The Dharma Sea of ​​the Green Snake

Chapter 40

"Why did I want to practice in the first place?"

Zen Master Lingyou was obviously taken aback by Pei Wende's question.

"Actually, I just wanted to lighten the burden on my family at first, so I was ordained as a monk at Longxing Temple in Hangzhou."

This reason is very real, and it is also in line with the national conditions of this era.

Monks with official certificates can not only eat imperial food, but also have land property under their name that pays little or no tax.

Therefore, in order to avoid complicated taxes and corvee, many middle-class families usually send their children to become monks, or attach their own land properties to temples.

Anyway, in this era of war and chaos, one more identity means one more way out. Those families with more children can be said to be very open-minded about this point.

However, Zen Master Lingyou is different from those "monks" who simply mix their identities.

During the days when he became a monk, he was really studying and learning Buddhist scriptures, and in the process he discovered what he really wanted.

"During the days of cultivating in Longxing Temple, I have been thinking about a question..."

"Am I going to be trapped in a small temple all my life, living a life where I can see the end at a glance?"

"I don't want to be like this. I want to see the wider world. I want to live longer than anyone else and see more things that I have never seen before."

"This is the opportunity for me to enter the Tao, and it is also the motivation for my long-term practice."

Chan Master Lingyou unreservedly told about his opportunity to enter Taoism, just like his master once told about his opportunity to enter Taoism.

"Wait, why does it sound like something is wrong to me?"

After carefully listening to Zen Master Lingyou's speech, Wen Wende suddenly realized that his master's lineage seemed to be different from the Buddhist school he imagined.

Not to mention that compared with the orthodox mainstream Zen Buddhism, even some branches of Tantric Buddhism seem to be less...casual in concept than their own branch?
"Master, didn't you say that we are from the ascetic lineage of the Tianzhu Secret Cultivator?"

"But why do I feel that what you said is a bit like Taoist thought?"

"Especially the pursuit of longevity, isn't this a typical Taoist idea?"

Even Pei Wende, who has never been in contact with any serious Taoist school, knows that "Longevity and Longevity" is the philosophy of most Taoist monks.

There is no slight similarity with the "pursuant salvation of all living beings and reincarnation" advocated by Buddhism.

"That's why I said that 'most' of my abilities come from the ascetic lineage, not 'all'."

"In fact, if I really want to count it, I have learned so much in my life as a teacher. Even I don't know which branch of the sect I should count."

"However, when it comes to the greatest influence on being a teacher, it is Zen Master Huaihai from Baizhang Mountain in Hongzhou."

When talking about this, Zen Master Lingyou hesitated for a moment, and then continued to speak calmly.

"What's more, Taoism, Buddhism, and even Confucianism, as long as they are beneficial to my practice, is there any difference between them?"

The original esoteric ascetics certainly did not have the concept of "longevity and long vision".

Because what they pursue is the afterlife and karma, and they don't expect longevity in this body.

But after being introduced to the Central Plains for so long, the original group of secret ascetic monks had almost died long ago.

The practice methods that have been handed down have undergone several generations of evolution, and naturally incorporate some thoughts of Taoism, Confucianism, Yin-Yang School, and even Fa-Mo School.

This is the evolution of natural laws, and it is the only way for any ambitious latecomer.

Fighting for the strengths of hundreds of schools and becoming the way of one person is what a true Taoist should do, what he can do, and what he must do.

"Everything is changing, and so is our practice..."

"The 'end' that our predecessors could not reach is the 'peak' that our successors will climb."

Zen Master Lingyou's plain tone was full of arrogance and conceit that Pei Wende had never seen before, and his bony body seemed to grow taller at this moment.

This familiar scene reminded Pei Wende of Huiji in Mulian Temple. At that time, Huiji who evaded Yi Qunmo seemed to have a similar arrogance.

"It seems that there is a reason why you accepted me and senior brother as apprentices."

It is obviously a rebellious remark in the eyes of normal people, but it seems to be a common phenomenon in Zen Master Lingyou's mouth. It is no wonder that Wen Wende complained about his master so much.

Compared with Pei Wende whose soul came from the 21st century, Zen Master Lingyou's performance now is more like a real "time traveler".

Reminiscent of the big brother's frequent outrageous words, Pei Wende suddenly realized that the arrogance and conceit of his lineage seem to be in the same line?

......................................................................................................

Tongqing Temple, in that not-so-big library.

"Heaven will send a great mission to the people, and they must first suffer from their hearts..."

The haughty and conceited Huiji in Pei Wende's impression was painstakingly copying various books in the Sutra Pavilion.

These include but are not limited to Buddhist scriptures and Taoist books, Confucianism and Legalism, and even some unofficial history legends, the richness of which is not inferior to the collections of some big families.

And what Hui Ji is doing now is to read and transcribe these rare classics, and use the strengths of all the families to perfect the path he will take in the future.

After all, Hui Ji is not a rookie like Pei Wende who hasn't started yet, he has already walked the path that ordinary practitioners have to go.

I have seen the people of Liming who are living in dire straits along the way, and I have understood the determination of the current saint to resolutely destroy Buddha...

Huiji, who was already talented and intelligent, decided to break the precepts and walk the path of practice and life from scratch. If a practitioner doesn't want to do something in the world, why bother to practice in the world?

"Hinayana Buddhism can only save oneself, but can Mahayana Buddhism really save the world?"

A look of reluctance and thought flashed in his eyes, Hui Ji felt that he might go to the Mercy Temple in Chang'an in the future.

There is the Mahayana scripture left by Master Xuanzang, even if it can't solve all the problems, it will definitely solve some doubts in my heart.

"The innovation of the secular world must start from the secular world..."

As if feeling something suddenly, Hui Ji, who was copying scriptures, turned her head and glanced at Pei Wende's position.

"Finding the way and direction is only the beginning, how to spread the correct ideas widely is the most important thing."

"Entering the Tao is difficult, and preaching is even more difficult!"

Huiji, who was thinking like this, couldn't help thinking of a chat with Pei Wende before, which happened to be about how to spread her views without any trace.

"I annotate the Six Classics, I annotate the Six Classics..."

"To use that kid's words, it's like talking about bullshit, pulling big trends, taking private goods, and using 'political correctness' to export your own views."

—Recommendation ticket—/—Monthly ticket—

(End of this chapter)