The Great Wei Music Bureau

Chapter 37: Strategies for Managing Monks (Part )

Continuing from the last chapter, Mr. Shuide questioned Bodhisattva Guangsheng in front of Xishan Temple, saying that Buddhism is full of filth and there are many unruly monks who harm the people. Bodhisattva Guangsheng was speechless. Let's see how Tao Zhongwen will act next.

Seeing that Bodhisattva Guangsheng had nothing to say, Tao Zhongwen continued to question him, "I would like to ask Bodhisattva again why Buddhism only accepts men as monks and never accepts women. Could it be that this woman is not among the sentient beings to be saved by Buddhism? You keep saying that all sentient beings are equal, but your actions are a bit inconsistent with your heart."

Guangsheng: "It's not that Buddhism doesn't want to save women, but sex with women is one of the taboos in Buddhism..."

Tao Zhongwen interrupted, "If people in the world don't like women, how can our human race be passed down? Does Buddhism want to cut off our human race's path to survival?"

Guangsheng: "Amitabha, Mr. Tao, you and I both know that Buddhism does not have such an intention, why do you have to take it out of context?"

Tao Zhongwen: "Oh, then let me ask again, the Buddhist sect accepts many men to join the temple as monks, who do not need to farm, pay taxes, or serve in the army. Is this move of the Buddhist sect detrimental to the court of Wei? If we allow the Buddhist sect to develop, then Wei will have no food to eat, no money to spend, and no one to guard the border? What advice does the Bodhisattva have on this?"

Guangsheng: "So today, Mr. Shuide is taking this opportunity to make trouble. I think the Wei court has already made a final decision about our Buddhist sect. I would like to hear the details."

Tao Zhongwen: "It is a great pleasure to communicate with the Bodhisattva. His Majesty the Emperor of Wei has already issued a decree on the governance of monks. I will now read it out:

1. Any temple within the territory of Wei State shall not expand without permission or occupy land. If expansion is required, it must be reported to the local government for approval.

Second, all monks in the Wei Dynasty must register with the government and apply for monk status. The court will appoint officials from Zhaoxuan Temple to supervise and manage all temples. Monks without monk status are considered outsiders and must pay taxes and perform labor service. If they commit a crime, their crime will be more severe.

3. The total number of monks in the Wei Dynasty shall not exceed 100,000. If there is a limit of 100,000, the monks shall return to secular life without error. In addition, any monk who voluntarily requests to return to secular life shall not be prevented by the temple.

4. Buddhist temples and monks within the temples must abide by the laws of the Wei Dynasty and must not harbor fugitives. If anyone violates this law, once discovered, the temple will be sealed off, the monks will be expelled, and the person responsible will be executed immediately.

5. The land currently occupied by temples shall be re-determined by the local government and redistributed as needed. At the same time, they shall pay land rent to the local government every year.

When Tao Zhongwen finished reading the monk management policy, everyone was shocked. Guangsheng Bodhisattva was even a little angry. This monk management policy not only restricted the development of Buddhist temples, but also restricted the number of monks. They even had to pay rent every year. Isn't this treating the Buddhist temples as tenants of the Wei Dynasty? Guangsheng Bodhisattva tried his best to suppress his anger and asked: "If the Buddhist sect does not agree to the Wei Dynasty's monk management policy, what will Shuide do?"

Tao Zhongwen said with a smile: "If Buddhism does not agree, then my Great Wei will have to follow the example of the previous dynasty and destroy Buddhism once again."

Guangsheng: "Master Tao, are you planning to start a war? Do you think our Buddhist sect dare not take action? If you destroy Buddhism, aren't you afraid of losing the support of the people?"

Tao Zhongwen: "If the Buddhist sect dares to incite public opinion, it means that Buddhism cannot be preserved. Buddhism advocates equality for all beings and does not respect the emperor or the court. If such a rebellious idea is spread, the people will inevitably be incited to rebel by people with ulterior motives. If the court does not restrain Buddhism, what will happen?

In addition, I would like to ask the Bodhisattva, do you think that there is no successor to the Confucianism of the Great Wei Dynasty? Our Confucianism respects etiquette and upholds the Way, and the younger generation of scholars are full of passion and righteousness. Although they are not warlike, they are never afraid of war. If the Buddhist sect wants to start a war, then do it as soon as possible. I also want to see if these younger Confucian scholars still have the courage to dedicate their righteousness to the country of the Great Wei Dynasty! "

As soon as Tao Zhongwen finished speaking, purple lightning was seen transmitting between the fish-scale clouds in the sky, interweaving into a purple electric grid. Sharp electric shock sounds continued to be heard from the air, and all the monks in Xishan Temple were shocked. Could this be the ability of the third level of Confucianism and Taoism? Could it really be that it could mobilize the power of heaven to bring down divine punishment?

Li Yi looked at the electric grid in the sky, his heart full of emotion: This extraordinary Confucian and Taoist realm is really cheating, why is it so exaggerated? With this posture, if a real fight breaks out, I'm afraid that the Xishan Temple will be reduced to the ground in an instant.

The voice of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sounded again: "Xiuyuan, will Donor Tao really destroy Buddhism?"

"Bodhisattva, look at the sky. Does this formation look fake? Bodhisattva, may I ask, can Bodhisattva Guangsheng kill Lay Buddhist Shuide directly now?" "Of course not. Brother Guangsheng only has a divine thought here. He has no fighting power."

"Bodhisattva, if we don't agree now, will Xishan Temple be in calamity? Bodhisattva, go and persuade Guangsheng Bodhisattva. Be patient and the situation will be peaceful. Take a step back and the world will be bright and clear!"

"This is really difficult to handle. The monk's plan has too many restrictions on our Buddhist sect. It can be said that it completely restricts the development of Buddhism in Wei. If we agree, Buddhism will lose its autonomy in Wei and will have to obey the court in everything. If the emperor of Wei orders us to send troops to join the war, how will Buddhism respond?"

"Bodhisattva, why don't you let Li Yi try to negotiate for you?" Before the Bodhisattva could speak, Li Yi gathered his righteous spirit and shouted loudly: "Layman Shuide, Xiuyuan has a few questions that he would like to ask the court on behalf of Buddhism. I wonder if you can answer them?"

Tao Zhongwen: "Xiuyuan, why are you still speaking for Buddhism?"

Li Yi: "Sir, you don't know, Xiuyuan is indeed predestined with Buddhism, and wants to learn the Buddhist Vajra Divine Power, but Buddhism is unwilling to pass it on to outsiders. I will stay in the temple for a few days to see if I can find an opportunity to ask for the divine power. I never thought that you would come to announce the order, but Li really needs help, so I can only help ask a few questions."

Tao Zhongwen: "Then ask me. If I can answer you, I will tell you clearly."

Li Yi: "There are three questions about cultivating fate. Please explain them as detailed as possible.

1. The Buddhist sect agreed to the Five Strategies for Governing Monks, which was like handing over the lives of all monks in the Wei Dynasty to the imperial court. If one day the emperor of the Wei Dynasty ordered the Buddhist sect to send troops to fight, would the Buddhist sect have room to say no?

Second, the policy of punishing monks only targets Buddhism. So, does the Wei court have a policy of punishing Taoism? Or does the Wei court favor some over others and deliberately make things difficult for foreign Buddhism?

3. What is the price of the annual land rent mentioned in the Sangha Strategy? You should know that the Buddhist sect is poor and all expenses are donated by pilgrims. If the court treats the Buddhist sect as a cash cow, I am afraid it will disappoint the court. "

Tao Zhongwen laughed and said, "Xiuyuan, you have really thought it through. I will answer all your questions for you and the Buddhist sect. First, His Majesty has promised that he will not ask the Buddhist sect to go to war. However, if there is a war in Wei Dynasty, considering that the Buddhist sect has never been concerned with worldly affairs, I ask the Buddhist sect to ignore the Wei Dynasty and just protect the peace of the people.

The Second Imperial Court also formulated a policy for Taoism. When the Buddhist matter is settled, someone will be sent to read it out to Taoism. I am originally a Taoist, so I will not participate in this matter, nor will I be biased.

Third, the imperial court did not think of Buddhism as a cash cow. Take Xishan Temple as an example. According to the current situation, the imperial court has decided to lease the entire Upper Xishan to Xishan Temple. The rent is a symbolic one hundred taels of silver per year. Xiuyuan, is this price fair?"

After hearing Tao Zhongwen's explanation, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Guanyin Bodhisattva said in Li Yi's heart: "Li Yi, why do I feel that the court has already planned for our Buddhist sect, and all the responses are so reasonable. Is there a trick here?"

"If the Bodhisattva feels that there is something wrong, why don't you ask it on your behalf?"

"I just asked you because I couldn't see any fraud. The three questions you asked just now were questions that I hadn't even thought of, but you actually asked them directly. So I trust you more on this matter."

"Bodhisattva, if that's the case, why don't we call Bodhisattva Guangsheng and Master Zhengjue to discuss this with us?"

"Well, then it's up to you."

As soon as the Bodhisattva's voice fell, Li Yi suddenly saw a flash of golden light in front of his eyes. Everything around him disappeared, leaving only infinite golden light. Three figures appeared in the golden light. They were the formless Guangsheng and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvas and the monk Zhengjue.

Guanzizai Bodhisattva said, "Brother Guangsheng, this is inside my karma-dharma-appearance spiritual platform. Our conversation cannot be heard by outsiders. Brother Li Yi also heard what he asked just now. Xiuyuan is thoughtful. I think it may be effective to ask him to help plan this matter. Zhengyuan is not here, so Zhengjue will take his place as the head of Xishan Temple. How about the four of us discuss the strategy for governing the monks here?"

Guangsheng: "Yes, Junior Brother is right. I am not good at talking, but if a war really breaks out, I alone can terrify the Wei Dynasty!"

Guanzizai: "Brother, don't be impulsive. Have you forgotten the last time when Buddhism was destroyed? My Buddhist sect suffered a great loss! Besides, if you really want to take action, will the Taoist sect stay out of it? So it's better to discuss it first."

It was the first time for Monk Zhengjue to see the two Bodhisattvas. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed before he could even say anything. Li Yi stepped forward to support him and said, "Master Zhengjue, the two Bodhisattvas want to discuss serious matters with you. How can you discuss them while you are kneeling and kowtowing here? If you continue like this, Xishan Temple will be razed to the ground!"

Zhengjue stood up and said with a sad face: "Two Bodhisattvas, please show your magical powers and help my Xishan Temple survive this disaster." Guanyin Bodhisattva saw Zhengjue's look and was also helpless. He waved his hand and Zhengjue disappeared.

Guanzizai: "Zhengjue seems to be of little use here. Brother, Li Yi, let's discuss it. Li Yi, tell us your opinion first. Let's see if there is anything wrong with it."

Li Yi: "Well, I will speak directly. If there is anything wrong, please listen to what I have to say before discussing it. First of all, since this policy of punishing monks is not only aimed at Buddhism, it means that the Wei court wants to take action against Buddhism and Taoism. This trend has already been formed, and it is unstoppable. The court has also taken action against Buddhism. At this time, we should avoid its edge and find another way.

The Sangha Policy clearly states that the number of monks should not exceed 100,000, but there is no limit on pilgrims and self-cultivators. It is better for Buddhists to change their thinking. Practicing Buddhism does not necessarily have to be done in a temple, but can also be done at home. Pilgrims can be developed into lay Buddhists, who can practice Buddhism at home, bring Buddha statues home, and worship them from time to time. In this way, a two-pronged approach can be achieved.

As for returning to secular life, both Bodhisattvas knew about the catastrophe of the Dharma Ending Age, so they might as well take this opportunity to clean out the scum in Buddhism, eliminate those who are seeking refuge or escaping disasters, or those whose six senses are not pure, and only leave those who are sincere to Buddhism, in order to keep Buddhism pure.

As for the rent, to be honest, one hundred taels of silver a year for one temple on the West Mountain is not a high price. Considering the money from the incense offerings at the West Mountain Temple, it is not a problem at all. That’s all I have in mind. I wonder if the two Bodhisattvas have any advice for me.”

Guangsheng: "Li Yi, please tell me more about your self-study."

Li Yi: "It's actually very simple. It can be understood as lay disciples. We recruit lay disciples and let them worship Buddha at home. We can set different rules according to their different understandings. For example, we can set different precepts. First-class lay disciples cannot eat the five kinds of meat and three kinds of disgusting things. Second-class lay disciples cannot kill. Third-class lay disciples cannot speak nonsense, etc. In short, except for not letting them abstain from sex, other precepts can be set. In this way, we can spread Buddhism without affecting the court. Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?"

Guanzizai: "This method is indeed feasible, brother, what do you think?"

Guangsheng: "In this case, the five strategies for governing monks only have some impact on the land enclosure and monk registration, but it doesn't matter. But Li Yi, you practice Buddhism at home, so how can my Buddhist martial arts be passed down?"

Li Yi: "If you have achieved success in Buddhist practice, why can't you pass on your martial arts to these secular disciples?"

Guangsheng: "This, I'm afraid, is a little inappropriate."

At this moment, Li Yi suddenly heard a voice calling, "Junior Grandmaster Uncle, Junior Grandmaster Uncle!" It was Du Ming's voice. Li Yi looked around, and Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Xiuyuan, a disciple is looking for you. I think something happened outside. Go and take a look." Then he waved his hand, and the golden light in front of Li Yi disappeared, and everything returned to normal. All he saw was Du Ming shouting, "Junior Grandmaster Uncle, Junior Grandmaster Uncle! Something happened! Something big happened!"