Late Qing Dynasty Executioner

Chapter 219 Two Choices of Buddhism
When he heard about the collection of property tax, the abbot of Tushan Temple was stunned for a moment, and then he started talking with the people around him. Because everyone was talking about it, the scene was very noisy, and the abbot of Tushan Temple couldn't help but raise his voice.

At that time, Chen Gu swept the whole audience with a fierce look, but everyone still did their own thing. The abbot of Tushan Temple knew that something bad was going to happen. What was worse was that when he was talking to others, he actually made eye contact with Chen Gu.

Although the abbot of Tushan Temple was so frightened that he lowered his head and dared not speak anymore, Chen Jue deliberately glanced at him when he left. Their eyes met again, and the abbot of Tushan Temple was so frightened that he almost became possessed.

The abbot of Tushan Temple has not slept well these past few days. Chen Gu doesn't believe in ghosts and gods. It can be seen from the fact that those Buddhist temples and Taoist temples are used as military camps and workshops that Chen Gu has no reverence for gods and Buddhas at all.

And from the fact that Chen Gou asked the Buddhist and Taoist groups to go to Chongqing to participate in the Legislative Assembly, we can know that Chen Gou wanted to bring these outsiders under the jurisdiction of the government.

As a result, the future of Tushan Temple, or more precisely, the future of him as the abbot, is very worrying. He may even be the first to bear the brunt of the consequences. When Chen Gou attacks Buddhism and Taoism, he will probably be the first to suffer.

So when the abbot learned that Han Yuanxiao was coming to Tushan Temple during the New Year, he immediately ran to the gate to greet him. Such attentiveness was certainly not for the incense money in Han Yuanxiao's pocket.

Although Han Yuanxiao didn't give much money for incense sticks on weekdays.

After Han Yuanxiao entered the main hall, he skillfully took out three incense sticks, lit them, bowed to the Buddha, and made a wish: "Please bless my Huaxia tribe with prosperity, bless my Huaxia tribe leader with good health, and bless my Huaxia tribe prince to be born safely."

The host personally ran to ring the blessing bell and rang it nine times in a row.

Han Yuanxiao nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile: "After knocking so many times, the Buddha should be able to hear it, right?"

Although there are thousands of Buddha and Bodhisattva incarnations, there are even more believers. Therefore, when making a wish and praying for blessings, it is necessary to ring the prayer bell to remind the Buddha and Bodhisattva.

The host couldn't help but twitch his lips. He knew that Han Yuanxiao was actually the same guy as Chen Gu, both of them didn't believe in ghosts and gods.

The reason why Han Yuanxiao pretended to come and worship Buddha was just for fun, which was similar to sightseeing.

The abbot sighed in his heart and said, "Donor Han, my Buddhist sect has done nothing wrong. Can't the leader show some leniency?"

From the two eye contact in the past few days, the host could feel that Chen Gu had no good feelings towards Buddhism, not even a little bit.

"An innocent man is guilty of possessing a treasure. Your Buddhist sect occupies famous mountains and rivers outside, and prosperous places in cities inside. You have countless believers and strong incense. Look at how magnificent this main hall is. Our Buddha's body is even covered with gold.

"With our leader's personality, he would like to get all the good things in the world and share them with his poor people. You say that you Buddhists are still taking money from the poor people. How can the leader have a good impression of you?" Han Yuanxiao said with a smile.

The host's expression became even more bitter.

The abbot sighed, "Those temples in the city are fine, but a temple like ours on the mountain wouldn't be of much use to your leader!
As for taking money from the people, it is none of our business. It is the believers who offer money to the Buddha on their own initiative. What does it have to do with the monks?"

"Yeah, that's right!"

Han Yuanxiao smacked his lips, and just when the host was delighted, thinking that he had convinced Han Yuanxiao to help speak, Han Yuanxiao continued to speak.

"What you said makes sense, but it's no use telling me. Why don't you go and talk to the leader? As long as you convince him, not only your Tushan Temple, but the entire Buddhist community can be spared from disaster." The host was speechless for a moment. If he dared to go to Chen Gu, he would still be here arguing with you, Han Yuanxiao, for a long time.

"How does your leader want to deal with Buddhism and Taoism?" The host wanted to find out Chen Gu's specific attitude towards Buddhism and Taoism so that he could make countermeasures in advance.

"I don't know!" Han Yuanxiao shook his head and continued, "But I once heard the leader say this: since you are a monk and believe that you are not in the secular world, you shouldn't be so secular."

The host was stunned and frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Han Yuanxiao smiled and said, "What I mean is, since you have become monks to practice, you should concentrate on practicing. Why do you need money and land?
To put it simply, you just need to practice, and leave your money, house, land, etc. to the government!"

"Then where do we live and what do we eat?" the host couldn't help but ask.

"You still live in the temple. As for food and clothing, they are naturally taken care of by the government. Anyway, you monks believe in the four elements of emptiness, so it doesn't matter what you wear. You are a vegetarian, so it doesn't cost much.

At that time, you just need to worship Buddha and recite scriptures every day, do morning and evening classes, and explain Buddhist principles to the believers.

How wonderful! This way you can practice without distraction and achieve enlightenment sooner. The leader is helping you. "Han Yuanxiao said with a smile.

The host could not help but be stunned. You can be a vegetarian, but how can the money you control be the same as that provided by the government?

There are many kinds of vegetarian food. Can vegetables, radishes, mushrooms, and pastries be the same?

As for clothing, it is also different. How can coarse linen be as comfortable as silk? If the robes are not gorgeous enough, how can you receive distinguished guests?
If the government really takes over Tushan Temple, how will we live?
At this moment, the host even thought about whether he should return to secular life. Then he reacted and quickly chanted a Buddhist name, "Amitabha, sin, sin!"

Han Yuanxiao looked at the host and raised his eyebrows, "Old monk, whose sin are you talking about?"

"It's the old monk's fault." The abbot said with a wry smile.

Han Yuanxiao nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile: "In fact, I think what the leader said is quite right. Since you are a monk and want to practice to become a Buddha, attain enlightenment and become an immortal, then you should practice well and put worldly affairs aside completely, or return to secular life.

Or you can completely integrate into the secular world. I heard that your Buddhist sect was originally similar to a school, and it also teaches literacy, medicine and so on. If you completely integrate into the secular world, it may be a way out.

Now that China is just beginning to develop, it is a time when we need all kinds of talents. If Buddhism is willing to integrate into the secular world, I think it will also open up a good situation. "

"Are these the two choices your leader gives to Buddhism and Taoism?" asked the host.

"That's about it. You only have these two choices. Don't even think about resisting. The leader has a bad temper." Han Yuanxiao couldn't help but sigh at the end.

(End of this chapter)