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Chapter 140 The Equality of All Beings in Buddhism: A Two-Pronged Approach (Please Subscribe)
Ordinary people sue temple keeper and city god?

Upon hearing about this case, not only Tang Sanzang, but even Sun Wukong and his companions were dumbfounded.

The most outrageous thing is that the officials of the Fire Cloud Kingdom even formally tried the case and handed it over to the Fire Cloud Kingdom's ruler.

This is beyond outrageous.

It's simply out of tune with the original.

However, considering the origins of the Fire Cloud Kingdom and the identity of its ruler.

After a brief moment of shock, Sun Wukong and his companions realized that although the matter was outrageous, it was nothing to Niu Yan, the son of the Heavenly Venerable.

After all, to Niu Yan, the son of the Heavenly Venerable, a mere City God was no different from a mortal.

A single word can determine someone's life, death, and future.

But... what will Tang Sanzang do?

Upon realizing this, Sun Wukong and his two companions immediately turned to Tang Sanzang, their eyes fixed intently on him like chattering birds in a melon patch, awaiting his answer.

"God?"

How can mortals accuse gods?

After listening to the story told by Wang Lun, the prime minister of Huoyun Kingdom, Tang Sanzang looked bewildered, as if he had been frightened.

Upon hearing this, Wang Lun frowned and asked, "Why does the Holy Monk say such a thing?"

Why can't mortals sue the gods?

"I have also read Buddhist scriptures and know that the Buddha once said, 'If one says that one is born everywhere, then one is called a sentient being.' This is based on the karma of transmigration through the five realms. Hence the saying that all sentient beings are equal."

"We mortals are sentient beings, but isn't the City God also a sentient being?"

"Since we are all sentient beings, in the eyes of the holy monk, all sentient beings should be equal. Therefore, if we mortals encounter injustice from the gods, we can naturally sue the gods. What is wrong with that?"

The Lotus Sutra states: "If it is said that beings are born everywhere, hence the name 'sentient beings,' this is based on the karmic force of transmigration through the five realms."

The five realms mentioned here refer to the six realms of existence: the hell realm, the hungry ghost realm, the animal realm, the human realm, and the heavenly realm.

Buddhism believes that all sentient beings, without exception, are subject to endless transmigration between the past, present, and future. The differences in their "karma" across these three lifetimes determine their different positions within the six realms of existence in each world.

While sentient beings repeatedly experience the process of the three lifetimes, they also continuously reincarnate in the six realms, hence the term "reincarnation in the six realms of the three lifetimes".

Therefore, in the Buddhist view, all living species are essentially the same, without distinction of high or low, noble or base. This can be described as the equality of all beings, rather than the actual equality of all beings.

Put another way.

Wild animals enter the cycle of reincarnation after death, as do mortals and immortals. Therefore, Buddhism teaches that wild animals and immortals are equal in terms of entering the cycle of reincarnation after death.

Rather than focusing on the wealth and status of beasts and gods, the essence of life is equality.

Therefore, Wang Lun's words clearly imply a fallacy of equivocation.

Unfortunately, this is exactly how Buddhists promote the concept of "equality of all beings," claiming that whether they are royalty or beggars, all beings are equal, regardless of wealth or poverty.

Now, Wang Lun has extended the concept of equality for all beings to the levels of mortals and immortals.

Even if Tang Sanzang knew that Wang Lun was using a fallacy to change the subject, he could not say anything.

After all, he couldn't say that mortals and immortals are not equal, that immortals should be high above and mortals should suffer, as this would obviously go against the Buddhist ideals.

He could only sit there restlessly, muttering to himself.

Seeing this, Wang Lun shook his head and then smiled to comfort him, "Of course, Holy Monk, you don't need to be too troubled. After all, this case may not necessarily be the fault of the City God. Only after the Holy Monk has reviewed the case file can he make a judgment on who is right and who is wrong."

"Of course, because this case has been delayed for a long time, it will be publicly tried in Yanhuo City tomorrow. At that time, the king, civil and military officials, and even the people of Yanhuo City will watch the holy monk try the case."

"Therefore, the Holy Monk does not have much time left. It would be best if the Holy Monk reviewed the case files a couple more times so that he can make a fair judgment."

"I believe that with the great wisdom of the holy monk, he will surely be able to judge the case fairly and give justice to both parties."

While talking.

Wang Lun placed the two volumes of case files on the table in front of Tang Seng, and then, without waiting for Tang Seng to speak, took his leave without mentioning the remaining two difficult problems.

"Disciples, what should we do?"

"You can teach me to meditate and attain enlightenment, but I really have no experience in judging and solving cases!"

After Prime Minister Wang Lun left, Tang Sanzang, who had been sitting there silently, suddenly turned his gaze to his three disciples and said with a bitter expression, "Let's hear and decide cases."

It's still a case of mortals suing gods.

Tang Sanzang wasn't truly stupid; he knew that this matter was far more complex than it appeared.

If the City God were to be judged because of a mere mortal, it would be tantamount to challenging the entire lineage of the Houtu Emperor's Residence, and it would be strange if he weren't targeted afterward.

After all, the phenomenon of officials protecting each other is not only common in mortal dynasties, but also in the Heavenly Court and various pantheons.

"Master, don't panic!"

"In my opinion, this job of judging and deciding cases is very easy and simple."

"After all, nothing is more important than 'reason'. As the saying goes, with reason you can go anywhere, without reason you can't move an inch. We just need to judge this case according to the law."

“If it is the fault of the mortal, then punish the mortal; and if it is the fault of the City God, then punish the City God. As long as it is fair and just, the king will surely be satisfied.”

Sun Wukong handed the case file to Tang Sanzang with a grin and said righteously.

Although he didn't know what kind of trap was hidden in this case of "a mortal suing the City God", it didn't stop him from kicking Tang Seng into it and then closing the doors and windows behind him.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang shook his head and sighed, "You monkey, you're too naive. You don't understand the difficulties involved. Think about it, the City God is a deity, while I am just a mortal. How can I possibly judge the City God?"

"Furthermore, I have heard that the City God's lineage of Yin spirits has its own laws of the underworld. If we really want to judge a case, should we do so according to the laws of the underworld or according to the laws of the Fire Cloud Kingdom in the mortal world?"

“If the case is judged according to the laws of the underworld, the king will certainly not be satisfied.”

"But if the case is judged according to the laws of the Fire Cloud Kingdom in the mortal realm, how can the gods of the underworld and the City God accept it?"

"As your teacher, I am ignorant of both the laws of the Fire Cloud Kingdom in the mortal realm and the laws of the underworld. How can I possibly conduct a fair trial in this case?"

"Therefore, this case simply cannot be tried!"

Tang Sanzang sighed and explained the difficulties of the case, his face showing a hint of reluctance.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled slightly and then readily took charge, saying, "What's so difficult about that? It's just the laws of the Fire Cloud Kingdom and the laws of the Underworld, isn't it?"

"The ruler of Huoyun Kingdom is the son of my elder brother. It would be very easy to ask him for a copy of Huoyun Kingdom's laws."

"Furthermore, I, Old Sun, have a very close relationship with the Ten Kings of Hell in the Underworld. We've had quite a few dealings with each other, so finding a copy of the Underworld Law for my master is not difficult."

"With these laws of the mortal world and the laws of the underworld, with Master's wisdom, it would be very simple and easy to try this case fairly."

Sun Wukong had just finished speaking.

Pigsy (Zhu Bajie) also loves to watch the excitement and doesn't mind making things worse.

"If you ask me, there's no need for all that trouble. I, Old Pig, also have the art of summoning and exorcising gods. Why not just invite the City God here, coerce and intimidate him, and that will surely bring this case to light?"

"I refuse to believe that the City God can withstand the torture of my nine-toothed rake!"

Pigsy offered a suggestion.

As he spoke, he rubbed his hands together, as if he were ready to capture the City God and torture him at the slightest command from Tang Sanzang.

"What the eldest brother said is right, and what the second brother said also makes sense."

"In my opinion, we might as well proceed simultaneously. First, we can collect the laws of the mortal world and the laws of the underworld. Then, we can invite the City God to assist in the investigation. Finally, our master can judge the case and make a judgment. I think we can quickly uncover the truth and the truth will come to light."

Sha Wujing chimed in, agreeing that this matter required a two-pronged approach, with both aspects being equally effective. He didn't care whether the City God was innocent or not, as long as he could cause some trouble for the old monk.

Three traitors!
Tang Sanzang listened to his three disciples' suggestions and cursed inwardly.

These three rebellious disciples in front of him were probably hoping he would completely offend the Houtu Huangdi lineage.

They also captured the City God and subjected him to severe torture.

Believe it or not, I'll hang you all up and beat you.

Tang Sanzang cursed inwardly, but his face remained sorrowful as he sighed:
"This matter is not urgent. Let me take a look at the case file first before making a decision. After all, Prime Minister Wang also said that this matter may not be the fault of the City God. If we wrong the City God, that would also be a sin."

Say it.

Ignoring his three disciples who looked regretful, Tang Sanzang began to carefully review the case files.

(End of this chapter)