In the Xuandu Temple, Li Chunfeng's face turned gloomy when he saw that the temple was empty. For a long time, Daoism had a strong opponent, and that was Buddhism.
Ever since Buddhism was introduced in the Eastern Han Dynasty, it had been expanding its followers in the Central Plains. The dominance of Taoism was quickly broken and even overtaken. Now, with the support of the Tang dynasty and Taoism as the national religion, Taoism had made great progress. However, the number of Taoist temples was still less than the number of temples.
Of course, there were also Daoists who focused on cultivation and health. They liked to build Daoist temples in famous mountains and great rivers, while Buddhists liked to build temples in bustling cities. The cost and difficulty were naturally different. However, one had to admit that the scale of Buddhism had now surpassed Daoists. Whether it was believers, temples, or monks, Buddhism had the advantage.
"Any news from Master?" Li Chunfeng took a deep breath and asked the Taoist priest beside him.
Yuan Tiangang had been in poor health ever since he wrote the Push Back Diagram. After the Mohist and Taoist families saw the moon together, he took the opportunity to resign from Li Shimin. He was appointed as the county magistrate of Fire Well by Li Shimin and had already left. It could be said that the leader of Taoism in Chang 'an was now Li Shimin.
"Sir Grand Scribe! There's no news, "the Taoist priest replied respectfully.
"We can't wait any longer. Now that the hundred schools are advancing and the other hundred schools are going against the trend, only Taoism is declining. If we miss this opportunity, I'm afraid we'll regret it for the rest of our lives," Li Chunfeng said firmly.
The other hundred schools were developing rapidly. In order to complete the unification, Taoism destroyed their own martial arts and denied Taoism's alchemy skills. Now, the Taoists in the External Alchemy School had formed their own school and were researching the Art of Immortality. They were even closer to Mohism.
However, no one expected Taoism to destroy their own alchemy skills and Buddhism to use their sariras as their trump card. This immediately put Taoism in a disadvantageous position. In the long run, Taoism would definitely decline.
"But Taoism and Buddhism haven't fallen out yet. If Sir Grand Scribe suddenly starts a war between Buddhism and Taoism, I'm afraid it'll be criticized by the world!" The Taoist priest behind him said worriedly.
Li Chunfeng nodded and said, "Although I can't start a war between Buddhism and Taoism, it doesn't mean that the former Grand Scribe can't."
The daoist priest was enlightened. "Could it be that the Grand Scribe is referring to …"
Li Chunfeng sneered, "That's right, the former Grand Scribe Fu Yi."
The Daoist priest frowned and said, "Although Lord Fu once served as the Grand Scribe, he is still a member of the Confucian School."
Li Chunfeng revealed a mysterious smile and said, "Do you think the Confucians will sit back and watch the Buddhists become stronger?"
In the Kong Family.
Kong Huisuo was frowning and thinking hard. Sometimes, she would write at a high speed. She was constantly compiling the dictionary that she had painstakingly created.
"Bang bang!"
A series of knocks came from the door. Kong Huisuo was immediately startled. He quickly hid the manuscript and took out a copy of the Analects of Confucius and placed it on the table. Then, he loudly said, "Come in!"
"Young Master, Second Granduncle invites you over." A servant from the Kong Estate pushed open the door and entered.
"Okay, I'll come right away!" Kong Huisuo nodded and left with the servant.
When Kong Huisuo arrived at the meeting hall, she saw that her second granduncle and Kong Yingda were already waiting there.
"Greetings, Uncle. Greetings, Second Granduncle!" Kong Huisuo said respectfully.
"Today, we are going to discuss the Confucian School. You are a direct descendant of the Kong Family, so you have the right to listen." Kong Yingda gestured for Kong Huisuo to take a seat. Now, all the families were training the next generation. Needless to say, Mo Jiazi was one of them. Even Mo Jiazi's disciple, Wu Meiniang, had become famous in Chang 'an because of her perseverance in creating the silver mirror. The Kong Family naturally could not sit back and do nothing. That was why Kong Huisuo had the opportunity to listen.
"Thank you, Uncle!" Kong Huisuo was looking forward to it.
Kong Yingda nodded and said, "Today, we are going to discuss the Buddhists. I believe you have heard about the recent storm between the Buddhists and the Mo Journal."
Kong Huisuo nodded subconsciously. Then, she quickly shook her head and revealed a blank expression.
Upon seeing this, Second Granduncle Kong Desheng sneered and said, "Don't pretend. Everyone in the Kong Family knows that you are secretly buying the Mo Journal."
Kong Huisuo could not help but reveal an embarrassed smile and said, "Grandson secretly bought the Mo Journal because I wanted to know myself and the enemy."
"You don't have to be so sneaky in the future. The Kong Family is still magnanimous. However, I have to say that Mo Jiazi is really bold. These few issues of the Mo Journal have completely exposed the Buddhists. He is not like those idiots in the Confucian Journal who are so timid in everything they do." Kong Desheng stroked his beard and shouted.
Without comparison, the gap between the Confucian Journal and the Mo Journal was obvious. The Mo Journal did not hesitate to offend the Buddhists and directly exposed the scandal of the Buddhists using usury to force people to their deaths and sheltering murderers. On the other hand, the Confucian Journal only whitewashed peace.
In terms of content, the Mo Journal even knew about yoga from far away India. In addition, the Buddhists promoted first-aid knowledge. It could be said that there was a lot of useful information. In comparison, the dry articles of the Confucian Journal were simply tasteless.
Even if Kong Desheng did not admire Mo Jiazi, he had to admit that Mo Jiazi was indeed quite capable.
"Second Great Uncle is right. It is precisely because I admire Modun's character that I befriended him." Kong Huisuo hurriedly agreed.
"You are still befriending him? Now that Mo Jiazi has such achievements, even that brat from the Zu Family is quite extraordinary. What about you?" Kong Desheng looked at Kong Huisuo with disappointment.
If it were any other time, Kong Huisuo would have been ashamed. However, with the dictionary in hand, his confidence was greatly boosted. He secretly decided that he must complete the dictionary and change his Second Granduncle's opinion of him.
Kong Yingda could not help but sigh. Without his identity as a member of the Mo Family, Meton could be said to be the proudest disciple of the Imperial College. Just the theory that the common people used was enough to amaze him, not to mention the continuous stream of popular poems.
The three of them had different thoughts, but they quickly returned to the main topic.
"Today, we are discussing the Great Mercy Temple's Sarira Dharma Assembly." Kong Yingda said seriously.
"The Sarira Dharma Assembly!"
Kong Huisuo could not help but fall silent. He naturally knew about this grand event in Chang 'an.
"What Sarira Dharma Assembly! It's just a way for the Buddhists to restore their reputation! " Kong Desheng sneered. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Great Mercy Temple's purpose of holding the Sarira Dharma Assembly was to restore the reputation of the Buddhists.
"However, it seems that the Buddhists have made the right move!" Kong Yingda sighed. The Buddhists had not only made the right move, but it had also shocked everyone. No one had thought that the Buddha's Sarira would have such great charm. Moreover, this was only the Sarira of an ordinary monk. If the Buddha's Sarira worshipped by the Fahua Temple appeared in Chang 'an, its influence would be ten times greater than it was now. It would immediately break the balance of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
"Confucius said that if the Confucius did not speak, ghosts and gods would be confused. In my opinion, the Buddhists are just taking advantage of the ignorance of the common people. "Kong Huisuo nodded.
Everyone nodded. However, everyone knew that as long as the Buddha's Sarira appeared, the Buddhists would prosper sooner or later.
Kong Yingda could not help but feel a headache. The rising School of Mo was already enough to give the Confucians a headache. If they had to face the rising School of Buddhism, how would the Confucians deal with it?
Kong Desheng also frowned and thought hard. Although the Buddhists had infringed on the interests of the Confucians to a certain extent, it was still not worth starting a debate.
"Son, I don't know if I should say something!" Kong Huisuo suddenly stood up and said seriously.
"Go ahead!" Kong Yingda waved his hand and said.
"Second Granduncle has always compared me to Brother Mo. However, as far as I know, this time, the School of Buddhism was the first to make a move. A rising School of Mo certainly does not want to provoke the Buddhists. However, why has Mo Bian been taking the initiative to expose the Buddhists? It is not because the School of Mo has a grudge against the School of Buddhism. It is because the School of Mo has a righteous position, so they have a clear conscience! Kong Sheng insisted that the Confucius did not speak, ghosts and gods would be confused. However, when the Buddha's Sarira went on a rampage in Chang 'an, he did not do anything. How can he be called a descendant of a sage? "Kong Huisuo said firmly.
Suddenly, the room fell silent. The two could not help but fall into deep thought.
After a long time, Kong Desheng let out a long sigh and said, "Now that things have come to this, the Confucians do indeed need to express their position."
Kong Yingda nodded heavily.
Soon, a special issue of the Confucian magazine that published Kong Sheng's views on ghosts and gods appeared on the streets of Chang 'an. And the name Kong Desheng was inscribed on it. The descendant of the Kong Family personally spoke out against the Buddhist Sarira Dharma Assembly, which made the entire Chang' an City's worship of the Buddha's Sarira pause.
Then, the anti-Buddhist Fu Yi once again spoke out against Buddhism. This time, the ministers in the imperial court supported Fu Yi, but the voices of those who originally supported the School of Buddhism were silent.
So far, the five influential schools of Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Forensic Science had clearly expressed their anti-Buddhism views. The School of Buddhism was once again in crisis, and this time the crisis was much more dangerous than before.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
