Dean John stopped the overly impatient Dmitri, and after the usual greetings, they walked into the courtyard.
Guo Kang pointed to the statue of Brother Tian on the top of a tower opposite the courtyard and introduced: "Look, that's where the thunder and lightning are drawn."
Dmitri and others looked up and saw that the statue was made of copper. Brother Tian has an angry beard and tangled muscles. He is wearing a Greek-style robe and holds a long lightning-shaped staff in his hand. One of the tips points directly to the sky, and the other end is connected to a metal pillar, extending to the ground. Into the soil.
"Is this Brother Tian or Zeus?" The Greek Demetrius always felt that something was wrong with this statue.
"This is 'Brother Thunder and Lightning'." Guo Kang explained: "Of course, it is normal to look like Zeus. The external image of God is not constant, and it is actually not important."
"In ancient times, people's level of theological research was limited, and they often regarded the multiple images of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Brother as different gods. This is a misunderstanding, and there is no need to be harsh."
"In this way..." Dmitri hesitated for a moment and put the question aside: "Then how does this statue obtain thunder and lightning?"
"It's sunny today. When it thunders and rains, you can see it." Guo Kang said: "At that time, the thunder and lightning will hit Brother Tian's walking stick, and then be transmitted down and enter the earth. This device allows us to Avoiding thunder and lightning also makes it easier for everyone to observe.”
"This is thunder..." Dmitri said in awe: "Can humans really be infected by it?"
"That's why we asked Brother Tian to pick him up instead of asking you to pick him up." Guo Kang pointed at the statue: "It would be really dangerous if you get involved..."
"..."
Dmitri suddenly felt that something made sense.
"Moreover, if one has enough cultivation and is close enough to God, then one can also come into contact with this dangerous power to a certain extent." Guo Kang added: "Of course, this requires mastering enough knowledge."
"I understand this." Dmitri nodded and looked at the statue of Brother Tian.
"What's wrong?" Seeing that he hesitated to speak, Guo Kang asked.
"Isn't it true that by placing the statue like this, Heavenly Father will strike Heavenly Brother with thunder? Is this really good?" he asked.
"In order to save mankind, Heavenly Father even asked Brother Tian to sacrifice his life. Compared with letting everyone understand the laws of the world and get closer to God's wisdom, a statue being struck by lightning is nothing." Guo Kang expected this kind of problem, Answer without thinking.
"And what's the relationship? You think Heavenly Father is attacking him, but in fact, for Brother Tian, it may just make his divine power more abundant. He is not a mortal, so don't speculate based on the strange ideas of mortals."
"I understand," Dmitri said quickly.
Lama Wang had already sent someone to inform the people in the monastery to get ready, and Guo Kang accompanied Dmitri to look around.
At the monastery gate hangs their emblem: a skull. This thing comes from the orthodox traditional relic worship. On the head, one eye hole is a gear, and the other eye hole is a thunder and lightning.
"This is what you mean by exploring the mysterious knowledge of God and getting closer to the power of God." Dmitri said.
"Yes." Guo Kang nodded and said: "This monastery is called the 'Holy Light's Hope' Order. Most of the members here are priests of the Greek retreat sect. We believe that the monks have often studied before Holy light, as well as thunder and lightning, are all manifestations of divine power.”
"Aristotle and other sages have already explored the path in terms of light and electricity. I believe that as long as we continue to move forward, we will definitely be able to get closer to God and feel God."
"I have studied Aristotle's works before, but this is indeed the first time I have heard this statement." Dmitri said sincerely: "Has Aristotle done such research before?"
"Yes, but our side has experienced wars for a long time, especially after the Frank Crusaders sacked the city, and many files were lost." Guo Kang shook his head: "It has been more than 200 years since 1204, and your monastery has nothing to do with it. It’s normal to have no impression.”
"However, it's not just people here who are reading Aristotle's works - you should also know how famous he is." He reminded: "If nothing else, I have contacted a person who studies Aristotle before. Stotle is a scholar of heavenly teachings. I can introduce him to you later."
"Oh, I've heard of this..." Dmitri nodded.
"Then do you know the 'Second Mentor' Al Farabi?" Guo Kang asked.
"Ah, I've only heard of his name." Dmitri was a little embarrassed: "You know, we have been at war all year round. During the civil war in the previous dynasty, the monastery was also robbed by mercenaries and some books were lost. , and many monk brothers escaped and hid in Morea and Trabizon, but not all of them have been found yet."
"It's even more of a luxury to communicate with scholars from other places." He sighed: "It's only in the past few years that the situation has gotten better, and we have been able to organize books, go out for visits, and start research again. Until now, we have really The time of stability is only twenty years..."
"It's not easy for you." Once he poured out his bitterness, he couldn't stop. Guo Kang had to comfort him and tell him to stop complaining.
"In short... Aristotle's teachings were spread in the East a long time ago."
"Aristotle was Alexander's teacher. When Alexander's army marched eastward, some scholars brought his works to Bactria." Guo Kang told him: "After that, in Bactria and Margia The teachings of Sogdiana and Aristotle, along with the cultural influence of the Greeks, became popular."
"Balkh, the central city of Bactria, and Mulu, the central city of Margiana, are both centers of trade and cultural exchange. For example, Buddhism in the south was introduced from India, where it merged with Greek culture, and finally moved eastward Communication is still popular in Seris today. And the same goes for all kinds of learning from the west."
"However, the Greek country over there, just like here, never stopped fighting internally, and eventually collapsed in endless civil strife. By the time the Roman Republic emerged, there was only one city-state left."
"But soon they gained more knowledge from Egypt."
"According to al-Farabi, the scholars of heavenly teaching believe that after Aristotle's death, the place where his teachings really took root was in Alexandria, Egypt. After that, a series of teachers successively spread Aristotle's teachings. The doctrine of virtue, until the final reign of 'that woman'."
"'The woman' had compiled some philosophical works, but King Augustus of Rome came over, killed her, and seized her collection of books. Augustus believed that only Aristotle himself and his Only the writings left by the student generation can be preserved and taught, and subsequent books should be destroyed. He also appointed special officials to be responsible for burning books and taking important documents to Rome."
(End of chapter)
