"Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have always been difficult to achieve. Conflicts between countries and families can be found everywhere. If we were ordinary people, as long as it's not a major situation, it's understandable for us to think for our own families. However, the Hundred Schools of Thought are different. When we develop our own schools of thought, if we can't think for the country and the people, it'll all be for naught. Country first, family second. "Back then, countless brothers of Mo Jiazi abandoned their families and rushed to the battlefield for the sake of the world's stability. That's how the School of Mohism came to be. Confucius traveled around the world for his entire life. For the sake of the country's prosperity, the School of Legalism carried out reforms. There were very few who ended up well, but they continued to advance dauntlessly. … "
Meton spat out the ideals of the country in his heart. Back then, many brothers of Mo Jiazi did not understand why the School of Mohism would make so many Mohism techniques public. Indeed, if the School of Mohism controlled them, they would be able to make a fortune.
However, that would only make the School of Mohism rich. Only when the whole world benefited from the School of Mohism and had a solid foundation would the School of Mohism truly revive and develop their own school of thought.
"If there's a situation where one family is rich and the world is thin again, the School of Buddhism will serve as a warning," Meton said solemnly.
"One family is rich and the world is thin!" The monks couldn't help but exclaim. When the Second Martial Emperor destroyed Buddhism, the School of Buddhism occupied a population of three million people and one-tenth of the world's land. The imperial court had no sources of soldiers and no wealth, and was in dire straits. Wasn't that the School of Buddhism's saying that the world is thin and the world is fat?
In that case, the School of Buddhism's two calamities weren't unjust at all. The School of Buddhism did not consider the world, and the world naturally abandoned the School of Buddhism.
"Almsgiver Mo's wisdom is indeed extraordinary! The School of Buddhism has learned from you! "Master Hui Yuan bowed solemnly.
Master Fa Lin smiled and said, "Master Hui Yuan, you may not know this, but Almsgiver Mo is a cultivator of the Hundred Schools of Thought. He's also someone who has cultivated the teachings of the School of Buddhism, and his Buddhist teachings aren't shallow."
"Really?" Master Hui Yuan's face was full of surprise.
"Of course!" Master Fa Lin said in a clear voice, "Almsgiver Mo's talent in poetry is extraordinary. He's even composed half a poem, which shook the entire School of Buddhism."
"There's no way to have the best of both worlds. I won't let Tathagata down, and I won't let you down." A senior monk recited loudly.
Master Hui Yuan's eyes lit up. Although there were only two lines in this poem, it spoke of the true essence of Buddhism. It vividly described the hesitation of Buddhist disciples in the face of the temptations of the mortal world.
"It's a pity that we Buddhists are unable to produce a disciple like Benefactor Mo. It's truly a pity for Buddhists," Master Hui Yuan lamented. The other monks nodded in agreement.
When Bian Ji heard the praises of the monks, he couldn't help but feel restless. He couldn't help but recall the flirting of the noblewoman when they were on their way to Luoyang. The anger in his heart grew stronger and stronger, and he couldn't hold it in any longer. He jumped out and said, "I'm not convinced. This is an internal matter of Buddhism. Although Benefactor Mo represents the imperial court, he's also a member of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
You may not have any selfish motives. "When the other senior monks saw that Bian Ji had taken the initiative to object, their eyes flashed. Surprisingly, no one stepped out to stop him. Although Bian Ji's actions were rash, he had voiced out the concerns of many Buddhists. Meton's words were indeed reasonable, but he was still a member of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Although Mo Jiazi had just been revived and hadn't participated in the previous two calamities of Buddhism, there was no actual conflict with Buddhism. However, Mo Jiazi was still a member of the Hundred Schools of Thought. No one could guarantee that Mo Jiazi didn't have any selfish motives.
Meton raised his head. For the first time since the beginning, he looked at Bian Ji and said, "In your opinion, what should we do?"
Bian Ji said proudly, "Every time Buddhism encounters a disagreement, senior monks will gather to debate the sutras. I know that Benefactor Mo cultivates in the Hundred Schools of Thought and is rather intelligent. Today, we will debate with the Buddhist sutras. If Benefactor Mo can convince me with the Buddhist sutras, I will definitely be convinced. "
Meton smiled and turned to look at the monks, asking, "What do you all think?"
Master Huichang immediately said, "If Benefactor Mo uses the Buddhist sutras to debate Bian Ji, we will be able to answer to the monks and nuns of the world. Otherwise, I'm afraid Buddhism won't be convinced."
In his opinion, although Bian Ji's reputation and knowledge were not as good as Mo Jiazi's, in terms of Buddhist sutras, Bian Ji was already the leader of the next generation of Buddhism. Moreover, although Mo Jiazi also cultivated Buddhism, it was only a secondary cultivation. How could he compare to Bian Ji? In his opinion, Bian Ji already had the upper hand, so naturally, he would not stop him.
Many of the monks nodded. They admitted that Mo Jiazi's words were reasonable. However, in the end, only Buddhism was limited. Mo Jiazi had only offered two routes to seek the Buddhist sutras. They were afraid that it would be difficult to convince the monks of the world.
This time, even Master Huiyuan and Master Falyn did not refute. After all, they still had to consider the words of the Buddhist monks. If they did not let the monks vent their anger, even they might not be able to suppress it.
As for whether Mo Jiazi was willing or not, the two of them did not care. After all, when Mo Jiazi came to the imperial court as a lobbyist, he already knew that this would happen.
Seeing this, Meton could not help but put his palms together and solemnly said, "Amitabha, Taoist brother, please!"
When Bian Ji heard this, he could not help but reveal a confident smile. He admitted that Mo Jiazi was indeed the best in terms of poetry, but he also had a sure-win magic weapon.
Bian Ji said loudly, "Although this little monk went to Shaolin for a short time, in addition to meeting Master Huiyuan, this little monk also gained a great deal. That is, I was able to pay a visit to Master Shenxiu. Master Shenxiu's Buddhist teachings are profound, and there was a poem that benefited this little monk greatly. I have long heard that Benefactor Mo is a peerless poet, please enlighten me."
"Shenxiu?" Meton's eyes flashed.
"The body is a Bodhi tree, the heart is like a mirror, constantly wiping, not allowing dust to gather!" Bian Ji said loudly.
"This is Shenxiu's poem?" The monks were in an uproar.
Back then, Shakyamuni was enlightened under the Bodhi tree. The mirror was an allusion of the Shaolin Zen Sect. Only by wiping often could one maintain the purity of one's Buddhist heart. This poem was rich in philosophy and could be said to be full of Buddhist teachings. It was a rare classic of Buddhism.
"Master Shenxiu's wisdom is indeed extraordinary. As the saying goes, 'Heaven rewards the diligent.' If one diligently cultivates Buddhist teachings, one will definitely achieve great things in the future. From this, it can be seen that Master Shenxiu has already attained Dao," Meton praised sincerely.
Master Fa Lin could not help but reveal a proud smile. Shenxiu was a mainstay of Buddhism. To be praised by Mo Jiazi naturally made him proud.
"This little monk respectfully listens to Benefactor Mo's wise words," Bian Ji pressed on.
Meton looked around and revealed a trace of shyness. "This little one has also heard of Buddha's story of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. My heart was moved, and coincidentally, there is a poem that is very compatible with this. There is no Bodhi tree, the mirror is not a mirror, originally nothing, where does dust gather?"
"There is no Bodhi tree, the mirror is not a mirror?"
"There is no Bodhi tree, where does dust gather?"
The monks could not help but be moved. They could not help but look at Mo Jiazi in shock. Shenxiu was from a famous sect and was proficient in Buddhist teachings. He had long been famous in the world. However, Mo Jiazi only cultivated Buddhism on the side. Unexpectedly, he was able to create a poem that was comparable to Shenxiu's. In fact, he even faintly suppressed Shenxiu. This was because Buddhism placed the most importance on comprehension, and Mo Jiazi's poem was filled with the philosophy of enlightenment.
"Mo Jiazi's wisdom is indeed extraordinary. He actually has such a high level of comprehension!" Master Fa Lin sighed. Mo Jiazi cultivated Buddhism on the side and was able to create a poem that was filled with Buddhist teachings. This was enough to prove that his comprehension was extraordinary.
"It's a pity that he is Mo Jiazi's younger brother!" The monks all lamented in their hearts.
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