"Secondly, since ancient times, it has been important not to reveal one's wealth. However, Buddhists like to use bronze to cast Buddhas. They spend a lot of money and don't hesitate to gild the Buddha's body. I believe that revealing one's wealth is probably a big reason for the two annihilations, "Merton said.
Yan Shigu, who was at the side, nodded in agreement. According to the historical records, during the two Buddha Annihilations, almost all of the Buddha statues were destroyed. The golden bodies were scraped off, and the bronze statues were melted down into strings of copper coins to enrich the national treasury.
However, Xiao flew into a rage and said, "Gilding the Buddha's body is to accumulate blessings for believers. Only then will there be wealth and karma. Furthermore, the Buddha is extremely noble. Only a golden body can show the Buddha's dignity."
Meton sneered and said, "The Buddha is a celestial being, so he would especially care about these mortal things. In my opinion, gilding the Buddha statues is just a method of Buddhists to increase the atmosphere of the Buddha hall and make the spectators feel respectful and pure. Moreover, regardless of whether it's the court or the commoners, the term gilding is probably more derogatory than complimentary. Some descendants of aristocratic families take over the family business and find some leisurely jobs to obtain some false reputation. They call it gilding. Even if I were to join the army, I'm afraid that many people would secretly mock me for coming to gilding. They're just going to earn some military merits."
Meton flipped the Buddha's gilding upside down in a few words, leaving Xiao speechless for a long time.
"Gilding is not only flashy but also easy to covet. Every time the world is in chaos, how many of those gilded Buddha statues can be preserved? When the gilded bodies are scraped off, I'm afraid that's a great disrespect to the Buddha," Meton said proudly.
"That's impossible. It's impossible for Buddhists to give up gilding the Buddha," Xiao said firmly. Gilding the Buddha was a sharp weapon for Buddhists to develop and strengthen. How could they give it up so easily?
Meton frowned and said, "Since that's the case, it's not impossible to solve. When the School of Mo was developing sunglasses, they developed a new type of gilding method. However, the effect is extremely good. Not only does it use very little gold, but the surface is also smooth. Its effect is ten times better than the gilding on the streets. They are willing to offer it to Buddhists."
"The Art of Gilding?" The ministers were stunned. The School of Mohism's craftsmanship had been recognized by the world. Naturally, no one doubted Meton's words. At this moment, everyone believed that Meton was sincerely helping the School of Buddhism.
This time, even Li Shimin couldn't help but take another look at Meton. It had to be said that Meton had the attitude to solve problems.
"Thirdly, I believe that if Buddhism really wants to save itself, it must control the number of Buddhist temples and monks, as well as the tax-free land under its name," Meton said solemnly.
"Control the number of monks and nuns in the temple! This is even more impossible. " Xiao Ran shook his head decisively. If the school of Buddhism really controlled the number of monks and nuns in their temples, wouldn't that be destroying their own future? If the school of Thought were to advance and the school of Buddhism remained stagnant, they would soon fall behind.
"I submit a memorial to Mo Jiazi for his malice in suppressing the Buddhists," Yu Zhining added.
"Mo Jiazi, how is this saving the Buddhists? This is even more malevolent than destroying the Buddhists!" Many of the ministers jeered.
Although the destruction of the Buddhists by force had caused the School of Buddhism to suffer heavy losses, the School of Buddhism had quickly recovered. If they followed Mo Jiazi's plan to save the Buddhists, the School of Buddhism would no longer have a chance to grow.
For a moment, the ministers were enraged and began to denounce Meton.
Meton sneered, "Do you all think that these eighty-thousand-some monks and nuns are all proficient in the Buddhist Dharma? How many of them can't copy Buddhist scriptures or understand Sanskrit? If they can't even do these two things, how can they be considered the most loyal followers of the School of Buddhism? If everyone in the School of Buddhism could do these two things, this one would never mention saving the Buddhists.
Xiao Chen shook his head, "The School of Buddhism emphasizes the equality of all living beings. Everyone can become a follower of the Buddha. Copying Buddhist scriptures and Sanskrit are just external things. As long as one's heart is sincere, the Buddha will always keep them in his heart."
The Mo Clan retorted, "This one believes that being proficient in Buddhist scriptures and Sanskrit is the basic foundation of a monk and a nun. If one can't reach this level and still has a heart that belongs to the Buddha, one can study in seclusion in the secular world. It won't be too late to become a monk after mastering it. Chanting Buddhist scriptures and shaving one's hair is not enough. It is precisely the unrestrained expansion of the School of Buddhism that caused the two disasters. If the Hundred Schools of Thought want to develop, which school doesn't choose the best and eliminate the worst? The School of Legalism needs to be proficient in law, the School of Confucianism needs to be proficient in literature, and the School of Mohism needs to be proficient in craftsmanship … "
This point was something that no one in the Imperial Court could deny. Compared to the Hundred Schools of Thought's meticulous nurturing of their disciples, the School of Buddhism's development was truly too unrestrained and unrestrained.
"Although I don't object to the School of Buddhism not working in production, at least it can't become a burden to society and occupy too much of society's wealth." Merton said.
"A burden to the Imperial Court? Merton is too arrogant. Is the School of Mo the only one that has contributed to society?" Xiao Chen was born in the Southern Dynasty, and Buddhism had a deep influence on him. Hearing this, he flew into a rage.
In his opinion, the School of Mo dared to give him such unscrupulous guidance just because he paid a little more tax.
Meton shook his head and said, "In the prosperous age of the Tang dynasty, more than 80,000 monks and nuns are indeed insignificant. What if there are 800,000 monks and nuns? What about 8 million? At that time, how much food will the Tang dynasty consume every year to provide for them and how much money will be needed to build temples? If this money is used for national affairs, I think it will be enough to benefit the world. "
Many courtiers nodded subconsciously. There were still many people who did not have enough to eat. If there were too many monks and nuns who did not work in production and could not collect taxes, the entire Imperial Court would be strapped for cash.
For a moment, the entire Imperial Court was filled with heated debates. Some supported Meton, while others accused Mo Jiazi of suppressing the School of Buddhism with ill intentions.
Fu Yi could not help but sigh in his heart when he saw this. He had repeatedly submitted memorials to eliminate the School of Buddhism, but there were very few responses. However, Mo Jiazi had saved the School of Buddhism in a roundabout way. In his opinion, it was just a change of name, but he actually had the support of so many courtiers.
However, he misunderstood Meton. Meton was sincerely saving the School of Buddhism. After all, the School of Buddhism had been passed down in later generations, so it was naturally impossible for it to be destroyed. However, at this time, the School of Buddhism was full of drawbacks. His ideas were some of the rules of the School of Buddhism in later generations. The School of Buddhism in later generations was also very prosperous, but now the School of Buddhism would not be willing to give up the easy benefits in front of them and choose a more difficult path.
Li Shimin saw the constant debates in the Imperial Court and could not help but fall into a dilemma. Although he was inclined to Meton's argument, he also knew how difficult it was for the School of Buddhism to accept this path, not to mention that the School of Buddhism was far from the point of bringing disaster to the world.
Just as the debate in the Imperial Court about the School of Buddhism was heating up, a guard hurriedly came to report, "Your Majesty, the Abbot of Shaolin, Master Huiyuan, has come to Chang 'an alone and asks for an audience with Your Majesty."
"Master Huiyuan!"
Suddenly, the Imperial Court fell silent. Everyone knew the purpose of Master Huiyuan's visit.
Fu Yi's face darkened when he heard this. Thinking of the kindness that Shaolin had shown to Li Shimin, he could not help but lament in his heart. This time, the momentum that Mo Jiazi had painstakingly gathered was probably going to be wasted again.
Li Shimin's eyes flashed, and he took the opportunity to laugh loudly, "A friend from afar has come, isn't it great? I and Master Huiyuan have not seen each other for more than ten years, so it's a good time to catch up. Court dismissed!"
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