majesty's order to debate with the erudite scholars representing the four schools of Confucianism, Taoism, Taoism and Legalism. This debate was of great significance as it directly determined whether Buddhism should exist in the world and whether Buddhist studies should be passed on!

Because there were so many Buddhist monks and the news spread widely, countless common people, scholars and court officials came to watch. The crowd was so large that it was like a black mass. If it were not for Jiankang Magistrate Wang Mao who sent officers and soldiers to maintain order, the Buddhist temple would have collapsed due to the crowd.

Fortunately, a large open space had been cleared in front of the Buddhist temple for the ten eminent monks, who were representatives, to debate with the famous scholars.

But outside the open space, there were already crowds of people everywhere, which was even more grand than the elegant gathering on Mount Fahua.

When King Shixing learned the news, he was just able to get up from bed. He took the medicine according to the prescription given by Princess Yunyin, and his injury indeed healed a lot.

When he learned that the monks were debating with the famous scholars, how could he miss such a grand occasion?

Not only him, but even the Crown Prince Chen Shubao and the King of Changsha Chen Shujian could not wait to come and occupied a seat early.

However, no one knows what these princes are planning during this debate!

When Gao Changgong arrived here, it was already three quarters past three in the morning, when the debate had just begun. The spring day was bright and the breeze was gentle. The huge temple was noisy with occasional loud voices, but to Gao Changgong, it seemed that only her voice could be heard.

"In terms of principle, it is called Tao; in terms of teaching, it is called One; in terms of substance, it is called Nothingness; in terms of subtlety and unpredictability, it is called God; in terms of adaptability and change, it is called Yi."

"Nothingness is before all changes. Emptiness is the beginning of form. It is also called the original nothingness. This sentence is an explanation of the 'emptiness of the nature of Prajna'.

But the Tao also has a saying: The Tao that can be spoken is not the real Tao; the name that can be named is not the real name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth, and the named is the mother of all things. Laozi's meaning of this sentence is that the great way is simple, and the real Tao exists in the invisible! "

"So, the Tao follows nature, and the Buddha talks about Prajna. Regardless of the Tao heart or the Buddha heart, they are all human hearts!"

"What should the world think about? The world has the same goal but different paths. In this way, don't Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism have something in common?"

This was a debate centered on the topic of "human heart". Facing the monks' questions, Xiao Jinyu put forward the view that Confucianism, Taoism, Taoism and Buddhism were all about human heart.

At this time, a senior monk asked, "How do you interpret the human heart that Xie Langjun mentioned?"

"The human heart is benevolence, the heart is reason, the unity of knowledge and action leads to conscience.

Although the universe is vast, as long as one has a kind thought and a conscience, even an ordinary person can become a saint! "

"So, whether it is Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism, the human heart is the foundation, and kindness is the beginning and the end. Eminent monks and all the envoys present, am I right?"

The debate was so intense that the sound of the voices lingered in the air. The monks were sweating profusely, even though the sun was already high in the sky.

"If that is the case, Your Majesty wants to make our Buddhist temples return their lands and the monks return to secular life, forcing our Buddhist sect to a dead end. How can you call it benevolent and kind?"

"Master Zhizhe, this is a misunderstanding. Your Majesty does not intend to force Buddhism to a dead end. Buddhism can still exist in the world. If Buddhism is truly pure and innocent and benefits the world, it should still exist. But if someone uses the identity of a monk to hide in a Buddhist temple and do things that harm the people, Master Zhizhe, what do you think should be done?"

"Impossible, Mr. Xie, Buddhism is a holy place, how can we allow you to slander it?"

"Master Zhizhe, are you really clean and spotless?"

Xiao Jinyu, who was dressed as Xie Zhen, asked again loudly.

Master Zhizhe wanted to refute, but he saw that half of the other monks who came with him actually lowered their heads guiltily.

At this time, the King of Changsha came out from behind the monks, held a handwritten letter in front of them, and said loudly: "I have evidence here. This is the evidence I found in the Guanding room of the high monk in Tianning Temple. This high monk followed the example of Lu Xun and Sun En. He used preaching the teachings of gods and Buddhas as a cover to deceive decent women into giving him large amounts of money and then cooperated with them. His behavior is extremely dirty. This handwritten letter is the evidence written by Guanding himself!"

After saying this, King Chen Shujian of Changsha delivered the handwritten letter to Emperor Chen Xu.

Master Zhizhe's forehead was already covered with cold sweat, and he hurriedly shouted, "Your Majesty! It is a misfortune for Buddhism to have such scum in it, but a few scums do not represent the entire Buddhism!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard another sentence from the King of Changsha:

"In addition to the high monks from Tianning Temple who gave initiations, there is also Huitong from Changuang Temple, who secretly trained the monks as his own private soldiers. He is even suspected of treason!"

When they heard the words "suspected of treason", the several eminent monks present were terrified and could no longer sit still.

At this time, even the Imperial Censor Wang Zheng stepped forward and handed over a handwritten letter, saying, "Your Majesty, this letter was written by Fan Yong, the son of the Shunyang Fan family's Secretary Fan. It clearly details how Fan Yong took advantage of the corruption and bribery of the Buddhist monks to conspire with them to abduct women and raise private soldiers. Please read it, Your Majesty!"

Speaking of keeping private soldiers, Chen Xu's face changed drastically!

When Chen Shuling, who was standing in the crowd, heard the name Fan Yong, his face changed. At this moment, Chen Shuling already had a very bad premonition in his heart, and he always felt that the prelude to this debate seemed to be prepared for him!

At this time, he hurriedly called his adviser Wei Liang to his front, and seemed to give him some instructions. While looking at the situation at the scene, he prepared to quietly withdraw from the crowd.

At this moment, he saw that the look in Chen Xu's eyes was becoming darker and angrier, as if he was about to spit fire!

Just as he was about to flee, all of a sudden, all the ministers and scholars present knelt down in unison.

"Your servants have also received this handwritten letter, and you have all been coerced by King Shixing before, and you have no way to express your suffering!"

"His Highness Prince Shixing's crime is unforgivable. Your Majesty, please enforce the law impartially and punish Prince Shixing!"

The clear and sonorous sound suddenly resounded throughout the sky of the entire temple, and the lingering sound echoed.

Chen Shuling suddenly felt as if thousands of arrows were shooting at him, turning him into a hedgehog. The blood in his body froze and he was unable to move for a while.

So, he cast a resentful look at "Xie Zhen" who was standing at the front, in front of the emperor, standing like a bamboo, as if isolated from the world!

"Father, the high monk Guanding from Tianning Temple, the high monk Huitong from Xiangguang Temple, and even the high monk Huiwei from Tiantai Temple who previously assassinated Prince Lanling, all have correspondence with my brother Prince Shixing. Huitong even admitted that the private soldiers he trained were trained for Prince Shixing, just for one day, to murder the crown prince and replace the Crown Prince!"

"How dare you! Do you know what you are saying?" Chen Xu couldn't help but shouted.

The King of Changsha was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and shouted, "Father, what I said is true. Hui Tong is in this temple right now. I can bring him out immediately to confront you, my brother!

Moreover, there are rumors among the people that 'a thousand-year-old skull has sharp teeth, and the tomb-robbing prince is plotting to take over the Eastern Palace'. Isn't this tomb-robbing prince referring to the second brother?"

At this moment, Chen Shuling was so angry that his eyes were spitting fire, and he wished he could draw his sword and chop at the King of Changsha!

But at this time, he cannot get angry, he has to stay calm and argue!

We can't just let them say whatever they want!

"Father, I am innocent! Please investigate this matter!"

Thinking in his heart, Chen Shuling also knelt down, "They are the only ones who are talking, but I have not argued a word. It is obvious that the King of Changsha is plotting to harm me!"

He pointed at the ministers kneeling on the ground and said with gritted teeth, "These people are all the followers of the King of Changsha!"

"You shut up too!" Chen Xu said sternly.

At this moment, Chen Xu only felt stars in front of his eyes. The development of the situation was completely beyond his expectations!

Isn’t this a debate prepared for the purpose of “destroying Buddhism”?

Isn't the result he wanted to make the Buddhists return the land and all the hidden wealth to the national treasury?

Why is the corruption in Buddhism related to King Shixing?

At this moment, Xiao Jinyu stood up again and questioned the emperor:

"Your Majesty, do you know why so many farmers would rather become monks and escape to temples?"

Chen Xu suddenly woke up and looked at her in disbelief, then heard him say,

"It's because, just like the King of Shixing, he was corrupt and perverted the law, and he plundered the people's wealth, making it difficult for the people to pay taxes. That's why they hid in the temple to avoid taxes!"

Upon hearing this, Master Zhizhe nodded repeatedly, and other monks also echoed him.

"Xie Langjun is right. Not all of our Buddhist disciples are scum. Most of them are forced to join Buddhism because they have nowhere else to go!"

At this time, Xiao Jinyu asked again: "Your Majesty, don't you know that during the Southern Liang Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was trying to maintain good relations with the nine clans and favor court officials. If there were any criminals, they would be punished by law, and if there were any common people who were guilty, they would be punished according to the law. This is so lenient to the royal family and strict to the common people. This is unfair to the world.

Therefore, when Hou Jing rebelled, tens of thousands of soldiers joined the army because they were dissatisfied with the unfair laws of the court!

Your Majesty, are you going to follow in the footsteps of Emperor Wu of Liang and be so partial to your relatives?"