"Okay, I'll consider this matter before discussing it," Li Shimin said.
"Yes!" Fang Xuanling and Lin Xuan bowed their hands and stepped back.
…
Daci'en Temple is one of the largest temples in the Tang Dynasty.
Because of the rise of Taoism and the decline of Buddhism, today Buddhism held a discussion meeting on the future development of Buddhism at Da Ci'en Temple.
Abbot Jue Yuan of Daci'en Temple looked at the abbots of other temples sitting here and said: "You should all know the current situation of Buddhism. I wonder if you have any good ways to change the current situation of Buddhism?"
The abbots of other temples looked at each other for a moment. Of course they knew about the current situation of Buddhism and had made efforts, but they had never thought of a good solution.
Jue Yuan waited for a while and when no one spoke, he said: "You are all abbots of various temples. Some temples have been passed down for decades or hundreds of years. You don't want Buddhism to decline in our hands, right?"
Baosheng, the abbot of Hongfu Temple, said: "Everyone, there is a story circulating in Chang'an recently. I wonder if you have heard of it?"
Jue Yuan quickly asked: "What story?"
The abbots of other temples also looked at Baosheng.
Baosheng said: "This story tells the story of a monk who traveled thousands of miles to Tianzhu to obtain the true scriptures because he felt that various Buddhist scriptures were different. I think the decline of Buddhism has something to do with the rise of Taoism. More importantly,
It’s the scriptures in our major temples that are different.”
Buddhism was spread from Tianzhu. After so many years of inheritance, the scriptures in each temple are different.
Although Buddhist debates are often held among various temples, no temple can convince the public.
After all, any temple that allows other temples to recognize their scriptures is equivalent to being the leader of Buddhism. The temptation is too great.
Although they are both Buddhists, they fight on their own.
Taoism is different. Not only does it have the support of the imperial court, but more importantly, its origin is in the Central Plains.
Although they are also divided into several schools, compared to Buddhism, they are much better.
"What Abbot Baosheng means is to send people to Tianzhu to obtain scriptures?" Jue Yuan asked.
Baosheng nodded and said: "We can't unify the meaning of Buddhist scriptures now. And Tianzhu is the origin of Buddhism. If the true scriptures can be obtained from Tianzhu, it will not only greatly increase the reputation of Buddhism, but also end so many years of internal disputes in Buddhism.
fighting situation.”
"What do you think?" Jue Yuan looked at the others.
He agreed with Baosheng's method, but it still had to be unanimously agreed upon by everyone.
"I agree with Master Baosheng's method."
"I agree, but Tianzhu is thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty, and no one knows the way. How to get there?"
"That's right, it's so far away, who wants to go?"
…
For a time, everyone was talking about it.
"Everyone, I have a good candidate." Baosheng said.
Jue Yuan asked: "Abbot Baosheng, I wonder which eminent monk is willing to go?"
Baosheng said with a smile: "I recently had a temporary resident monk in Hongfu Temple, named Xuanzang. He had had this idea before and had submitted a request to the court. Because the court did not approve it, he did not go there.
"(In ancient times, if ordinary people wanted to go to other places, they had to have customs clearance documents. It was not just possible to go there if they wanted to. Historically, there was a great disaster in the third year of Zhenguan. The court was unable to provide relief and allowed the people to go to other places to survive. Xuanzang was at that time
Went there. It was postponed due to lifting needs, please don’t spray!)
"Since he petitioned before and the court didn't agree, can the court agree now? And Xuanzang has never been to Tianzhu. Can he know the distance?" Jueyuan asked.
The candidate was recommended by Baosheng. If the scriptures were really obtained, the reputation of Hongfu Temple would definitely increase, but Jue Yuan could no longer care about that much.
If we don't think of a solution, there will be no way to reverse the decline of Buddhism.
"Xuan Zang will definitely not be able to petition the imperial court alone. We can jointly submit a petition to all the temples, and I am sure His Majesty will agree."
"As for the distance, you can ask the Marquis of Jingyang County. The previous story was written by him. Although the story is fictional, I heard that the distance traveled for Buddhist scriptures seems to be true. I think the Marquis of Jingyang County should know how to get to Tianzhu.
"Baosheng said.
Jue Yuan nodded and said: "Okay, now we all write a joint letter and go to the palace to find His Majesty. Abbot Baosheng took Xuanzang to find the Marquis of Jingyang County to inquire about the journey."
…
"Zichu, you shouldn't have touched Fang Xuanling in the court just now." Cheng Yaojin said.
Lin Xuan said: "Uncle Cheng, I also admire the conduct of the Prime Minister very much, and I also know that he is thinking about the court, but I cannot not stop him despite knowing that it is wrong."
"Just think about it this way. Fang Xuanling still has some tolerance. I'm sure he won't be angry with you because of this little thing." Cheng Yaojin said.
He was worried that Lin Xuan would make too many enemies in the court, which would be detrimental to him in the future.
Even though Cheng Yaojin seems carefree all day long, in fact his heart is more thoughtful than many people's.
"Thank you Uncle Cheng for your concern." Lin Xuan said gratefully.
…
Lin Xuan returned home, looked at the growth of potatoes and peppers, and checked the sprouting of tomatoes. He found that there was no problem, returned to the room, and went to sleep.
"Master, Master!"
Lin Xuan opened his eyes in confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
Chunyue said: "Sir, Master Baosheng from Hongfu Temple has come to ask for an audience!"
"Who is Master Baosheng? Why are you looking for me?" Lin Xuan asked.
He had heard of Hongfu Temple, a very famous temple in Chang'an, but he had never been there, and he had no social contacts. How could anyone come to see him?
Chunyue said: "Master Hou, Master Baosheng is the abbot of Hongfu Temple. As for what he is here for, I don't know."
"Okay, you first have someone take him to the living room and bring him some tea. I'll clean up and go over." Lin Xuan said.
Lin Xuan came to the living room and saw an old monk and a young monk sitting there, having tea.
"Lin Xuan and Lin Zichu, I have met Master Baosheng!" Lin Xuan said with cupped hands.
Baosheng stood up quickly and said with a smile: "I have met the Marquis of Jingyang County."
"Master, you're welcome, please take a seat!" Lin Xuan said with a smile.
After Baosheng sat down, he said with a smile: "This new method of drinking tea invented by Mr. Hou is somewhat similar to the Buddhist Zen, which is very wonderful."
Lin Xuan smiled and said, "As long as Master likes it, I wonder why Master is here this time?"
Baosheng said: "I took the liberty to come here this time because I have something to ask the Marquis for help."
"Master, you might as well talk about it first," Lin Xuan said.
If he came to beg for alms, Lin Xuan wouldn't mind giving a little, but if it was any trouble, he would be embarrassed.
Baosheng said: "I heard that the "Journey to the West" circulated in Keyun Tower was written by Lord Hou?"
Lin Xuan nodded and said: "I wrote this in my spare time, which made the master laugh."
There is nothing to hide about this kind of thing. A little research will tell you that it was he who produced "Journey to the West".
At the same time, he already had a guess in his mind about Baosheng's purpose.
"I have heard a story. Although I haven't finished it yet, the route to Tianzhu mentioned so far is correct. I wonder if the Marquis knows the entire route?" Baosheng asked.
"Master asked this?" Lin Xuan asked.
He knew that Baosheng probably wanted to go to Tianzhu to obtain Buddhist scriptures, but he didn't know whether he or Xuanzang should go.
If Baosheng had gone there, he might not have been able to come back. He was older and had traveled a long distance, so he might have died halfway.
Baosheng smiled and said: "This is Xuanzang. He wants to go to Tianzhu to learn Buddhist scriptures, but he doesn't know the distance. He specially wants to come to ask the Marquis for advice. I hope the Marquis can tell me."
Xuanzang smiled and nodded to Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan looked at Xuanzang in surprise. He was not as white and tender as shown on TV. Instead, he looked a little dark.
Historically, Xuanzang liked to travel around the world after he became a monk, so he probably did it while traveling.
Lin Xuan said in embarrassment: "I know a little about the route, but I have heard that Master Xuanzang should have reported it before, and His Majesty does not seem to agree to this matter. Even if I give the map to Master Xuanzang, he does not have the customs clearance document.
I can’t go.”
Baosheng smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. All our temples are going to jointly submit the memorial. I believe His Majesty will agree."
"Since Master said so, I will draw a map for Master. But I have something I would like to ask Master Xuanzang for help with," Lin Xuan said.
Xuanzang asked: "I wonder if the Marquis needs help from this young monk?"
"Master needs to pass through many countries when he goes here. I hope that Master can bring back the conditions of these countries and some seeds that are not available in the Tang Dynasty." Lin Xuan said.