Li Xuan stood in the courtyard, unable to react for a moment.
Theravada Buddhism?
In his impression, before Xuanzang returned from his journey to the west for Buddhist scriptures, Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism were facing each other in the north and south, with Mahayana in the north and Theravada in the south.
However, within a few years after Xuanzang's return, Theravada Buddhism was on the verge of extinction.
Therefore, Li Xuan looked at Guiji in confusion and asked: "Master, has Theravada Buddhism not been extinct yet?"
Monk Guiji had a wry smile on his face, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you are wrong. As long as the Buddhist scriptures exist, the Hinayana Buddhism will never be destroyed."
Li Xuan solemnly raised her hand: "Master, please explain in detail!"
Monk Guiji sighed softly and said: "The Hinayana method is based on self-improvement and liberation. Its highest achievements are Arahant and Pratyekabuddha. Its practice focuses on enlightenment. Wherever enlightenment is, there is enlightenment. .”
Li Xuan stood aside and couldn't help but frown.
Hinayana Buddhism has regained enlightenment, and Zen Buddhism has also regained enlightenment. Is it possible that the two are still related?
Monk Guiji seemed to know what Li Xuan was thinking. He shook his head and said softly: "The Mahayana method advocates both salvation, that is, not only saving oneself but also saving others. The ideal ultimate fruit of the Hinayana method is Arhat, Pratyekabuddha, and Pratyeka Buddha." The branch is also a side door; the ideal ultimate fruit of the Mahayana Dharma is the True Buddha; after you become a True Buddha, you must also save all sentient beings and help others become True Buddhas. This is Bodhicitta."
After a slight pause, Monk Guiji continued: "If a Zen practitioner has Bodhicitta, then he practices Mahayana Zen; if he does not have Bodhicitta, then he practices Hinayana Zen."
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Although Gui Ji did not say something clearly, there is no doubt that Zen originated from Hinayana Buddhism. It puts self-cultivation first and becomes a Buddha, and then generates bodhicitta to save all living beings and help others become Buddhas.
But if you want to save all sentient beings and help others become Buddhas, you must first become Buddhas yourself. The realms are different. Mahayana Buddhism is higher than Hinayana Buddhism, and it is even a certain sublimation.
Especially those who later develop bodhicitta, save all sentient beings, and help others become Buddhas are accepted by the ruling class.
After all, even an emperor needs others to be ordinary to become a Buddha.
…
"The Hinayana school spread widely in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Pitan school, Chengshi school, Kushe school, etc. all belong to the Hinayana category, but in recent years, they have all declined. In addition, there is a special case, the Vinaya sect. Although the Vinaya sect uses Hinayana laws This is the basis, but it uses the 'heart' as the body of discipline. Therefore, although it belongs to Hinayana, considering that it uses the heart as the body of discipline and returns to the sect of consciousness, the Vinaya sect can be identified as the Mahayana school." Monk Guiji breathed a sigh of relief. The past of Theravada Buddhism is finally explained in general.
There are eight major sects of Mahayana Buddhism, namely, Sanlun sect, Faxiang sect, Fahua sect, Huayan sect, Zen sect, Pure Land sect, Vinaya sect, and Shingon sect.
Li Xuan nodded, he finally understood the sectarian divisions within Buddhism.
Immediately, Li Xuan said: "Master, please explain the Jushe Sect in detail."
"The Kushe sect takes the Kushe text as the fundamental classic, is the Hinayana sect, and has Jianye Dinglin Temple as its main gate."
After a moment's pause, Monk Guiji looked solemn: "My master returned from India, re-translated the Kusāsāstra, compiled all the Sarvastivada texts, and passed them on to his disciples Puguang and Dharma. It became the new translation sect of the Kusā sect. Many former disciples of the Kushe Sect came to Daci'en Temple to practice, and Kushe's studies changed from the old theory to the new theory."
Monk Guiji looked at Monk Daotong, whose hands and feet were tied tightly with beef tendons and could not move at all, and sighed softly: "It was under such circumstances that Daotong came to Daci'en Temple to practice and study the Dharma."
"But it's a pity that his heart has already turned aside." Li Xuan glanced at the fangs placed on the stone table beside Monk Daotong's face. The fangs he had just pulled out from Monk Daotong's mouth, he shook his head and said : "I'm afraid this person has fallen into the devil's path."
"I wonder how the king plans to deal with Daotong?" Qiuji clasped his palms together and looked at Li Xuan with a hint of pleading.
Li Xuan shook his head slightly and said: "Master, even in Buddhism, murderers will go to Abi Hell, no matter if he kills an eminent monk from Tianzhu... But don't worry, abbot, this person will not go through any trial, Qianniu Guard will let him He disappeared without a trace. There is also Jianye Dinglin Temple, and the government will also send people to investigate. If he has colluded with the devil's sect and ruined people's lives, he will not be able to escape severe legal punishment."
"Zhou Qian."
"Your Majesty." Zhou Qian walked out from behind and raised his hands to Li Xuan: "Please give me your instructions."
"Send the person to Qianniu Prison. I want to know all the information he knows." Li Xuan waved his hand, and Zhou Qian immediately handed over: "Here!"
Zhou Qian strode towards the monk Daotong who was with him. Although Di Renjie looked a little surprised, he did not stop him.
…
Zhou Qian lifted him up, raised his hands to Di Renjie seriously and said: "Di Si Cheng, I have no intention of looking down on my colleagues in Dali Temple. It's just that I, the Qianniu Guard, am better at interrogating demon sect members."
Di Renjie nodded and said, "Brother Zhou is absolutely right, please."
Di Renjie rarely stopped him and watched Zhou Qian take the people out.
Li Xuan waved slightly towards Li Zhu who was standing aside. Li Zhu nodded immediately and then quietly followed Zhou Qian and others.
When Di Renjie saw this scene, he came over with a little surprise and asked in a deep voice: "My lord, are you worried that someone will do something secretly?"
Li Xuan shook her head and said calmly: "Now, I wish that someone would directly rescue people, but now it seems that no one will rescue people at all, because all of this is just a pawn to attract attention."
Before Li Xuan finished speaking, Monk Guiji couldn't help but change his expression.
Daci'en Temple, a famous and dignified temple, was murdered and infiltrated. It was also involved in the dispute between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism. It was just used to attract attention.
Even though Qiuji had advanced cultivation, he suppressed the anger in his heart in a blink of an eye, but still clasped his hands to Li Xuan and said: "If the prince needs anything, send someone to send a message, and Daci'en Temple will do its best to help."
"Then I'll trouble you, Master." Li Xuan returned the salute by clasping his hands, then stood up straight, and said in a deep voice: "Master, I am not speaking nonsense, but it is better to conduct an inventory of the inside of the Great Ci'en Temple... One year for the Queen and His Majesty President Xi Jinping has been here several times, and if one mistake is taken advantage of by thieves, Master should be able to imagine how tragic the consequences will be."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for reminding me, this poor monk will keep this in mind." Monk Guiji's face suddenly became extremely solemn. The lives of countless monks in the entire Great Ci'en Temple have been hung up by this incident.
"With that, Xiao Wang takes leave." Li Xuan clasped her palms together, waved her hand, and left the Daci'en Temple with Di Renjie and others.
…
Li Xuan got on his horse and headed in the direction of Honglu Temple, thinking while walking slowly.
Di Renjie followed Li Xuan and said, "Is the prince thinking that he can use the power of Buddhism to find the hidden traces of the Demon Sect?"
"Yes." Li Xuan nodded and sighed softly: "Although there are secret guards in the court who are responsible for dealing with the demon sect, Buddhism and the demon sect have been at odds with each other for hundreds of years. They are the ones who understand each other best. eachother's.
In this case, the one who is most unwilling to give up is the Daci'en Temple. If they take action now, we can just follow them. "
Di Renjie thought for a moment and asked: "Didn't the prince say that this matter was used by Tibet to attract the attention of the government and the public? Why do they still invest so much energy?"
Li Xuan shook her head slightly and said: "Brother Huaiying, the Tubo people are looking for someone to act in this matter. How can I cooperate to make them think that we are really attracted..."
Go with the flow and fish in troubled waters.
After a slight pause, Li Xuan continued: "The real action in this matter is Buddhism. How influential Buddhism is in Chang'an. Brother Huaiying, don't you know? If you raise your eyes even a little, the people of the demon sect will have nothing to hide." , when they take action, we can just take advantage of them... But we have to notify Jin Wuwei in advance and don't get involved."
"It is said that the prince is good at calculating people's minds, and it is indeed true." Di Renjie sighed with emotion, but then he shook his head and said: "The prince's idea is perfect, but Buddhism is also sophisticated. It will be difficult to tell who will take advantage of whom."
Li Xuan's face became solemn and she nodded silently.
The Demon Sect is cunning, but the Buddhist Sect is not easy to deal with. In terms of means, they are not weak at all.
"But the power of Buddhism can be used after all, but..." Di Renjie looked at Li Xuan and asked uncertainly: "It's just that while Buddhism is moving, where is the prince? In which direction does the prince start exerting force?"
"Real intelligence transactions are always silent. The sky is full of wind and rain, and they are always for people to see. If you want to find out what the Tibetans are doing, you must first find out what they want to know. , and then we can gain something from the investigation.”
After Li Xuan finished speaking, he patted the horse and rushed into the crowd instantly, and the crowd in front immediately dispersed.
Li Xuan immediately grabbed the reins again, then turned his head and looked around with sharp eyes. The people around him looked at him with surprise and suspicion.
Di Renjie followed Li Xuan in surprise. Seeing Li Xuan's actions, he seemed to realize something. He looked at the crowd around him, full of vigilance, and asked in a low voice in Li Xuan's ear: "Your Majesty. Do you suspect someone is watching the prince?"
"You are not staring at me, but at the entire Great Ci'en Temple. This king is not easy to control. You, Di Renjie, have a pair of sharp eyes. If you want to ensure that you achieve your goals, can't you keep an eye on me at all times?" Li Xuan glanced at everyone present, then turned the horse's head and walked slowly in the direction of the palace. At the same time, he said: "Let's go to Qianniu Guard. Maybe we will know the result sometime."
"Here!" Di Renjie quickly followed and followed Li Xuan to the palace.
Just after everyone finally left, a small candy seller stood diagonally on the side of Daci'en Temple. He quickly finished his work, and then quickly packed up everything before the next batch of customers arrived. In a blink of an eye, he left Da Ci'en Temple with his burden.
The stall owner quickly disappeared into the streets and alleys near Daci'en Temple and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
After a long time, he finally came out of Dayefang on the west side of Jinchangfang, but at this time, he had already changed into a light blue satin robe and a black hat, looking like a rich man. , and then walked directly into Changlefang and entered a large house inside.
A moment later, a homing pigeon flew up from the mansion, then flew south, directly arriving at Ande Fang on the west side of Qixia Gate, and landed at the home of an ordinary family on the west side of Ande Fang.
After the owner standing in the courtyard collected the news, he immediately returned to the house and never came out again.
The dove hawk high in the sky has been watching carefully, staring at several houses near the courtyard.
At this time, several other families were either empty or in the courtyard.
There was only one bookstore on the east side, and the people in the courtyard instantly became nervous.
But soon, the tension disappeared, and not long after, another homing pigeon was sent to the sky from next door.
The pigeon hawk hesitated slightly and then followed the homing pigeon.
At this time, a young, gentle and elegant-looking young man walked into the courtyard of the bookstore, and an entry suddenly jumped up.
[Yang Shou, the helmsman of Chang'an branch of Wanxiang Pavilion, is in the Xuantai Middle Realm. 】
(End of chapter)
