"If there is nothing wrong in your heart, why be afraid?" Emperor Liu said leisurely.
Hongtai presided over: "What your Majesty said is true, it's the old monk who is in trouble!"
As a result, the host seemed to have realized something again, his face became calmer, and he completely relaxed, calm and calm, as if he was ready to be teased and humiliated by Emperor Liu.
Of course, it was Emperor Liu's joke to make money from Buddha statues. He just came up with it and talked nonsense. Emperor Liu was probably more interested in the reactions of these monks than the bronze statues in the temple.
In fact, Emperor Liu's visit to Shaolin Mountain this time was mainly to satisfy his curiosity. After all, passing Songshan Mountain without entering Shaolin was indeed a shortcoming for him, and it would inevitably become a regret.
After leaving the Main Hall, the host led Emperor Liu to the Sutra Pavilion for a closer look. Emperor Liu was able to continue to appreciate the scenery in the ancient temple. It has to be said that the foundation does exist, and the fragrance of the Buddha's spirit does give people a sense of A sense of peace.
Walking slowly, Emperor Liu asked the old monk Hongtai: "Master, are there any martial arts books in the Sutra Collection Pavilion in Shaolin that teach the secrets of practicing Qi and conquering the world?"
When the host heard this, he was slightly surprised and replied: "Your Majesty, in the Sutra Pavilion, there are mostly Buddhist scriptures, and there are indeed some methods of strengthening the body. As for the practice of Qi training that Your Majesty said, he is ignorant!"
"Haha! I just asked casually. The host can just listen and don't take it seriously!" Emperor Liu said with a smile: "Back then, I met Taoist Chen Tuan and asked him for advice on how to maintain health and longevity. As a result, he gave me He left a copy of "Seventy-two Chapters of Zhixuan".
The book is a good book, and the law is a good law, but it is not suitable for me, a secular emperor who has a hard life. Since I am at least Lin, I also have some desires, but after thinking about it, it is fine, so it will not be difficult for me to preside over it! "
After hearing what Emperor Liu said, the old abbot's expression remained unchanged and he responded: "Your Majesty is magnanimous and magnanimous, and this old monk admires you!"
"But!" As soon as the words changed, Emperor Liu said again: "The imperial court is repairing books. When repairing a big book, it is necessary to collect books from all over the world. Confucian classics, Taoist canon, Buddhist scriptures, and hundreds of schools of thought all need to be included and organized. In order to complete this grand ceremony of the country , Shaolin Tibetan Scriptures, please host don’t be stingy!”
After hearing this, Master Hongtai said: "Your Majesty, the scriptures stored in the Sutra Pavilion have been transcribed and reprinted and presented to the capital!"
"Oh?" Emperor Liu was really surprised and turned his head to look at Zhang Yong: "Is there such a thing?"
"Your Majesty, it's true!" Zhang Yong replied: "Your Majesty once ordered three libraries to collect books from all over the world, and Shaolin scriptures also contributed!"
After receiving an affirmative answer, Emperor Liu acted as if nothing had happened and smiled: "I was negligent!"
"Your Majesty is working hard to govern, taking care of everything every day, and is focused on major national affairs. How can he take care of these small things!" said the host.
"It seems that everyone can flatter you, and monks are no exception. The host can talk about lotus flowers, and his skills in flattery are not shallow!" Emperor Liu said with a smile.
"I made your Majesty laugh!" The host's face remained unchanged.
"Since the book has been presented, I will not go to the Scripture Collection Pavilion specifically!" Stopping, Emperor Liu directly ordered: "As for the collection of Scriptures, you can choose the eminent monks in the temple who study Buddhist scriptures carefully to go to the three halls. Assist in compilation! Those scholars in the imperial court, Hongru, are experts in editing and compiling books, but they may not be good at studying Buddhist scriptures. Shaolin can help!"
"It would be an honor for this temple to participate in this grand ceremony! Your Majesty has ordered that the old monk be selected as the best Buddhist monk in the temple and go to the capital!" Hongtai presided over the ceremony.
"The host really understands the righteousness!"
Accompanied by a group of people, Emperor Liu wandered aimlessly in the temple, but kept talking: "How many people are there in the temple now?"
Upon hearing this question, Master Hongtai immediately took it seriously. However, his caution soon dissipated, and he agreed with a hint of helplessness: "Your Majesty, there are now a total of 765 monks, large and small, in the temple! "
"It's quite a lot!" Emperor Liu muttered, which made the monk tremble, and then said: "However, if there are fewer people in such a huge Buddhist temple, wouldn't it be deserted?"
"Why do so many people make a living?" Emperor Liu asked again.
The host replied: "On weekdays, there are donations from pilgrims and friends, and there are also thin fields in front of and behind the mountains for farming!"
Emperor Liu: "How many fields are there?"
The host had nothing to hide: "Each of us has more than 2,000 acres of land?"
"After deducting the two taxes, can we maintain it?" Emperor Liu pointed to some monks standing in the distance and said: "It is not easy to support these hundreds of monks!"
To talk about Emperor Liu's attack on Buddhist monks, there are two main ones. One is that the land he owns needs to be taxed, and the other is to strengthen the supervision of personnel. As for the original deprivation of property, it was basically a one-time deal. Buddhism may regret it, but the patience has passed. The huge blow was the above two points, which basically inhibited the development of Buddhist temples around the world in the past twenty years.
"It can still be maintained!" The old monk replied simply.
"Are all those who farm the fields monks from the temple?"
"Exactly!"
"That's right. It's not enough to just eat fast and chant Buddha's name. You have to support yourself!" Emperor Liu said.
"How many monk soldiers are there?" Emperor Liu asked suddenly.
The host's face was slightly dull, and his tone finally brought a touch of caution, and he replied: "Your Majesty, although there are some warrior monks in this temple, they only practice martial arts. In order to strengthen their bodies, how can they be called soldiers?"
"I have no other intentions. There is no need to be nervous or care about the host. The martial arts of the Han Dynasty are strong and popular among the people. The monks are also people of the Han Dynasty. Martial arts practice is not taboo!" Emperor Liu said with a smile, which made the host feel a little worried. Fall gently.
"During the Qianyou period, the imperial court promulgated regulations on the management of the Shimen. Can the local government conduct regular inspections and supervision every year?"
"Once every year, never miss one!"
"From the host's point of view, how effective is it?"
"Having government supervision and encouragement is indeed beneficial to the education of monks and the development of Buddhism, and this temple has also benefited a lot!" the host replied.
"Not necessarily!" After hearing this, Emperor Liu had an unpredictable look in his eyes and said with a relaxed smile: "How much Buddhist principles can government officials know? If they are asked to inspect the Buddhism of the monks, wouldn't it be like a layman commanding an expert?
Even if it has some effect at the beginning, it may only have a supervisory effect. Over time, it may become nothing more than a superficial effect. How can the officials not slack off? The host thinks that what I said is reasonable? "
After hearing the question, the old monk Hongtai was silent for a while, and under the gaze of Emperor Liu, he sighed softly: "Your Majesty's eyes are as sharp as a torch, and you can see everything clearly!"
"Then how to solve this problem?" Emperor Liu asked leisurely.
In response, the host responded: "How dare the old monk speak nonsense about court affairs? Your Majesty and the wise men of the temple need to use their wisdom and think of ways to achieve benefits!"
"I just had an idea and will preside over the evaluation!" Emperor Liu followed the words and continued: "I think it is not only necessary to determine the number of temples in each state in the world, but also to implement a quota for the number of monks in each temple. The government only needs to check the number of personnel in each temple according to the book! As for the internal affairs of the temples, each temple takes care of itself. Presumably, with this premise, each temple should not allow some unscrupulous people to hide in it..."
"What does the host think of my idea? Is it feasible?"
After listening to Emperor Liu's proposal, Host Hongtai had a look of obvious astonishment on his face. After a while, he came back to his senses and replied calmly but with difficulty: "Your Majesty's plan is feasible!"
He said this, but the bitterness in his heart became stronger. With the vision and wisdom of the old monk Hongtai, he naturally understands that if Emperor Liu's method is strictly implemented, then the restrictions on Buddhism that have been gradually loosened over the years will be tightened again, and the tight curse will once again be firmly placed on the world. On the head of Shimen.
It is true that the imperial court has relaxed its interference in the internal affairs of Buddhism, but the first limit is the monastery, and the second limit is the monks. No matter how you develop, there is a ceiling that you cannot break through.
Regardless of the presiding officer's psychology, Emperor Liu continued: "Buddhism is a place outside the realm of transformation. Do you think it is a place outside the law? What I am talking about is the law of the Han Dynasty!"
"The host thinks that if the Buddha comes into the world, should I worship him, or should he worship me?"
"I and the Buddha stand side by side in front of you. Should the host worship me first or the Buddha first?"
"I observe that the ancient emperors who tried to destroy the Buddha and suppress the Buddha rarely ended well. I have never understood the reason. What do you think will happen to me in the future?"
"..."
Emperor Liu's seemingly casual inquiries made Master Hongtai sweat profusely. It was hot in midsummer, but it was not as cold as the bone-chilling chill in his heart.
Seeing that he was speechless and unable to control himself, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "I asked casually, and the host can think about the answer slowly. I am tired. Please prepare a room in the house and let me try the vegetarian food in the temple." ....."
