Chapter 169 Washing away thousands of predestined relationships (1)
Wutai Mountain Foguang Zen Temple is located at the western foot of the south platform of Wutai Mountain. It was first built during the period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (471-499). In the fifth year of Huichang in the former Tang Dynasty (845), Emperor Wuzong carried out a large-scale extermination of Buddhism, and all the temple buildings, including the Maitreya Pavilion, were destroyed.
There is only one ancestor tower left.
After the death of Emperor Wu Zong, reconstruction began again in the eleventh year of Dazhong (857) of the former Tang Dynasty.
There are more than 100 halls, halls, towers and pavilions in the temple. Seven of the main halls in the east are built in the former Tang Dynasty, and seven in the Manjusri Hall are built in this dynasty.
The buildings are tall and stacked on top of each other, with a sparse layout and clear priorities. The ancient trees are majestic, lush and full of Zen.
Empress Zeng took her concubines Ming, De concubine Li, Zhaoyi Liu, Zhaorong Wuya, and other princes and princesses to offer incense to the Buddha in the East Hall, guided by several eminent monks in the temple.
Outside the main hall, hundreds of monks were wearing cassocks and sitting in the lotus position. They looked solemn and recited scriptures.
For a moment, the copper bell and wooden fish were clear and ringing in the ears. The Sanskrit sound was full of compassion and mercy.
In the deep abbot hall, Zhao Siduan sat at the top, accompanied by Abbot Zhihai of Foguang Pagoda, Abbot Wuxiang of Songshan Shaolin Pagoda, Abbot Huihai of Jialan Pagoda in Luoyang, Abbot Siru of Baima Pagoda,
Abbot Wu Fan of Tonghui Chan Temple in Hanoi, and Abbot Chengling of Linji Temple in Hebei Province.
Tan Shiji and Yu Wenxuzhong were sitting in the corner with the four editors who were writing and displaying papers.
"This time I came to the Buddha's Light Temple to offer incense in accordance with the decree of the Queen Mother. First, I prayed for the Song Dynasty, for the prosperity of the country and the people, and for peace in the world. Second, I prayed for the longevity of the Queen Mother, praying for a long life, happiness and prosperity."
Zhao Si spoke first.
Several great monks chanted in unison: "Namo Amitabha, your majesty is filial and grateful to heaven, and you will definitely be blessed by the Buddha."
Zhao Si's eyes swept over the faces of the several great monks one by one, and saw the expectation and excitement hidden under their calm expressions.
Even these great and eminent monks may not have a thorough understanding.
In the third year of Yuanfu, under the banner of clearing up the source of Buddhism, he destroyed fake temples and expelled fake monks, causing a great disturbance.
The masterminds behind the rebellion in Dunyu Mountain and later throughout Hebei were indeed local aristocratic families. But Buddhism was not that clean. It was just that they did not go too far and did not break their own bottom line, so they pretended not to know.
This guy has destroyed 80% to 90% of other people's temples and tightly put layers of shackles on them. Even great virtuous monks feel resentful in their hearts.
As the rectification continued and religious management became regular, I had to loosen the constraints of Buddhism. After all, Buddhism played a much greater role than Taoism in appeasing the people.
Moreover, Buddhism is also an important tool for oneself to control the Four Elephant Flags, and now it’s time to put it to use.
Zhao Si started to get straight to the point.
"In the imperial meeting, I agreed with all the great scholars that Buddhist monks are role models in being respectful and abiding by the law, and should enjoy legitimate rights and interests. Therefore, I ordered Shangshu Sheng and Zhongshu Sheng to discuss the abolition of the previous "Shi"
"Regulations on the Management of Monks in Each Monastery."
As soon as these words came out, several eminent monks couldn't help but smile indifferently, no matter how well-educated they were.
These eminent monks were the leaders of the Buddhist sect in the Central Plains. When Zhao Si took severe measures against the Buddhist sect, many monks could not restrain themselves and prepared to start a war against the "enemies of Buddhism", but they were persuaded by them.
The current government is "purifying the Buddha", which is completely different from the "exterminating the Buddha" during the reign of Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty. He put all the problems in the open, making most of the people side with him.
Moreover, these eminent monks also know the courage and determination of today's officials. If a group of dissatisfied monks come out to cause trouble, this official will not mind becoming the "Wuzong" of the Song Dynasty.
Now the pain is finally over!
Zhao Si continued: "But let me make the rules clear first. First of all, Buddhism is not divided into Tantric Sutra, Linji Sect, Zen Sect, Tiantai Sect, etc., and is unified under the management of the Ministry of Rites. The original intention of the Shangshu Province was to establish a Buddhist autonomy
The governing body is the Song Dynasty Buddhist Reporter Congress. I agree with their suggestions, but changed the name."
Zhao Si's voice was as loud as ever, as sonorous and powerful as the copper bells and bells coming from far away.
"Serving the country and serving the Song Dynasty with loyalty is an action. Buddhism is a quiet place that is free from the world. The Song Dynasty is not in danger yet to the point where we need you, the worldly people, to serve with loyalty. So I changed my name to
Buddhist Patriotic Federation of the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Si glanced at the eminent monks who were listening carefully and continued: "Patriotism is a duty and serving the country is a duty. Buddhism has no national boundaries, but monks have national boundaries. Since you are a citizen of the Song Dynasty, you should have a heart to love the Song Dynasty.
This pure-hearted practice is enough."
Having said this, Zhao Si stopped, leaving these eminent monks time to think.
They looked at each other in confusion, thinking about what the official said.
"Patriotism is a duty, and serving the country is a duty." This shows that officials hope that Buddhist monks, who are born to practice Buddhism, only need to perform their duties and do not need to perform the duties of the Catholic military and police.
This is already a very favorable treatment.
After all, the monks in various Buddhist temples are supported by money and food from the imperial court. Just like the Catholic military and police, they eat the royal food.
"Buddhism has no national borders, but monks have national borders." This is the official warning to Buddhist monks, that is, as a citizen of the Song Dynasty, no matter you are born or join the world, you must abide by the laws of the Song Dynasty and must not collaborate with the enemy and betray the country... Otherwise, the imperial law will naturally deal with it
you.
"Your Majesty, may I ask what the regulations are for the Buddhist Patriotic Federation of the Song Dynasty?"
After several eminent monks exchanged their thoughts with their eyes, the host, the great monk Zhihai, asked aloud.
"The Buddhist Patriotic Federation of the Song Dynasty, all monks with ultimatums in the Song Dynasty are individual members. The legally built Buddhist temples and monks' houses in the territory are all members of corporate bodies. The federation is located in Kaifeng, with an elders' council, composed of various members from all over the country.
The Buddhist temple selects a number of eminent monks who are responsible for the daily decision-making of the Buddhist Patriotic Association and preside over the regularly held national monk representative conferences."
Zhao Si said confidently.
"There is a deacon and a supervisory board. The former is responsible for the implementation of the general meeting's decisions and the handling of daily affairs; the latter supervises the monks' observance of the precepts and the review and handling of violations of the precepts."
Monk Wuxiang couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty just said that the Buddhist Patriotic Association is an autonomous management organization of Buddhism. What does this mean?"
"The meaning of autonomous management is very simple. Your Buddhist precepts, such as the management system of Buddhist temples, the monks' practice system and daily management guidelines... are all formulated by you yourself, submitted to the National Monk Representative Conference for review and approval, and then reviewed and prepared by the Ministry of Rites
It can be implemented. Monks in Buddhist temples across the country will implement it accordingly. Monks who violate your internal precepts and regulations will be dealt with by your Buddhist Patriotic Association. However, if there are violators, they will be dealt with like ordinary people."
Hearing this, several eminent monks couldn't help it anymore and started whispering among themselves. Zhao Si didn't scold them for their rude behavior. He picked up a cup of Wutai Mountain tea and sipped it carefully.
After a while, Monk Zhihai asked excitedly: "Your Majesty, may I ask whether the abbot, abbot, chief monk and other monk positions in various Buddhist temples are also recommended by us internally?"
Zhao Si put the tea cup on the table next to him and nodded: "That's right. It will be recommended by your internal selection. Previously, your Buddhist monks were divided into Shifang Temple and Zisun Temple."
Previously, Buddhist descendants' temples implemented a family inheritance system based on the master-disciple relationship, and monks from other temples were not allowed to serve in the temple.
The Shifang Temple can receive monks from all over the world, and the monks who stay in the temple can also travel from all over the world. The organization and management of the temple implements a merit-selection system, and they are recommended by the monks who are listed in this temple.
"After the last Qingyuan Rectification Operation, in addition to prohibiting the use of temple names, all Buddhist temples were renamed Shifang Temple to eliminate descendants. However, the management regulations at that time stipulated that the abbot, abbot and other monks of each Buddhist temple should
The positions were appointed by the local government. Now it is changed to your own selection by the Buddhist Patriotic Association."
"The recruitment, study, assignment, apprenticeship, and practice examination and classification of monks, as well as the election and appointment of monks in various Buddhist temples, are all organized and managed by your Buddhist Patriotic Association. There are branches in each county below the General Association.
, branches are set up in each state.”
What Zhao Si means is very clear. Branches can be established at the state level, but not at the county level.
Several eminent monks also understood the meaning.
Nowadays, the quota of monks and the number of Buddhist temples are strictly limited. A county can only have one Buddhist temple, or one more Buddhist monastery. Larger counties can only add one more temple.
There is absolutely no need to set up branches at the county level.
"Yancheng, please distribute the draft of the detailed regulations to all the great monks and ask them to take a look. I don't have to waste any more time. These words made my mouth dry. But your Wutai Mountain's Bird's Tongue Tea is really good.
good."
Gentle laughter echoed in the abbot's hall, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious. This chapter has been completed!
