Han Shizu

Chapter 1422 Shaolin Temple

As the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism, Shaolin Temple has been silent for more than [-] years since Qianyou exterminated Buddhism. Under the shadow of a piece of imperial power, it can only be like most Buddhist temples in the world, keeping its own law and order, keeping a low profile, and devoting itself to cultivating Buddhism.

In the past 20 years, at least in the first ten years, the days were very tormented, property was lost, the number of monks dropped sharply, and believers were lonely.That's all. The Buddha has been in China for more than a thousand years, and the ordeals he has endured are not worse than this time. Just treat it as a test given by the Buddha and survive it.

However, it is very difficult to close mountains and avoid temples, and to hide and avoid disasters.Compared with the fate of those who destroyed temples, Shaolin Temple was relatively lucky. At least the whole was preserved. As for the closure of the mountain, it is completely impossible. Shaolin owns.Moreover, they have to be under the supervision of the local government at all times, and dare not have any overstepping behavior.

That is to say, in recent years, the imperial court has stopped targeting so deliberately, and the incense has only gradually become prosperous, but if compared with the grand occasion 20 years ago, it is still not the same.

And in the summer of the ninth year of the treasure opening, the tranquility that Shaolin Temple had maintained for more than 20 years was broken again. Imakami, who brought deep pain and disaster to the Buddhist sect, came to the temple in person.

For Zhongyue Temple and Songyang Academy as "neighbors", it may be an honor for the emperor to visit, but for Shaolin, it is not necessarily so.Therefore, when the news came, the entire ancient temple was erupting, with excitement like surprise but not joy.

However, there is no way, no matter how hesitant and fearful, he can only choose to welcome him, and prepare for the reception under the supervision of the local government and the guard officers.

Hundreds of monks from all over the He Temple were busy, cleaning the gate, tidying up the halls, with great fanfare, ready for battle, as if some disaster was about to strike.

Together with the Dengfeng government, it is Bai Yang, a young guard from the guard class, who is responsible for the preparation and supervision of the pick-up.Before departure, Zhang Yong told him about the "origin" between Emperor Liu and Buddhism, so Aries entered a state of high vigilance.

Bai Yang directly brought five hundred guards and stationed in the Shaolin Temple first, inspected the temple up and down, still not at ease, sent people to occupy various key positions at the same time, staring at the monks like guarding against thieves. All the monks in the temple were arrested and imprisoned.

As for Emperor Liu, even though he was accompanied by swords, axes and axes, he really wanted to go to the treasure land of Shaolin, and he had no other plans except for a little curiosity.

Therefore, when I came to Shaolin Temple and saw the battle in the temple, I was really stunned for a moment.The famous mountain and ancient temples are solemn and quiet, and the silence is a bit penetrating, and the air is filled with a strong sense of strangeness.

In order to greet him, Shaolin Temple closed down altogether, prohibiting believers from climbing the mountain to worship Buddha, so that the huge temple has a lot of people, but it is particularly deserted.

Faced with this somewhat desolate and even bleak scene, Emperor Liu did not hide his surprise on his face. After Zhang Yong made some inquiries, he briefly reported the situation to Emperor Liu.

"Nonsense! This is not only infringing on Fang Wai's clean land, but also disturbing the people! This white sheep really has no hair on his mouth, and he does everything he does. Is that how he does things?" Emperor Liu reprimanded.

However, judging from the slight smile on the corner of his mouth, he didn't take it seriously.

When Zhang Yong saw it, he won the favor of Aries and said: "General Bai's duty is only for the safety of Sheng Jia!"

Emperor Liu stood in front of the gate of Shaolin Mountain, looked up at this famous ancient temple, raised his hands, and said to himself, "My visit this time is like an evil guest coming to the door. I am afraid that these monks will be quite shocked. what!"

Stepping in with the National People's Congress, under the leadership of the Shaolin abbot, all the monks of the temple greeted them together.The host, Hongtai, was over eighty years old and healthy. Although he was old, he was kind-hearted. Of course, at this age, he had insight into the world. Although he was careful with Emperor Liu, he was neither humble nor overbearing, and he was not too nervous.

"The host is exempt!" Emperor Liu looked at the old host peacefully, with a hint of oppression in his eyes.

The old abbot kept calm and made a Buddhist salute: "Thank you, Your Majesty! The old monk leads the whole temple to welcome the holy driver!"

Looking at the old monk, Emperor Liu chuckled lightly and said, "I heard that the Shaolin leader has been in charge for more than forty years and has a great reputation. When I saw him today, he is indeed extraordinary. He is indeed a high-spirited monk!"

"Your Majesty's absurd praise! This old monk is just an old monk who eats fast and recites Buddha. How can he get a reputation? I really dare not be it!" The host Hongtai replied.

Emperor Liu scanned his surroundings, and he could see the nervousness from the expressions of many monks, but the old abbot was impeccable and looked as usual.

"The host is humble!" Emperor Liu said with a smile: "This is the first time I have visited Songshan Mountain. I have climbed Taishi Mountain, Zhongyue and Songyang. Shaolin is a treasured place of Buddhism and a famous ancient temple. I am wondering how I can pass it. It would be a pity if you don't burn incense in the temple, so come here in person, and you won't disturb the temple!"

"Your Majesty is able to visit the Bi Temple. It is an honor for the entire He Temple. Don't be disturbed!" The old abbot responded.

"The host is indeed a good person, so magnanimous! If you are disturbed, look at Haihan!" Emperor Liu laughed.

"The Dharma is boundless, and the Tao is also infinite. Although the old monk is familiar with Buddhist principles, he also knows a little bit, and dare not talk about the Tao!" the host said modestly.

"Compared to a layman like me, the host may have already entered the Tao!" Emperor Liu's tone became stronger, and he walked forward vigorously: "Please host to lead the way, and take me to see the Buddha you usually worship!"

Seeing Emperor Liu's impolite appearance, the old host finally sighed secretly, and had to deal with it calmly, leading the way personally: "Please, Your Majesty!"

"This is the Daxiong Palace? Its name is well-deserved, the treasure looks solemn, and it is magnificent!" Entering the Buddha Hall, looking around, Emperor Liu pointed to the huge Buddha statue and said with emotion: "This is the Buddha you usually respect? It is really big. what!"

Emperor Liu's eyes seemed to reveal this meaning: if such a large Buddha statue is melted, how much copper coins can be cast.

The host didn't look directly into Emperor Liu's eyes, but he was inexplicably flustered by his tone.Also without hesitation, he replied: "Your Majesty, the Buddha is in your heart, not in front of your eyes!"

"It seems that my eyes are blind, I can't see the Buddha, I can only see this golden bronze statue!" Emperor Liu chuckled, implying something: "Master, Buddhism seems to pay attention to the root of wisdom, look at me, can you see it?" Huigen?"

If you can really speak freely, even in the Zen state of the old presiding officer, you have to complain about him.However, the situation is stronger than others, especially when facing a human emperor like Emperor Liu, he can only compliment: "Your Majesty is the Son of Dragon, who has transcended the common world and possesses unique roots of wisdom!"

"Oh? Host, monks don't lie!" Emperor Liu looked at the old host with a smile.

Facts have proved that in front of a monarch like Emperor Liu, no matter how eminent a monk is, it is difficult to maintain his noble demeanor.Noticing the hesitation in the old monk's withered face, Emperor Liu said again: "Buddhism pays attention to saving people, and there are many heroes and generals under my command who kill people like hemp, and there are many people who respect and pay homage to Buddha! The host thinks that they can save me?"

"Your Majesty has said it before! Buddhism can save the ordinary, how can it save the sacred?" Hong Tai presided over.

"Haha!" Emperor Liu's laughter resounded unscrupulously in the Buddha Hall.

Looking directly at the majestic Buddha statue, although he raised his head slightly, his gaze was in a downward attitude. Emperor Liu raised his hands and said calmly, "Since I see the Buddha, why not burn a stick of incense?"

So, the old host personally operated, lit three sticks of incense, and handed them over to Emperor Liu.As for Emperor Liu, he didn't bow his head or bend his waist, and he just made an ordinary salute, which is considered to have worshiped this Buddha.

For Emperor Liu's attitude, some monks present felt a sense of humiliation, and their faces were faintly dissatisfied.Emperor Liu naturally noticed it, and asked the old monk: "Master, when the Buddha looks angry, there are many monks in the temple who frown and look angry. Is it because of the Buddha's instruction that I don't welcome this evil guest, or is it because they cultivated well?" Angry Buddha?"

Hearing before, Hongtai's presiding officer Bai Mei couldn't help trembling slightly, but facing Emperor Liu's eyes, he still calmly replied, "Your Majesty is serious! It's just that the monks in the temple can't practice well!"

"Is this the so-called appearance?" Emperor Liu played with taste.

"Your Majesty is really smart!" The host replied.

"Then what is the reason?" Emperor Liu asked: "There must be a reason! Maybe, I still don't welcome me?"

"Buddhism opens the door of convenience, your Majesty is also a guest, how can you refuse to welcome?" the presiding officer said.

"Oh?" Emperor Liu laughed so annoyingly, he said: "I really have something, I need the host to open the door for convenience!"

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

"During this period, the imperial court was struggling financially. I saw that there were quite a lot of bronze statues and bronze wares in this temple. I asked for some for the imperial court to melt and cast copper coins to make up for the shortfall and benefit the people. Is it possible for the presiding officer to do something convenient?" Emperor Liu said leisurely.

Hearing these words, the expressions of all the monks present changed, and the old monk couldn't hold back anymore.However, feeling the persuasive gaze of Emperor Liu, he pondered for a moment, probably thinking about Amitabha Buddha in his heart, and then replied: "If it can benefit the people of the court, the things in the temple, but your Majesty will take them!"

"It's not difficult, is it?" Emperor Liu stared at the host.

"The old monk is saluting the Buddha, not these bronze statues!" The host replied.

"A high-ranking monk is a high-ranking monk. This level of tolerance is heart-wrenching!" Emperor Liu said with emotion, "However, the Buddhist sects in the world have already hated me so much, so I won't do this thing of burning zithers and cooking cranes!"

"Your Majesty is serious! The old monk is terrified!"

(End of this chapter)