They knew the former, but this was the first time they heard of the latter, so they were naturally very surprised.
Pan Shizheng couldn't wait to speak: "What is the essence of religion? Please elaborate, my nephew."
Chen Jingke did not answer directly, but asked: "You might as well think about it from the perspective of the common people, why do they believe in religion?"
Pan Shizheng and others are elders, so naturally it is not convenient for them to answer his questions like students. At this time, the advantage of bringing apprentices over comes to light.
After receiving permission, Si Yuncheng replied: "I have come into contact with many believers, and their religious purposes are nothing more than two. One is to eliminate disasters and solve problems, and the other is to seek the next life."
Yin Wenchao added: "There are also people who seek immortality and peace of mind."
Others nodded in agreement. Isn’t this what belief is for? Even Taoist priests like them founded Taoism for this.
Chen Jingke said: "You have said it very comprehensively. To sum it up in one sentence, the essence of religion is actually a kind of spiritual sustenance and ultimate concern."
Everyone frowned. He knew all these words, but when they were put together, he had no idea what they meant.
Chen Jingke knew that these words were too advanced for them, mainly because many words and concepts only appeared later, and it was normal for them to have only a partial understanding of what they heard.
So I explained it in a language they could understand: "People have seven emotions and six desires... life is often unsatisfactory... so life is very painful, and different people have different sufferings."
"The most helpless thing is that most people's suffering cannot be solved in their lifetime... At this time, they need something to give them hope... This is the so-called spiritual sustenance and ultimate care."
Everyone showed thoughtful expressions.
After a long time, Pan Shizheng said with joy: "That's it, that's it... Listening to you is better than ten years of reading. My nephew's words woke me up."
Although the others didn't say anything, they obviously felt the same way.
Chen Jingke asked rhetorically: "Oh, then let me boldly ask, why does an individual need religion, and why does the country need religion?"
This... everyone is a little speechless. Now I want you to speak, okay? Why do you always ask us? Do you really think of us as your students?
Sun Simiao glared at him and said, "Don't be indifferent in front of your elders. Just say whatever you have to say."
Chen Jingke knew that he had the habit of being a teacher, so he touched his nose awkwardly and said:
"For individuals, they want to eliminate distress and anxiety and gain hope and peace of mind through religion."
"For the country and the court, they hope that religion can help rectify the world and establish ethics and morality."
"Only by understanding this truth can our innovation be successful and completely reverse the unfavorable situation facing Buddhism."
Li Chunfeng finally spoke and said: "My little fellow Taoist has fulfilled his fundamentals with his words. This is indeed the imperial court's religious requirement."
He is the number two official in the Taishi Bureau and often accompanies the king, so his words are very credible.
Before, everyone only knew that Zixiao Temple needed to be reformed, but it was not very clear how the reform would be carried out.
"Taomen Illustrated Manual" is just a reference book that introduces the new version of the Immortal and God system, and does not cover the basic ideological and institutional content.
So it is inevitable that you will have some worries in your mind. What if the changes are not good? This possibility is very high.
After listening to Chen Jingke's analysis, their minds suddenly became clear, countless ideas emerged, and they also gained confidence in the innovation of Zixiaoguan.
Tian Shiwen said eagerly: "I don't know how Zixiao Guanyu will innovate. Don't try to titillate me, little friend. Tell me quickly."
Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Let's talk about spiritual comfort and ultimate care first. The way Taoism attracts believers now is to become gods and immortals, and to eliminate disasters and solve problems."
"However, all fools know that even if they can become gods, it will not be their turn. People can't even have enough to eat. Is it possible for them to pursue the illusory path to immortality?"
"It is easy to expose the problem-solving methods. Even if you believe in religion, you still suffer from various disasters. You can explain it once or twice, but after a long time, the truth will be exposed."
"We, the Chinese people, are very harsh towards the gods. When there is a drought, we worship the Dragon King for rain. If it doesn't rain, we destroy the temple."
"So we need to make the doctrine more humane and caring so that believers can feel hope. And it must be simple and easy to understand so that even traffickers and foot soldiers can easily understand it."
"We still have to keep our flaws open. Even if they don't get what they want, they won't blame us. Instead, we will find the reason from themselves."
"For people in the world, the most attractive thing that cannot be falsified is death and the afterlife."
"Believe in my Taoism, be a good person and do good deeds to accumulate merit. After death, those with high merit can ascend to heaven and become moral immortals to enjoy wealth forever."
"Those with average merit can be cast into a good family in the next life... Those who are guilty will be punished..."
Everyone suddenly understood and nodded. This passage in the "Taomen Illustrated Manual" introduced the heaven and earth a little bit.
It's just that the introduction in the book is not very clear, and they only know what it is but don't know why. Only after listening to Chen Jingke's explanation did they understand the ins and outs.
Now when I look back at the content of that book, I have many different understandings and insights, and I feel more and more that this new theological system is so exquisite.
There are thirty-three heavens, six realms of reincarnation and eighteen levels of hell in the underworld, and this set of theories is integrated with the merit system.
Whether you go to heaven or hell after death depends on how much merit you have accumulated while alive.
Moreover, this system cannot be falsified. Who dares to say it is false and provide evidence?
The key is that the people at the bottom who are struggling and cannot see the future are willing to believe this logic.
Whether there really is an afterlife or spiritual comfort, having hope is better than despair.
Even they themselves have some doubts about whether there is really heaven and earth in this world.
There is no way, the Daomen Illustrated Scripture is too comprehensive, with all kinds of details.
What about Black and White Impermanence Binding the Soul, Huangquan, Naihe Bridge, Flowers of the Other Shore, Meng Po Soup, Wangxiang Terrace, Bull Head and Horse Noodles, Judge, Book of Life and Death, etc.
The titles and functions of each of the Ten Halls of Yama, what is in each of the eighteen levels of hell, what are the six paths of reincarnation...
All the details were there, exactly like the real thing, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.
The thirty-third heaven is no exception. Each heaven has its own name and functions.
Because it's so detailed, people can't help but believe it's true.
Of course, what really surprised them was that the new theology perfectly accommodated the Taoist sect's original theological system, rather than leaving aside the original original sect.
This is also the reason why they are willing to come to negotiate instead of rejecting it outright.
Chen Jingke paused for a while to give everyone time to react, and then continued:
"Just now we talked about it from a personal perspective. Now let's talk about it from a national perspective. What kind of religion does the court need?"