Facts have proved that the thoughts of great men can transcend the boundaries of time and space. After listening to Chen Jingke's explanation, the big stone in everyone's heart fell completely.
It can even be said that the principles proposed by Zixiaoguan are better than they imagined, and Taoism can completely use them as the basic rules for getting along with each other in the future.
At the same time, they couldn't help but look at Chen Jingke and others with admiration.
I had heard before that Sun Simiao's disciples were extraordinary, but after all, I only heard about it. Only when I saw it with my own eyes did I know that the rumors were true.
Although Pan Shizheng and Li Chunfeng knew he was a genius, they still couldn't help being surprised.
While admiring Tian Shiwen, he also took a look at his disciple. Although this disciple was forced by the Queen, he was indeed a genius and filial and polite. He was very satisfied.
Cheng Xuanying once again praised: "A famous teacher and a great disciple, Sun Zhenren is really envious of others to have such a great disciple."
He is the person whose attitude has changed the most. He is more like a Taoist than a Taoist priest. He does not pay much attention to the Taoist immortal talisman system, and is more interested in studying Taoist thought.
In fact, the historical records of his previous life labeled him as a Taoist scholar, a Taoist theorist, and his identity as a Taoist priest was not mentioned much.
Therefore, he had no hostility toward Buddhism. Instead, he took the initiative to learn and absorb the essence of Buddhism, integrated it into Taoist thought, and founded the Chongxuan School.
He has an indifferent attitude towards the innovation of Zixiaoguan. He sincerely dislikes Journey to the West, but he is forced to come because of his status.
Originally, he thought that Zixiaoguan should be an extreme radical in terms of ideology, but after hearing these principles, his attitude changed greatly. Instead of being extreme, he was very tolerant.
It is absolutely impossible for people who are not inclusive to put forward these principles.
The only thing he couldn't figure out was why someone with such a broad mind would write Journey to the West to target Buddhism.
Speaking of Journey to the West, Tian Shiwen was most interested. After hearing those principles and deciding to cooperate, he took the initiative to change the topic to Journey to the West:
"The signature on Journey to the West is Taoist Fellow Chen Jingke. I want to know if that's true, or was it written by Master Sun under the guise of fellow Taoist Chen Jingke?"
Journey to the West is too sensitive, and it is not impossible for Sun Simiao to be published as a false disciple, so he asked this question.
Sun Simiao said sternly: "This book was indeed written by my apprentice. I only helped him check it after it was completed, and I had no other involvement."
Pan Shizheng also said: "I can testify that this book is indeed written by Master Chen's nephew. I once had the same questions as you. Because of the "Tai Shang Induction Chapter", I have more questions than you."
"So I stayed in Zixiao Temple for many days and discussed Taoism with him several times. I learned a lot and I am sure that Journey to the West was written by him."
Li Chunfeng also spoke up at the right time: "I am familiar with the two masters Xue Zhen and Kong Zhengping of Sanqing Guan, and I learned from them that Journey to the West was indeed written by Daoyou Chen."
"He also asked the two for advice on many places in the book that related to Buddhism and Taoism, and discussed some of the stories with them. This should not be false."
Sun Simiao himself denied it, and two more people testified. Coupled with Chen Jingke's performance just now, no one had any doubts.
What, you said that it is not logical for an eleven-year-old child to write Journey to the West?
It is indeed illogical, but the problem is that half of the people here are illogical.
Sun Simiao, Tian Shiwen, Cheng Xuanying, and Li Chunfeng were all geniuses. They had read several classics at a young age.
Yin Wenchao read through "Laozi" and "The Classic of Filial Piety" when he was only a few years old. When he was in his early ten years, he read "Lingbao" and "Xisheng" and other scriptures to understand the true meaning of Taoism. At the age of fifteen, Taoism was stable.
Otherwise, Changsun Wugou would not have personally issued him an ultimatum and sent him to Zongsheng Temple to be Tian Shiwen's apprentice.
The ancients attached great importance to classics and despised novels. Writing Journey to the West is certainly worthy of admiration, but compared with enlightenment, it seems normal.
With so many examples, people easily accepted his writing of Journey to the West.
After confirming the original author, Tian Shiwen looked at Chen Jingke and asked: "Why did my little friend come up with the idea of writing Journey to the West?"
Chen Jingke knew why he asked this. The core of Journey to the West is exactly the same as the core of Laozi's Transformation of Hu Jing, while Laozi's Transformation of Hu Jing was written by Wang Fu, one of the founders of Lou Guan School.
If the two can be connected, it will be a good thing for Lou Guan Tao.
In fact, the inspiration for Chen Jingke's magical adaptation of Journey to the West did come from the legend of "I turned into a Hu". This is nothing to hide, so he said bluntly:
"This idea comes from "Laozi Hua Hu Jing" and is combined with Master's innovative Taoist program."
Tian Shiwen showed a pleased expression and asked: "Apart from Lao Tzu turning into a beard, what do you think of Buddhism?"
Chen Jingke knew that the most difficult level was coming, so he thought carefully and said, "Before talking about Buddhism, I want to talk about China."
Tian Shiwen said with great interest: "Oh, tell me."
Chen Jingke said: "There is no doubt that our Chinese civilization is the oldest and most splendid civilization. As a descendant of the Chinese, I am deeply proud."
Tian Shiwen's chest subconsciously straightened up, with a look of pride on his face.
"However, the excellence of Chinese civilization is directly related to our open-mindedness. Since ancient times, our ancestors have been absorbing the essence of external civilization and using it for their own purposes."
"The Quanrong, Guifang and other tribes in the Three Dynasties, the Hufu riding and shooting in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and absorbing the essence of Baiyue..."
"During the Qin and Han dynasties, they completely conquered Baiyue and penetrated the Western Regions. Many new things and new ideas came from the far west. Buddhism was also introduced at that time."
In fact, everyone already understood his attitude at this point.
Cheng Xuanying showed such an expression that he knew that someone who could come up with the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences would not be so narrow-minded.
Tian Shiwen's face became a little ugly, but he did not interrupt.
"Since Buddhism entered the Central Plains, countless sages in China have been analyzing and transforming it so that it can be used for my use."
"Today, the teachings of Chinese Buddhism are completely different from those of Tianzhu Buddhism. It is not an exaggeration to call them Chinese Buddhism."
"If we expel them like this, it will be a huge loss to China. It will not only waste the efforts of our ancestors, but also go against the all-inclusive advantages of our Chinese civilization."
"And after hundreds of years of development, Buddhism has taken root among the people. To put it bluntly, their influence among the people is far greater than that of Taoism."
"If the people were allowed to choose, sixty-seven out of ten of them would choose Buddhism instead of Taoism."
After hearing this, everyone's expressions were a bit unnatural. Taoism is indeed inferior to Buddhism in terms of preaching.
Chen Jingke continued: "Furthermore, both Your Majesty and the Empress believe in Buddhism, and many of the princes in the court also believe in Buddhism. It is almost impossible to persuade them to expel Buddhism."
"So instead of expelling Buddhism, it is better to find a way to swallow it and make it a part of our Chinese civilization. Journey to the West was written for this purpose."