Fangzheng smiled. "It's not like This Penniless Monk has done anything shameful, nor is This Penniless Monk embarrassing himself here naked. If they want to watch, let them watch."
Ong was speechless.
Fangzheng looked up at the ceiling and said, "That looks like an eye."
Indeed, there was an eye hanging high in the middle of the ceiling, exuding an incomparably dignified and solemn aura! Coupled with the gazes of the gods and sages, Ong felt as if he had been stripped naked and seen everything, which made him feel even more uncomfortable. He hurriedly said, "Master, let's go quickly. It's so awkward."
Fangzheng chuckled and shook his head. He chose an elevator with Ong and walked over.
After entering the elevator, the oppressive feeling disappeared in an instant.
Letting out a long breath, Ong asked, "Master, what is this place? Why is it so weird? "
Fangzheng shook his head and said, "This isn't strange. It's because you have a guilty conscience. That's why the predecessors, saints, and deities are staring at you. As the saying goes, there's no need to be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door if you don't do anything wrong. Look, isn't This Penniless Monk doing quite well? "
"Reverend, what kind of place is this?" Salted Fish suddenly asked. "Why are the offerings all over the place?"
Fangzheng said, "This Penniless Monk heard that there's a new sect in Vietnam called the Kodai Sect. The Gaodai Sect was a sect that combined eastern and western cultures, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism. They worshipped Bodhisattva, Buddha, Daoist deities, God, and angels. They believed that the center of the universe was on the high platform, and on the high platform was the High Platform God who supervised the world.
At the beginning of the universe, everything was dead, and only the God of Altars existed. Then, the universe exploded, and the world began its preliminary selection. The God of Gaotai created the god in charge of Yin, which was Buddha. Although Buddha was in charge of yin, he was still a man. Then, with the help of Yin and Yang, all living things in the world were born one after another … "
"Isn't this a mess?" Salted Fish mumbled.
Fangzheng smiled. "How is it a mess? His teachings were a fusion of the essence of many religions. It was good on the whole, and that was enough. Every place has its own beliefs. As an outsider, just respect them. Don't slander them for no reason. "
With that said, Fangzheng said, "It's just like China's Buddhism. It's completely different from YY's Buddhism. Can you say that it's also a mess? The Buddha had thousands of dharmas. The Buddha was at the center of the world, watching over the thousands of worlds. Buddha never turned everyone into themselves, but allowed everyone to live as they were. To see one's true nature and live as one's self is to become a Buddha. Since all living beings have become themselves, there are naturally millions of different colors of Buddhas. It doesn't matter if it's the Gaotai Sect or other sects, you can understand it as one of the myriad Buddhas. "
Salted Fish smacked his lips and said, "I think Buddha said something similar."
Fangzheng smiled. He did not know if Buddha had said that, but he knew one thing. Everyone had their own lives. No one had the right to use their own standards to evaluate or change the lives of others. As long as the other party did not break the law, everything was the other party's freedom. There was no right or wrong. All you have to do is show respect.
Regarding Salted Fish's existence, Ong was already mentally prepared. Therefore, when Salted Fish suddenly asked him a question, he was only a little curious. But to approach the fire-spewing salted fish? He was truly a little apprehensive.
As they chatted, the elevator reached the top. When they walked out of the elevator, they saw shimmering gold and a glorious temple.
The temple was similar to the faith of the Gaotai Sect. It also fused the traits of the three major sects. It had two tall spires that resembled gothic cathedrals, and it also had a clear traditional Chinese style. The exterior had curved eaves, and the interior of the temple had two rows of columns with dragon engravings.
Outside the temple, there were already many people gathered. Fangzheng saw many familiar faces at a glance. There was no other way about it. He was bored out of his mind while waiting for the bus. All he could do was look at the people who overtook him!
While everyone was conversing, Fangzheng's arrival attracted the attention of many. His kasaya made it impossible for people to miss him. However, the way everyone looked at him didn't have any discrimination. Instead, they smiled kindly.
Ong was originally worried that everyone would discriminate against Fangzheng, but when he saw this, he immediately heaved a sigh of relief. He whispered. "As expected of accomplished monks, masters, and priests. They are indeed different."
Fangzheng smiled. Although he had never participated in such events, he had seen accomplished monks from Baiyun Monastery, Hongyan Monastery, and the other monasteries. True accomplished monks wouldn't be like those snobs who mocked and ridiculed you. Everyone was particular.
Fangzheng came to the front of the hall and looked inside. He saw a high platform with several levels on it!
In the middle of the highest level was Sakyamuni, with Laozi and Confucius to his left and right. In the middle of the second level was Guan Yin, with Li Taibai and Guan Yu to her left and right. The third level was Jesus. Apart from Jiang Taigong, there were also statues of Sun Yat-sen and other Eastern and Western sages on the fourth level.
Even Fangzheng marveled at these statues, much less Ong. As they were of different faiths, Fangzheng didn't enter to offer incense. All he did was circle around the outside before pushing it to the side.
Standing on Mt. Dharma Characteristic, he looked at Hoàn Kiếm Lake with its rippling waves.
Before long, a staff member walked over and began explaining the proceedings of the conference.
Unlike what Fangzheng imagined, this conference wasn't a discussion at first sight. The first day was just a gathering event. After confirming that everyone was present, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Mt. Dharma Characteristic had arranged lodgings for all the participants.
Only then did Fangzheng realize that the pass the attendant handed him wasn't only a participant's pass, but also a room key card.
He took the elevator down with Ong and arrived at the thirtieth floor, a room with a Buddhist theme. The moment the door opened, Fangzheng was astonished. There were even green plants in the room!
The bed was in the middle of the plants, and there was even water flowing on the ground.
"Who's backing this Dharma Characteristic Monastery? Isn't that a little too rich? "Ong touched the real flowers as well as the chameleon sprawled on the tree as he said in astonishment.
Fangzheng was somewhat puzzled as well. Could it be as people guessed? Was the organizer backed by the government and the king? But the Gaotai Sect wasn't considered a national religion in Vietnam, right? Was there a need for the government to work so hard?
Just as Fangzheng was pondering over the matter, he felt the weight on his back lighten. Salted Fish had jumped off his back and shook his body before burping. It gave Ong a fright as he hurriedly dodged, afraid that the fire-spewing fish would spit fire at him.
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