The Tang Dynasty started from saving Empress Changsun

Chapter 138 The Essence of Religion

purpose?Nature?
They knew about the former, but it was the first time they heard about the latter, so they were naturally very surprised.

Master Pan couldn't wait to say: "What is the essence of religion? My nephew, please explain in detail."

Chen Jingke did not answer directly, but asked: "Everyone may wish to think about it from the perspective of the common people. Why do they believe in religion?"

Pan Shizheng and the others are elders, so it is naturally inconvenient to answer his questions like the students. At this time, the benefits of bringing the apprentices are reflected.

After getting permission, Si Yuncheng replied: "I have met many believers, and they believe in religion for two purposes, one is to eliminate disasters and difficulties, and the other is to seek an afterlife."

Yin Wencao added: "There are also those who seek immortality and peace of mind."

The others nodded in agreement. Isn't that what Taoism is for? Even Taoists like them founded Taoism for this.

Chen Jingke said: "Everyone has said 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 understood all these words, but when they were combined together, he didn't understand the meaning at all.

Chen Jingke knew that these words were too advanced for them, mainly because many words and concepts appeared later, and it is normal for them to hear half-knowledge.

So I explained it in a language they could understand: "People have seven emotions and six desires... Life is often unsatisfactory... Therefore, life is so bitter, and different people have different sufferings."

"The most helpless thing is that most people's suffering can't be solved for a 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 ecstatically: "So it is, so it is... Listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books, and my nephew's words wake me up."

The others, though they didn't say anything, clearly felt the same way.

Chen Jingke asked back: "Oh, then I dare to ask, why do individuals need religion, and why do countries need religion?"

This... everyone is a little speechless, now I want you to talk about it, why do you always ask us?Do you really regard us as your students?
Sun Simiao glared at him and said, "Don't be indifferent in front of your elders, just say what you have to say."

Chen Jingke knew that he had made a mistake of being a good teacher, touched his nose in embarrassment, and said:
"For individuals, they want to eliminate distress and anxiety through religion and gain hope and peace of mind."

"For the country and the imperial court, they hope that religion can help correct the morals of the world and establish ethics and morality."

"Only by understanding this truth can our innovation be successful, and we can completely reverse the unfavorable situation facing Buddhism."

Li Chunfeng finally opened his mouth and said: "Young fellow Taoist has done everything in his words, this is indeed the imperial court's request for religion."

He is the No. [-] figure in the Taishi Bureau, and he often accompanies the king to drive, so his words are highly credible.

In the past, everyone only knew that Zixiao Temple was going to be reformed, but it was not very clear how to reform it.

"Taomen Tulu Zhenjing" is just a reference book introducing the new version of the immortal system, and does not involve the fundamental ideas and systems.

So it is inevitable that there will be some worries in my heart, what if the changes are not good?This possibility is very large.

After listening to Chen Jingke's analysis, their hearts suddenly became clear, countless ideas came up, and they also had confidence in the innovation of Zixiao Temple.

Tian Shiwen said eagerly: "I don't know how Zixiao Guanyu will innovate, my little friend, don't want to whet people's appetites, come quickly."

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Let's talk about spiritual comfort and ultimate care first. My Taoism now attracts believers by becoming gods and immortals, eliminating disasters and solving difficulties."

"However, fools know that even if they really can become gods, it's not their turn. The common people can't even eat enough. Is it possible to let them pursue the illusory immortality?"

"Eliminating disasters and solving difficulties is also easy to be exposed. If you believe in religion, you still suffer from various disasters. You can explain it once or twice, but it will be exposed after a long time."

"My Chinese people treat gods very harshly. If there is a drought, they will pray to the Dragon King for rain, and they will smash temples before it rains."

"So we need to make the teachings more humanistic, so that believers can feel hope. And it must be simple and easy to understand, so that traffickers and pawns can easily understand it."

"If you don't show your flaws, even if they don't get what they want, they won't blame us, but find the reason from themselves."

"For the people of the world, the most attractive and unfalsifiable thing is the afterlife and afterlife."

"Believe in my Taoism, do good deeds to accumulate merits, and those with high merits can ascend to heaven and become true moral immortals to enjoy wealth and honor forever."

"Those with average merit will be cast into a good family in the next life... Those who are guilty will be punished..."

Everyone suddenly realized and nodded again and again. This section of "Taomen Tulu Zhenjing" mentioned a little bit when introducing the Heavenly Court and the Underworld.

It's just that the introduction in the book is not very clear, and they only know what it is and don't know why. Only after listening to Chen Jingke's explanation can they know the ins and outs of it.

Looking back at the content of that book at this time, I have many different understandings and perceptions, and I feel more and more that this new theological system is too subtle.

What are the 33 heavens in the heavens, the six realms of reincarnation and eighteen hells in the underworld, and this set of theories and merit systems are combined together.

Whether you go to heaven or hell after death depends on how much merit you have accumulated while you are alive.

Moreover, this system cannot be falsified absolutely. Who dares to say that it is false and show evidence?
The key is that the people struggling at the bottom and unable to see the future are willing to believe in such logic.

Whether there really is an afterlife or spiritual comfort, it is better to have hope than despair.

Even they themselves have some doubts whether there is really a heaven and a hell in this world.

There is no way, the Daomen Tutorial Sutra is too comprehensive, with all kinds of details.

What black and white impermanence arrests the soul, Huangquan, Naihe Bridge, Bianhua, Meng Po Tang, Wangxiang Terrace, Bull Head and Horse Noodles, Judge, Book of Life and Death, etc.

The title and function of each of the ten halls of Yama, what is there in each of the eighteen hells, and which six realms are there in the six realms of reincarnation...

All the details are there, exactly the same as the real thing, as if he has seen it with his own eyes.

33 Chongtian is no exception, the name and functions of each Chongtian are readily available.

Because it is so detailed, people can't help but believe that it is true.

Of course, what really surprised them was that the new god system perfectly accommodated the original theological system of the Taoist sect, instead of setting aside the original one and creating an original one.

This is also the reason why several of them are willing to come to negotiate instead of directly refusing.

Chen Jingke paused for a while to give everyone time to react, and then continued:
"Just now we talked about it from a personal point of view, now let's talk about it from a national point of view, what kind of religion does the imperial court need?"

(End of this chapter)