Li Bao looked at this monk with a heroic face, his face was white, his eyes were painted, he was very energetic, and his figure was long. It can be seen that this monk is usually very well maintained. Li Bao arched his hand and said: "This master doesn't know how to be honored? ”

The old monk Yuanren hurriedly said: "The king forgives the sin, the old man came in a hurry, and he hasn't introduced Senior Brother Mingde to you yet." He is the presiding officer of Ankokuji Temple. After Yuanren finished speaking, Mingde bowed to Li Bao.

When Li Bao heard this, he hurriedly said: "I have admired the prestige of the master for a long time, but the prince of Bao Nai is trapped here all day long, and he can't go to Anguo Temple to meet him as soon as possible, which is really rude." ”

Yuanren and Mingde were busy and didn't dare, so Li Bao invited the two to sit in the main hall. The guest and the host sat down, Ling'er instructed the palace people to send tea, and then took the palace people to retreat obediently.

Yuanren took a sip of tea and praised: "Good tea, Lao Qu has always heard that the king is the best at eating, and now it can be seen from this cup of tea that the king strives for perfection and painstakingly studies the diet, and this tea is much sweeter than the previous tea soup." Just like my Dharma, go to the root and save the truth. ”

Li Baoxin said: This old god stick can connect anything to the Dharma, and he really does not leave the line of three sentences. He put down the teacup and said with a smile: "The two masters came late at night and don't know why? ”

Mingde and Yuanren glanced at each other and announced a Buddha name: "There is no Amitabha Buddha in the south, and the poor monk and senior brother came here this time for a great merit." I just don't know what the king wants? ”

Li Bao was confused when he heard this, and said with a puzzled face: "The two masters have something to say, okay, Bao is stupid, I really can't guess the master's Zen Feng." ”

Yuanren glared at Mingde and said, "Don't be confused, Senior Brother Mingde was anxious just now and didn't make it clear. This morning, the official family summoned the old man and the younger brother Mingde to the Xianning Hall to participate in meditation and listen to the scriptures. While listening to the scriptures, the official mentioned that the king had written a legendary story book, which told the story of Master Xuanzang going west to learn the scriptures? ”

When Li Bao heard this, he immediately understood why these two monks came here. There were many religions in the Tang Dynasty, including Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Nestorianism (Christianity), Manichaeism, Yuanjiao, and Fern and Dongba religions. Among them, Buddhism and Taoism are the most powerful and influential in philosophical thought.

However, throughout the Tang Dynasty, the struggle between Buddhism and Taoism was fierce. In addition, the emperors of the Li Tang royal family had different attitudes towards Buddhism and Taoism, and the development trend of Buddhism and Taoism was also constantly changing.

Tang Gaozu and Taizong revered Laozi Li Er as their ancestor in order to put Taoism above Buddhism; Wu Zetian was against the Li Tang royal family, claiming that she was born from Maitreya Buddha, and tried his best to suppress Taoism, and stripped all the titles of Lao Tzu, and suppressed Taoism under Buddhism.

In the period of Tang Wuzong, in order to crack down on the extremely inflated economic power of the temple, Wuzong listened to the advice of the Taoist priest and ordered the destruction of the Buddha. After Xuanzong succeeded to the throne, he ordered to vigorously support Buddhism.

When Emperor Yizong was young, he was frightened all day long in the mansion of the Sixteen Princes, but he found solace in Buddhism and became a fan of Buddhism, but Buddhism has not yet recovered from the "Huichang Fa Difficulty" in the time of Wuzong. Even Da'anguo Temple, a temple that has always been enshrined by the royal family, was restored in the seventh year of Xiantong through the manpower of the Shence Army.

The book "Journey to the West" can be seen from the beginning, this is an obvious promotion of Buddha and suppression. These two old monks must have come for this purpose. After figuring out this section, Li Bao's heart was greatly relaxed.

So Li Bao said to Yuanren: "The Zen master is a Taoist monk, and he actually likes such secular legends? ”

Yuanren proclaimed the Buddha's name to Li Baohe: "Amitabha, the great king has deep roots, and he must understand the truth." Most laypeople think that Buddhism is difficult and obscure, and although my Buddhist disciples often talk about the scriptures and laymans [1], they have little effect. ”

"If you can get the support of the king, then all the people in the world can see from Master Xuanzang's journey to the west to learn scriptures that my Buddhism not only has great perseverance, but also great exercises and great freedom. Of course, writing books and saying that you can also get immeasurable merit for the king. ”

The reason why Yuanren said this is because by the late Tang Dynasty, the north-south dispute between Buddhism [2] had come to an end, and Buddhism, represented by Zen Buddhism, combined with the reality of Chinese society, simplified its teachings and practice methods, absorbed some ideological factors of Confucianism, added secular patriarchal colors, and gradually transformed from foreign religions into religions with Chinese characteristics, thus strengthening its competitiveness.

However, folk Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty has always been in a weak position in the world, and some popular legends in the market, such as "Taiping Guangji", "Sun Simiao", "Ye Tianshi" and other works, most of them describe the Taoist priest's profound mana, Buddhist monks are stupid and greedy, and they are powerless to fight against Taoist priests.

Both Yuanren and Mingde wanted to use "Journey to the West" to revitalize the prestige of Buddhism among the people, and to counter the erosion of Taoism in soft culture.

Since "Journey to the West" has been written, it doesn't matter how Li Bao uses it, but these two old monks want it, so they can't be used for free, brother has to cut some meat off you, otherwise how can he be worthy of the brain cells that my brother spent in order to catch up with the draft?

So Li Bao said to the two monks: "The master wants to use this book to educate the people, and such a good thing with immeasurable merits, Bao will not refuse." ”

Hearing Li Bao say this, the two monks were overjoyed. Mingde was even more smiling, and was about to send Li Bao a few more kind words about not asking for money, when Li Bao spoke again.

"However, this book is not done by Bao, and Bao can't be the master." Li Bao shook his shoulders helplessly.

The two old monks were stunned by Li Bao's "but", and neither of them noticed Li Bao's strange movements, Mingde couldn't help but say: "Don't coax the poor monks, the officials have already said that this book is indeed made by the king." Could it be that the officials would still lie and deceive the poor monks? ”

Li Baoxin said: As far as your cultivation is concerned, how did you manage to be the host of Anguo Temple? But he couldn't say that, he just smiled and looked at Mingde with an impatient face, and said: "Zen Master Mingde, you must not have heard clearly, when Bao Tianjin was dedicated to the adults, but he said it clearly, this book was told to me by an old palace man in the Bao Palace, but he died early, and then I wrote it by me." ”

Yuanren said to the impatient Mingde: "Senior Brother Mingde, don't worry, the king said so, then this matter must be the case, but you didn't hear it clearly." I have been a family member and must guard against arrogance and rashness, don't you remember? ”

After Yuanren finished speaking, Mingde's eyes flashed, but he immediately held back, hurriedly folded his hands, bowed his head and recited Buddhist scriptures silently, and stopped speaking.

Yuanren said to Li Bao: "Amitabha, according to what the king said, the old palace man has passed away, and this book must be regarded as written by the king." Besides, he is a palace man who is the king's slave and maidservant, and of course all of them are also the king's. ”

Li Baoxin said: This old monk is still powerful, he laughed: "What Zen Master Yuanren said is bad, he never discriminates against the palace people, and never ignores it, since this book is written by others, he must not be greedy for this merit for himself." Otherwise, why should you make it clear to your lords when you make an offering? ”

When Yuanren heard this, he gave Li Bao a thumbs up and said, "Amitabha, good, good!" The king is not only kind-hearted, but also not greedy for merit and right from wrong, which is really the blessing of my Tang Dynasty. ”

Li Bao has accepted all the sycophants of this old monk, but if he wants his brother to use it for free, it is not to be discussed. So he said to Yuanren: "Zen Master Yuanren can understand Bao, and he is really a great monk with enlightenment and insight. The Zen master wants to publish "Journey to the West", and it is not necessary to protect it. But there is one condition, if the Zen master can agree, Bao will definitely agree to the Zen master's request. ”

"Oh, what are the conditions of the king, you might as well say it and give it to Lao Wei and Senior Brother Mingde for details."

Li Bao took a moment and looked at Yuanren, and the Mingde monk couldn't help but raise his head and look at Li Bao, his eyes were full of curiosity.

After waiting for a while, Li Bao spoke: "That old palace man has taken care of Bao for many years, and he is very dedicated to Bao, and his feelings for Bao are really deep. ”

Yuanren listened, and said in his heart: To build a tomb for a palace person who has been dead for many years, are you really kind-hearted, or do you want to ask for money? So Yuanren spoke: "Building a tomb is indeed a good idea, and when the time comes, Lao Qu and Mingde will definitely go to his grave to spend a good time for him, so that he can ascend to bliss as soon as possible." ”

Li Bao smiled and said: "Zen Master Yuanren is kind, Bao Dai Lao Gong people understand, but to protect a prince of the deep palace, the monthly income is limited, and it costs a lot to build a tomb, so I always blame myself in my heart." ”

Yuanren had already heard what Li Bao meant, this was Chi Guoguo's asking for money, and Mingde also heard Li Bao's off-topic meaning, and he was angry.

It doesn't hurt if Yuanren wants to give some money, this auspicious king is anxious in the hearts of the officials, and it is not without benefit to give some money and befriend him. So he smiled and said, "I don't know how much the tomb the king wants to build, how much will it cost?" Lao G's Songde Temple and Mingde's Anguo Temple also have some temple properties. Why don't we have two temples working together? ”

Li Bao was happy in his heart: "The kindness of the two Zen masters, Bao Xin received, but this matter of building a tomb is Bao's intention, if it is done by others, Bao is afraid that he will feel uneasy." ”

Mingde couldn't help but say: "Since the king said so, then don't beat around the bush, how much does the king need, the poor monk agreed, and the money will come from a certain Anguo Temple." ”

Li Bao gave a thumbs up to Mingde, smiled and praised: "Master Mingde, it's really bold, okay, Bao won't say much, as long as Master Mingde gives 100,000 yuan, it is enough to build a good tomb for my old palace people." ”

Yuanren and Mingde both stared at each other and shouted at Li Bao, "How much? ”

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[Note 1] The so-called vulgar talk is that the monks use easy-to-understand words to tell the stories in the Buddhist scriptures to the audience, and there are monks in many Buddhist temples or scenic spots in the Tang Dynasty.

[Note 2] The dispute between the north and the south of Zen Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty was a dispute between the two disciples of the five patriarchs, Master Hongren, Shenxiu and Huineng, over the practice of cultivating Buddhism, and finally the six ancestors Huineng won and unified Zen Buddhism.