After the leader of the Honganji family, Honganji Kenjo, made it clear at the meeting that he would resolutely support the confrontation with the Oda Alliance, he immediately mounted his horse and set off on his way home without looking back.
He did not dare to delay for a moment, because his neutrality had been lifted, and the Honganji Temple as a religious organization had completely transformed from this incident into a local power.
It is quite difficult to take this step, because there are many disciples in the temple who insist on the true nature of Buddhism. They have great authority in the temple. They are very disgusted with the Yixiangzong Yitou organizations that appear in various places under the banner of Buddhist disciples.
, thinking that they are using the name of Buddha to do things for evil spirits.
The Honganji family is a semi-religious organization. As the presiding officer, the Honganji family cannot of course have three wives and four concubines like other daimyo and enjoy delicacies every day. As a member of the Buddhist disciples, the Honganji family is just like the ordinary disciples in the temple.
, eat green vegetables, tofu and white rice every day, it is not meaty and not close to women.
But he knew very well that as a powerful man like Oda Nobunaga, he would never be satisfied. Once the time came, they would completely eradicate Honganji Temple, even if he was not a daimyo, because he would not allow a powerful person to exist.
of potential opponents around.
Regarding the attitude towards the Oda family, the Honganji Temple spent a lot of effort to win the support of the conservatives in the temple. When Ashikaga Yoshiaki launched the "Nobunaga Encirclement", the Honganji Temple never went to war because of the firm opposition of the conservatives. They
I still stubbornly believe that Buddhist disciples only need to devote themselves to worshiping the Buddha, and as long as they do not offend others, they will not infringe on themselves.
What changed their attitude was what Oda Nobunaga did after he occupied a new territory. Every time he occupied a place, he would not hesitate to order monks and nuns to return to secular life and confiscate the temple's property and land. This made some devout Honganji believers' interests
They suffered a great blow, but after being unable to endure it, they finally listened to Honganji Hianru's advice.
Honganji Temple showed a dismounted horse. There were several monks and soldiers guarding under the thousand-story stone steps of Ishiyama Honganji Temple. When they saw the abbot coming, they quickly stepped forward and led his horse to the stables.
Honganji Xianru started to go up the stone steps, first, second, and third floors. Every time he walked to the thousand stone steps of Ishiyama Honganji, he would think of those sad past events.
He remembered that when he was very young, his parents who were still alive brought him here to worship Buddha. Both parents were devout Buddhists. They firmly believed that as long as they respected heaven, believed in Buddha, and did more good deeds, Buddha would surely bless his family with peace and happiness.
But unexpectedly, it backfired. When he was ten years old at Honganji Temple, his parents were killed by rioters who burned, killed, and looted indiscriminately during the war. He only escaped the disaster by hiding in a haystack.
At that time, he was very confused: Why did his family suffer such misfortune despite being so pious? Are all the gods and Buddhas lies?
In the winter of that year, he begged everywhere but no one gave him anything to eat. Because everyone was suffering from the war and had no time to care about pitying others.
He was almost stiff in the biting cold wind, and his mind went blank. He seemed to vaguely see the shadows of his parents.
They seemed to have been watching him not far away from him. Honganji Xianru wanted to go over with them and let them take him away.
However, his parents are always avoiding him, always close at hand in front of him, but they can never catch up or touch him.
Suddenly, the majestic Stone Mountain Honganji Temple appeared in front of him, and he had reached the thousand-story stone steps before he knew it.
Later, he was adopted by the monks of Honganji Temple. Due to his outstanding etiquette and his unparalleled talent for diplomacy and negotiation in mediating with the surrounding daimyo on many external matters, his status soared and he was finally designated as the successor to the abbot of Honganji Temple.
who.
Over the years, he had tried his best to make the Honganji family survive under the eye of the powerful enemy. Sometimes he even felt that it would be a happy thing for him to die within a few years.
At this moment, a monk in his thirties with tired eyes hurried over and said to Honganji Xianru, who was in a daze on the stone steps: "Master, the master of the branch temples of Weishan Temple and Daishoji Temple is here."
Got it!"
This man's name is Shimoma Yorikane, he is Honganji Kenyū's right-hand man, he has done a lot of work for him over the years, he is also quite smart and capable, and he currently holds the post of Boteru of Honganji.
"It's Nanari Yorishu and the others." Honganji Xianru immediately frowned after hearing this, knowing that these two people must not know what to say.
As a semi-religious organization, Honganji Temple encountered much fewer troubles in its development than ordinary daimyo, but the bigger troubles existed within them.
This is all because of their seemingly reasonable decentralization system. If the Honganji family decides to proceed with something, it must be unanimously agreed by all the elders. If more than 40% of the people disagree, then the matter cannot be carried out at all.
.In addition, the abbots of the branch temples also have the right to dictate the policies they support, so it is very worrying for Honganji to be the abbot.
As expected, Nanari Yorishu, the abbot of Ozanji Temple, and Yoriteru Shimomagama (Yorikane's senior brother) of Daishoji Temple became sullen when they saw Honganji Heniro and asked if Honganji Heniro had forgotten all the Buddhist rules.
"You actually asked me to summon all the disciples of the Ichigo Sect!" Yoriteru Shimoma said angrily: "What are we going to do with those people who are pretending to be the Buddha and doing bad things that will never be recovered? Let them be annihilated by the Oda family in one fell swoop.
good!"
At this time, Nanali Yorishu saw that the Honganji Temple looked ugly, so he quickly smoothed things over and said: "Brother Shimoma, don't speak so rudely. The host must have his reasons for doing this. You must know that our territory in Echizen has weak troops. Now Oda Nobu
When it grows up, it has the potential to sweep across the country. It’s understandable that we recruit more monks and soldiers for defense.”
But he immediately changed the topic and said: "But! One thing I don't understand is why we want to participate in that plan organized by the Sanhaojia? Half of all our troops must be taken away? What about our territorial defense?"
You know, we can't be like those daimyo who just conquer the territory they like! Our territories are the master's land that was finally developed with great difficulty! You don't know how serious consequences your rash actions will bring to us.
?”
"Shichiri! Shimoma! I know you have different opinions, but the decision to implement this plan was voted by all the elders in the temple! Even though you are the abbot of the branch temple, you have no right to change it!" Honganji said clearly.
He had just returned from a long trip and was very tired. He no longer had any patience to explain to these chattering abbots of the branch temples.
"What the host said is absolutely correct!" At this time, Yorikane Shimoma intervened in time and said: "All the elders in the temple feel that Oda Nobunaga is constantly expelling Buddhists from his territory and forcing a large number of monks and nuns to return to secular life.
, are really heinous people, and have been eyeing our territory. In the past, it was just because the Sanhao family was supporting us in front of us, but now the Sanhao family is about to be unable to hold on. Once they are annihilated, we will definitely be next!
"
While they were arguing in the room, a monk soldier ran in in panic and shouted: "President! This is terrible! Our branch temple in Mount Hiki was burned down by the Oda army!"