The old emperor said nothing.
But I got some comfort in my heart. I feel like maybe it was a child singing randomly, or maybe I didn’t hear it very clearly and misunderstood it.
So, I continued walking.
He quickly put this matter behind him.
After dinner, seeing that today was the first day of April, the old emperor went to the Buddhist hall to do evening classes according to his usual habit.
However, maybe she had eaten a little too much at dinner, and her stomach felt a little stretched, so it was very difficult to sit cross-legged, so she sat in the Taishi chair on the side and asked a palace maid to help her read Buddhist scriptures to her.
This is also one of the habits of the old emperor.
When she was upset, or whenever she wanted to calm her mind, she would either recite sutras by herself, copy sutras by herself, or listen to them.
This will make her heart at peace.
"Your Majesty, today the masters from Guoen Temple have sent us a few new books, short stories related to Buddhist scriptures, etc. Do you want to listen to them?"
As soon as the old emperor sat down in a comfortable position and closed his eyes, he heard the suggestion from the eldest palace maid Rudan.
"Yeah, okay. Guoenji is interested."
The old emperor praised.
This kind of peaceful environment, smelling the soothing fragrance, and listening to short stories are also good to avoid falling asleep.
Ru Dan knelt on the futon and read a short story in his sweet and gentle voice.
This is a little story about the origin of the saying about sesame oil. It's not that unusual, it's recorded in many Buddhist scriptures.
Hearing this, the old emperor yawned greatly.
Rudan quickly changed to a short story.
It is a story about Buddha cutting his flesh to serve an eagle.
The old emperor moved his waist.
Rudan quickly put down one book, picked up another, and said, "The story recorded in this book is more interesting. I will read it to you, Your Majesty."
As he spoke, he continued: ""There was a man who worshiped Buddha very much. Whether it is placed at home, hung on the wall, or even food, he imitates Buddha and carves it into the shape of a lotus.
And he would fast, bathe, burn incense and chant sutras every day, without any distractions. This sincerity finally reached heaven and was sensed by Buddha.
On this day, the Buddha appeared, transformed into his true body, and came riding on a rare beast. Unexpectedly, the man was frightened half to death and almost ran away.
Buddha was puzzled: Why is there such a difference?
Later, he returned to heaven, pondered for a long time, and finally realized: This man is deceiving the world and stealing his reputation. "
After the eldest maid finished reading, she glanced at His Majesty secretly. Seeing that His Majesty didn't react too much, I knew I could continue.
Then I read the next short story happily.
"People always have many wishes. No matter how big or small they are, they all hope that they can be fulfilled with the mercy of the Buddha. Even small children have their own wishes that they want to achieve.
The Buddha had no choice but to send down the rain in the hope of benefiting the world and gaining piety. However, there are gaps in the raindrops and bursts of mountain wind. Only a few people and things can make their wishes come true. As a result, everyone in the world resented the uselessness of faith and turned their backs on him.
Buddha was confused: Do your wishes have a price?
The world replied: Otherwise, why would I believe you?
The Buddha suddenly understood and removed the incense. From then on, he only accepted sincerity and piety. "
After hearing this story, the old emperor opened his eyes and looked at the smoking incense candles on the altar, thoughtfully.
After a few breaths, his fingers moved slightly, signaling the eldest palace lady Rudan to continue.
Rudan turned to the next page and read: "One day, there was a wise man who wandered around and rushed around the world because he believed in the Buddha.
His vast wealth was used to build temples, nunneries and pagodas in various places, and promised many benefits to people who became monks.
Everyone followed suit. After all, people in the world are lazy. If you can get something without working, you will be happy and comfortable, and you will flock to it like a duck.
However, when Buddha found out, he became furious. It says: Unintentionality is the source of disaster, like a lotus pond filled with algae and filthy odor rising to the sky. Why bother? Why bother!
But the world didn't know that the Buddha was angry, and he was still like a crucian carp crossing the river, thinking that he was a monk and was proud of him.
The Buddha eventually became impatient and sighed: "It's too much, but not enough." So he never looked at the human world again. "
The old emperor stopped listening.
She stood up, shook her sleeves, and went back to her bedroom to sleep.
However, she did not sleep peacefully that night.
At first, I actually dreamed that the Buddha was coming.
The golden light, the twisted smile, and the friendly smile all made the old emperor excited.
But I want to get close to the Buddha, but I can't.
She desperately wanted to take a step forward, even just one step, but she couldn't.
Suddenly a strong wind blew over and the Buddha disappeared.
The look he gave her before disappearing seemed to be filled with contempt.
Later, the old emperor dreamed that he had become Buddha, but somehow he fell into the lotus pond. The mud at the bottom of the lotus pond also trapped her tightly.
Just when she was desperately trying to break free, countless bald heads stuck out from the mud, smiling "hehehe" at her. They all stretched out their hands and shouted at her: "Bring it, bring it, bring it..."
The old emperor sat up in shock.
I felt cold sweat soaking down my back and my heart was flustered.
After a while, I drank a cup of tea and fell asleep again, only to see a bunch of children dancing and singing there again.
"1, 3, 5, there is no rice in the people's jars. Do you think it's funny or not?"
2, 4, 6. No one is planting crops in the fields. Do you think it’s funny or not?
7, 10, 9, there are no strong laborers in the village, and wild beasts from the mountains roam all over the ground;
8 and 11, the aunt is alive without a husband, and the young daughter-in-law is in tears.
In December, in December, there are bald heads everywhere without Buddha certificates, and they go into the village every month to grab copper coins. You say it is funny or not. You say it is funny, but it is not funny! "
The old emperor woke up again.
He stood up, put on his clothes, walked out of the side hall, and stood in front of the main door.
I raised my ears and listened carefully, but heard nothing.
In fact, people say that the old emperor believes in Buddhism, but in fact, she knows very well in her heart that she is just seeking her own psychological comfort.
In this life, she was decisive in killing. Especially during the period after she officially ascended the throne, in order to balance the situation in the court and break the constraints of the aristocratic families, she was ruthless and killed again and again.
He even did not hesitate to send his own sons and grandchildren to the Palace of Hell one after another.
Aren't you heartbroken? How can it be.
That was when she was pregnant for ten months and experienced the arrival and growth of each little life.
But if she doesn't do that, the kings will fall apart and fight for power, which will inevitably cause chaos in the country and the displacement of the people.
But who knows?
She can only hope that Buddha can hear her voice and understand her helplessness.
But Buddha must also know that she actually just wants to change her image in the eyes of the world, right?
From being cold and cruel to being bodhisattva-hearted, such an image transformation, right?
So you know that she is not pious, and you know that even if she says it, she won't hesitate when it's time to kill, right?
And if the world is trying to imitate her behavior, is it really... funny or not...?
