Let’s talk about Shenxiu.
Exactly opposite to the direction in which Huizhan came to Lingnan, more than a dozen imperial carriages with carvings of dragons and phoenixes, carrying Master Shenxiu and several important disciples accompanying him, went north from Xiangyang to Dongdu. Luoyang - Perhaps the ancestors of the Taboo Li family have been living in Luoyang, the eastern capital, since Emperor Zetian ascended the throne ten years ago. Chang'an, the original capital, has become a companion capital.
The chariot drove straight into the splendid palace. Master Shenxiu got off the car and was shocked to find that Empress Wu Zetian, wearing a golden crown and a python robe, was standing outside the Palace of Eternal Life to greet him personally!
He was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to go to meet him, a two-person sedan specially designed for the palace stopped in front of him.
Without any explanation, he was helped onto the sedan chair and carried directly to the small dojo in the palace.
Empress Zetian, holding the sedan pole, led the prince, civil and military officials, gathered around the beautiful sedan, and stepped up the high steps step by step...
Although Master Shenxiu, who is over 90 years old, is well-informed, his eyes still filled with tears and his vision was blurred...
Perhaps because she became a nun in her early years, or perhaps because she was influenced by her mother who believed in Buddhism since childhood, Wu Zetian, the only empress in Chinese history, not only sincerely believed in Buddhism, but also practiced it herself.
Even, in a sense, Huayan Sect, one of the eight major sects of Buddhism, was born with her strong support.
It was under her inspiration that Master Fazang, the founder of Huayan Sect, wrote the masterpiece "The Golden Lion Chapter" that will shine forever.
In the dojo in the palace, Master Shenxiu was placed on a high throne.
Wu Zetian had already changed into casual clothes, and stood solemnly in front of Shenxiu with her hands clasped together with the prince and other palace guests.
Quiet, extremely quiet.
Not only has the noise of the outside world ceased, but the turmoil within people has completely subsided;
And this kind of silence is not dead, not dull, not condensation, but full of vitality.
At this time, your heart can clearly feel that there is an undercurrent running quietly...
Suddenly, a sound of heavenly sound came through the sky - it was her, Wu Zetian! As an emperor, she actually sang the gatha she improvised herself:
The most profound and subtle Dharma.
Encountered hundreds of thousands of disasters.
Now I can accept and uphold what I have seen and heard.
I wish to understand the true meaning of Tathagata.
From that day on, this verse written by Wu Zetian became the "Opening verse" and was printed in front of every sutra. This verse must be sung before reciting or preaching...
More surprising things are yet to come.
After finishing singing, Emperor Zetian poured out the golden mountain, poured over the jade pillars, bowed to the ground, and knelt under Master Shenxiu...
…
As the first empress of the Tang Dynasty (624-705 AD), Wu Zetian once became a nun and converted to Buddhism. Later, out of his own political needs, he tried his best to support Buddhism.
At that time, an eminent monk named Faming told her face that Wu Zetian had an extraordinary past life and was the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha in heaven. He also presented four volumes of the Great Cloud Sutra to her in a serious manner.
For this reason, Wu Zetian repeatedly compared the three religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, and still established Buddhism as the first of the three religions. She mainly used the "Dayun Sutra" in Buddhism to vigorously advocate the "Queen Chengzheng" and make her the first in China. A queen makes theoretical preparations.
Later, out of the need to manage the Western Regions, he built the Great Vairocana Buddha in Luoyang, the eastern capital, ordered Dayun Temple to be built in all states and counties, and supported Fazang in establishing the Huayan Sect. Donate "20,000 yuan of money to help with makeup" for the purpose of carving Buddha statues in Longmen Fengxian Temple. Because when she was the queen, she appointed cruel officials and repeatedly caused jails. She indulged in excessive sexual activities when she was young. Her physical strength was weak when she was old, and her steps were sloppy when she walked. In order to prolong her life, she placed her hope on Buddhism.
Therefore, eminent monks were recruited into the palace to preach. For this reason, Wu Zetian advocated Buddhism even more vigorously, and also allocated huge sums of money to build temples and temples in famous mountains all over the country, making the country dotted with temples.
Wu Zetian had been listening to the eminent monks talking about Buddha for many years in the palace. Every time she heard it, she always got the same version. It was like eating chicken every day, and she gradually got tired of it.
Later, she heard a recommendation from a close minister that the truly eminent monks in the world were Master Hui'an and Master Shenxiu.
After Wu Zetian heard this, Long Yan was overjoyed. In the first year of Jiushi (AD 700), Wu Zetian sent an envoy to the capital to welcome him and granted him the title of Imperial Advisor.
Chapter 304 Shen Xiu tells the truth
According to Zhang Shuo's "Monument of Zen Master Datong": When Shenxiu arrived in the capital, Wu Zetian, who regarded herself as the same as the sky, knelt down and saluted to welcome Shenxiu in person, regardless of the difference between the emperor and his ministers: "The imperial edict came to invite him and he sat down to watch. He went to the temple on his shoulders and Qu Wan When you are riding, you will bow your head, and when you are drinking ninefold wine, you will be feasting."
Whenever Shenxiu was giving sermons, "the emperor sat separately and the concubines came to the table." Shenxiu was ninety-four years old when he was recruited to Luoyang, the eastern capital.
In the Luoyang Palace, Shenxiu, who had a profound spiritual practice, had always been very eloquent and skillful in rhetoric. When he came to the palace, he knew that Wu Zetian, this arrogant and cruel queen, could not be neglected or offended at all. On weekdays, Shenxiu explains things in simple and easy-to-understand terms, and uses his whip to penetrate deeply, giving frequent examples to preach his gradual enlightenment Zen method of "seeing clearly with a whisk, making it easier to clear the scriptures".
Wu Zetian had been accustomed to listening to boring and obscure Buddhist scriptures for many years, but now her eyes suddenly opened up. She was happy to listen to Shenxiu preaching Buddhism every day. She was fascinated by it. She felt that this eminent monk was not only old, but also He is of high moral character and shows great favor to the gods.
Later, Wu Zetian returned to Chang'an and summoned Shenxiu to the inner dojo in Chang'an to make offerings. Wu Zetian worshiped Shenxiu personally in the highest possible style every time, showing great respect.
Later, in the first year of Tang Shenlong (705 AD), Tang Zhongzong came to power. He was also a monarch who believed deeply in Buddhism. He named Shenxiu the "Emperor Master" and often discussed Buddhism and Zen with Shenxiu in the palace.
For a period of time, Shenxiu received unparalleled favor in the world: he was the "Master of the Two Capitals" of Luoyang and Chang'an, and the "Emperor's Master" of three emperors, Wu Zetian, Tang Zhongzong and Tang Ruizong.
Although Shenxiu received the grand courtesy, after all, Shenxiu had gone through decades of ups and downs. In the inner dojo of the palace, facing the gilded ritual artifacts, she enjoyed unparalleled splendor. In the past, she and her brothers were in the mountain stream The scene of working hard in the wild forest and meditating together on a clear moonlit night is often vivid in my mind. The disputes in the Zen forest kept rising and falling in his mind, making it difficult to calm down.
In the early spring of the first year of Shenlong (705), the snow in Kyoto had not yet melted. The surrounding area was silvery white, and the world seemed spotless.
After Wu Zetian listened to Shenxiu's explanation of the Avatamsaka Sutra, she and Shenxiu walked and talked on the stone floor in front of the main hall: "Master Emperor, you are the master of Zen, famous all over the world. I heard that the ancestor Bodhidharma brought cassocks with him when he came. The golden bowl has been passed down from generation to generation. It should be the sixth generation when it reaches you. I would like to see the elegance of that holy object."
A gust of wind blew, and Shenxiu shivered all over, and even the monk's hat on his head blew off the ground.
At this time, Shenxiu's eyebrows and eyebrows were all white, and the wind knives of time had carved deep wrinkles on his face. After all, he was 99 years old.
Shenxiu picked up the monk's hat and put it on his head. A flush suddenly appeared on his sallow old face: "This..."
Seeing his embarrassed look, Wu Zetian thought that he didn't want to take out the cassock and golden bowl for her to look at, and she looked sullen: "Am I not worthy enough to look at your noble and sacred objects?"
Seeing Wu Zetian's anger, Shenxiu hurriedly lay down on the stone steps and said: "Your Majesty, you are the most respected person in the world. It's not that you are not worthy of seeing those sacred objects, but..."
"But what?" Wu Zetian asked.
Shenxiu hesitated.
Wu Zetian stared at him: "Do you have something to hide?"
Shenxiu pouted for a long time before saying, "I'm afraid I won't tell you. The Holy Father will..."
Wu Zetian understood what he meant and straightened the dragon robe with her hands: "If the Imperial Master has anything to say, it's okay to say it directly. I will never blame you."
Shenxiu still didn't speak out.
Wu Zetian looked at Shenxiu lying on the stone steps, raised her hand and said, "The emperor is flat."
Shenxiu stood up when he heard that Wu Zetian's tone was not as harsh as before.
Shenxiu finally plucked up the courage: "Your Majesty, Lao Na does not have the cassocks and golden body passed down by his ancestors."
"Ah, you don't have any sacred objects passed down from your ancestors?" Wu Zetian looked at Shenxiu in surprise, "Aren't you the supreme Dharma King?"
