Under the sky

Chapter 11 Searching for the Buddha
Kunlun, autumn and August of 83
Juekong returned to Shaolin and ended the farce. It is said that the five lay monk leaders, including Zide, were severely scolded.

However, Shaolin's hidden worries did not end with that farce. In other words, the battle between morality and secularity began with the fight in the dining hall and has completely turned into a secret wrestling today.

And another hidden worry of Shaolin Temple...

※ ※ ※

Juesheng knew he wouldn't be able to survive this winter.

Life and death are trivial matters, and he faces them calmly. He just recalls that when he took over the position of abbot 22 years ago, the previous abbot gave him earnest instructions. The key point is only one sentence:

"Suppress the vulgar monks and promote the orthodox monks."

However, he did not think so. The Shaosong dispute was not far away. If there were no lay monks to assist in government affairs, Shaolin would probably decline day by day.Although there are many capable people among the righteous monks such as Jue Jian and Jue Ru, how can it be easy to find those who practice Buddhism intensively and have both skill and talent?Let’s just say that Jueyun is the head of Wenshu Monastery. Although he keeps the precepts and practices unremittingly, he has a rigid personality and is very smart but not worldly. Apart from being in charge of scriptures and martial arts in Wenshu Monastery, if he is put in Ksitigarbha Monastery, he will not even be a monk. He can't do all his mundane duties well.

Therefore, after he became the abbot, he tried his best to promote lay monks and strived for fairness between the secular and the secular. He thought that this would eliminate the gap between the secular and the secular. Unexpectedly, the dispute between the secular and the secular was not only not resolved by his own hands, but also intensified day by day. After the disappearance of my heart, in just a few years, it was beyond control.

Where did I go wrong?

He sighed.This [-]-year-old monk was compassionate throughout his life. Until his end, he lingered on his sick bed and still cared about the future of Shaolin.

It's time to cubic feet.Among the four courtyards and eight halls, who is the best candidate?
There is no doubt about Juekong's ability. In recent years, he has relied on him to keep the righteous and the secular in peace.Juekong has Shaolin in his heart, but he is a lay monk, and his understanding of Buddhism is probably worse than that of a monk in Wenshu Monastery.I have already broken enough rules. If I also break the rule that the abbot's position is to pass on the orthodox and not to the secular, and let a monk who is not a monk become the abbot, will Shaolin still have the right to call itself the authentic Buddhism?

If lay monks do not consider it, they can only look for it among the six righteous monks.

In terms of seniority, qualifications, and practice, Jue Guan is the best candidate. However, if he becomes the abbot with this knife in his nest, I am afraid it will intensify the dispute between the orthodox and the secular.And he seems to have taken it as his own duty to suppress lay monks. The mischief last month was all because of him. Such a person...

Juesheng shook his head, Jue Guan would never do it.Next is Jueyun... Jueyun is not good at worldly affairs.Jueming is too gentle.Jue Guang... used the cynicism of the Tongue-pulling Bodhisattva to make him the abbot. Afterwards, Kunlun discussed how many sects he would offend...

Since the three monks of Wenshu Monastery have no choice, the only thing left is enlightenment and realization.With little qualifications and lack of courage to take on big responsibilities, Mantou cannot bear the heavy burden of Shaolin Temple.That leaves only Jue Jian, Jue Jian...

Although Juejian was prejudiced against lay monks, he always put the overall situation first. The lay monks changed their names, but he and Jueming, the two orthodox monks, opposed it.Compared with Jueming's indecisiveness, Juejian is not good at planning, but he can make decisions. As long as he and Juekong can cooperate well...

Thinking of this, Juesheng's chest tightened and he couldn't help but cough a few times.

Juejian and Juekong have always been at odds with each other, and he knows this.

If Jueru were still here... Jueru was still there... Juesheng sighed. If Jueru had not suggested that the lay monks change their names and had not been exiled due to his purity, this upright monk with long sleeves and good dancing might be the best candidate to take over as abbot.

In fact, there is another person, perhaps that is the best candidate, and that is Jie Wen who is just like in Guanyin Temple.Jue Wen is a lay monk, but he practices diligently. Not only will Jue Kong not embarrass him, but he will actually make plans for him.He does not have as clear-cut a stance as Juekong, rarely interacts with others, and does not form any cliques among lay monks. Compared to the opposition Juekong may encounter, the only person who would be dissatisfied because Juekong became the abbot is probably Juekong. View.

It's just that Jue Wen has a gentle temperament, and if he becomes the abbot, he will definitely become Jue Kong's puppet.It's a small thing, and maybe a good thing.

It's a pity... Jaw Wen is a lay monk after all.

It was time to make a decision. Juesheng summoned the serving monks to prepare pens, ink and gold-painted red paper, and summoned the leaders of the four courtyards to come.

"After my death, Juejian will succeed me as abbot." Juesheng said, his voice gradually getting weaker. "Do the four leaders have any opinions?"

Jueguan knew from the beginning that he was not the candidate. He originally expected Jueru to succeed the abbot, but Jueru was exiled due to the Jing case. This incident made him extremely unhappy, so he made things difficult for Ping.However, since Juejian was also a righteous monk, and he was not compatible with Juekong, it was an acceptable candidate for him to serve as the abbot.

Jueyun didn't want to leave Wenshu Monastery at all. As long as it was not a lay monk who took over, he would be happy to see it happen.

Zide is a submissive person. As long as Juekong says yes, he will follow suit.

As for Juekong...

Juekong knew the abbot's thinking, and Juekong had expected to become the new abbot.A candidate who is not too good or too bad cannot change the predicament of Shaolin Temple, nor will it cause worse things.Juekong didn't care. He had always been the one to solve Shaolin's dilemma. After that, it was his descendants, not any abbot.

So he just nodded slightly.When Zide saw him nodding, he followed suit.

Juesheng wrote Juejian's name, stamped it with gold paint using the seal of the abbot Buddha, and gave it to Jueyun, the head of Wenshu Monastery, to send it to the abbot's courtyard for safekeeping until he passed away.

Jueyun left first, and Jueguan said a few words to the abbot to take care of himself, and then said goodbye to Zide one after another, leaving Juekong alone.Seeing that Juekong had not left yet, Juesheng knew that he had something to say, so he asked, "Does Chief Juekong have anything else to say?"

"If you didn't kill Jueru, you shouldn't have exiled him." Juekong said, "If you put all the blame on Jing and protect Jueru, you won't be so embarrassed today."

Juesheng was lying on the bed, looking at the roof, and said calmly: "If Jueru is not exiled, the lay monks will not accept it."

Juekong said coldly: "Have the lay monks surrendered now? Have the righteous monks obeyed? Your character of pleasing both sides will not change in decades."

Juesheng sighed and said, "Not everyone is as decisive as you. In addition to right and wrong, there are also obstacles in your heart."

Juekong said: "Is that a hurdle for you, Buddha or Shaolin?"

"It's all." Juesheng said, "At this point, you still want to argue with me?"

Juekong looked at the person in front of him quietly.Juesheng was 14 years older than him, and they had known each other well before he was ordained. At that time, Juesheng was still the head of Guanyin Temple, and he was a layman of Zhengye Hall. Juesheng would ask him for advice when he encountered problems in political affairs.After entering the church, Juesheng not only did not suppress him because of his status as a lay monk, but promoted him all the way to the top of Samantabhadra. In the past decades, we have been together through thick and thin, and we have a deep affection for him.He was not an orthodox monk, and he could not be so open-minded about matters of life and death. At this moment, his straight waist wavered a little. Even so, he still said what should be said: "You should choose to be aware of hearing, or even enlightenment and insight."

Juesheng said: "If you really don't agree, why didn't you object just now?"

"If I could persuade you, Jueru would have died long ago." Juekong lowered his eyebrows and said, "Abbott, take care." Then he stood up and left.

Juesheng suddenly said: "It's time for you to find a successor."

Juekong stopped and seemed to be thinking.

"You always know what to do." Juesheng said.

Juekong nodded and left with his head held high.

Juesheng looked at Juekong's back and sighed again.

On the other side, Jueyun came to the abbot's courtyard with the gold lacquer elixir paper, which is where the abbot's official office is.He closed the door, looked around, and after confirming that no one was around, he came to a small Maitreya Buddha statue on the desk and stretched out his hand.A hidden compartment appeared on the desk, which was the place where the Yi Jin Sutra was placed. Only the abbot and the head of Wenshu Monastery in the Shaolin Temple knew about this mechanism.

Jueyun put the gold-lacquered elixir paper into the secret compartment, pulled the Buddha statue again, closed the secret compartment, and the appearance remained the same as before.

※ ※ ※

Juekong left the Main Hall, and he understood Juesheng's worries and expectations.Jue Jian, who takes over as abbot, is 57 this year and will be the last monk of the Jue generation to take charge of Shaolin, followed by the monks of the Ling generation.Although Liao Ping was neat and tidy in doing things, he was not alert enough and lacked strategy, so he was manipulated by Jue Guan.

I went to Diancang this time. Diancang has always said that the elders do not pass on the virtuous, which is rare in the Jiu Family.Qingcheng and Huashan passed down the line of virtuous people, and the Tang Sect selected virtuous people from among their descendants and nephews. Shaolin, Wudang, and the Beggar Clan were all selected by the masters. Hengshan was recommended by the master and the elders agreed. Kongtong was recommended by the sixteen seats in the council. A little bit Cang still sticks to the old rules.The new head of Dian Cang was Zhuge Yan, the eldest son of the previous head. He could tell at a glance that this man had an exaggerated personality and was very fond of success, but his younger brother Zhuge Ran would be a powerful character.

Don't be careless when choosing a successor.The abbot asked him to find a successor, who naturally did not represent the lay monks, or even a monk who did not represent both the orthodox and the secular, or in other words, a monk who could represent both the orthodox and the secular at the same time.

Cultivate a disciple of a true monk, cultivate him as Ziqiu cultivated himself, and hand over everything you have to him to inherit.

To gain the trust of the righteous monks, and to have enough skills to control the lay monks.

Liao Jing was a talented person, but it was a pity that he was wasted by Jueru.

Another talent...

He remembered Mingwu.

※ ※ ※

Juekong summoned Mingshi, and their conversation was very simple.After a few words of greeting, Juekong asked Mingxuan: "What do you think of your master's confession?"

Ming said vaguely: "I think Master may not come back."

Juekong asked again: "Do you think the temple's treatment of your master is appropriate?"

What Juekong asked was of course the last instruction from Puxian Yuan: a fight resulted in death, and any suspicions should be investigated.

Ming unknown shook his head and said: "That's inappropriate."

Juekong asked again: "What is appropriate?"

Ming unknownly said: "He is determined to kill someone and is wanted for arrest."

Juekong said: "That's your master. Before the truth is revealed, you're going to accuse him of murder?"

"Master doesn't want to see formal disputes arise in Shaolin because of him." Ming said unknownly, "I only talked about arrest, not punishment. The truth can be found by finding Master. Even if Master is missing like now, it is only an unsolved case. "

Juekong nodded. He was satisfied with Ming's unknown answer and asked again, "Have you decided to be tonsured?"

"Not yet." Ming said vaguely, "This disciple wants to leave Shaolin."

※ ※ ※

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, I visited Juejian at an unknown date.This was the first time he took the initiative to visit Jia Jian.

"You want to leave Shaolin?"

"Yes."

"You are alone, where will you go?"

"Don't masters always say, follow your heart and follow the Buddha?"

"You have just turned sixteen. It is too early to leave Shaolin." Juejian said, "There are many martial arts treasures and many scriptures in the Shen Tong Zang, but you have not learned them all."

"Compared to the rest of the world, the collection of books in Wenshu Monastery is relatively small." Ming unknownly said, "Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles, and combine knowledge with practice."

Juejian remembered that Juekong had summoned Ming Mingming and asked, "What did Chief Juekong say to you?"

Ming said vaguely: "The leader just asked me if I wanted to be tonsured."

"what do you say?"

"The disciple also said he wanted to leave Shaolin."

Juejian sighed: "I thought you would stay in the temple and become a monk."

Ming said unclearly: "The disciple grew up in Shaolin since he was a child. Shaolin is the disciple's home. When you get tonsured in Shaolin, are you at home or a monk?"

Juejian heard something in Ming's unknown words and smiled: "You mean, if you haven't seen this world, there is no point in becoming a monk?"

Ming Fu said: "World Honored One, when he realizes the Tao, he also has to go through the interference of heavenly demons."

Juejian smiled and said, "Are you going to give the demon a trial?"

Ming said unclearly: "Maybe it's the disciples who are being tested by demons."

Juejian laughed loudly. He looked at the young man in front of him. He was more upright and beautiful than when he first met three years ago.Unknown Ming has a pure nature, is talented and intelligent, and has a deep understanding of Buddhism. If he can stay in the monastery, it will be a blessing for a true monk.He originally wanted to train him well, but as Ming Wuxi said, staying in the Shaolin Temple would end up seeing little of the world. Even if he became a monk, he would most likely become a righteous monk who accepts death.

Instead of doing this, it is better to let him see the dangers of the world and the unpredictable nature of people's hearts. If he can become more sophisticated in the world, he may be able to become a pillar of the righteous monks when he returns to Shaolin one day.In the final analysis, the reason why Shaolin is facing such a predicament today is that the monks lack capable and astute figures like Juekong.

"There are many people outside who are so sophisticated that cannot be compared to those in the temple. The world is dangerous, so you have to be careful."

Ming unknown said: "Disciple understands."

"When are you leaving?" Juejian asked again.

Ming said unclearly: "Maybe it will be tomorrow, or it may be a few years later. I will leave according to my heart."

Juejian nodded, which was regarded as a promise, and then asked: "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Ming Ming said unknown: "Disciple, I have another question."

Juejian smiled and said, "What's the problem?"

"Abbott thinks, how can we resolve the dispute between orthodoxy and secularity?"

"Why do you ask this so suddenly?" This question caught Jue Jian off guard. He thought for a while and replied, "If both the orthodox and the secular are in their proper place, we can make peace."

"What is the duty of a secular person?" he asked again, knowing that he didn't know.

"It is the duty of lay monks to assist righteous monks, and it is the duty of righteous monks to concentrate on their practice." At this point, Juejian said again, "It's not easy to just recognize the word distinction. Why do you ask this?" He asked again once.

Ming unknown replied: "I just felt that there was a dispute in the temple, and I was at a loss what to do. I thought the abbot might have some insights."

Juejian smiled and said, "If I could have some insights, there wouldn't be so much trouble in the temple."

Ming unknown said: "Abbott said duty, and Buddhist scriptures also say that all living beings have Buddha nature. Since they all have Buddha nature, they can all practice. Why can't lay monks practice?"

Juejian replied: "It's not that lay monks can't practice. Abbot Juejian is a lay monk who is diligent in temple affairs and does not neglect his practice. But such people are rare and rare."

Ming unknown said: "Everyone is equal in cultivation. Should righteous monks help lay monks in their cultivation?"

Juejian laughed loudly and said: "If they are willing to practice, are they afraid that no one will teach them in Shaolin Temple? When did Master Zide ask about the practice? He has had many children since he became a monk. They don't want to practice. How can they blame others? ?"

Ming asked unclearly: "Are Buddha and Shaolin really inseparable? The name and appearance are imaginary, Shaolin is imaginary, and the Buddha is also imaginary. To spend emptiness with emptiness, isn't it not obsession?"

Juejian was surprised and said: "Xiang'er, what you said is really confusing. Shaolin started with Buddha, and it is the refuge of Buddhists all over the world. If because of the lay monks, we, the righteous monks, will withdraw from Shaolin, the same will happen in Hengshan Mountain in the future. In the future, all the monks in the famous ancient temples will give in. Where in the world will there be temples and where will the Sangha Treasure come from? Although the name and appearance are empty, the Sangha Treasure is real. Without the Three Treasures, the Buddha Dharma will be destroyed. If the Buddha Dharma is destroyed, when will all sentient beings be liberated?"

He spoke sternly, and even though it was unclear, he did not appear panicked. He just bowed his head to the ground and said, "Thank you, abbot, for your forgiveness. Disciple understands."

Juejian nodded and said: "You are young and have some shortcomings in thinking. This is a trivial matter. Abbot Jueming thinks highly of you. You have been in the Zhengjian Hall for several years, and you have been a layman in his house. Before you leave, But please let him know."

Ming said yes without giving details, bowed and left, and went directly to Zhengjian Hall.

Jueming was surprised to learn that Ming Wuxi was leaving Shaolin and asked, "Have you thought clearly? You have just turned sixteen."

Ming unknown said: "Disciple has thought about it carefully."

Jueming nodded and said: "That's fine, that's fine. Causes and conditions come together. When conditions come, they gather, and when conditions disappear, they separate. You should remember that you should not do any evil, and practice all good deeds."

Ming unknown asked: "What is evil and what is good?"

Jueming smiled and said, "With your intelligence, how could you not know how to distinguish good from evil?" Ming asked uncertainly, "With the wisdom of the World Honored One, how can you distinguish between good and evil?"

Jueming said: "The body performs three karma, the mouth performs four karma, and the mind performs three karma. These ten karma are bad retributions."

What Jueming mentioned is the ten evils mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures, which are killing, not taking, and sexual misconduct. These are the three karma of the body, lying, gossip, rough language, and frivolous speech. These are the four karma of the mouth, greed, greed, Jealousy and wrong views are the three actions of the mind.

Ming Wei said: "Looking at all living beings with the wisdom of the World Honored One, all living beings are no different from sand and dust. The so-called good and evil are nothing more than a dispute between mayflies. People don't care about the life and death of mayflies. Does the World Honored One care about the good and evil of all living beings?"

Jueming said: "If the World Honored One doesn't care, how can he leave the Dharma in the world? Even a floating fly cares about the compassion of the Buddha."

Ming unknown asked again: "Practice requires countless kalpas. It takes three kalpas for a Bodhisattva to become a Buddha. During this long time, life seems like a snap of the fingers. Are the good and evil of this snap of a finger important?"

Jueming said: "Even one thought is important, let alone a lifetime?"

Ming asked unclearly: "If this thought is difficult to control, is it because of self-karma?"

Jueming smiled and said, "Of course."

Unknown Ming saluted and said, "Disciple, I will teach you."

I returned to Zhengyu Hall to handle some chores at an unknown date. As usual, I didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave.

※ ※ ※

The abbot of Zhengyu Hall has the reputation of being a stone. Even if he has a broken leg, he still carries out official duties as usual. However, he has lingering fears and has to beware of conspiracies from time to time.But I don't know whether it was because he extinguished the ever-light lamp in front of the Buddha, or because he was worried about affecting the abbot's condition, but Yue Jueguan was at peace this time.

One day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, an unknown person reported the condition of the lamp oil in the temple, where it needed to be replenished and where it was lacking.Liaoping took a box of mooncakes and said, "Take this mooncake."

As usual, during major festivals, Shaolin's four courtyards and eight halls receive many gifts. These gifts come from local famous families and Jianghu sects, as well as wealthy businessmen, and they are just for friendship.These gifts are handled in different ways depending on the abbot's character.When Liaoping first arrived at Zhengyu Hall, he suffered a lot from favors, so he distributed all the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to the monks in order to win over people.

Although it was unclear, he did not take it, and shook his head: "My master said that gifts are debts and cannot be accepted."

Liao Ping asked curiously: "How to say?"

Ming unknownly said: "Gifts are mostly given out of request. If you don't pay them back today, you will have to pay them back tomorrow. Naturally, they are debts, not gifts."

Liao Ping laughed and said, "Humans are wise, you help me, I pull you, there are so many reasons. I heard that Uncle Juejian from Zhengye Hall doesn't accept gifts, I thought he had the same idea as you."

Ming unknown asked, "Does the abbot think it's inappropriate?"

Liao Ping said: "This gift contains not only cause and effect, but also methods of convenience. If you exclude others, they will not dare to come to you if they have trouble in the future. If you have trouble, you will not be able to find anyone to help. Isn't that troublesome?"

Ming unknownly said: "Abbot Juejian never asks for help."

"He is a righteous monk, and the Zhengye Hall is in charge of punishments. He emphasizes being impartial and selfless, so naturally he does not accept gifts. The Zhengyu Hall has to communicate with others, which is very different."

Ming nodded uncertainly, changed the subject, and suddenly asked: "Why did the abbot come to Shaolin?"

Liao Ping asked in confusion: "What does this mean?"

Ming unknownly said: "With the abbot's talents, he can still have a place in Shaolin without being tonsured."

"So that's what I'm asking." Liao Ping said with a smile, "I'm from Shanxi, and my master is also a Shaolin monk, so naturally I joined Shaolin."

Ming nodded and asked again: "My disciple has an old friend named Fu Yingcong, who is also from Shanxi. Do Shanxi people have to enter Shaolin?"

Liao Ping said: "That's not true, it's just better than going to Huashan. Huashan has a bad reputation, and the leader is hereditary, so it's not as good as Shaolin. If you go to Wudang, it will be further away."

Ming unknown asked: "Isn't there still Songshan Mountain?"

Liao Ping said: "Being a Taoist priest is not much different from being a monk. Besides, Songshan Mountain is still under Shaolin."

Ming Wei sighed, "How great would it be if I joined Shaolin without having to shave."

Liao Ping sighed and said: "Yes, it would be great if there is no need to shave. My wife and children are still in Hebei, waiting for me to take them to the Buddhist capital."

Ming unknown added: "In this case, wouldn't it be good for lay monks to change their names? Once the formal and secular are separated, there will be corresponding precepts. After many years, you can enter the church without being tonsured."

Liao Ping laughed and said: "It's difficult. Now the orthodox monks look down upon the lay monks and have changed their dharma titles. At best, the orthodox and the secular are different. At worst, the lay monks may be reduced to the same level as the monks. The general status of a layman. If we really want to change the rules, why not first change the rule that non-monks cannot enter the temple? They think that those who live in the temple must be monks after all."

Ming nodded and said, "I see, the people who live in the temple must be monks after all."

Liao Ping said: "Why do you ask about this?"

Ming said vaguely: "This disciple just thinks that maybe the secular world can coexist peacefully."

Liao Ping thought to himself: "Let the lay monks do the work and the upright monks occupy high positions. It would be strange if they could coexist peacefully."

Although he had become familiar with Ming Wuxi in the past few months, and knew that the leader of Juekong had summoned Ming Wuji alone, he was unable to say this after all, so he could only say: "I hope so."

※ ※ ※

After noon on the tenth day of September, Xu Shi returned to the light and felt that he was in good spirits, so he got up and walked around.He first went to the Mahavira Hall, paid homage to the Buddha, recited the Diamond Sutra, and then went for a walk in the atrium.His death was approaching, but the secular affairs of the temple did not bother him. Each house dealt with it on its own, and the four houses did not hold a joint meeting for three months.He had nothing to do for a while, and suddenly remembered that the lamp in front of the Buddha was extinguished two months ago. He went around to the back of the Mahavira Hall to check whether there was enough lamp oil.

As soon as he rounded the corner of the hall, he saw a young man with black hair hanging over his shoulders climbing on the ladder and looking into the fuel tank.Seeing that he was young, Juesheng asked curiously: "Who are you?"

When the young man saw Juesheng, he hurriedly climbed down from the fuel tank, clasped his hands and said, "I don't know if I have met the abbot."

"Are you aware of the unknown?" Juesheng had heard of this man a long time ago. He passed the martial arts test before he was sixteen, and passed thirty moves under Juekong's master. He became a member of both the Right View and Right Speech Halls. The layman is really young and promising.Seeing that he was handsome and handsome, he was quite fond of him, so he asked, "What are you doing?"

Ming said unspecified: "This disciple is a layman of Zhengyu Hall. He is responsible for monitoring the oil in the temple. He came here specially to patrol."

"You come here every day?" Juesheng asked, "If the oil is full, it can keep the light on for two months. It's enough to see it once every half a month."

Ming unknownly said: "The Changming lamp went out before, and I felt uneasy, so I came here every day to check on it."

Juesheng smiled and said, "You are very patient."

The unknown smile is like a flower blooming for the first time, and the sun is warming after the snow.Just listen to him say: "Disciple is always patient, keeps waiting, and will always wait for the opportunity."

Juesheng asked: "What opportunity are you waiting for?"

Ming unknownly said: "When the oil is gone and the lamp is dry, there will be a place for disciples to use their skills."

Juesheng knew that what he was talking about was about lamp oil, but he seemed to be alluding to himself, and felt a little uneasy in his heart. However, he was an honest elder and a well-educated monk. After all, he was still a young man, so he couldn't be blamed for the slip of the tongue, so he didn't let it go. In my heart, I just said: "I have heard that you are a person with Buddha wisdom."

Ming Ming shook his head and said: "There are many things that I can't figure out. I asked Abbot Juejian and he answered, but I have doubts."

Juesheng asked: "What makes you suspicious? Please tell me."

Ming unknownly said: "I was doing business in the Zhengyu Hall, and the lamp went out. I knew it was Jue Guan, the leader, who was deliberately making things difficult. I went to the dining hall, and they were all Shaolin monks, but they were divided into two rows of seats. I was doing business in the temple, and each seat was divided into two rows. There are different people. Abbot Juejian told me that there is a difference between the orthodox and the secular."

Juesheng sighed and said, "That's true."

Ming unknownly said: "I often wonder why the orthodox and the secular are so incompatible with each other? Abbot, don't blame me. I originally thought that the abbot was unfair, so the orthodox and the secular are incompatible with each other. But I asked ten senior brothers, and all ten of them said that the abbot was fair in dealing with things. Since it is fair, then Why the resentment? I thought about it for a long time and finally understood."

Juesheng asked: "What do you understand?"

Ming said unceremoniously: "The abbot's fairness lies in dealing with things, and the monks' injustice lies in their hearts. If things are fair and the heart is not fair, it will never be satisfied. Instead, both sides will feel resentful."

There is a good saying, "Things are fair but the heart is not fair", what Ming Wuxiang said is exactly the same as what Juekong said.

Ming was unclear and said: "So I asked Abbot Juejian again, is it true that Buddha and Shaolin are inseparable? The name and appearance are illusory, Shaolin is illusory, and the Buddha is also illusory. To spend emptiness with emptiness, isn't it not attachment and obsession?"

Juesheng asked, "How would Abbot Juejian answer?"

Ming unknown said: "Abbot Juejian said that Shaolin started with Buddha. Although the name and appearance are empty, the Sangha Jewel is real. Without the Three Jewels, the Buddha Dharma will be destroyed. If the Buddha Dharma is destroyed, when will all sentient beings be liberated?"

Juesheng nodded. After all, the reason why righteous monks look down on lay monks is because lay monks often break the precepts.For Buddhism, the Sangha is one of the three treasures. It is a monk who practices truthfully according to Buddhist law.

Speaking more deeply, the Three Jewels are the refuge of Buddhism. Samanas need to guide all living beings to worship the Buddha. The lay monks wear the appearance of a Samana, but do not have the reality of the Three Jewels. This is a profound blasphemy to the teachings. The orthodox monks cannot tolerate lay monks. Mostly for this reason.But if lay monks are to abide by the monastic precepts, how many of them can practice as diligently and as painstakingly as Sue Wen?
Juesheng said: "What Abbot Juejian said makes sense, why don't you understand?"

Ming said unclearly: "If there is no Buddha in Shaolin, it cannot become Shaolin. But if there is no Buddha in Shaolin, then it cannot become Buddha?"

Juesheng was stunned.

Ming was unsure and said: "I insist on taking Shaolin as the authentic Buddhist sect in the world. Is this arrogance on my part?"

Juesheng said: "This is indeed arrogant. What do you think? Tell me."

Ming Wei said: "Shaolin can be without Buddha, and Buddha can be without Shaolin. Buddha is Buddha, and Shaolin is Shaolin. Buddhism will not flourish because of the rise of Shaolin, nor will it be destroyed because of the destruction of Shaolin."

Juesheng said: "You are really gifted to have such insight at the age of 16. It is not an exaggeration to say that you are a proud man of heaven."

Ming said vaguely: "The most amazing thing about my disciple is not his talent, but his luck."

"Oh?" Juesheng asked in surprise, "How do you say that?"

Ming unknownly said: "The abbot has been recuperating for several months and has never left the main hall. How could the disciple have met the abbot if he had not been lucky?"

Juesheng smiled and said: "That makes sense. As for the question you just mentioned, since Shaolin was born according to Buddha, how can we just abandon it? Since Buddhism exists in Shaolin, Shaolin should promote Buddhism. Shaolin can have Buddhism, and Buddhism can also Stored in Shaolin.”

Ming unknownly said: "If Buddha and Shaolin cannot coexist, is it better to have no Buddha or not to have Shaolin?"

Juesheng said: "It's not good."

Knowing that it was unclear, he asked again: "Abbott, in the next 50 years, will the Buddha destroy Shaolin, or Shaolin destroy the Buddha? Or will both the Buddha and Shaolin be destroyed?"

Juesheng finally understood what Ming Wuxi meant. He called him Shaolin, but did not say Shaolin Temple. Shaolin refers to the sect, which is the lay monks, and Buddha refers to the orthodox monks.Did the righteous monks destroy the lay monks, or did the lay monks destroy the righteous monks, or did the two coexist or perish together?

Juesheng sighed: "Maybe 50 years from now, Buddha and Shaolin will both exist."

"The abbot of Shaolin 50 years ago may have thought the same way." Ming said uncertainly.

This was said in an understatement, but when Juesheng listened, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration, as if struck by thunder.

Shaolin in 50 years will still be Shaolin today?

He works hard, is fair in dealing with things, and strives to coexist with the righteous and the secular. However, it is useless in the end because his people are not fair. Fifty years ago, a lay monk entered the church. Fifty years later...he suddenly felt dizzy and a feeling of suffocation rose from his chest.It's not that he hasn't thought about this problem, but he has been deliberately avoiding it. At this moment, the fuel is about to run out, and the words Ming and Wu said once again arouse his heartache.

Ming unknown hurriedly asked: "What's wrong with the abbot?"

Juesheng said: "I'm fine..."

He dragged his heavy steps back to his room, feeling deeply tired, and lay on the bed meditating.

He has known for a long time that the dispute between morality and secularity is not irresolvable.Hengshan can achieve the coexistence of orthodoxy and secularity, and Shaolin can do the same.As long as Shaolin does not regard itself as an authentic Buddhist sect, it will be like any other sect, allowing practitioners to practice on their own and those in charge to take charge of their own affairs.

However, every year on the Buddha's birthday, aren't the tens of thousands of pilgrims who come here just for this Buddhist holy land?He knew that this was a false reputation, but he did not dare to let it go. He was just one of the dozens of abbots in Shaolin history. How could he shake this hard-won foundation?

You cannot enter the church without being tonsured. This rule cannot be changed.Let lay disciples and practitioners coexist, and there will be no problem of lay monks.As long as lay monks do not wear monk robes, there is no problem of destroying monk treasures.

He thought about it, but it was a thousand-year-old ancient saying and he was unable to change it.

He finally understood that Juekong was hesitant and silent that day.

I think I have changed enough, but I have never shaken the foundation. It is not that I don't know, I just don't dare to change.

Juesheng's heart was churning and he suffered repeatedly. After being the abbot for 22 years, what he left to Shaolin was only a deeper contradiction between orthodoxy and secularity.

He thought about waking up...

Jue Jian still couldn't move about the difficulties he faced.No orthodox monk can change Shaolin. This is fundamentally determined by their piety to the Buddha and their obedience to the rules of the Shaolin Temple.

Looking at the present, only one person can do it.

"Convene the four courtyards and eight halls, and I will hold a joint discussion among the four courtyards." He said to the serving monk.The monk was surprised and said: "Abbott, your body..."

"Go quickly!" He urged again.

The serving monk walked down quickly, he stood up and walked towards the abbot's room.

Only Juekong can do it, only he has this ability.

The most correct thing he can do for Shaolin is to make Juekong the abbot and let Juekong completely reform Shaolin.Whether it is shining brightly as a Buddhist holy place, or growing powerful as a martial arts sect.

He must convince all the righteous monks in the four courtyards and eight halls to let Juekong become the abbot.

He quickly came to the abbot's courtyard and wanted to retrieve the golden lacquer elixir paper, but suddenly there was a cramp in his chest.He jolted and fell to the ground.

He never got up again.

The death knell sounded in the Shaolin Temple, and all the monks stretched out their heads, clasped their hands together, and chanted the Buddha's name.

That night, when all the monks gathered on the post road in front of the Main Hall to pray for the abbot, a fire suddenly broke out in the Sutra Pavilion. The monks rushed to save it, but all the martial arts classics and books were still burned.

No one knows how the fire started.

That night, I left Shaolin silently and headed west to Gansu.He heard that Kongtong was good at casting. He wanted to make a weapon and also went to the north to see it.

News of the passing of the Shaolin abbot spread quickly, and the heads of the nine families came to express their condolences.

Unknown Ming heard the news of Juejian's successor as abbot on the road.He looked up at the sky and saw a bright moon hanging high in the sky.

He faced the sky and smiled.

As beautiful as peaches and plums, as warm as the morning sun.

(End of this chapter)